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33  WIST  MAIN  STRMT 

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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductlons  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notas  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The( 
toth( 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  altar  any  of  the  images  in  tha 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  Tilming.  are  checked  below. 


n 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  da  couleur 


r~n    Covers  damaged/ 


D 


Couverture  endommagie 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurie  et/ou  pelHculAe 


I      I    Cover  title  missing/ 


Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  gAographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noirel 

Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustratHns  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli*  avec  d'autres  documents 


D 


D 


C^^ 


Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  serrie  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distorsion  le  long  de  la  marge  int*Heur« 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  aJoutAes 
lore  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte. 
mais,  lorsque  cela  Atait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  AtA  filmies. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  supplimentaires: 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  iti  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  methods  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiquAs  ci-dessous. 


r~~j   Coloured  pages/ 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagtes 

Pages  restored  and/oi 

Pages  restaur^as  et/ou  pelliculies 


r~~l    Pages  damaged/ 

j      I    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 


r~~K  Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
L^    Pages  d^color^es,  tacheties  ou  piquies 

□Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ditachies 

rp^  Showthrough/ 
I— -J    Transparence 


D 
D 
D 


Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Quality  inAgale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  malarial  supplimentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seuie  Mition  disponible 


prKPages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
U:£J   slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Lea  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  per  un  feuillet  d'errata.  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  itt  filmies  i  nouveau  de  facon  A 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


Thei 
possi 
of  th 
filmii 


Origi 
begir 
the  li 
sion, 
othei 
first  I 
sion, 
or  illi 


The  I 
shall 
TINU 
whici 

Maps 
diffei 
entiri 
begin 
right 
requi 
meth 


Pages  331-2  are  missing. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film*  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu*  ci-dessous. 

^OX  14X  18X  22X 


28X 


»Y 


12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

University  of  Toronto  Library 


L'exemplaire  film6  fut  reproduit  grAce  d  la 
g6n6rositi  de: 

University  of  Toronto  Library 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettetd  de  l'exemplaire  film6,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sior>.  or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  Ail 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — »>  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couver'iure  en 
papier  est  imprimde  sont  filmds  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  p'at  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmis  en  commenqant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
!a  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  — ►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
filmAs  A  des  taux  de  reduction  diffArents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich6,  11  est  filmd  A  partir 
de  i'angle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  &  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nicessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mithode. 


1 

2 

3 

1  2  3 

4  5  6 


"■  iiUau«» 


Wj- 


J^« 


*     Y(   RK; 


.   rjSADITIONS, 


NTIQ.irfTlBS, 


mmw  m  igm  state. 


■m- 


I 


HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS 


OF  THE 


Jl 


I 


STATE    OF    NEW    YORK; 


CONTAININO 


A  GENERAL  COLLECTION  OF  THE  MOST  INTERESTING  FACTS,  TRADITIONS, 
BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES,  ANECDOTES,  &c. 


RELATINQ  TO  ITS 


HISTORY  AND  ANTIQUITIES, 

GEOGRAPHICAL  DESCRIPTIONS  OF  EVERY  TOWNSfflP  IN  THE  STATE. 
Xllnstrated  by  330  EneraTing^. 


BY    JOHN    W.  BARBER, 

lUTHOR  OF  CONNECTICUT,  AND  MAS8ACHUSKTT8  hiBTORICAL  COLLECTIONS 

HENRY    HOWE, 

AUTHOR  or  "THE  MEMOIRS  OF  EMINENT  AMERICAN  MECHANICS,"  ETC 
[Armi  ol  the  State  of  Now  York.] 


[Mora  ileTaud.] 


NEW  YORK: 


PUBLISHED    FOR   THE    AUTHORS,         ,•.. 
BY  S.  TUTTLE,  194  CHATHAM-SQUARE.' 

PllirC,  TKREK  nOM.ARS  , 

1842. 


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/\^0  ^  e>^^ 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Confrress,  m  the  year  1841, 

By  JoHM  W.  Babb'JK  and  Henry  Howe, 

In  the  Clerk's  OlHce  of  the  District  Court  of  Connecticut. 


„>f2Sl3Zti 


MITOHCOCK  tL  STAFrORD,  Pruiitn 


64881)3 


PREFACE. 


The  design  of  this  volume  is  to  give  an  account  of  the  most  im- 
portant and  interesting  events  relating  to  the  history  of  the  state  of 
New  York,  from  its  settlement  to  the  present  time,  with  geographical 
descriptions,  illustrated  by  numerous  engravings.  In  collecting  the 
materials  and  preparing  them  for  publication,  the  compilers  ot  this 
work  have  unitedly  spent  more  than  two  years  of  close  and  laborious 
application.  We  have  visited  every  part  of  the  state,  and  besides 
travelling  thousands  of  miles  in  the  public  conveyances,  we  have 
journeyed  many  hundreds  on  foot. 

Although  feeling  conscious  that  we  have  used  all  the  efforts,  and 
taken  every  precaution  which  could  be  reasonably  expected,  in  order 
to  have  this  work  accurate  in  every  respect,  yet  we  do  not  claim  an 
entire  exemption  from  those  imperfections  ever  attendant  on  works 
of  this  kind.  A  degree  of  diffidence  is  felt,  when  it  is  considered 
who  are  to  be  the  readers.  Travellers  in  giving  accounts  of  foreign 
countries,  may  make  statements  at  random,  which  may  pass  for  truth, 
when  there  is  no  one  at  hand  able  to  correct  their  errors.  This  vol- 
ume will  come  before  many  persons,  who,  on  some  subjects  intro- 
duced, have  better  means  of  information,  and  possess  more  know- 
ledge than  the  compilers.  A  certain  writer  defines  history  to  be 
merely  "  an  approximation  towards  truth."  Although  this  humilia- 
ting statement  will  not  be  allowed  tc  its  full  extent,  yet  when  the  im- 
perfection of  every  thing  human  is  considered,  it  must  be  confessed 
to  have  some  foundation  in  truth. 

In  the  prosecution  of  this  work,  we  have  availed  ourselves  of  the 
labors  of  those  who  have  preceded  us.  The  historian,  of  necessity, 
derives  his  information  from  others.  It  will  be  observed,  that  quota- 
tions have  been  made  from  a  great  variety  of  publications ;  in  most 
instances  of  which,  credit  has  been  given.  As  a  general  rule,  we 
have  preferred  to  have  each  account  appear  as  it  was  originally 
given  to  the  public,  in  the  author's  own  words,  from  which  the  reader 
can  draw  his  own  inferences.  Truth  ought  always  to  be  preferred 
before  elegance  of  language.  In  the  geographical  department  much 
mformation  has  been  derived  from  Spaffbrd's  and  Gordon's  Gazet- 


-^ 


f' 


M  PREFACE. 

teers,  and  the  state  maps,  published  at  Ithaca  by  Messrs.  Stone 
&  Clark  Spafford  mav  be  considered  as  the  pioneer  in  furnishing 
geographical  descriptions  of  the  state:  his  first  gazetteer  was  pub- 
hsSn  1813,  the  second  in  1824.  The  gazetteer  by  Mr.  Gordon, 
consisting  of  800  closely  printed  octavo  pages  contaming  a  map 
of  the  state,  and  one  of  each  county,  was  published  in  1836  and 
is  by  far  th^  most  complete  and  valuable  work  of  the  kind  relating 
to  iJew  York,  which  has  as  yet  been  issued.  To  this  able  work, 
we  would  refer  our  readers  for  a  full  statistical  and  geographical 
account  of  the  various  places  in  the  state.  It  not  only  contains 
a  trreat  amount  of  statistical  information,  but  also  the  political  history 
of  the  state,  abstracts  of  its  laws,  and  other  valuable  information. 
It  is  a  volume  which  ought  to  be  placed  m  every  public  library  in 

The  numerous  engravings  interspersed  throughout  this  volume, 
were  with  few  exceptions,  copied  from  drawings  taken  on  the  spot 
by  the  compilers  of  the  work.  In  these  engravings,  oar  principal  ob- 
iect  was  to  give  faithful  representations,  rather  than  picturesque 
views,  or  beautiful  specimens  of  art.  Before  decidmg  that  any  of 
these  representations  are  incorrect,  we  wish  our  readers  to  consider 
that  the  appearance  of  any  place  will  be  materially  altered,  as 
viewed  from  diiferent  points.  In  order  to  form  an  entirely  correct 
judgment,  it  will  be  necessary  to  stand  on  the  spot  from  whence  the 
drawing  was  taken. 


I 


t 


# 


ssrs.  Stone 
I  furnishing 
if  was  pub- 
Ir.  Gordon, 
ling  a  map 
1836,  and 
ind  relating 
able  work, 
jographical 
ly  contains 
ical  history 
nformation. 
c  library  in 

his  volume, 
on  the  spot 
rincipal  ob- 
picturesque 
that  any  of 
to  consider 
altered,  as 
rely  correct 
Avhence  the 


COUNTIES,  TOWNSHIPS,  VILLAGES. 


Acra,  183 
Acmn,  153 
Acqiiabiwuei  540 
AdHins,  300 
Adams  Basin,  365 
Adunisport,  531 
Adamsville,  573 
Addison,  538 
Alabama,  175 
Albion,  431 
Aldeii,  143 
Albany,  44 
Albany  CountTi  44 
Alfred,  56 
Albion,  431,  439 
Alexandria,  158,  301 
All.  n,  56 
Alexander,  175 
A  Imond,  5iS 

Alleoanv  Covntt,  56 
Allegany  City,  83 
Allen'8  Hill,  409 
Alloway,  579 
Amagauset,  536 
Amber,  393 
Ambuy,  383,  431 
Anienia,  133 
Ainlicret,  143 
Amlly,  56,  428 
Amsterdam,  373 
Ancrani,  114 
Andes,  136 
Andover,  57, 375 
Angelica,  57 
Annsville,  360 
Antwerp,  301 
Appling,  301 
Apulia,  384 
Arcade,  603 
Arcadia,  578 
Argyle,  567 
Arietta,  191 
Arkport,  531 
Arltwright,  87 
Ashford,  83 
Aahviile,  90 
Astoria,  461 
Athens,  181 
Atiiol,  563 
AttlCR,  609 
Attlebury,  143 
Auburn,  74 
Augusta,  360 
Aurelius,  79 
Aurieavllle,  379 
Aurora,  143 
Austerlitz,  114 
Au  Sable,  100 
Avoca,  538 
Avon,  343 

Babylon,  539 
Bainbridge,  99 
Barker's  Millo,  466 
Baker's  Rriitge,  36 
Bakersville,  1)3 
BHldwinsville,  384 
Ballxtnn,  491 
BHlli<ton  Spa,  493 
Baiignr,  1KI 
Barcelona,  93 
Barhenvllle,  133 
Baremarket,  143 


Barker,  66 
Barre,  439 
Barringion,  605 
Barrytown,  140 
Barton,  540 
Batavia,  175 
Batestnwn,  468 
Bath,  464,  538 
Bathhouse,  237 
Battenville,  572 
Bayleytown,  535 
Bearysville,  535 
Beaverdam,  543 
Bedford,  584 
Beekman,  106, 133 
Belfast,  57 
Bell  Port,  535 
Belleisle,  383 
Belleville,  303,  438 
Belmont,  163 
Beimel's  Flats,  531 
Bennet  Settlement,  179 
Bennington,  603 
Benton,  60S 
Bergen,  178 
Berkshire,  549 
Berlin,  464 
Benie,  SO 
Bethany,  179 
Bethel,  547 
Bethlehem,  50 
Betts'  Corners,  384 
Big  Plata,  94 
Binghamton,  66 
Birdsall,  59 
Black  Brook,  106 
Black  Rock,  143 
Bleeker,  167 
Blenheim,  516 
Bloomiiigsburg,  547 
Blooming  Gmve,  411 
Bloomviile,  130 
Bloesomavllle,  363 
Bluff  Point,  605 
Bolivar,  59 
Bolton,  563 
Bombay,  163 
Boonville,  360 
Borodino,  403 
Boston,  143 
Bouckville,S80 
Bovina,  136 
Boylston,  431 
Bradford,  530 
Branchport,  605 
Branch,  541 
Brandon,  164 
Brasher,  483 
Brant,  153 
Brenkah4!en,  518 
Bridgehampinn,  543 
Bridgeiwrt,  360 
Brldgewater,  960 
Brighton,  34"),  447 
Bristol,  404,  561 
Brnadiilhin,  167 
BrockiNirt,  371 
Brookfield,  aU 
Bronkhnven,  533 
BriKiklyn,  319 
Bhoomc  Couirrr,  68 
i<ronme,  510 
Bronx,  S87 


Brownville,  301, 406 
Brunswick,  464 
Brutus,  80 
Buffalo,  147 
Bullvlile,  417 
Burdette,  553 
Burlingham,  547 
Burlington,  440 
Burns,  59 

Bushnell's  Basin,  366 
Bushwick,  333 
Burton,  83 

Buskirk's  Bridge,  567 
BuBti,87 
Butler,  578 
Butternuts,  440 
Byersviile,  351 
Byron,  179 
Bymville,  518 

Cackemyer'i  Mill*,  135 
Cadiz,  85 
Cadysville,  50 
Cairo,  183 
Cahoes,  54 
Caldwell,  563 
Caledonia,  344 
Cambridge,  567 
Camillus,  383 
Campbell,  530 
Cambria,  348 
Camden,  361 
Cameron,  530 
Caiioan,  114 
Caiiaderaga,  447 
Canajohaiiie,  374 
Canandaigua,  404 
Canadice,  404 
Cana8eraga,960 
CanoatoM,  960 
Candor,  540 
Coneadea,  50 
Canisteo,  530 
Canning,  385 
Cannonsville,  133 
Canoga,  535 
Canterbury.  411 
Canton,  403, 483 
Cape  Vincent,  313 
Cardiff,  384 
Carlton,  430 
Caroline,  553 
Careysville,  179 
Carlisle,  516 
Carmel,  448 
Carrol,  88 
Carr's  Comen,  153 
Carter,  343 
Caton,  530 
Carthage,  135 
Caradaga,  93 
Casety  Hollow,  360 
Casrile,603 
Cnstleton,  474 
Catta  r  Auairi  Coumtv  ,S 
Calheriiiet,  94 
Cailin,  95 
Cuto,  «l 
Cntskill,  183 
Cnughnnwaga,  980 
CAvraA  ('ouirrv,  74 
Cayiign,  70 
Cayuta,  SS 


CazenoTia,  35S 
Cedarville,  196 
Centre  Port,  540 
Centreville,  59, 80, 93, 114, 

532 
Cliamberlain,  85 
Champion,  301 
Chaniplnin,  106 
Cliapinsville,  408 
Charlotte,  88 
Charlotteville,  534 
Charleston,  378 
Charlton,  491 
Cliaumont,  313 
Chateaugua,  164 
Chatham,  1 14 
Chatauquc  County,  87 
Chaiauque,  88 
Chazy,  106 
Checktowaga,  158 
Chelsea,  475 
Chemung,  95 
Chimuno  ComfTV,  94 
Chenango,  66 
Chinanoo  Covntv,  99 
Chenango  Forks,  60 
Cherry  Valley,  440 
Cherry  Creek,  88 
Chester,  417,  565 
Chesterfield,  155 
Chili,  363 
China,  603 
Chittenango,  360 
Chittenden  Falls.  133 
Churchtown,  114 
Churchville,  966, 484 
Cincinnatus,  193 
Cicero,  383 
Clarence,  153 
Clarendon,  430 
Clarke's  Settlement,  '73 
Clarkson,  263 
Clarkstown,  476 
Ctarkesville,  59, 355, 79 
Claverack,  114 
Clay,  383 
Clayton,  201 
Clear  Creek,  80 
Cleaveland,  431 
Clermont,  115 
Clifton  Park,  401 
Clinton  Coontt,  lOS 
Clinton,  133 

Clintonvllle,  100, 133, 453 
riockville,  960 
Clyde,  578 
Clviner,89 
Cobleskill,  516 
Cochecton,  547 
Coeyman's,  50 
Concord,  153 
Colchester,  190 
Colden,  1.52 
Coles'  Mills,  440 
Coliiiville,  79 
Cold  Spring,  83, 440, 409 
Colliervillc,  444 
Collins,  1.53 
ColllnKvlll''.  943 
Colosse,  4;t9 
Coliniihia,  193 
Columbia  ("oi'ntv.  113 
Columbiavillu,  193, 485 


t 


6 


COUNTIES,  TOWNSHIPS,  VILLAGES. 


Columbua,  100 
Conraville,  518 
Conesua,  344 
Coney  Inland,  337 
Cnntiiictnn,530 
Conklln,  72 
ConTiewanKO,  84 
Conqurat,  80 
Constable,  165 
Constablnvillc,  343 
Conetantin,  431 
Ci.x)n8ville,  408 
Copake,  116 
Oooperstown,  445 
Copenhagen,  339 
Corbeau, 106 
Corfu,  180 
Corinth,  493 
Cornwall,  411 
Cornwallsville,  188 
Comni,  534 
Cortlandt,  585 
Cortlandt  Coitntt,  123 
Cortlandtville,  133 
Coventry,  100 
Covrt,  525 
Covington,  603 
Cowliwvillc,  603 
Coxsackie,  188 
CraiK«vill«,  411 
Crawford,  417 
Crolon.  5H5 
Crown  Point,  156 
Ciihn,  59 

CiiddebRckville,  417 
Currytown,  283 
Cutcliogue,  545 

Dmibv,  553 
Pnnube,  192 
Pnnsville,  349,  530 
Darlen,  179 
UaiOiville,  559 
Davenport,  128 
Day,  493 
Dayanville,  342 
Diiyton,  84 
Dennsville,  365 
Decatur,  444 
Deerfield,  361 
De<^r  Park,  417 
Defriestville,  464 
De  Knib,  484 
Delavan,  87 

Delaware  Codntt,  125 
Delanti,  92 
Delhi,  126 
Delphi,  392 
Denmark,  239 
Depauville,  301,  484 
Depeysler,  184 
Deposit,  132 
De  Ruyler,  356 
Dewit,  383 
Dexter,  201 
Dexterville,  69 
Diaiin,  239 
Dickenwn,  165 
Dix,  95 

Dobb's  Ferry,  587 
Dover,  133 
Dora,  72 

DrpfKicn,  567,  ^m 
Dryden,  552 
Dunne,  165 
DunneEl)ure,  507 
i)ubliii,  525 
Dundee,  608 
Dunkirk,  91 
Durham,  188 
Durhatnville,  375 
Ddtcuksi  Codhtt,  I3S 

£«gl«,  60 


Eagle  Harbor,  430 
East  Bloomneld,  408 
East  Chester,  5H7 
East  Hampton,  535 
Easton,  SC8 
Eaton,  256 
Eduysvillc,557 
Kdenvillp,  428 
Eden,  153 
Edlnburg,  493 
Ednieston,  444 
Edwards,  484 
Elba,  179 
Elhridgp,  383 
Ellenburg,  106 
Ellenville,  560 
Ellery,  89 
Ellicott,  89 
Ellicoitville,  85 
Ellington,  89 
Ellisburg,  202 
Eltnira,  95 
Elizabethtown,  156 
Elmore's  Comers,  556 
Enfield,  552 
Epiirain,  1(>7 
Erik  County,  142 
Erieville,  260 
Erwin,  530 
Erin,  99 
EsopuB,  556 
Esperane,  523 
Essex,  156 
Essex  County,  154 
Etna,  552 
Evans,  153 
Evans'  Mills,  211 
Exeter,  444 

Fnbiiis,  384 
Factoryville,  474,  549 
Fairfield,  193 
Fairhaven,  430 
Fairport  Uasin,  266 
Fall  Creek,  552 
Fallsburp,  547 
Farmersville,  84,  525 
Farrnlngton,  408 
Far  Knckawav,  456 
Fayetteville,  387 
Federal  Store,  137 
Fenner,  258 
Felt's  Mill,  212 
Finchville,  433 
Fishkill,  134 
Flanders,  543 
Flaihush,  335 
FlaUands,  335 
Fleming,  80 
Florence,  361 
Florida,  378,  428 
Floyd,  361 
Flushing,  453 
Fluvanna,  89 
Fonda's  Bush,  167 

Fnrrcslburg,  547 

Fnrestvllle,  90 

Fort  Ann,  568 

Fort  Edward,  569 

Fort  Miller,  569 

Fort  Covington,  165 

Fort  Hunter,  278 

Port  Plain,  279 

Fosterdale,  79 

Fnwletsville,  851 

Fowler,  484 

Frankfort,  194 

Franklin,  127, 165 

Franklin  Coi'ntt,  182 

Pranklinvtile,  85,135,384 

Frankvltle,  165 

Frcdooia,  90 

Freedom,  85 

Freedom  Plains,  137 


Freehold,  188 
Freetown,  124 
French  Creek,  89,  201 
French  Mills,  165 
Friendship,  60 
Fulloms  Basin,  9G6 
Fulton,  4:t9,  518 
Fullonville,  278 

Gaines,  430 
Gainesville,  603 
Galen,  578 
Gallatin,  116 
Galway,  492 
Gardner's  island,  536 
Garrelsville,  444 
Gasport,  359 
Gates,  263 
Gay  head,  135, 188 
Geddes,  394 
Genesee,  60 
Genksek  County,  174 
Geneaeo,  245 
Genoa,  80 
Getieva,  409 
Georgetown,  259 
German  Flnts,  194 
German,  100 
Gerinniitowii,  116 
Gerry,  89 
Ghent,  116 
Gilboa,5l6 
GilbertsvillK,  440 
Gilman,  191 
Glen,  278 
Glenn  Falls,  566 
Glencadia,  122 
Gleiicoe,  119 
Glenham,  135 
Glenville,  507 
Gorham,  4U8 
Goshen,  417 
Gouverneur,  484 
Grafton,  464 
Granby,  431 
Granger,  60 
Granville  570 
Gravesend,  236 
Great  Bi'nd,  201 
Great  Valley,  85 
Greece,  263 
Greenbush,  464 
Greene  County,  181 
Green  Haven,  i;i3 
Greene,  100 
Grcenport,  545 
Greenfield,  492 
Green  River,  114 
Green's  Corners,  270 
Greensburg,  587 
Greenville,  188 
Greenwich,  571 
Greenwood,  531 
Greig,  239 
Grcggsville,  251 
Griffin's  Mills,  143 
Groton,  552 
Grove,  60 
Groveland,  246 
Grosveimr's  Comers,  516 
Giiilderland,  51 
Guilford,  101 

Hadley,  492 
Hague,  565 
Half  Moon,  493 
Hallet's  Cove,  461 
Hall's  Mills,  53 
Halsey  ville,  553 
Hamburg,  153 
Hamilton,  259 
Hamilton  Cocnty,  189 
Hanmiertown,  137 
Hammond's  Port,  533 


Hammond,  484 
Haniden,  128 
Hampton,  376,  572 
Hainptonburg,  418 
Hague,  565 
Hancock,  128 
Hanford's  Landing,  364 
Hannibal,  431 
Hanover,  89 
Harlaem,  338 
Hurinony,  DO 
Harperslield,  128 
Hariiersville,  72 
Harrisburg,  239 
Harttield,  88 
Hnrrisoti,  590 
Hartford,  125,572 
Hartlarid,  348 
HartsvillR,  142 
ilariwick,  444 
Hartville,  :W7 
Hnsiings,  431,  587 
Havana,  94 
Hthion,  572 
Haverstrnw,  476 
Head-of-the-rlver,  541 
Hebrtm,  578 
Hector,  5.52 
Hilena,  4M 
Hem|)t>tead,  455 
Hempstead  Harbor,  462 
Henderson,  202 
Henrietta,  364 
Herkimer  (."ounty,  191 
Herkimer,  194 
Hermitage,  604 
Hermon,  484 
HicksvDIe,  463 
High  Falls,  558 
Hillsdale,  116 
Hinsdale,  83 

Hitchcock's  Comers,  133 
Hobart,  132 
Hofiiiian,  158 
Hognnsburg,  163 
Holland,  153 
Holley,  430 
Homer,  124 
Hoosick,  466 
Hope,  191 
Hopkinton,  484 
Hopewell,  135,  408, 417 
Hoiiciin,  565 
Horiiby,  531 
Horneleville,  531 
Hounstield,  202 
Houseville,  243 
Howard,  531 
Hoytes,  525 
Hudson,  116 
Hughsonville,  135 
Hull's  Mills,  143 
Hume,  60 
Humphrey,  85 
Hunter,  188 
Huntington,  539 
Hurley,  556 
Huron,  579 
Hyde  Park,  137 

Independence,  60 
Ira,  80 

Irelnndville,  532 
Irondequoit,  265 
Islip.  540 
Italy,  605 
Ithaca,  552 

Jackson,  444,  573 
Jncksoiihurg,  444 
Jackstmville,  248,  553 
Jamaica,  458 
Jamestown,  89 
Jamcsville,  383 


COUNTIES,  TOWNSHIPS,  VILLAGES. 


™nnd, 484 

en,  ]'28 

ion,  378,  572 

itnnbiirg,  418 

(,  5fi5 

)ck,  128 

rd'H  Landing,  S64 

ibRl,  431 

fm,  338 

i)ny,  'JO 

Tslii'ld,  ISS 

rsville,  72 

ibiirp,  239 

uld,  88 

!on,  590 

)rd,  125, 578 

uid,  348 

ville,  142 

nek,  444 

illf,  :W7 

i(!8,  431,  587 

nil,  il4 

in,  572 

rstrnw,  478 

of-tlie-river,  541 

m,  578 

r,  552 

n,4>'3 

Ktciid,  455 

«t«ad  Harbor,  463 

jreon,  202 

eitii,  264 

IMER  (-"OI'NTT,  191 

iiier,  1U4 

llftgc,  604 

on,  484 

ville,  403 

Falls,  558 

lale,  116 

nie,  85 

cock '8  Comers,  133 

rt,  132 

lan,  158 

nsburp,  163 

nd,  153 

y,  430 

■r,  124 

ck, 466 

,191 

inton,  484 

well,  135,  408,  417 

on,  565 

by,  531 

I'Isville,  531 

isfipid,  202 

eville,  242 

»rd,  531 

es,  525 

on.  116 

isonville,  136 

B  Millij,  142 

e,  60 

phrey,  83 

er,  188 

inglon,  53!) 

iy,556 

M,  579 

!  Park,  137 

jendence,  60 

10 

ndvllle,  533 

leqnoit,  365 

540 

,605 

a,  552 

son,  444,  573 
?oiibiirg,  444 
ranville,  248,  553 
Ilea,  458 
■stown,  89 
^ville,  383 


% 


Jaiper,  531 
Jay,  157 
Java,  603 

Jefferson,  95,  518,  532 
jEFFERaoN  County,  201 
Jenisnieni,  456,  605 
Jerusalem  Comers,  353 
Johnsbiir);,  566 
Johnstown,  J 19,  167 
Johnsonville,  135,  469 
Jordan,  383 
Junius,  525 

Kecne,  157 
Keesville,  155 
Kempsville,  352 
Kendall,  430 
Kennadayville,  528 
Kennedy's  Mills,  90 
Kent,  449 
Kinilcrhook,  118 
Kinderhook  Landing,  122 
Kingsboro",  168 
Kin^bridgc,  601 
Kingsbury,  572 
Kings  County,  219 
Kingston,  556 
Kinney's  Comers,  431 
Kirkland,  361 
Kirkvillf,  387 
Knowlesvllle,  430 
Knox,  51 
Knoxville,  532 
Kortright,  130 
Kysorville,  251 

Lafayette,  384 
Lathyette  Corners,  137 
La  Grange,  137,  603 
Lairdsville,  376 
Lake  Pleasant,  191 
Lakeville,  218,462 
Lancaster,  153 
Lansing,  553 
LitUe  Britain,  418 
Lansingburg,  468 
Laona,  91 
Lawyersville,  516 
Lasseisville,  167 
Vathrop's  Corners,  82 
.jatiiitown,  559 
Laurens,  444 
Lawrence,  484 
Lebanon,  260 
Lee,  365 
Leesville,  524 
Ledyard,  80 
Le  Fargeville,  212 
Leicester,  346 
Lenox,  260 
Leon,  85 

Leonardsville,  355 
Le  Ray,  311 
Le  Roy,  179,  444 
Levanna,  80 
Lewis,  157 
Lewisboro',  590 
Lewis  County,  238 
Lewiston,  348 
Lexington,  189 
Leyden,  239 
Liberty,  530,  547 
Lima,  248 
Lincklaen,  101 
Lindley,  531 
Lindon,  430 
Lisbon,  484 
Lisle,  73 
Litclifield,  196 
Little  Falls,  196 
Little  Valley,  85 
Little  Utica,  384 
Liverpool,  394 
Liviogitan,  119 


LtVtNOSTON  CODNTT,  243 

Livingstonville,  516 
Livonia,  248 
Locke,  80 
Lockport,  212, 351 
Lockville,  578 
Lodi,  525 
Long  Island,  251 
Long  Lake,  191 
Lorraine,  211 
Louisville,  484 
Lowville,  239 
Lloydsville,  447 
Ludlowville,  553 
Luniberland,  547 
Luzeme,  566 
Lyme,  211 
Lyndon,  85 
Lyons,  579 
Lysander,  384 

Machlas,  86 
Macedon,  579 
Macksville.  403 
McLeansville,  553 
McDonougl),  101 
McGrawsvillc,  124 
Madison,  260 
Madison  county,  355 
Madrid,  484 
Maiden,  559 
Malone,  165 
Malta,  492 
Maniakating,  547 
Maniaroneck,  591 
Manliattanvillc,  338 
Mann's  Valley,  516 
Mansville,  202 
Marbleboroufih,  558 
Marcellus,  387 
Manchester,  408 
Manhelm,  198 
Manlius,  384 
Mansfield,  86 
Marathon,  125 
Marbletown,558 
Marion,  580 
Marcy,  365 
Marshall.  365 
Martinsbiirg,  240 
Maryland,  444 
Mason's  Comers,  105 
Masonville,  130 
Massena,  485 
Mattatuck,  545 
Mattawan,  134 
Matthews  Mills,  387 
Matildaville,  485 
Mayfieid,  174 
Mayville,  88 
Mechanicsville.  143,  490 
Mecklenburg,  552 
Medina,  430 
Mendon,  265 
Mentz,  80 
Meredith,  130 
Mexico,  432 
Middlebury,  603 
Middleburg,  518 
Middleflcid,  444 
Middleport,  109,  350 
Middle  Sctll'^ment,  365 
Middlesex,  607 
Middlevllle,  194 
Middletown,  130, 438»  493 

478 
Milan,  80, 137 
Mill  Brook,  158 
Millers  Place,  534 
Milford,  444 
Milltown,  449,  452 
Milton,  493,  558 
Mill  ville,  4%,  464 
SlUo,607 


Mina,  90 
Minaville,  378 
Minden,  279 
Minerva,  157 
Minislnk,  410 
Mixvillc,  60 
Mohawk,  194, 380 
Moira,  166 
Moiime,  431 
Monroe  County,  363 
Montezuma,  80 
Montgomery,  433 
Montgomery  Co.,  273 
Monticelln,  447,  548 
Mooers,  106 
Mooersville,  130 
Moravia,  81 
Moreau,  493 
Morehouse,  191 
Morgansville,  180 
Moriah,  158 
Moriches,  535 
Morrisiana,  597 
Morrisville,  257 
Morristown,  485 
Moscow,  246 
Motts'  Corners,  552 
Mount  Hope,  423 
Mount  Morris,  248 
Mount  Pleasant,  593 
Mount  Upton,  101 
Mud  Creek,  528 
Murray,  430 

Nantlcoke,  72 
Naphanock,  560 
Naples,  408 
Napoli,  86 
Narrowsburg,  547 
Nassau,  468 
Natural  Bridge,  219 
Navarino,  389 
Near  Rockaway,  456 
'Nelson,  2ti0 
Ntskayuna,  54,  508 
Netterville,  509 
Nettlehill,  93 
Neversink,  547 
New  Albion,  88 
Newark,  549,  578 
New  Baltimore,  189 
New  Berlin,  101 
New  Brighton,  474 
Newburg,  424 
New  Castle,  596 
New  City,  476 
Newcomb,  158 
Newfleld,  553 
New  Fane,  353 
New  Hackensack,  133 
New  Hartford,  363 
New  Haven,  433 
New  Hudson,  60 
New  Lebanon,  120 
New  Lisbon,  444 
New  London,  375 
New  Oliio,  72 
New  Paltz,  559 
Newport,  199 
New  Rochelle,  506 
Newry,  188 
New  Scotland,  51 
Newstead,  153 
Newtown,  460 
New  Utretcht,  337 
New  Windsor,  425 
New  York,  384 
New  York  ConirrT,  384 
Niagara,  353 
Niagara  Couimr,  347 
Nicholas  Point,  583 
Nicholas,  549 
Nicholsvllle,  174 
NicbolviUe,  484 


NIIcs,  81 
Nineveh,  73 
Nlibets  Corners,  365 
Noblevllle,  444 
Norfolk,  485 
North  Armenia,  137 
Northampton,  174 
North  Castle,  596 
Nnrthfleld,  475 
Nor.h  Hempstead,  403 
North  East,  137 
Noilh  Port,  540 
North  Salem,  598 
Northville,  174 
Northumberland,  493 
Norway,  199 
Norwich,  103, 463 
Nunda,  60 
Nyack,  478 

Oakfield,  179 
Oakhill,  188 
Oak  Orchard,  430 
Oaksviile,  443 
Ohio,  199 
Ogden,  265 
Ogdensburg,  483 
Old  Attlebury,  142 
Olean,  86 
Olive,  559 
Omar,  92 

Oneida  Cnstleton,  375 
Oneida  County,  360 
Oneonia,  444 
Onondaga,  389 
Onondaga  County,  383 
Ontario,  580 
Ontario  County,  403 
Op|)enheim,  174 
Oquago.  70 
Oran,  393 

Orange  County,  411 
Orange,  532 
Orangelown,  478 
Orangeville,  603 
Oriskany,  377 
Oriskany  Falls,  300 
Orleans,  313 
Orleans  County,  439 
Orville,  383 
Orwell,  433 
Osbora'a  Bridge,  174 
Usborneville,  189 
Ossian,  60 
Oswegatchte,  485 
Oswego,  433 
OswEoo  County,  431 
Owego,  549 
Otigo,  445 
Otisco,  393 
Otisville,  423 
Otto,  86 
Otsego,  445 
Otsego  Countt,  439 
Otselic,  103 
Ovid,  535 
Owosco,  81 
Owensville,  597 
Oxhow,  201 
Oxford,  102,  411 
Oyster  Bay,  463 
Oyster  Ponds,  54.'i 

Painted  Post,  533 
Palatine,  383 
Palermo,  438 
Palmers'  Comen,  105 
Painella,  313 
Palmyra,  580 
Paradox,  158 
Panama,  90 
Paris,  366 
Parish.  438 
PvlshvUle,  48B 


8 


COUNTIES,  TOWNSHIPS,  VILLAGES. 


Parma,  965 
Patchngue,  533 
PaiHreoii,  446 
PatHxiii's  Mill*,  4M 
Pavilion,  IHU 
Pawliiitt,  137 
PKel(8iill  ,589 
Pecliville,  135 
Pfltin,  :M8 
pelliain,  596 
Peinbmlie  IPO 
Peiidle  nil,  357 
Pi-nfielil.  3i:6 
Pfiiri  Van,  607 
Pi-rriiilnri,  3ti6 
Perry,  559,  C03 
Perrvcbiirt!,  86     j^, 
PeiTyKvil  e,  106,  SB'^ 
Persia,  86 
Peru,  1«6 
Pcniville,  553 
Peterlxiro',  afiO 
Peli'rsbiirg,  469 
Penh,  174 
Pliarsalla,  104 
Plieliw,  409 
PliiiiMtel|>liia,  913 
Phili|>sl)iir([,  56,  498 
Pllilipcpoit,  547 
PliilipHinwn,  449 
PiKeiilz,  43U,  444 
Pierpont,  489 
PiiTiiioiil,  478 
Pike,  61 
Pirickney,  343 
Pine  Hill,  179 
Pine  Bridge,  601 
Pine  Piaina,  137 
Piaeco,  191 
Filcairn,  489 
Pitcher,  104 
Pitta  t'lBti,  409 
PIttaneld,  447 
Filtst'ord,  966 
PItlslnwn,  469 
Plainneld,  447 
Plainville,  3H4 
Pliitlakili,  516 
Plaltekill,  559 
PlalUburg,  108 
Plfasanl  Plain*,  133 
PleaAanl  Valley,  137, 167 
Pleaminlville,  593 
Piynioulh,  im 
Poeeten  Kill.  469 
Poland,  go,  199 
Poinlrel,  DO 
Pomjiey,  399 
Poolville,  259 
Portage,  61,365 
Porter,  357 
Portland,  93 
Port  Bvrnii,  HO 
Port  Benjamin,  560 
Port  Cheoler,  5U7 
Port  l)ouglBa,1.1S 
Port  ReneM-e,  363 
Port  (Jilwon,  408 
Port  llenrv,  158 
Port  Ilk-kMW,  560 
Port  Jackwin,  978 
Pert  Jarvla,  417 
Port  Jrffemon,  534 
Port  Kent,  155 
Port  Randall,  155 
Port  KirhiMona,  47S 
PortvUIr,  86 
PolMlani,  489 
Potter,  (107 
Polten  Hollow,  Hi 
PoMghkeetMrti',  IT7 
PouglKiiiake,  KU 
PouniliulKe,  .VI7 
PratttbutiiAM 


PrBtt-ville,  '89 
Pralia  Hollow,  357 
Preble,  135 
Pmtoii,  105 
PrinCHtown,  509 
Providence.  493 
Piilanki,  438 
PuI.eney,  533 
Pnlteiieyville,  583 
Pi-ratM  County,  448 
Puuiam  Valley,  453 
Putnam,  5TS 
Pulvers  Cornert,  137 
Punchkill,  516 

Quaker  Hill,  1.17 
Queoiisbury,  566 
luiENs  County,  453 
Quevneton  Ileigbti,  349 
Quincy,  93 
Qungue,  543 

Rainapo,  483 
Ramerton,  464 
Raiidolpli,  87 
Ransomville,  551 
Kavvgnnville,  167 
Ruynerlown,  456 
Reading,  5.'<3 
Redtield,  438 
Redford,  113 
Redhook,  140 
Red  Mill-.  449 
Remijen,  J66 
Renaaelaer,  469 
RENsraLAKR  CotiHTY,  463 
RenxselaerburK,  484 
Rensnelaer's  Milla,  469 
Renmelaervllle,  51 
Keynalex  Biwln,  359 
Reynnldsvllle,  553 
RlUiieheck,  141 
Riceviile,  86 
Ridgeway,  430 
Richfield,  447 
RIchford,  551 
Richland,  438 
Richmond,  409 
Richmond  County,  473 
Richmondvilln,  516 
RIchville,  180,  484 
Riga,  966 
Rll-ley,  93 
Riverliead,  540 
Roanoke,  180 
Rochester,  266, 559 
Rock  City,  137,  493 
Rock  Glen,  135 
Rorklnnd,  547 
Ro(^KLANO  County,  475 
Rodman,  313 
Rome,  366 
Ronuiliix,  535 
Rondoubt,  557 
Root,  983 
Rosiie,  4S0 
Rose,  589 

Rcifiendale,  556 

Romviile,  475 

Rouaes  Point,  106 

P.itterdam,  509 

Hoxlmry,  130 

Royaltnn,  359 

Ruah,  970 

Ruahvllle,  406,  S4e,  007 

Ruahtnrd,  63 

Rumel,  490 

Rufulu,  199 

Bii!lam!,9!9 

Kiitledge,  tM 

Rye,  597 

8acketUH>i4)or.3HI 
8Mi  Harbor,  M» 


St.Johngville,283 
St.  Regis,  163 
Salem,  99,  575 
Salina,  393 
Salisbury,  199, 411 
Salt  Poiiil,  137 
Sanipaoiidaie,  476 
Santbrd,  73 
Sandusky,  85 
Sandlake,  469 
Sandy  Creek,  430,  438 
Sandy  Hill,  573 
Sangerlield,  370 
Saranac,  113 
Saratoga,  493 
Sardinia,  153 
Saratoga  County,  491 
Saratoga  Springa,  498 
Saugenieii,  559 
Snquoit,  366 
Savannah,  583 
Sawpl'Ia,  597 
Scatadaie,  597 
Scolchtown,  498 
Schagliticoke,  469 
Schenectady,  !>09 
Schoharie,  520 
ScHOHARiic  County,  515 
S'-boilac,  469 
Bv-hroon,  158 
8chroep()el,  439 
Schuitz  Corners,  133 
Schuyler,  199 
Schuylerville,  493 
Scienceville,  189 
Scio,  65,  430 
Scipio,  81 
Scotia,  507 
Scott,  195 
Scotlsville,  371 
Scriba,  439 
Searsburg,  417,  553 
SempronluB,  81 
Seneca,  409 
BiNKrA  COITNTY,  533 
Seneca  Falla,  535 
Sennet,  HI 
Sepfrate,  149 
Seward,  524 
Selauket,  534 
Shandaken,  359 
Sharon,  594 
Shawangiitik,  539 
Shelby,  430 
Shelter  lalan],  341 
Sheldon,  603 
ShcrmnJoah,  133 
Sherburne,  103 
Sheridan,  99 
Sherman,  09 
Sherman's  Mllli,  468 
ShiHikville,  137 
Shortavllie  408 
Shumla,  99 
BIbley'a  Comera,  870 
Sidney,  130 
Silonni,  900 
Silver  Creek,  90 
lilnclairville,  88 
Sing  Sing,  593 
Skanandna,  37S 
Sken  itel«B,401 
Sloannville,  .^83 
Slalerville,  533 
Sleepy  Hollow,  SOS 
Smllhlmrnugh,  .551 
Bmlih'a  Cornen,  89 
BmilbHeld,  360 
Pnillliliiwn,  .MB,  .541 
Bmlthvllle,  tll.'i,  9111,  908 
Bnniky  linlkiw,  114 
Hrnyrna.  '.OS 
Sodua,  5HB 
BolMvUle,  9B0 


Solon,  125 
SomerB,507 
Bomerville,  490 
Somerset,  359 
South  Bristol,  411 
South  East,  493 
Southfield,  473 
Southampton,  543 
Southoid,  545 
Southi-ort,  99 
South  Salem,  390 
S|ialford,  403 
Sparta,  349,  593 
Bpeigletnn,  468 
Speedville,  553 
Spencer's  Basin,  365 
Spencer,  351 
Siwncertown,  114 
Spencer's  Comers,  137 
Sp(!unk,  543 
Spracker's  Basin,  383 
fipringliiW,  447 
Springmill,  60 
Sprlngport,  81 
Spiingtnwn,  559 
Spriiif, water,  2.51 
Springville,  192 
Stamford,  133 
SinlTord,  180 
Stanford,  142 
Stanton  Hill,  189 
Siaplelon,  475 
Stark,  199 
Siarkey,  608 
Sit.-phentown,  469 
Sterling,  81 
Steuben,  371 
Stkubkn  County.  537 
Stewart's  Comers,  149 
Stillwater,  499 
St.  Johnsville,  283 
St.  Helena,  6119 
St.  Lawrenci  Co.,  489 
Stockbridge,  260 
Stockholm,  490 
Slockiwrt,  123 
Stockton,  92 
Stone  Arabia,  889 
Stone  Mill,  313 
Slonybrook,  534 
Stormville,  135 
Stnwe'B  Square,  339 
Stratford,  174 
atrykersville,  518,  609 
Btuart'a  Corners,  83 
Stuyvesnilt,  193 
SiirroLK  County,  933 
Sugar  Loaf,  438 
Sullivan,  960 
SuLt.iVAN  County,  948 
Bummer  Hill,  81 
Sunmier  Vall«y,  57 
Siininiit,  524 
t'weden,  271 
Syracuse,  393 

Taberg,  360 
I'nglikanic,  133 
I'airutt'ii  Comers,  81 
TalcoitvlUe,  930 
Tannersville,  180 
Tapimn,  478 
Tarrytown,  588 
I'hen-aa,  'JOl 
I'hompaon,  .547 
Thominonvllle,  148 
Throo'wville,  8(1 
I'lronderngB,  158 
Tioga,  .V)! 
TiooA  County,  94B 
'fiimhenick,  460 
'I'limpklna,  138 
ToMrXINS  OlVNTT,  811 

TompklinvUK  404 


COUNTIES,  TOWNSHIPS,  VILLAGES. 


n,  125 
ers,597 
erville,  490 
erei'l,  3S9 
ih  Bristni,  411 
ih  EaM,  4S2 
Jifielrt,  475 
[hainpiaii,  543 
Ihold,  545 
ihnrt,  99 
th  Bnlt'm,  590 
[ford,  403 
rta,  249,  593 
glKtnii,  468 
x;ville,552 
leer's  Basin,  t265 
icer,  551 
icertown,  114 
icer's  Comera,  137 
ink,  S43 

icktM's  Rastn,  383 
ngliild,  447 
nginill,  60 
npiKirt,  81 
ngtdWTi,  559 
nf,\vaior,  251 
nuvillf,  la 
iifbrd,  133 
lord,  180 
ifnrd,  142 
itnn  Hill,  189 
Ileum,  475 
l[,  109 
key,  608 
iheiiiown,  409 
ling,  81 
iben,  371 
UBKN  COCMTT.  S37 

vart'B  Comers,  143 
water,  499 
lolinxvillc,  383 
ilelena,  602 
LAWRtNCE  Co.,  481 
;kl)ridge,  360 
■khnim,  490 
■kiKirt,  122 
^ktoii,  92 
le  Arabia,  383 
ie  Mill,  312 
lybrook,  534 
inville,  135 
tve's  Square,  239 
ilford,  174 
'kerxvillp,  518,  (KS 
art's  Corners,  83 
I'vesant,  ISS 

rOLK  CoiiNTY,  533 
nr  Loaf,  438 
iivnn,  260 

iLIVAN  COUNTT,  546 

niner  Hill,  81 
rimer  Valley,  97 
iiiiiit,  524 
I'den,  271 
acuM,  395 

>erK,  360 
rhkanic,  133 
coU'«  Comen,  Rl 
coitvlUe,  830 
inenvlile,  180 
)pan,  478 
ryloWM,  588 
■ri"«H,  201 
)ni|«Hin,  .M7 
>iii|iMinvlllp,  M8 
roo'wville,  80 
oiidemga,  158 
jja,  Ml 

lOA  ('oi'UTT,  946 
iihenlrk,  460 
II  pk  I  nil,  m 
MraiNii  (%iH)iTT,  911 
DipklmvUla,  494 


Tonawanda,  153, 359 
Trenton,  372 
Triangle,  73 
Troupsbiirg,  533 
Truy,  469 
Trtiiuansburg,  553 
Truxton,  125 
Tully,  4U3 
Tunesassah,  82 
Tupper's  Corneri,  83 
Turin,  242 
Tylersvllle,  212 
Tyre,  526 
Tyrone,  532 

TJIIineg,  469 
Ulster  County,  555 
Ulslerville.  5^ 
Ulysses,  5,')3 
UiiadillH,  447 
Unadil.a  Forks,  447 
Union,  73 
Union  Corners,  251 
Union  Falls,  1(16 
Union  Square,  432 
Union  Mills,  167 
Union  Spiings,  81 
Union  Vale,  142    . 
Union  Village,  571 
Unionville,  420,  593 
Upper  Landing,  135 
Urbuna,  332 
Utica,  373 

ValatiP,  118 
Varysbuig,  61)3 
Van  Burcii,  403 
Vanliornsville,  190 
Varick,  520 
Venic",  8-J 
Verbaiik,  142 


Verroont,  89 
Venia,  552 
Vernon,  375 
Verona,  375 
Versailles,  86 
Vesper,  403 
Vestal,  74 
Veteran,  99 
Victor,  411 
Victory,  82 
Vienna,  375,409 
Villenova,  92 
Virgil,  1'.'5 
Volney,  439 
Vorlieeaville,378 

Waddinglon.  485 
Wadliani's  Mills,  163 
VValnscott,  5:i6 
Waits  Corners,  578 
VValden,  '!23 
Wiiies,  154 
Wallkill,  428 
Waloii,  132 
Walworth,  583 
Wnniiwville,  360 
Wiirrcn,  199,  476 
Warren  County,  561 
Warrensburg,  567 
Warsaw,  604,  605 
Warwick,  428 
Washington,  142 
WAsiiiNaTONCc,  567 
Wnshingtonviile,411,  439 
Washington  Hollow,  137 
Wattrburg,  553 
Waterborotigh,  90 
Waierford,  505 
Waterloo,  526 
Waierlown,  213 
Waterville,  371 


Waterville  Comers,  153 
Water  Valley,  153 
Watervliel,  54 
Watson,  243 
Wawarsing,  560 
Wayne,  533 
Wayne  County,  578 
Webster,  271 
Wellsburg,  99 
Wei'dspiirt,  80 
Wells,  191 
West  Almond,  65 
West  Blooinfield,  411 
West  Farina,  597 
Westfieid.  93 
West  Galway,  167 
Wcf  •  Millbrd,  92 
West  Point,  411 
Wcstcherter,  597 
Westchkstkr  Co.,  584 
Weslerlo,  55 
Western,  376 
Westfieid,  475 
Westl'ord,  448 
Westliampton,  543 
Westmoreland,  376 
Weatport,  162 
West  Trov,  54 
West  Turin,  242 
Westville,  166,  448 
Wethersfield,  604 
Wheaifield,  3,59 
Whentland,  271 
Whetler,  533 
While's  Cornera,  153 
White  Creek,  578 
Whitehall,  577 
Whitehaven,  153 
White  Plains,  598, 
Whitesborough,  377 
Whitestown,  377 


Whitestone,  453 
Whitesvillo,  60,  213 
Whiilockvllle,  584 
Willet.  125 
Williamsburg,  234 
Williamson,  583 
VViiliamstown,  213,  439 
Willinnisville,  143 
Willsborough,  162 
VViliiiington,  162 
Wilmurt,  199 
VVilna,  219 
Wilson,  359 
Wilton,  506 
VVinansville,  188 
Windham,  189 
Wiiida«!t  70 
Winticl,  199 
Winton,  199 
Wirt,  66 
Wolcott,  583 
Woodburn,  547 
Woodhull,  533 
Woodstock,  256,  561 
Woodvllle,  2U2 
Worcester,  448 
Wurtzboro',  547 
Wynnntskill,  464 
Wyoming,  603 
Wyoming  County,  601 

Vates,  430 
Yates  County,  004 
Vatesville,  605,  608 
Vaughcripplcbush,  558 
Vonkers,  601 
York.  251 
Yorkshire,  87 
Yorktown,  001 
Vorkvllle,  338,  377 
Vouiigdtown,  357 


POPULATION  OF  THE  COUNTIES  IN  THE  STATE  OF  NEW  YORK  IN  1840. 


Albany, 68,546 

Allegany 40,920 

Broome, 22,348 

Cattaraugus, 28,803 

Cayuga, 50,362 

Chautauinie, 47,641 

Chemung, 20,731 

Chenango, 40,779 

Clinton 28,178 

Columbia, 44,237 

Cortland, 24,605 

Delaware, 35.363 

Dutchess 52,488 

Eri 62,153 

EMex 23,611 

Franklin 16,450 

Fulton 18,038 

Genesee, 59,640 

Greene 30,446 

Hamilton, l,go7 


Herkimer, 37,378 

Jefferson, 61,064 

Kings, 47,613 

Lewis 17,849 

Livingston, 35,710 

Madison, 40,007 

Monroe, 64,912 

Montgomery, 35,801 

New  York, 312,932 

Niagara, 31,114 

Oneida 8.5,327 

Onondaga, 67,914 

Ontario, 43,301 

Orange, 50,733 

Orleans, 25,015 

Oiwego, 43,820 

Ot«ego, 49,412 

Putnam,.., 12,825 

Queer. 30,3'24 

Rensselaer, 60,303 


Richmond, 10,985 

Rockland, 11,874 

Saratoga 40,450 

Schenectady, 17,233 

Schoharie, 32,351 

Seneca, 5i4,868 

St,  Lawrence, 56,693 

Steuben,  45,992 

Suffolk, 32,469 

Sulhvan,  15,630 

Tioga 20,350 

Tompkina 38,113 

Ulster, 45,724 

Warren, 13,470 

Wasliington, 41,095 

Wayne 42.160 

Westchester, 48,687 

Yates, 20,443 


Total,.  _ 9,429,476 


« 


INDEX. 


At1irniiiS(Stll«mtiilni-""- n^r 

Ameterilmii,  Nieiiw,  in  165».. Jfi 

Aniire,  lukiiig  nf g~j 

A iidre,  execii.lon  i>f ^^ 

AntxUiiles,  luiiicmus TT? 

Anec(t(il»^,  sinpular • ,  ,„ 

Allfn,  WilliBiii  II.  epitaph •  J^« 

Arnrnt,  il  y  ol. ••"•■,' 'iSl 

Arnold  the  Unitor,  anecdote  of. ^ 

Antoiie,  A'. ram,  trial  ol ^ 

A»tor  House 

Barber.  Li  'utennnt-colcnel,  death  of 137 

Baker,  Mm  K«di.  I,  the  sleeping  pieacher J"- 

Backiia,  Azel,  1).  D.  epitaph ^J 

Barber,  Robert,  murder  ol.  • ..  •  ;•••••••, *'i 

Ballad,  on  the  des.ructioii  of  Schenectady »IJ 

Battery  and  Castle  Garden 

Bennington,  battle  of •  • 

Beach,  J'linoihy,  advenlurea  of 

Bear,  conflict  with 

Bishop,  Sarah,  herniiteM 

BIk  Kettle,  notice  of. ?■ 

Bowne  Mansion  Houie • *■" 

Boyd,  Lieutenant,  horrible  death  of. 

Black  Kettle,  notice  ol. 

Black  Kock,  attack  on 

Brock,  Sir  James,  death  of 

Brant,  Joseph,  notice  of j'J> 

Brant,  conference  with **' 

Brown,  Colonel,  iioilcttof. 

Bread,  scarcity  of 

British  otficere,  description  of. 

Bristol,  wreck  of 

BurgeHB,  Daniel,  escape  of 

BurKoy ne,  Bur'etider  of 

Buffnlo,  buitilnn  of. 

Butler  Htnise,  Mohawk 

Butlers,  fnc-siinile  of 

Butler,  Walter,  death  of. 


Cork  Island,  Oxford •  • 

Colden,  Governor,  effigy  of....  ■ 
Colhraith,  Colonel,  anecdote  of.. 

Copier,  E.  8.,  epiiaph 

Colden,  Cndwallader,  notice  of.. 

Cochiati,  Dr.  John,  epitaph 

CobeUkill,  attack  on 

Corn,  early  method  of  pounding. 

Crosby,  Enoch,  notice  of 

Croloh  Aqneduct 

Customhouse 


104 
807 
366 

375 
454 
375 
516 
K»I 
135 
330 
333 


331 
460 
130 
554 

suu 


247 
3»l 
144 
34» 


2«3 
55U 

aw 

457 
61 
497 
151 
3«2 
873 
173 


Edwards,  Georjfc  C.  epitaph > 

Edwurdii,  V.  1)  ,  Jonathan,  epitaph. 

Erie  iJanal  celebralion 

Emmet,  'I'hoiiias  Addis,  epitaph.' 


Captive  boys  of  Renswlaervllle 59 

Cahowi  Falls Sj 

Citnaioharie,  invasion  of. 3'5 

Caroline,  burnliiKof. 357 

Camemn,  rtniiald,  epitaph 5j0 

Catlhatie  Bridge 8a« 

Catsklll  Moiininin  House 1"5 

Cayuga  Bridge ■.••.•■•"•,••:   "^ 

Ueiians,  New  York  city,  SUM,  and  the  United 

States *« 

Clialeatigay,  skirmish  at 164 

Chalauque  gas  springs 91 

Chlkl,  Hrsi  iMirnin  Lotigls'and..... *« 

ChlmiM'y  Hciint  Gidf. 841 

Church,  ancient,  atCaughnawafa 881 

Church,  ancieiK,  .Mbstiy 48 

Chur».h«i,  tiumfiCT  ol,  in  New  York 3SU 

Cholera  In  New  ifork 314 

Clilppewa,  battle  of 364 

Clitrry  Valley,  destruction  of....... 449 

Chemung,  Imtlle  of »9 

City  Hall  New  York .•••  318 

CllntiMi,  cJeorge,  .loiice  of. 419 

Clinton,  De  Witt,  mHlccof 4S8 

Clinton  Liberal  Inrtliuie 368 

Ha 


ii«_«i*« 


Dana,  General  James,  notice  of. 5" 

Deserter,  execution  of. 404 

De  Fonclaire,  J.  B.  V.,  epitaph 17J 

Dean,  E«i.,  James,  notice  of J;;0 

Diploma  for  the  Indians 1*3 

D<Kld,  Rev.  Bethuel,  epitaph J8» 

Downie,  Commodore,  epitaph lij 

Dover  slone  church • J^ 

Doitader,  J.,  the  tory,  defeat  of. 5»* 

Dream,  remarkable '7^ 

Dutch,  ancient,  church Jj 

Dutch  church,  Fishkiil "» 

Dutch  church,  ancient SwS 

Dwight's,  Dr.,  description  of  Westchester  County 
In  the  revolution •  9*» 

530 

514 

334 

„ ,  , 347 

EUiopus,  Indian  attack  on M7 

Fire,  great.  In  New  York,  1770 3M 

Fire,  preat,  in  New  York,  1835 Ml 

Fort  Erie,  assault  on J™ 

Fort  Erie,  sortie  of 146 

Fort  Plain,  block-house «7« 

Fort  Ann,  imtlle  near M8 

Fort  Ettwatd,  plati  of. Mj 

Fox,  George,  notice  of 4M 

Eraser,  General,  death  of. 804 

French  colony,  account  of "Bjj 

French  etnigrants  In  Greene  County 100 

Fulton,  Iloberl,  notice  of 340 

Gardner,  Lyon,  notice  of M" 

Garrelaoi),  Freeborn,  nollee  of. 141 

Genesee  Falls jJJ 

(ileium  Falls JJj 

Glenvllle,  Incumion  Into •  "07 

Gray,  ( 'olonel.  death  of. >j|0 

Granger,  Gideon,  epitaph 407 

Greig,  Captain,  remarkable  preservation  nf 300 

Gothic  or  Temperance  Hall 3W 

Harpers,  Wllllani  and  John,  adventuref  of 188 

HunilUHi,  Miss  Bally,  murder  of VH 

Hanford's  Landint SM 

H»le,  i^dtugin  N«tb«n,  noilet  of. lOB 

Halls  of  Justice SIB 

NarleuiTuntiel W 

Hamilton,  Aleiander,  notice  of. 344 

Hamilton,  Aleiander,  epitaph 347 

Hamilton  C'Ollege 3U 

liathmwv-  Una.  Joahua.  anlt^ah ............  Sift 


b  '^ 


INDEX. 


11 


104 

»7 

, 368 

375 

454 

375 

, 516 

531 

*. 135 

330 

3iB 

f 517 

464 

173 

376 

173 

3«4 

113 

134 

.f. 544 

171 

46 

136 

595 

V^i»tche(ter('ounly 

sgs 

530 

itaph 514 

..:. 334 

jh 347 

557 

6 303 

5 381 

145 

146 

!J79 

588 

seo 

404 

flO« 

3N 

bounty 100 

, 340 

536 

r. m 

«» 

560 

507 

810 

407 

reaervBtiun  nf 369 

3» 

•dventurM  of 138 

rof 181 

964 

rof. 309 

118 

aw 

of. 344 

h 347 

901 

tAah ...*.*>  STB 


Han  Terry,  anecdote  of...... 379 

Herkimer,  General,  notice  of. 192 

Herlcimer,  burning  of. 195 

Hendricit,  Kinp,  notice  of. mJ 

Ileiidy,  Colonel,  anixdoie  of. /    9" 

Hornby  Lodge • ,?* 

Hnsacic,  Rev.  8.,  D.D.  epitaph 1^3 

Holland  Land  Company's  Office lib 

Hnghes,  John,  Welsh  epitapti  on 375 

Hurlfate W 

Indian  forti  at  Phili»burg M 

Indian  aiiliquiiies,  Oxford -03 

Indians,  Interview  with,  in  1691 235 

Ii-ving,  Washington,  residence  of. 588 

Jay,  John,  LL.  D.  notice  of 584 

Jefferson  barracks 811 

Jemison,  Mary,  the  »  white  woman" 602 

Johnson  Hall 168 

Johnson,  Sir  William,  notice  of 188 

Johnson,  Sir  John,  Incursion  of. 170 

Johnson,  Sir  Gny,  residence  of 272 

Johnsons,  the  fac-similea  of. 273 

Kalm,  Professor,  visit  to  Albany 47 

Kidd's  Heights,  Albany 45 

KIdd,  William,  the  pirate 536 

Kirtland,  Rev.  Mr.  notice  of 362 

King,  Riifns,  notice  of. 461) 

Kingston  destroyed 557 

Knickeibocker,  extract  from 290 

Kosciusko,  notice  of. 415 

Kunze,  J.  C,  D.D.  noUce  of. 347 

Lake  Georrt>,  battle  of. 563 

Lawrence,'Cni>ialn  J.,  epitaph 340 

Lee,  Ann,  notice  of. 55 

Leverich,  Rev.  Mr.  notice  of. 461 

Letter,  nnonvinoiis,  Newburg 425 

Livingston,  Robert  K.  notice  of. 115 

Livingston,  Plilllp,  notice  of. 339 

Llvlngetoii,  Wlllinni,  notice  of. lUO 

Livingston,  Brockliokt 343 

Livingston's  Manor 119 

Liberty-pole,  flmt,  in  Mohawk  Valley 104 

Little  Falls,  Indian  descent  at 198 

Lihdesny,  Mr.  notice  of. 440 

Louis  Piiillp|)e,  King,  visit  to  Ehntra 98 

Long  Ulund,  Imitle  of ^■i't 

LtHig  Island,  history  of 351 

Long  Island,  Indlaiiiof. 353 

Lundy's  Lune,  battle  of. 355 

Mnnn,  J.  D.  Milton,  epitnpli 118 

Mcl'rea,  Miss  Jane,  murder  of. 509 

McKeiizle,  A.  epitaph 173 

Mersercnn,  Jiidje,  notice  of • 7^1 

Merrick,  Martliu,  epitaph  of 134 

Merchants'  Exchange,  New  York 3-.U 

Mcx'co,  wreck  of 457 

Meigt,  Colonel,  expiilitlon  of. 544 

Miiilaink,  invnslon  of 434) 

Montour,  Calhniloe,  notice  of. 94 

Mooem,  Genernl,  epitaph  on 113 

Morgan,  Willlnni,  abduction  of. 177 

Monuiiieiiinl  inscription,  Sackatt'i  Harbor 911 

Moody,  Lndy,  iiotlcc  of 836 

Mohawk  CnKilHfi,  inking  of S77 

Monument  at  Hemratead 450 

Monumental  pile,  Indian 378 

Monument  at  Go  hen 418 

Monlgoiiiery,  Grneial,  iHHice  of..... 34.1 

Montgomery,  ei)llnph 34(1 

Montgomery,  Fort,  capliire  of 489 

Montgomeiy,  Port,  shocking  appearance  at 483 

Mnnlnnk  I'nlnt,  view  of. 537 

MorriH,  (iouvcriieur,  notice  of. 5il7 

MiHinonlani,  origin  nf 5HI) 

Mufiiueiora,  iniiinn  irndiiion  resiiectiiif HI 

Murder  near  the  Hterlliig  tioii  Works 488 

Murpliy,T.  advenlunsiof. Si8 

Xa*7  Yard,  BitNUyD. Ki 


Negro  plot 29.5 

New  York,  evacuation  of. 310 

New  York  in  1800 315 

New  York  University 336 

New  York  Denf  nnd  Dumb  Asylum 327 

Newspapers,  ancient,  extracts  from 396 

Niagara  Falls,  view  of 353 

Niagara  Fort,  account  of 35U 

Norton,  Selh  M.  epitaph 364 

Novel  marriage 514 

Oak,  ancient,  at  Lyons STB 

Oak  openings 180 

Olficers,  Dutch  names  of 287 

0};densburg,  altock  on 486 

Oneida  Institute,  view  of ••••  278 

OnondagoB,  account  of. 389 

Onondaga,  French  colony  at,  in  1656 «*••  398 

Oriskany,  battle  of 380 

Oi'wego,  attack  on 436 

Oswego  Fort,  surrender  of. 435 

Pnlatinateih  Klt<«<n<int  "f- ■■■  ^^ 

Painted  Post,  the  history  of. 530  . 

Parson's,  Gen.  rorresixmdence  with  Gov.  Tryon,  591 

Penitentiary,  Blackwell's  island 330 

Perkins,  Capt.  8.  epitaph 370 

Peeksklll,  incursion  inti 580 

PliGBiiix,  burning  of. 107 

Phelptis  and  Gorlinm's  surveys 406 

Pheljis,  Hon.  Oliver,  epitaph 408 

Phillips'  patent 595 

Pine,  large 130 

Pike,  Gen.  Z.  M.  death  of. 205 

Pike,  Gen.  Z.  M.  nionninenlai  iiiscrip;ion 211 

Pixley,  Colonel  D.  epitaph 551 

Plattsburg,  battle  of. HO 

Portage  Falls,  view  of 62 

Pnmpey,  ancient  remains  at 393 

Prison  at  Auburn 77 

Piison  ships,  revolutionary 332 

Pn'scott,  battle  of 487 

ProudHt,  Rev.  J.  epitaph 570 

Pnhlicaiions,  periodical,  in  New  York 333 

Putnam's  battle  with  [ndians 573 

Pcilieneyville,  invasion  of 583 

Queenstown  Heights,  battle  of 310 

n.i'H  Jacket,  notice  of. 140 

Ri'<l  Jacket,  conference  with 406 

Rensselaer  tenants,  riot  of 114 

Rensselaer,  manor  of 473 

Rensselaer,  Hon.  Stephen,  notice  of 50 

Revolutionary  incidents  in  New  York 304 

Rivingum  press  diMroyed SlH) 

Rnhbeiy  at  FIshkill 130 

Rochester,  O'Reilly'H  sketches  of. 967 

Rockwell,  J.O.  notice  of. 386 

Hobinion  House,  tlie 450 

River's  Hock S!i5 

Royaiisis  executed  at  Kingston 553 

Salt  procured  by  Indian* 74 

Sammons,  Sampson,  adventures  of 171 

Sackelt's  Harbor,  attack  nn 3U7 

Handy  Crmk,  battle  at gotl 

Hanger,  Ji-dldlnh,  notice  of. 305 

Hnllna  salt  works S9tt 

Hnilor's  Snug  Harbor 474 

HHhIinth  Day  Point 565 

Mnndy  Hill,  Indian  barbarlllet « 573 

Ht'hliHMer  Landing,  view  of. 380 

Sch"(    i.lo,  notice  of 963 

8ch  lyirr  Hnnyost,  siratagimi  nf. MB 

Sclit.FU".,  General  Philip,  iHMice  of. 4M 

^chiiylfr  Mansion  House 494 

Schenectady,  di-strucilon  nf. 511 

Hclmhnrie,  middle  fort,  ntiack  on Sltf 

t^clmhurle  alone  church 8M 

S«iieca  oil  spring , SB 

Smrrn  M!sslon  Hoiim; 140 

Senecas  IiivaiIhI  by  llie  Fnnich 1149 

SanaMa.  iB6iifla#  ola. ..  a ... . ...    «.•*....•..••  flOS 


12 


INDEX. 


Bhakers,  notice  of. - ^ 

ehBkersatNew  Lebanon • -[f" 

Blliiman,  Major-general,  capture  of. 4W 

BIng  Sing  Prison ^^ 

Bkeene,  Si ajor,  royalist i" 

Bniiih,  Richard,  notice  of. o4i 

Smiih,  Josepii,  the  Mormon ^ 

Bleepy  Hollow ^^* 

Bpanish  II ill,  Chemung ^ 

Bpy,  Indian,  death  of. ^^ 

Standard,  Hrst,  taken  in  last  war iW 

BtadtHuy8inl642 *™ 

Stuy vesaiit,  Govornor,  notice  of ^^ 

Sterling,  Lord,  notice  of ^ 

Btanwix,  Fort,  sie^'c  of *° 

Btcuben,  Bnron,  notice  of. ji^ 

Stillwater,  battle  at *=° 

Steamboat,  Fulton,  first  American •>** 

Tammany  Hall,  New  York 330 

Tallmadgp,  Colonel,  expedition  of ■^ 

Ticondcrosa,  Fort }?° 

Tlcoiideropa,  raptiirc  of,  by  Allen 13» 

TIconderoga,  St.  Clair's  evacuation  of. •  •  IB' 

Tomiulo  in  Alligany  County 5j 

Tripe's  Hill,  first  eetllers  at ^' 

Trenton  Falls fj 

Truxton,  ConnniHlore,  notice  of. •     •  JW) 

Troy  Female  Seniiiiary *^1 

Tryon,  correspondence  with S^* 

Tunnel  at  Portage ^ 

Union  College 510 

Union  £ace  Course *>'' 


Van  Buren,  President,  Mrthplace. UO 

VanBuren,  Abraham  A.  epitaph in 

Van  Kleek  House • ^gj 

Van  Itenselacr,  9.  notice  of. w 

Van  Tassel  Mansion J* 

Van  Wart,  Isaac,  epitaph «» 

Warrant,  ancient •  ■  •  •  • 140 

Wadsworth,  James  and  William,  noUce  of 244 

Washington,  Fort,  capture  of. 600 

Washington  inaugurated-... ....  • ff* 

Washington's  head-quartere,  Newburg 4J4 

Walnut  tree,  large "0 

Walker,  Rev.  EInalhan 1»* 

Wawarsing,  burning  of. WO 

Wedding,  curious fi* 

West  Point  Academy *\» 

West  Point,  undent  view  of. «0 

Wheat,  &c.  price  of,  1804 JTJ 

White,  Hugh,  notice  of. 37B 

White,  Hugh,  epitaph ^ 

White  Plains,  battle  of 000 

Williams,  Rev.  Mr.  capture  of. IW 

Willet,  Colonel  Marinus,  notice  of MO 

Williamson,  Captain,  first  settler  at  Bath 589 

Wilkinson,  Jemima,  "  the  Universal  Friend".-  ■  •  605 

William  Henry,  Fort,  capture  of. 564 

Woolscy,  Major,  coward!  ce  of. 530 

Veo,  Sir  James,  amusing  alarm  of,  near  Rochester,  370 

Yellow  Fever  in  Nevv  York 311 

York  Island,  military  movements  on 301 

York,  U.  C.  attack  on 808 

Young,  Major  ti.  D.  notice  of. 163 


I 


OMISBrONS  ANT)  CORRECTIONS. 

Pige  50,  the  jfftanw  Medieai  ColUge  Is  a  nourishing  Institution.  Ita  offlcen  are  a  Preeldent,  Reflitrar, 
Librarian,  and  eight  ProfeMon.    Number  of  Mudenla  101841,  one  hundred  and  twenty-thrte. 

.Pr?«95,  the  village  of  Hor«*ea(i»  is  about  live  mile*  iiorih  of  Elmlra,  so  called,  it  ii  lald,  Irom  tne 
■Mills  of  horses  found  nciir  It,  slaughtered  fur  food  by  Sullivan's  army. 

Page  19<l.  Pop.  of  New  Lebanon,  2,534. 

PBge2Hi2,  for  Tryon,  read  Campbell. 

PMe  30H,  lor  Uavid,  read  Nathan  Mali. 

Page  472,  there  are  at  this  time  ^1841)  i7  churchet  In  Troy,  vli ;  3  Episcopal,  4  Presbyterian,  1  Hootch 
Frciuy  tuian,  U  fiapiiit,  3  Methodist,  1  Friends,  1  Unlversaliit,  1  Catholic,  and  3  Aftlcan. 


M 


f 


no 

ii» 

138 

50 

S88 

5W 

140 

1,  notice  of SMS 

600 

384 

vburg 434 

90 

134 

360 

384 

413 

418 

174 

378 

389 

508 

;!!!!!;!!!!!!!!  i63 

)f 460 

at  Bath S39 

ileal  Friend".. . .  605 
'. S64 

sao 

f.nearRocheiter,  370 

3U 

aon 301 

SU3 

163 


aPrMldent,  RefiMrar, 

enly-thrte. 

id,  it  la  aaid,  from  tlia 


I 


NEW   YORK. 


OUTLINE    HISTORY. 


There  is  reason  to  believe  that  the  first  Europeans  who  landed  on 
the  soil  of  New  York,  were  the  crew  of  a  French  vessel  under  the 
command  of  John  de  Verrazzano,  a  Florentine,  in  the  service  of 
Francis  I.,  of  France.  "  Verrazzano  had  been  for  some  time  intrusted 
with  the  command  of  four  ships,  in  cruising  against  the  Spaniards. 
These  vessels  being  separated  in  a  storm,  the  commander  resolved 
with  one  of  them,  the  Dauphin,  to  undertake  a  voyage  for  the  purpose 
of  discovering  new  countries."  About  the  middle  of  March,  1524, 
he  arrived  on  the  American  coast  near  Wilmington,  N.  C.  From 
this  point  he  proceeded  as  far  south  as  Georgia.  He  then  turned 
and  proceeded  northward,  until  he  came  to  about  the  latitude  of  41° 
north,  where  he  entered  a  harbor,  which,  from  his  description,  is 
believed  to  bu  that  of  New  York.* 

It  appears  from  Verrazzano's  account,  that  he  stayed  in  the  harbor 
about  fifteen  days.  It  seems  he  had  much  intercourse  with  the  natives 
of  the  country.  "  They  came  on  beard  his  ship  frequently,  and  without 
reserve ;  traded  with  him  freely  for  such  articles  as  he  needed,  and 
generally  attended  his  men,  in  greater  or  smaller  numbers,  whenever 
they  went  on  shore."  He  sailed  from  the  harbor  on  the  5th  of  May, 
and  proceeded  as  far  north  as  the  coast  of  Labrador ;  from  thence 
he  sailed  for  France,  whero  he  arrived  in  July.  In  a  letter  to  the 
king,  he  gave  an  account  of  his  voyage,  giving  the  name  of  Nete 
France  to  the  country  he  visited.  As  his  voyage  neither  produced 
nor  promised  any  addition  to  the  revenues  of  France,  his  discoveries 
were  not  pursued,  and  even  the  memory  of  it  was  almost  forgotten. 
It  is  supposed  that  Verrazzano,  in  a  subsequent  voyage,  was  cut  to 
pieces  and  devoured  by  the  savages. 

In  1607,  a  London  company  fitted  out  a  ship  under  the  command 
of  Henry  Hudson,  for  the  purpose  of  discovering  a  northwestern 
passage  to  the  East  Indies.     This  voyage,  and  another  the  next  year 

•  An  account  of  this  voyage,  given  in  a  letter  to  the  French  king,  is  found  in  Richard 
Hakluyt'8  Voyages,  Navigations,  &,c.,  published  in  1600,  in  London,  in  tfare*  voli.  folio. 
It  18  republished  in  vol.  i.  of  the  CoU.  of  the  Nevir  York  Hi.t.  Hnn. 


i 


1 1 


14 


OUTLINE    HISTORY. 


f  ,  ♦»,«  «!,mp  T^nrnose  both  provinff  unsuccessful,  the  company  sus- 
ponded  tirpKalrHu'dson  iL  went  to  Holland,  and  entered 
fnto  the  service  of  the  celebrated  Dutch  East  India  Company.  This 
S>mian;  S  --"  ^^ip.  named  Half  Moon,  -der  the  com- 

mand  of  Hudson,  with  a  crew  it  is  said  of  twenty  men,  Dutch  and 
Snglish  Hudsoi  left  Amsterdam  on  the  4th  the  Texel  on  the  6th 
of  April,  and  arrived  on  the  American  coast  on  the  18th  of  July, 
1609,  near  Portland,  in  the  state  of  Maine. 

Pursuing  his  course  southward,  Hudson  came  to  Cape  Cod,  where 
he  landed,"ab.ut  the  3d  of  August.     After  this  he  sailed  southward 
and  westward  for  one-and-twenty  days,  "making  remarks  on  the 
soundings  and  currents,"  until  he  came  to  the  entrance  ol  Chesapeak 
Bay,  abSut  the  24th  of  August.    From  this  pomt,  he  returned  north- 
ward along  the  coast,  and  on  the  28th  discovered  Delaware  Bay 
During  the  six  following  days,  Hudson  pursued  his  northerly  course, 
until  on  the  3d  of  September,  1009,  he  anchored  withm  bandy  Hook. 
"The  next  day,  the  4th  of  September,  he  sent  a  boat  on  shore  tor 
the  purpose  of  fishing.     The  tradition  is  that,  his  men  first  landed  on 
Coney  Island,  which  lies  near  to  Long  Island,  and  now  makes  a  part 
of  Kings  county.    On  the  same  day  the  natives  came  on  board  his 
ship,  as  she  lav  at  anchor,  conducting  themselves  with  great  apparent 
friendliness,  and  discovering  a  strong  disposition  to  barter  the  produce 
of  their  country  for  knives,  beads,  clothes,  and  other  articles  ol  a 
similar  kind.    The  next  day,  the  5th  of  September,  Hudson  again 
sent  his  boat  on  shore,  for  the  purpose,  as  appears  from  the  journal, 
of  exploring  and  sounding  the  waters  lying  to  the  south,  within  feandy 
Hook,  and  forming  what  is  now  called  the  Horse  Shoe.     Here  the 
boat's  crew  landed  and  penetrated  some  distance  into  the  woods,  in 
what  is  now  Monmouth  county,  in  New  Jersey.     They  were  very 
well  received  by  the  natives,  who  presented  them  very  kindly  with 
what  the  journal  calls  'green  tobacco,'  and  also  with  'dried  cur- 
rants ;'  [these  were  probably  whortleberries,]  which  are  represented 
as  having  been  found  in  great  plenty,  and  of  a  very  excellent  quality. 
"  On  the  6th  of  September,  Hudson  sent  a  boat  manned  with  five 
hands  to  explore  what  appeared  to  be  the  mouth  of  a  river,  at  the 
distance  of  about  four  leagues  from  the  ship.    This  was  no  doubt 
the  strait  between  Long  and  Staten  islands,  generally  called  the 
Narrows.    Here,  the  writer  of  the  journal  observes,  '  a  good  depth 
of  water  was  found ;'  and  within,  a  large  opening,  and  a  narrow 
river  to  the  west ;  in  which  it  is  evident  he  refers  to  what  is  now 
called  the  Kills,  or  the  channel  between  Bergen  Neck  and  Staten 
Island.    In  exploring  the  bay  and  the  adjacent  waters,  the  boat's 
crew  spent  the  whole  day.    On  their  way  in  returning  to  the  ship 
towards  night,  they  were  attacked  by  the  natives,  in  two  canoes ;  the 
one  carrying  fourteen  men,  and  the  other  twelve.    A  skirmish  ensued, 
in  which  one  of  Hudson's  men,  named  John  Colman,  was  killed  by 
an  arrow,  which  struck  him  in  the  throat,  and  two  more  were 
wounded.    The  next  day  the  remains  of  Colman  were  interred  on  a 
pomt  of  land  not  far  from  the  shin,  which  from  that  circumstance 


OUTLINE    HISTORY. 


15 


I  company  sus- 
id,  and  entered 
jmpany.  This 
under  the  com- 
len,  Dutch  and 
3xel  on  the  6th 
J  18th  of  July, 

ape  Cod,  where 
iled  southward 
•emarks  on  the 
;e  of  Chesapeak 
returned  north- 
Delaware  Bay 
ortherly  course, 
in  Sandy  Hook, 
oat  on  shore  for 
1  first  landed  on 
iw  makes  a  part 
me  on  board  his 
ti  great  apparent 
rter  the  produce 
er  articles  of  a 
,  Hudson  again 
rom  the  journal, 
th,  within  Sandy 
ihoe.     Here  the 
to  the  woods,  in 
rhey  were  very 
/ery  kindly  with 
vith  'dried  cur- 
are represented 
jxcellent  quality, 
manned  with  five 
if  a  river,  at  the 
lis  was  no  doubt 
srally  called  the 
8,  '  a  good  depth 
r,  and  a  narrow 
s  to  what  is  now 
Veck  and  Staten 
aters,  the  boat's 
rning  to  the  ship 
two  canoes ;  the 
.  skirmish  ensued, 
in,  was  killed  by 
two  more  were 
ere  interred  on  a 
hat  circumstance 


received  the  name  of  Colman's  Point ;  and  which,  probably,  was  the 
same  that  is  now  called  Sandy  Hook. 

"  On  the  8th,  9th  and  10th  days  of  September,  Hudson  still  rode 
cautiously  at  anchor,  without  the  Narrows,  and  seems  to  have  been 
chiefly  employed  in  trading  with  the  natives,  and  in  guarding  against 
any  insidious  attacks  which  might  have  been  meditated  by  them,  and 
which  he  evidently  feared.  On  the  11th,  he  sailed  through  the 
Narrows,  and  found,  as  the  writer  of  the  journal  expresses  it, '  a  very 
good  harbor  for  all  winds.'  On  the  12tn,  he  first  entered  the  river 
which  bears  his  name,  and  sailed  up  about  two  leagues.  On  these 
two  days  the  ship  was  visited  by  great  numbers  of  the  natives,  who 
brought  Indian  com,  beans,  tobacco,  and  oysters,  in  abundance,  and 
exchanged  them  for  such  trifles  as  the  ship's  company  were  disposed 
to  barter.  They  had  pipes  of  'yellow  copper,'  in  which  they 
smoked.  They  had  also  various  ornaments  of  copper ;  and  earthen 
pots,  in  which  they  dressed  their  meat.  But,  although  they  were 
'  civil,'  as  the  writer  of  the  journal  tells  us,  and  « made  show  of  love,' 
Hudson  did  not  think  proper  to  trust  them ;  and  by  no  means  would 
suffer  any  of  them  to  remain  on  board  during  the  night. 

"From  the  12th  to  the  22d  of  September,  Hudson  was  employed 
in  ascending  the  river.  The  journal  represents  it  in  general  about  a 
mile  wide,  and  of  a  good  depth,  abounding  with  fish,  among  which 
were  •  great  store  of  salmons.'  As  he  advanced,  he  found  the  land 
on  both  sides  growing  higher,  until  it  became  ♦  very  mountainous.' 
This  high  land,  it  is  observed,  '  had  many  points ;  the  channel  was 
narrow,  and  there  were  many  eddy  winds.'  In  his  passage  up  the 
river,  the  natives  frequently  came  on  board  of  his  ship,  and  sometimes 
in  considerable  numbers,  but  always  in  an  amicable  manner. 

"  Hudson  appears  to  have  sailed  up  the  river  a  little  above  where 
the  city  of  Hudson  now  stands ;  and  beyond  that  point,  he  himself 
never  ascended.  Not  considering  it  as  safe  to  proceed  farther  with 
his  ship,  he  sent  a  boat  with  five  hands,  (the  .aate,  who  had  the 
command  of  the  expedition,  being  one,)  to  explore  and  sound  the  river 
higher  up.    The  boat  proceeded  eight  or  nine  leagues  beyond  where 

j^u  P  J^^  ^^  anchor ;  but  finding  the  soundings  extremely  irregular, 
and  the  depth,  in  some  places,  not  more  than  seven  feet,  it  was  judged 
unadvisable  to  attempt  any  farther  progress.  It  is  evident,  from  the 
whole  account,  that  the  boat  went  as  far  as  where  the  city  of  Albany 
now  stands.  ' 

"  It  is  worthy  of  notice,  that  the  farther  they  went  up  the  river, 
the  more  friendly  and  hospitable  the  natives  appeared.  After  they 
had  passed  the  highlands,  the  writer  of  the  journal  observes :  ♦  There 
^^/?""i^r^y  loving  people,  and  very  old  men;  and  were  well 
used.  On  the  18th  of  September,  when  the  ship  was  lying  about 
twenty.five  or  thirty  miles  below  the  present  situation  of  Albany, 
the  mate,  it  is  farther  observed, '  went  on  shore  with  an  ola  savage, 
a  governor  of  the  country,  who  took  him  to  his  house  and  made  h.m 
good  cheer.  At  this  place  the  savages  flocked  on  board  the  ship  in 
considerable  numbers,  bringing  with  them  corn,  tobacco,  numnldnf. 


16 


OUTLINE    HISTORY. 


I  !  V 


;,  {^ 


and  grapes,  and  some  of  them  beaver  and  otter  skms,whch  thev 
exchln/ed  for  hatchets,  knives,  beads,  and  other  trifles.  On  the  20th 
of  September,  Hudson  and  his  crew,  for  the  purpose  of  makmg  an 
experiment  on  the  temper  of  the  Indians,  attempted  to  make  a  number 
of  their  principal  men  drunk.  But  though  they  'were  all  merry, 
as  the  iournalist  expresses  it,  only  one  of  them  appears  to  have  been 
completely  intoxicated.  This  phenomenon  excited  great  surprise 
and  alarm  among  his  companions.  They  knew  not  what  to  make 
of  it  and  it  was  not  until  the  next  day,  when  he  had  complete  y  re- 
covered,  that  they  became  composed.  This,  so  far  as  we  know, 
is  the  first  instance  of  intoxication  by  ardent  spirits,  among  the  Indi- 
ans  on  tliis  part  of  the  American  continent.  It  is  very  remarkable  that 
amontr  the  Six  Nations  there  is  a  tradition,  still  very  distinctly  pre- 
served of  a  scene  of  intoxication  which  occurred  with  a  company  ot 

the  natives  when  the  ship  first  arrived On  the  22d  of  the 

month,  confidence  on  the  part  of  the  natives  being  restored,  a  number 
of  their  chiefs  came  on  board  the  ship  as  she  lay  at  anchor.     This 
interview  the  writer  of  the  journal  describes  in  the  following  man- 
ner :  '  At  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  they  came  on  board,  and 
brought  tobacco  and  beans,  and  gave  them  to  our  master,  and  made 
an  oration,  and  showed  him  all  the  country  round  about.    Then  they 
sent  one  of  their  company  on  land,  who  presently  returned  and  brought 
a  great  platter  of  venison,  dressed  by  themselves  ;  and  they  caused 
him  to  eat  with  them.    Then  they  made  him  reverence  and  departed.' 
"  On  the  23d  of  September,  Hudson  began  to  descend  the  river. 
On  his  way  down,  his  men  went  frequently  on  shore,  and  had  several 
very  friendly  interviews  with  the  natives,  who  expressed  a  desire 
that  they  might  reside  among  them ;  and  made  them  an  offer  of  lands 
for  that  purpose.     But  when  the  ship  came  below  the  highlands,  the 
savages  appeared  to  be  of  a  different  character,  and  were  extremely 
troublesome ;  especially  those  who  inhabited  the  western  side  of  the 
river.    They  attempted  to  rob  the  ship,  and  repeatedly  shot  at  the 
crew  with  bows  and  arrows  from  several  points  of  land.     Hudson's 
men  discharged  several  muskets  at  them,  and  killed  ten  or  twelve  of 
them.    In  these  conflicts,  which  were  frequently  renewed  during  the 
tirst  and  second  days  of  October,  none  of  the  ship's  crew  appears  to 
have  been  injured.     The  land  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  river,  near 
its  mouth,  was  called  by  the  natives  ' Manna-hatta* 

"  On  the  4th  day  of  October,  (just  one  month  from  the  day  on 
which  he  landed  within  Sandy  Hook,)  Hudson  came  out  of  the  river 
which  bears  his  name ;  and  without  anchoring  in  the  bay,  immedi- 
ately stood  out  to  sea.  By  twelve  o'clock  at  noon  that  day  he  was 
entirely  clear  of  land.  He  steered  directly  for  Europe ;  and  on  the 
9th  of  November  following  he  •  arrived,'  as  the  writer  of  the  journal 
expresses  it,  *  in  the  range  of  Dartmouth,  Devonshire.'  Here  the 
journal  ends. 

'S  Whether  Hudson  immediately  landed  in  England,  cannot  now  be 
clearly  ascertained ;  but  it  appears  that  he  left  that  country  in  April, 
1610,  and  reached  the  American  coast  early  in  the  summer.    He 


OUTLINE   HISTOBY. 


17 


ikins,  which  thev 
es.  On  the  20tK 
»se  of  making  an 
>  make  a  number 
were  all  merry,' 
ars  to  have  been 
d  great  surprise 
ot  what  to  make 
d  completely  re- 
ar as  we  know, 
,  among  the  Indi- 
f  remarkable  that 
ry  distinctly  pre- 
ith  a  company  ot 

I  the  22d  of  the 
istored,  a  number 
at  anchor.  This 
le  following  man- 
e  on  board,  and 
master,  and  made 
)out.  Then  they 
irned  and  brought 

and  they  caused 
ice  and  departed.' 
escend  the  river. 
3,  and  had  several 
{pressed  a  desire 

II  an  offer  of  lands 
the  highlands,  the 
d  were  extremely 
estern  side  of  the 
satedly  shot  at  the 
F  land.  Hudson's 
1  ten  or  twelve  of 
mewed  during  the 
s  crew  appears  to 

of  the  river,  near 

> 

» 

from  the  day  on 
ne  out  of  the  river 

the  bay,  immedi- 
n  that  day  he  was 
urope ;  and  on  the 
riter  of  the  journal 
ishire.*    Here  the 

ind,  cannot  now  be 
it  country  in  April, 
the  summer.    He 


soon  discovered  the  great  northern  bay  which  bears  his  name.  There, 
after  an  unwise  delay,  he  was  compelled  to  pass  a  distressing  and 
dangerous  winter.  In  the  spring,  in  addition  to  all  his  other  misfor- 
tunes, he  found  a  spirit  of  dissatisfaction  and  mutiny  growing  among 
his  crew,  and  at  length  manifesting  itself  in  open  violence.  This 
proceeded  so  far,  that  on  the  22d  of  June,  1611,  a  majority  of  the 
crew  arose,  took  command  of  the  ship,  put  Hudson,  his  son,  and  seven 
others,  most  of  whom  were  sick  or  lame,  into  a  boat,  turned  them 
adrift  in  the  ocean,  and  abandoned  them  to  their  fate.  They  never 
were  heard  of  more. 

"  Hudson  did  not  give  his  own  name  to  the  river  which  he  discov- 
ered. The  Iroquois  Indians  called  it  Cahohatatea.  The  Mahicans, 
Mahakaneghtuc,  and  sometimes  Shatemuck.  Hudson  styled  it  em- 
phatically the  'Great  River,'  or  the  'Great  River  of  the  Mountains;' 
no  doubt  from  the  extraordinary  circumstance  of  such  a  body  of 
water  flowing  through  the  mountains  without  a  cataract.  The  name 
of  its  discoverer,  however,  was  early  attached  to  it.  I  find  it  familiarly 
called  Hudson's  river,  in  some  of  the  public  documents  of  the  Dutch 
colonial  government ;  but  more  frequently  the  North  river,  to  dis- 
tinguish it  from  the  Delaware,  which  was  discovered  by  the  same 
navigator,  and  which  being  within  the  territory  claimed  by  the  Dutch, 
was  called  by  them  the  South  river. 

"  The  Dutch  immediately  began  to  avail  themselves  of  the  advan- 
tage which  the  discovery  of  Hudson  presented  to  their  view.  In 
1010,  it  appears  that  at  least  one  ship  was  sent  hither  by  the  East  In- 
dia Company,  for  the  purpose  of  trading  in  furs,  which  it  is  well  known 
continued  for  a  number  of  years  to  be  the  principal  object  of  com- 
mercial attraction  to  this  part  of  the  new  world.  In  1614,  a  fort  and 
trading-house  were  erected  on  the  spot  where  Albany  now  stands, 
and  called  Fort  Orange  ;  and  about  the  same  time  another  fort  and 
trading-house  were  established  on  the  southwest  point  of  Manhattan 
Island,  and  called  New  Amsterdam.  The  whole  colony  received 
the  name  of  New  Netherlands."— Jfts/.  Discourse  by  Samuel  Miller, 
D.  D.,  vol.  i.  Coll.  New  York  Hist.  Soc. 

In  1621,  "  the  Privileged  West  India  Company"  was  formed  in 
Holland  ;  this  company  in  1623  began  its  operations  along  the  Hud- 
son, with  a  direct  view  to  colonization.  A  number  of  settlers  during 
this  year  were  sent  out,  under  the  command  of  Cornelis  Jacobse  Mey, 
who  were  most  heartily  welcomed  by  the  few  previous  inhabitants. 
Before  these  arrived  they  had  been  two  years  without  supplies,  and 
had  been  obliged  to  cut  up  the  sails  of  some  of  tJ^eir  boats  for  neces- 
sary clothing.  In  compliment  to  Capt.  Mey,  ti  aamed  the  bay  of 
New  York  Port  Mey.  During  the  same  year  the  forts  New  Amster- 
dam and  Orange  were  erected,  upon  the  sites  of  the  present  cities  of 
New  York  and  Albany. 

In  1625,  the  West  India  Company  freighted  two  ships,  in  one  of 
which  Peter  Minuit  arrived  in  New  Netherland,  with  a  company  of 
Waloons,  who  settled  on  Long  Island  opposite  New  Amsterdam. 
Minuit  is  considered  by  some  as  the  first  Governor  or  Director  of 

8  '  "  * 


18 


OUTLINE    HISTORY. 


!■! 


*i 


M 


il 

:  r 


!■ 


i 


li 


New  Netherland.  Subordinate  to  him,  the  gradation  of  authonty 
and  rank  seems  to  have  been:  1.  Opper-Koopman;  2.  Onder-Koop. 
man;  3.  Koopman ;  4.  Assistant.  The  office  of  Opper-Koopman, 
chief-merchant  or  commissary,  was  vested  m  Isaac  de  Kaiser.  In 
four  or  five  years  the  trade  with  the  natives  was  greatly  extended, 
attracting  dealers  even  from  the  lakes,  and  from  the  banks  ol  the  fet. 

Lawrence  near  Quebec.  ^    t  -i     .•         j 

In  1629,  the  company  adopted  a  charter  of  "  Liberties  and  exemp- 
tions  for  patroons,  masters,  and  private  individuals,  who  should  plant 
colonies  in  New  Netherland,  or  import  thither  any  neat  cattle,  i  he 
terms  of  encouragement  to  those  who  should  send  out  settlers,  were 
great.  Such  as  should  undertake  to  plant  a  colony  of  fifty  souls,  up- 
wards of  fifteen  years  old,  were  to  be  acknowledged  Patroons,  a  name 
denoting  something  baronial  and  lordly  in  rank  and  means.  Ihey 
were  allowed  to  select  lands  for  miles  in  extent,  which  should  descend 
to  their  posterity  for  ever.  Under  this  charter,  several  directors  ot 
the  company  determined  to  avail  themselves  of  these  privileges, 
amonj;  whom  were  Samuel  Goodyn,  Samuel  Bloemart,  Killian  Van 
Rensselaer,  the  Heer  Pauw,  and  Jan  de  Laet.  These  persons  sent 
out  Wouter  Van  Twiller,  as  agent,  to  inspect  the  condition  of  the 
country,  and  to  purchase  the  lands  of  the  natives  for  the  purpose  of 

settlement.  ,,      .  n  j  • 

Owing  to  some  disturbances  in  the  colony,  Mmuit  was  recalled  m 
1633,  and  Wouter  Van  Twiller  was  appointed  in  his  place.     The 
arrival  of  Van  Twiller,  as  governor,  gave  a  fresh  impulse  to  the  set- 
tlements.   During  his  administration,  the  controversy  occasioned  by 
the  encroachments  of  the  English  was  begun.     In  1638,  WiUiam 
Kieft  succeeded  Van  Twiller  as  governor  of  New  Netherland.     In 
1642,  he  broke  up  the  English  settlement  on  Long  Island,  and  fitted 
up  two  sloops  to  drive  them  out  of  the  Schuylkill,  of  which  they  had 
possessed  themselves.     In  1643,  the  New  England  colonies  entered 
into  a  league  both  against  the  Dutch  and  Indians.     In  1646,  a  severe 
battle  was  fought  on  part  of  Strickland's  Plain,  called  Horse  Neck, 
between  the  Dutch  and  Indians.     There  appears  not  to  have  been 
any  particulars  of  the  action  preserved  ;  but  it  is  said  the  battle  was 
contested  with  mutual  obstinacy,  and  great  numbers  were  killed  on 
both  sides.     The  Dutch  ultimately  remained  masters  of  the  field. 

In  1647,  Peter  Stuyvesant  arrived  at  Fort  Amsterdam,  as  govern- 
or. He  was  a  brave  old  officer,  and  had  been  commissioned  gov- 
ernor-general of  Curacoa  and  the  Dutch  West  Indies.  He  laid  claim 
to  all  the  lands  and  streams  from  Cape  Henlopen  to  Cape  Cod  ;  he 
went  to  Hartford,  and  demanded  a  surrender  to  the  Dutch  of  all  the 
lands  on  Connecticut  river.  These  claims  were  opposed,  and  left  to 
the  decision  of  arbitrators.  Long  Island  was  divided :  the  eastern 
part  was  to  be  held  by  the  English,  the  western  by  the  Dutch ;  to 
the  main,  the  boundaries  were  amicably  adjusted. 

In  1664,  Charles  II.  of  England,  disregarding  the  Dutch  claim  on 
New  Netherland,  made  a  grant  to  his  brother,  the  Duke  of  York  and 

AlVinnv    i«rhioh    inr»lnr)of1    oil    tKo    moinlonrl    nf  IVIoxir    V-nnlnn/l-     ht>OPin- 


OUTLINE    HISTOKY. 


19 


ion  of  authority 
2.  Onder-Koop- 

Opper-Koopman, 
de  Raiser.    In 

really  extended, 

banks  of  the  St. 

•ties  and  exemp- 
vho  should  plant 
eat  cattle."  The 
lut  settlers,  were 
of  fifty  souls,  up- 
^atroons,  a  name 
I  means.  They 
h  should  descend 
eral  directors  ol 
these  privileges, 
lart,  Killian  Van 
ese  persons  sent 
condition  of  the 
>r  the  purpose  of 

t  was  recalled  in 
his  place.  The 
npulse  to  the  set- 
sy  occasioned  by 
n  1638,  William 

Netherland.  In 
Island,  and  fitted 
f  which  they  had 

colonies  entered 
In  1646,  a  severe 
led  Horse  Neck, 
lot  to  have  been 
lid  the  battle  was 
PS  were  killed  on 
rs  of  the  field. 
;rdam,  as  govern- 
immissioned  gov- 
is.     He  laid  claim 
to  Cape  Cod  ;  he 
3  Dutch  of  all  the 
)posed,  and  left  to 
ided :  the  eastern 
by  the  Dutch  ;  to 

e  Dutch  claim  on 
Duke  of  York  and 

r    "P.nfrlnnrl-    h<»iiin- 
'— B '    — O — 


ning  at  St.  Croix,  extending  to  the  rivers  Connecticut  and  Hudson, 
"  together  with  the  said  river  called  Hudson's  river,  and  all  the  lands 
from  the  west  side  of  Connecticut  river,  to  the  east  side  of  Delaware 
Bay."  In  order  to  enforce  this  claim  of  England  for  the  New  Nether- 
land, an  expedition,  consisting  of  three  ships,  130  guns,  and  six  hun- 
dred men,  was  sent  against  it,  under  the  command  of  Col.  Richard 
Nichols.  On  his  arrival  at  Manhattan,  Nichols  demanded  the  sur- 
render of  the  fort.  Gov.  Stuy  vesant  was  exceeding  loth  to  surrender 
without  an  attempt  at  defence,  but  the  favorable  terms  offered  to  the 
inhabitants  disposed  them  to  an  immediate  capitulation.  After  some 
fruitless  negotiation,  during  which  Gov.  Stuy  vesant  pleaded  the  justice 
of  the  title  of  the  States-General,  and  the  existing  peace  between  them 
and  the  English  nation,  the  province  was  surrendered,  August  27th, 
1664,  upon  the  most  liberal  terms  to  the  vanquished. 

Having  taken  possession  of  the  country,  Nichols  assumed  the  gov- 
ernment, with  the  title  of  "  Deputy-governor  under  his  royal  high- 
ness the  Duke  of  York,  of  all  his  territories  in  America."  New 
Amsterdam  was  now  called,  in  honor  of  the  Duke,  New  York,  and 
Fort  Orange,  Albany.  Gov.  Nichols  proceeded  to  erect  a  Court  of 
Assizes,  consisting  of  the  governor,  council,  and  justices  of  the  peace 
This  court  compiled  a  body  of  laws,  collected  from  the  ancient  cus- 
toms and  usages,  with  additional  improvements,  such  as  the  times 
required,  regarding  English  law  as  the  supreme  rule.  These  ordi- 
nances were  sent  to  England,  and  confirmed  by  the  Duke  of  York  the 
following  year. 

It  is  supposed  that,  at  the  time  Nichols  took  possession  of  the 
province,  the  Dutch  inhabitants  were  about  6000  in  number.  New 
Amsterdam,  the  metropolis,  it  is  said,  contained  about  3000  persons, 
about  half  of  whom  returned  to  Holland.  Their  habitations,  however, 
were  soon  occupied  by  emigrants,  partly  from  Great  Britain,  but 
mostly  from  New  England.  Upon  Hudson  river  there  were  many 
Dutch  settlers ;  and  upon  the  shores  of  the  Delaware,  there  were 
numerous  plantations  of  Dutch  and  Swedes. 

Col.  Nichols,  after  having  governed  the  province  about  three  years, 
resigned  his  office,  and  Col.  Francis  Lovelace  was  appointed  by  the 
duke  to  succeed  him.  Lovelace  assumed  the  government  in  1667, 
and  continued  his  administration  till  the  colony  was  re-surrendered 
to  the  Dutch.  War  having  been  declared  against  Holland,  a  small 
squadron  was  sent  over  by  the  Dutch,  which  arrived  at  Staten  Island 
July  30th,  1673.  Lovelace  being  absent  from  New  York,  Captain 
Manning,  who  had  the  charge  of  the  town,  rejected  the  aid  of  the 
English  inhabitants,  who  offered  to  defend  the  place,  sent  a  messenger 
to  the  enemy,  and  struck  his  flag  before  their  vessels  appeared  in 
sight.  As  the  fleet  advanced,  the  garrison  showed  their  willingness 
to  fight ;  but  Manning  forbade  a  gun  to  be  fired,  under  pain  of  death, 
and  surrendered  the  place  unconditionally  to  the  invaders.  He  was 
afterwards  tried  by  a  court-martial,  and  pleaded  guilty  to  all  the 
charges  preferred.  His  sentence  was  as  extraordinary  as  his  con- 
duct :  it  was.  that.  "  thouc^h  he  deserved  deaths  yets  because  he  had 


m 


OUTLINP    HISTORY. 


n 


i  m 


II 


since  the  surrender  been  in  England,  and  seen  the  king  and  duke,  it 
was  adjudged  that  his  sword  should  be  broke  over  his  head,  in  pub- 
lic, before  the  City  Hall ;  and  himself  rendered  incapable  of  wearing 
a  sword,  and  of  serving  his  majesty  for  the  future,  in  any  public  trust 
in  the  government." 

Anthony  Clove  was  constituted  the  Dutch  governor,  but  he  remained 
in  the  office  but  a  short  period.  A  treaty  of  peace,  in  1674,  was 
concluded  between  the  Dutch  and  English,  by  which  New  Nether- 
land  was  restored  to  the  English.  The  Duke  of  York,  to  remove  all 
controversy  respecting  his  property  in  America,  took  out  a  new  patent 
from  the  king,  and  commissioned  Major  Edmund  Andros  "  Governor 
of  New  York,  and  all  his  territories  in  these  parts."  Andros,  as  the 
agent  of  a  despotic  master,  was  unpopular  to  the  people  under  his 
government,  and  involved  himself  in  disputes  with  the  neighboring 
government  of  Connecticut. 

The  province  of  New  York,  about  the  year  1678,  contained  twenty- 
four  towns,  villages,  and  parishes.  Fifteen  vessels,  on  an  average, 
traded  yearly  with"  England,  importing  English  manufactures  to  the 
value  of  £50,000  sterling.  Its  annual  exports,  besides  pease,  beef, 
pork,  tobacco,  and  peltry,  consisted  of  about  sixty  thousand  bushels 
of  wheat.  The  city  of  New  York  contained  3,430  inhabitants,  and 
owned  only  three  ships,  eight  sloops,  and  seven  boats.  "  A  trader 
•worth  £500  was  considered  a  substantial  merchant ;  and  the  planter, 
worth  half  that  sum  in  movables,  was  accounted  rich.  All  the  es- 
tates in  the  colony  were  valued  at  £150,000.  Ministers  were  scarce, 
and  religions  many.  The  duke  maintained  a  chaplain  at  New  York, 
which  was  the  only  certain  endowment  of  the  church  of  I  ir  gland. 
There  were  about  twenty  houses  for  public  worship,  of  which  ahovst 
half  were  vacant.  The  law  made  it  obligatory  upon  eve  v  liistrict 
to  build  churches,  and  provide  for  their  ministers,  whose  compensa- 
tion varied  from  £40  to  £70  a-year,  besides  a  house  and  garden. 
But  the  Presbyterians  and  Independents,  the  greater  and  more  sub- 
stantial portion  of  the  inhabitants,  on'v,  showed  much  willingness  to 
comply  witi'  th"  requisition.  There  Te  no  beggars  in  the  province, 
and  the  poor  vane  well  cared  for.  The  militia  amounted  to  2000, 
including  1  iO  ho  ;emcn  ;  and  some  regular  troops  were  maintained 
for  the  forts  at  Aioany  and  New  York." 

Col.  Thomas  Dongan  arrived  at  New  York,  in  August,  1683,  as 
the  successor  of  Andros  in  the  government.  He  immediately,  on  the 
i-equest  of  the  magistrates  of  New  York,  gave  orders  that  an  assem- 
bly should  be  elected  by  the  freeholders.  This  assembly,  consisting 
of  a  council  of  ten,  and  eighteen  representatives,  convened  at  Hemp- 
stead on  the  17th  of  October.  They  passed  an  act  of  general  natural- 
ization ;  an  act  declaring  the  liberties  of  the  people,  or  a  Bill  of  Rights ; 
one  for  defraying  the  expense  of  government ;  and  a  few  others,  regu- 
lating the  internal  affairs  of  the  province.  In  1686,  James  II.  having 
come  to  the  throne,  on  the  renewal  of  Gov.  Dongan's  commission, 
refused  to  confirm  the  privileges  granted  when  he  was  Duke  of  York. 
jThe  assembly  was  prohibitea,  and  orders  were  given  to  Dongan  to 


OUTLINK    HISTOBY. 


21 


iing  and  duke,  it 
his  head,  in  pub- 
pable  of  wearing 
1  any  pubhc  trust 

•,buthe  remained 
ce,  in  1674,  was 
3h  New  Nether- 
trk,  to  remove  all 
out  a  new  patent 
idros  "  Governor 
Andros,  as  the 
Deople  under  his 
the  neighboring 

ontained  twenty- 
,  on  an  average, 
nufactures  to  the 
iides  pease,  beef, 
housand  bushels 
inhabitants,  and 
)ats.  "  A  trader 
;  and  the  planter, 
:h.  All  the  es- 
ters were  scarce, 
lin  at  New  York, 
irch  of  7-.r  >jland. 
I,  of  which  ;»J)<:rit 
3n  eve  \'  iK-rTic* 
rhose  compensa- 
use  and  garden. 

•  and  more  sub- 
ih  willingness  to 
!  in  the  province, 
lounted  to  2000, 
were  maintained 

August,  1683,  as 
nediately,  on  the 
rs  that  an  assem- 
;mbly,  consisting 
ivened  atHemp- 
'  general  natural- 

•  a  Bill  of  Rights; 
few  others,  regu- 
James  II.  having 
an's  commissiont 
as  Duke  of  York. 
eu  to  Dongan  to 


"  suffer  no  printing-press  in  his  government."  Much  disaffection 
arose  at  rliis  time,  aiaong  the  colonists,  on  account  of  the  appointment 
of  professed  Catholics  to  the  principal  crown  offices.  At  this  period 
there  were  in  the  province  4000  foot,  300  horse,  and  one  company 
of  Jragoons.  The  shipping,  belonging  to  the  city  of  New  York,  had 
incjeased  to  nine  or  ten  three-masted  vessels,  of  about  80  or  90  tons  ; 
200  or  300  ketches  or  barks,  of  40  tons ;  and  about  twenty  sloops, 
of  twenty-five  tons. 

In  1687,  the  French  court  aimed  a  blow,  which  threatened  the 
British  interests  in  North  America.  M.  Denonville,  with  1500  French 
and  500  Indians,  took  the  field  against  the  Senecas,  one  of  the  con- 
federated tribes  of  the  " Five  Nations"  who  were  the  friends  of  the 
English.  An  action  took  place  near  the  principal  Seneca  village,  in 
which  100  Frenchmen,  ten  French  Indians,  and  about  eighty  of  the 
Senecas  were  killed.  Denonville,  the  next  day,  marched  forward  to 
burn  the  village,  but  found  it  in  ashes.  The  Senecas  had  burnt  it, 
and  fled.  After  destroying  the  corn  in  this  and  several  other  villages, 
the  French  returned  to  Canada.  For  this  attack,  and  other  outrages 
committed  by  the  French,  the  confederated  Five  Nations  thirsted  for 
revenge.  "  On  the  26th  of  July,  1688,  twelve  Ij^^dred  of  their  men 
landed  on  the  south  side  of  the  island  of  Montreal,  while  the  French 
were  in  perfect  security,  burnt  their  houses,  sacked  their  plantations, 
and  put  to  the  sword  all  the  men,  women,  and  children,  without  the 
skirts  of  the  town.  A  thousand  French  were  slain  in  this  invasion, 
and  twenty-six  carried  into  captivity,  and  burnt  alive.  Many  more 
were  taken  prisoners  in  another  attack,  in  October,  and  the  lower  part 
of  the  island  wholly  destroyed  ;  only  three  of  the  confederates  were 
loft,  in  all  this  scene  of  misery  and  desolation."  Nothing  but  the 
ignorance  of  the  Indians,  in  the  art  of  attacking  fortified  places,  saved 
Canada  from  being  utterly  cut  off. 

In  1688,  it  was  determined  to  add  New  York  and  the  Jerseys  to 
the  jurisdiction  of  New  England,  and  Sir  Edmund  Andros  was  ap- 

Eointed  captain-general  and  vice-admiral  over  the  whole.  Governor 
>ongan  was  removed  from  his  office  of  governor,  and  Francis  Nichol- 
son, who  had  I  een  lieutenant-governor  under  him,  was  appointed  in  his 
stead.  The  constitution,  estabhshed  on  this  occasion,  was  a  legisla- 
tive and  executive  governor,  and  a  council,  who  were  appointed  by 
the  kmg,  without  the  consent  of  the  people.  The  news  of  the  acces- 
sion of  WilUam  and  Mary,  in  1689,  to  the  throne  of  England,  was 
ioyfuUy  received  in  New  York.  Andros,  the  tyrant  of  New  Eng- 
land, was  seized  at  Boston.  Jacob  Leisler,  with  forty-nine  men, 
seized  the  fort  at  New  York,  and  held  it  for  the  protestant  king  and 
queen  of  England.  ° 

Leisler's  assumption  of  the  command  at  New  York  excited  a  spirit 
ot  envy  and  hatred  among  many  of  the  people,  at  the  head  of  whom 
were  Col.  Bayard  and  the  Mayor,  who,  unable  to  make  any  effectual 
resistance,  retired  to  Albany.  A  letter  arriving  from  the  EngUsh 
ministry,  addressed  "  To  Francis  Nicholson,  Esq  ,  or,  in  his  absence. 
'  —  —  "■"^-  "^--ingj  laac  s^aic  ixji  preserving ine  peace  ana 


Mm 


22 


OUTLINE    HISTORY. 


farther  or/erTflicholson  having  absconded    Le.sler  »<'n»'<l=S'J  '^e 

Cry'efused  suKjec'tion  to  Le.sler.     They  -"  ,^  howev:^^^^^^^ 

to  submit  to  his  authority  by  ^ V''"'^^?^of  1  eS  near  y  two 
m  kw  The  colonists  continued  in  a  state  ot  contention  neariy  iwo 
voarr"  Du  in^  his  period,  the  French  and  Indians  from  Canada  in 
r690;surpr3  Schenectady,  and  massacred  sixty  men,  women,  and 

""^InTGei  Col  Henry  Sloughter  arrived  at  New  York,  as  governor 
of  the  Dro'vince    which  was,  at  this  time,  by  an  act  of  the  assembly. 
1  dedCto  ten  counties.     The  arbitrary  acts  of  James  were  repea^d 
and  the  former  privileges  of  the  colonists  were  restored.     Leisler 
Tnd  Milborrhav^ig  mfde  a  foolish  attempt  to  -tain  t^-^^^^^^^^^^ 
were  imprisoned  on  a  char-e  of  high  treason     They  were   ried  by 
a  special  commission,  and  sentenced  to  suffer  death      Gov  ^lou^^^^^^^ 
belated  to  command  their  execution,  and  wrote  to  the  English  mm- 
Tst    s  for  direction*i.ow  to  dispose  of  them      Their  enem.es,  iearmg 
he  re  u  t  of  this  application,  made  a  petition  for  and  earnestly  pressed 
their  execution.     "The  governor  resisted,  until,  having  been  mvited 
by  the' petitioners  to  a  sumptuous  entertainment,  he  was,  when  his 
rJason  was  drowned  in  wine,  seduced  to  sign  the  death-warrant. 
Before  he  recovered  his  senses,  the  prisoners  were  fecuted.     Slough, 
ter  died  suddenly,  in  July,  1691,  and  ended  a  short,  weak,  and  turbu- 

lent  administration.                                                               *  *    ^u^  i„*» 
Upon  the  death  of  Sloughter,  the  government,  pursuant  to  the  late 
act  L  declaring  the  rights  of  the  people,  committed  the  f'^f  com- 
mand to  Richafd  Ingoldsby.    His  authority  was  terminated  by  the 
arrival  of  Col.  Benjamin  Fletcher,  who  arrived  with  the  commission 
of  governor,  in  August,  1092.     Fletcher  is  represented  as  a  man  ot 
violent  temper,  shallow  capacity,  and  avaricious  disposition.      He 
made  considerable  disturbance,  by  his  efforts  to  establish  the  Episco- 
pal form  of  church  government  in  the  province.     By  virtue  of  a  com- 
mission which  he  held,  Fletcher  attempted  to  take  the  command  of 
the  militia  of  Connecticut ;  and  went  to  Hartford,  m  that  colony, 
while  the  legislature  were  in  session,  to  compel  obedience.     W  hiie 
attempting  to  have  his  commission  read  to  the  train-bands  at  that 
place,  Capt.  Wadsworth,  their  senior  officer,  ordered  the  drums  to 
beat,  and  told  B^letchcr,  who  commanded  "  silence,    that  »f  he  was 
interrupted  he  would  "  make  the  sun  shine  through  him.      Hetcher 
upon  this  desisted,  and  returned  to  New  York.                  «„«  -r,        u 
Early  in  1693,  Count  Frontcnac,  with  a  force  of  6  or  700  trench 
and  Indians,  »nade  an  incursion  into  the  Mohawk  country,  and  sur- 
prised an  indiar.  village  on  the  river,  slew  many  of  the  inhabitants, 
and  took  300  prisoners.    Col.  Schuyler  hastened  to  the  assistance  ot 
his  allies,  and  with  about  300  Indians,  mostly  boys,  followed  the  re- 
treating  eneuiy,  ana  several  sKirjiiisucs  cusucu.     Tmtii  -..i-.  . 


OUTLINE    BISTORT. 


23 


w  York,  &.C." 
t-govemor,  till 
considered  the 
d  the  office  of 
>  William  and 
3ver  ".ompelled 
ilborn,  his  son- 
ion  nearly  two 
om  Canada,  in 
n,  women,  and 

'k,  as  governor 
f  the  assembly, 

were  repealed, 
tored.  Leisler 
their  authority, 

were  tried  by 
Gov.  Sloughter 
tic  English  min- 
jnemies,  fearing 
arnestly  pressed 
ng  been  invited 
I  was,  when  his 

death-warrant, 
^uted."  Slough- 
veak,  and  turbu- 

suant  to  the  late 
the  chief  c^:.'?- 
rminated  by  the 
the  commission 
ted  as  a  man  of 
disposition.     He 
blish  the  Episco- 
r  virtue  of  a  com- 
the  command  of 
,  in  that  colony, 
ledience.    While 
lin-bands  at  that 
ed  the  drums  to 
'  that  if  he  was 
1  him."    Fletcher 

6  or  700  French 
country,  and  sur- 
f  the  inhabitants, 
)  the  assistance  of 
,  followed  the  re- 

T   liCIX       HIT.'       E    -— 


reached  the  north  branch  of  Hudson's  river,  a  cake  of  ice  opportunely 
served  them  to  cross  it ;  and  Schuyler,  who  had  retaken  about  fifty 
Indians,  desisted  from  the  pursuit.  The  French,  in  this  expedition, 
lost  about  eighty  men,  and  such  were  their  sufferings,  that  they  were 
compelled  to  eat  their  own  shoes  ;  the  Iroquois,  while  in  pursuit,  fed 
upon  the  dead  bodies  of  their  enemies.  In  1696,  Frontenac  made 
another  descent,  with  a  large  force,  and  spread  devastation  among  the 
possessions  of  the  Five  Nations.  After  this  expedition,  the  Indians 
in  the  English  interest  continued  to  harass  the  inhabitants  near  Mon- 
treal, and  similar  parties  in  the  French  interest  to  liarass  those 
near  Albany,  until  the  peace  of  Ryswick,  in  1697. 

In  1698,  Richard,  Earl  of  Bellamont,  arrived  as  the  successor  of 
Fletcher,  and  his  commission  included  the  governments  of  Massachu- 
setts and  New  York :  and  for  the  latter,  he  brought  with  him  his 
kinsman,  John  Nanfan,  as  lieutenant-governor.  Piracy,  at  this  time, 
prevailed  in  the  American  seas  to  a  great  extent,  and  the  inhabitants 
of  several  colonies  were  accused  of  giving  the  pirates  aid.  The  most 
noted  of  these  marauders  was  a  Captain  Kidd,  the  remembrance  of 
whom  is  kept  alive  by  the  belief  that  he  buried  immense  sums  of  money 
along  the  coast.  To  suppress  piracy  was  one  of  the  avowed  purposes 
of  the  king,  in'selecting  a  man  of  the  high  rank,  resolution,  and  integ- 
rity of  the  Earl  of  Bellamont.  The  earl  died  in  1701,  and  Nanfan,  the 
lieutenant-governor,  assumed  the  command.  Lord  Cornbury  was 
appointed  governor  the  following  year. 

Cornbury  began  his  administration  by  espousing  one  of  the  factions 
in  the  colony  which  had  its  rise  from  Leisler,  who  was  executed  for 
treason.  By  a  series  of  outrageous  acts,  he  endeavored  to  establish 
the  Episcopal  party.  He  prohibited  the  Dutch  ministers  and  teach- 
ers from  exercising  their  functions  without  his  special  license,  and 
imprisoned  some  of  them  for  disobeying  his  orders.  This  tyrant  was 
the  grandson  of  the  Earl  of  Clarendon,  and  first  cousin  of  the  queen. 
"  Having  dissipated  his  substance  in  riot  and  debauchery,  and  being 
compelled  to  fly  from  his  creditors,  he  obtained  from  his  patron  the 
government  of  New  York,  which  was  confirmed  by  the  queen,  who 
added  the  government  of  New  .lersey.  His  character  is  portrayed 
as  a  compound  of  bigotry  and  intolerance,  rapacity  and  prodigality, 
voluptuousness  and  cruoUy,  united  with  the  loftiest  arrogance  and 
the  meanest  chicane."  iiis  dissolute  habits  and  ignoble  manners 
completed  the  disgust  with  which  he  was  universally  regarded  ;  and 
when  he  was  seen  rambling  abroad  in  the  dress  of  a  woman,  the  people 
beheld  with  indignation  and  shame  the  representative  of  their  sove- 
reign and  the  luler  of  the  colony.  In  1709,  the  cjueen  was  compelled 
to  revoke  his  commission  by  the  complaints  ot  the  people  of  New 
York  and  New  Jersey.  When  deprived  of  his  office,  his  creditors 
put  him  in  prison  in  the  province  he  had  governed,  where  he  remain- 
ed till  the  death  of  his  father  elevated  liim  to  the  peerage,  which 
entitled  him  to  liberation. 

John,  Lord  Lovelace,  Baron  of  Hurley,  the  successor  of  Cornbury, 
arrived  in  the  province,  December,  1708.     The  hopes  entertained, 


24 


OUTLINE   HISTORY. 


<       4 


from  his  exalted  character,  of  a  happy  administration,  were  frustrated 
by  his  death  on  the  succeeding  5th  of  May.  The  government  now 
devolved  upon  Richard  Ingoldsby.  lieutenant-governor.  His  admin- 
istration  of  eleven  months  is  chietly  distinguished  by  an  unsuccessful 
attempt  on  Canada.  In  this  attempt,  the  province  of  New  York  dis- 
covered  much  zeal.  Besides  raising  several  companies,  she  procured 
six  hundred  warriors  of  the  Five  Nations,  paid  their  wages,  and 
maintained  a  thousand  of  their  wives  and  children  at  Albany  while 
they  were  in  the  campaign,  at  the  expense  of  about  twenty  thousand 
pounds.  In  1710,  Colonel  Schuyler  went  to  Enghmd,  to  press  upon 
the  ministry  the  importance  of  subduing  Canada.  The  more  eftectu- 
ally  to  accomplish  this  object,  he  took  with  him  five  Indian  chiefs, 
who  gave  Queen  Anne  assurances  of  their  fidelity,  and  solicited  her 
assistance  against  their  common  enemies,  the  French.* 

Briffadier-general  Robert  Hunter,  a  native  of  Scotland,  arrived  as 
governor  of  the  province,  in  June,  1710.  He  brought  with  him  three 
thousand  Palatines,  who,  in  the  previous  year,  had  fled  to  England 
from  the  rage  of  persecution  in  Germany.  Many  of  these  persons 
settled  in  the  city  of  New  York,  others  in  Livingston  Manor  in  Co- 
lumbia county,  while  others  went  into  Pennsylvania.  In  1711,  the 
assembly  of  New  York,  in  order  to  assist  the  enterprise  under  the 
command  of  Colonel  Nicholson  for  the  reduction  of  Canada,  passed 
an  act  for  raising  troops,  restricted  the  price  of  provisions,  and  issued 
10,000/.  in  bills  of  credit,  to  be  redeemed  by  taxation  in  five  years. 
Nicholson  mustered  at  Albany  two  thousand  colonists,  one  thousand 

•  "  The  arrival  of  the  five  sachems  in  England,  made  a  great  bruit  through  the  whole 
kingdom.  The  mob  followed  wherever  they  went,  and  small  cuta  of  them  were  sold 
among  the  people.  The  court  was  at  that  time  in  mourning  for  the  death  of  the  Prince  of 
Denmark ;  these  American  kings  were,  therefore,  dressed  in  black  underclothes,  after  the 
English  manner;  but  instead  of  a  blanket,  they  had  each  a  scarlet-m-gram  cloth  mantle 
edged  with  gold,  thrown  over  all  their  other  garments.  This  dress  was  directed  by  the 
dressers  of  the  play-house,  and  given  by  the  queen,  who  was  advised  to  make  a  show  of 
them.  A  more  than  ordinary  solemnity  attended  the  audience  they  had  of  her  majesty. 
Sir  Charles  Cotterel  conducted  them  in  two  coaches  to  St.  James's ;  and  the  Lord  Chain, 
berlain  introduced  them  into  the  royal  presence.  Their  speech  on  the  19th  of  April,  1710, 
is  preserved  by  Oldmixon,  and  is  in  these  words : 

" Great  Qieen— We  have  undertaken  a  long  voyage,  which  none  of  our  predecessors 
could  be  prevailed  upon  to  undertake,  to  see  our  great  queen,  and  relate  to  her  those  things 
which  we  thought  absolutely  for  the  good  of  her,  and  us  her  allies,  on  the  other  side  of  the 

nvfttcr* 

"  We  doubt  not  but  our  great  quern  has  beep  acquainted  with  our  long  and  tedious  war, 
in  conjunction  with  her  children  against  her  enemies,  the  French,  and  that  we  have  been 
as  a  strong  wall,  for  their  security,  even  to  the  loss  of  our  best  men.  We  were  mightily 
rejoiced  when  we  heard  our  great  queen  had  resolved  to  send  an  army  to  reduce  Canada ; 
and  immediately,  in  token  of  friendship,  we  hung  up  the  kettle,  and  look-up  the  hatchet, 
and  with  one  consent,  assisted  Colonel  Nicholso-  in  making  preparations  on  this  side  the 
lake  :  but  at  length,  we  were  told  our  great  qj'.  'y  some  important  affairs,  was  prevented 
in  her  design  at  present,  which  made  us  sorrow,'  . ..  >tthe  French,  who  had  hitherto  dreaded 
us,  should  now  think  us  uimblo  to  make  war  ugainst  them.  The  reduction  of  Canada  is 
of  great  weight  to  our  free  hunting  ;  so  that  if  our  great  queen  should  not  be  mindful  of  us, 
we  must,  with  our  families,  forsake  our  country,  and  seek  other  habitations,  or  stand  neuter, 
either  of  which  will  be  much  against  our  inrlinations. 

"  In  token  of  the  sincerity  of  these  nations,  we  do,  in  their  names,  present  our  great 
queen  with  these  bells  of  wampum,  and  in  hojies  of  our  great  queon'a  favor,  leave  it  to  her 
moat  |p«ciou8  conaideration." 


i 


OUTLINE    HISTORY. 


25 


were  frustrated 
overnment  now 
Dr.  His  admin- 
an  unsuccessful 
New  York  dis- 
es,  she  procured 
leir  wages,  and 
It  Albany  while 
wenty  thousand 
d,  to  press  upon 
he  more  effectu- 
e  Indian  chiefs, 
ind  solicited  her 

tland,  arrived  as 
t  with  him  three 
fled  to  England 
of  these  persons 
n  Manor  in  Co- 
a.  In  1711,  the 
-prise  under  the 
Canada,  passed 
sions,  and  issued 
ion  in  five  years. 
its,  one  thousand 

it  through  the  whole 
a  of  them  were  sold 
leath  of  the  Prince  of 
inderclothes,  after  the 
in-grain  cloth  mantle 
8  was  directed  by  the 
d  to  make  a  show  of 
y  hod  of  her  majesty. 
;  and  the  Lord  Cham, 
e  19thof  April,  1710, 

e  of  our  predecessors 
ale  to  her  those  things 
n  the  other  side  of  the 

'  long  and  tedious  war, 
ind  that  we  have  been 
n.  We  were  n\ightily 
my  to  reduce  Canada ; 
d  took  .up  the  hatchet, 
-utions  on  this  side  the 
t  afl'airs,  was  prevented 
10  had  hitherto  dreaded 
eduction  of  Canada  is 
d  not  be  mindful  of  us, 
ations,  or  stand  neuter, 

mes,  present  our  great 
's  favor,  leave  it  to  her 


Palatines,  and  one  thousand  Indians,  who  commenced  their  march 
towards  Canada  on  the  28th  of  August.  A  fleet,  under  the  command 
of  Admiral  Walker,  sailed  from  Boston  with  a  land  force  of  six  thou- 
sand four  hundred  men,  with  the  intention  of  joining  Colonel  Nich- 
olson before  Quebec.  The  admiral  arrived  in  the  St.  Lawrence 
early  in  August,  but  owing  to  fogs  and  tempestuous  weather,  eight  or 
nine  transports,  with  about  a  thousand  men,  were  lost  by  shipwreck. 
This  put  an  end  to  the  expedition,  and  the  admiral  sailed  for  Eng- 
land. Nicholson,  who  had  proceeded  as  far  as  Lake  George,  was 
compelled  to  retreat.  The  peace  of  Utrecht,  signed  March,  1713, 
put  an  end  to  hostilities,  and  continued  till  1739. 

Governor  Hunter,  alter  a  wise  and  popular  administration,  left  the 
province  in  1719,  and  the  command  devolved  on  Colonel  Peter  Schuy- 
ler. In  September,  1720,  William  Burnet,  son  of  the  celebrated  Bishop 
Burnet,  arrived  as  the  successor  of  Governor  Hunter.  His  administra- 
tion of  seven  years  was  prosperous.  Soon  after  his  arrival,  for  the 
purpose  of  securing  the  trade  and  friendship  of  the  Six  Nations,  he 
erected  a  trading-house  at  Oswego,  in  the  country  of  the  Senecas. 
The  great  merit  of  Governor  Burnet's  administration  consisted  in  his 
effectual  efforts  to  diminish  the  trade  and  influence  of  the  French 
with  the  northern  Indians.  He  failed,  however,  in  his  endeavors  to 
prevent  the  establislnncnt  of  a  French  fort  at  Niagara,  by  which  they 
secured  to  themselves  the  possession  of  the  west  end  of  Lake  Ontario, 
as  they  had  previously  that  of  the  east  by  the  erection  of  Fort  Fron- 
tinac  many  years  before.  The  persecutions  in  France  at  this  period, 
which  ensued  the  revocation  of  the  edict  of  Nantz,  drove  many  of  the 
protestant  subjects  of  Louis  XIV.  into  foreign  countries.  Many  fled 
to  this  province.  The  most  wealthy  settled  in  the  city :  others  planted 
New  Ilochclle  on  the  East  river,  and  a  few  seated  themselves  at 
New  Paltz  in  Ulster  county. 

In  172H,  Colonel  John  Montgomery  received  from  Governor  Bur- 
net the  seal  of  the  province,  and  assumed  the  government.  His  short 
administration,  terminated  by  his  death  in  1731,  was  one  of  tranquillity, 
and  not  distinguished  by  any  important  event.  During  his  term,  in 
1731,  the  boundary  between  New  York  and  Connecticut  was  finally 
settled ;  and  a  tract  of  land  upon  the  Connecticut  side,  of  60,000 
acres,  called  the  Oblong,  was  ceded  to  the  former  in  CTnsideration  of 
another  near  the  Sound,  surrendered  to  the  latter. 

Governor  Montgomery  was  succeeded  by  Rip  Van  Dam,  the  old- 
est member  of  the  council,  and  an  eminent  merchant  of  the  city,  who 
held  the  government  until  August,  1732,  when  William  Cosby  ar- 
rived, with  a  commission  to  govern  this,  and  the  province  of  New 
Jersey.  The  French,  during  this  year,  erected  Fort  Frederic  at 
Crown  Point,  which  gave  to  them  the  command  of  Lake  Champlain. 
The  finances  at  this  period  were  much  embarrassed ;  while  the  fre- 
quent calls  for  supplies  imposed  a  heavy  burden  upon  the  colony. 

In  1734,  the  establishment  of  a  court  of  equity  was  agitated  in  the 
assembly.   The  governors  had  previously  exercised  the  office  of  chan- 

fo/i    f  no     -itfia  Irkiiatr     ari/i    r\vt\Ai^fCkA    mimK 
„ ....    sss^^tvii 


cellor.  which  hari  nf  tl 


mofl    nvoi 


fno     -itfialrkiiatr     ar%A 


r\vt\Ai^fCkA 


86 


OUTLINE    HISTORY. 


Ill 


il 


controversy  among  the  colonists.  The  court  party  insisted  that  the 
governor  was,  ex  officio,  chancellor  of  the  colony,  while  the  popular 
party  warmly  opposed  this  position.  After  the  close  of  the  session, 
there  appeared  in  the  paper  called  "  Zenger's  New  York  Weekly 
Journal,"  severe  animadversions  or  the  government.  Several  printed 
ballads  likewise  appeared,  which  rioiculed  some  of  the  members  of 
the  legislature.  The  governor  and  council  considering  the  subject 
worthy  of  notice,  voted  that  the  obnoxious  numbers  of  Zenger's 
paper,  and  two  printed  ballads,  were  derogatory  to  the  dignity  of  his 
majesty's  government,  and  tended  to  raise  sedition  and  tumult.  They 
likewise  voted  that  said  papers  and  ballads  should  be  burnt  by  the 
common  hangman.  Zenger  was  imprisoned  for  eight  months,  and 
much  ferment  was  produced  in  the  colony. 

Governor  Cosby  died  in  March,  1736.  One  of  his  last  acts  was  the 
suspension  of  Rip  Van  Dam  from  his  seat  as  councillor  of  the  pro- 
vince.  After  Cosby's  death,  the  council  immediately  convened,  and 
George  Clarke,  the  senior  councillor,  next  after  Rip  Van  Dam,  was 
declared  president,  and  assumed  the  government.  A  powerful  party, 
however,  was  formed  in  favor  of  Mr.  Van  Dam,  as  his  suspension 
from  the  council  was  by  many  declared  illegal.  The  sharp  contro- 
versy on  this  point  was  ended  in  October,  when  Mr.  Clarke  received 
his  commission  as  lieutenant-governor. 

During  the  administration  of  Governor  Clarke,  the  colony  was 
embroiled  in  controversies  principally  relating  to  the  prerogatives  of 
the  governor  on  one  hand,  and  the  rights  of  the  people  on  the  other. 
In  their  second  session,  1737,  the  house  departed  from  their  accus- 
tomed mode  of  proceeding,  and  instead  of  voting  to  take  the  govern- 
or's speech  into  consideration,  voted  that  his  honor  the  lieutenant- 
governor  be  addressed.  This  address  is  a  remarkable  production 
tor  the  times  in  which  it  was  formed.  On  the  subject  of  the  revenue, 
the  house  adopted  the  following  bold  and  energetic  language : 

"  The  true  causes  of  the  deficiency  in  the  revenue,  we  believe  are  too  well  known  to 
your  honor,  to  make  it  necessary  for  us  to  say  much  on  that  head.  Had  the  conspicuoua 
loyalty  of  tlie  inhabitants  of  this  province  met  with  a  suitable  treatment  in  return,  it  ia  not 
unlikely  that  we  should  now  be  weak  enough  to  act  like  others  before  us,  in  being  lavish 
beyond  our  abilities,  and  raising  sums  unnecessary  to  be  grven,  and  continued  the  donation 
like  them  for  a  longer  time  than  what  was  convenient  for  the  safety  of  the  inhobitanta;  but 
experience  has  shown  the  imprudence  of  such  a  conduct ;  and  the  miserable  condition  to 
which  the  province  is  reduced,  renders  the  raising  of  largo  sums  very  difficult  if  not  imprac- 
ticahle.  We  therefore  beg  leave  to  be  plain  with  your  honor,  and  hope  you  will  not  take  it 
amiss  when  we  tell  you,  that  you  are  not  to  expect  that  we  will  raise  surns  unfit  to  be 
raised,  or  put  what  we  shall  raise  into  the  power  of  a  governor  to  misapply,  if  we  can  pre- 
vent it ;  nor  shall  wo  make  up  any  other  deficiencies  than  what  we  conceive  are  fit  and 
just  to  be  paid,  or  continue  what  support  or  revenue  we  shall  raise  for  any  longer  time  than 
one  year ;  nor  do  we  think  it  convenient  to  do  even  that,  until  such  laws  are  pawed  as  we 
conceive  necessary  for  the  safety  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  colony,  who  ha*«  reposed  a  trust 
in  us  for  that  only  purpose,  and  which  wo  are  sure  you  will  think  it  reasonable  we  should 
act  agreeable  to,  and  by  tho  grace  of  God,  wo  shall  endeavor  not  to  dcce./e  them."' 

In  1 738,  Captain  Norris,  of  the  ship  Tartar,  then  lying  in  the  city  of 
New  York,  made  application  to  the  mayor  for  liberty  to  impress  thirty 
seamen  to  man  his  vessel.  The  governor  and  council  ordered  the 
mayor  to  cause  the  irnprcssrncut  to  be  made.    The  ruayor  refuscu  to 


OUTLINE    HISTORY. 


27 


insisted  that  the 
lile  the  popular 
e  of  the  session, 
r  York  Weekly 
Several  printed 
the  members  of 
iring  the  subject 
lers  of  Zenger's 
lie  dignity  of  his 
1  tumult.  They 
be  burnt  by  the 
ght  months,  and 

last  acts  was  the 
illor  of  the  pro- 
y  convened,  and 

Van  Dam,  was 
.  powerful  party, 
s  his  suspension 
le  sharp  contro- 

Clarke  received 

the  colony  was 
I  prerogatives  of 
pie  on  the  other. 
Tom  their  accus- 
take  the  govem- 
r  the  lieutenant- 
iable  production 
t  of  the  revenue, 
language : 

are  too  well  known  to 
Had  the  conspicuous 
lent  in  return,  it  is  not 
ore  us,  in  being  lavisb 
:ontinued  the  donation 
)f  the  inhabitants ;  bitt 
miserable  condition  to 
difficult  if  not  imprac 
pe  you  will  not  take  it 
raise  sums  unfit  to  be 
sapnly,  it'  we  can  pre- 
le  conceive  are  fit  and 
r  any  longer  time  than 
laws  are  passed  as  wa 
10  have  reposed  a  trust 
reasonable  we  should 
dccc./e  them."' 

ring  in  the  city  of 
r  to  impress  thirty 
uncil  ordered  the 

mayor  re-iuscd  to 


obey  the  order,  and  the  governor  and  council  prudently  declined  ta- 
king measures  to  enforce  obedience.  At  the  close  of  Clarke's  admin- 
istration, the  finances  of  the  colony  were  in  a  depressed  condition. 
"  The  duties  on  negro  slaves,  wine,  rum,  brandy,  cocoa,  and  dry 
goods,  from  September,  1741,  to  September,  1742,  amounted  to 
£2,197  7s.  Ijd.  only  ;  while  the  expenses  of  government,  for  about 
the  same  period,  amounted  to  upwards  of  £4,600." 

In  1743,  George  Clinton,  the  son  of  the  Earl  of  Lincoln,  was  ap- 
pointed to  supersede  Mr.  Clarke  as  governor  of  the  colony.  His 
arrival  was  highly  gratifying  to  the  colonists,  and  a  spirit  of  harmony 
prevailed.  In  1744,  war  was  declared  between  France  and  England, 
and  great  preparations  were  made  on  both  sides,  to  carry  it  on  with 
vigor.  A  similar  spirit  prevailed  in  their  respective  colonies  in  Amer- 
ica. Large  appropriations  were  made  by  the  assembly  of  New  York 
to  carry  on  the  war.  In  1745,  the  English  colonies  united  in  an  ex- 
pedition against  Louisburg,  on  Cape  Breton  Island.  This  important 
fortress  was  surrendered  in  June.  Eight  thousand  pounds  was  voted 
by  the  assembly  for  the  promotion  of  this  enterprise. 

The  country  north  of  Albany  was  kept  in  a  continued  state  of 
alarm  by  Indian  warriors,  who  ranged  in  small  parties,  marking  their 
course  by  conflagration  and  indiscriminate  slaughter.  The  fort  at 
Hoosic  was  captured  by  M.  De  Vaudreuil,  in  August,  1746  ;  and  the 
settlements  at  Saratoga  were  surprised,  and  many  of  the  inhabitants 
killed  or  carried  into  captivity.  These  events  caused  much  distress, 
and  occasioned  much  alarm  even  in  Ulster  and  Orange  counties.  The 
plan  of  the  war,  in  1746,  was,  that  a  squadron  under  the  command 
of  Admiral  Warren,  with  a  body  of  land  forces,  should  proceed  up 
the  St.  Lawrence  ;  while  the  troops  from  New  York,  and  other  colo- 
nies at  the  south,  should  be  collected  at  Albany,  and  proceed  against 
Crown  Point  and  Montreal.  The  assembly  of  New  York  entered 
with  great  zeal  upon  this  design :  they  levied  a  tax  of  £40,000,  to  re- 
deem bills  issued  for  the  occasion.  In  July,  a  congress  of  the  Six 
Nations  was  held  with  the  governor,  at  Albany,  who  was  attended 
by  Dr.  Colden,  Mr.  Livingston,  and  Mr.  Rutherford,  members  of  the 
council.  The  indisposition  of  the  governor  prevented  him  from  open- 
ing the  council  in  person,  and  that  duty  fell  upon  Dr.  Colden.  The 
Indians  formally  renewed  their  pledge  to  unite  zealously  in  the  war 
against  the  French.  The  efforts  of  the  colonies  were,  however, 
rendered  nearly  useless  by  the  failure  erf  the  promised  assistance  from 
England. 

In  April,  1748,  the  preliminaries  of  peace  were  signed  at  Aix-la- 
Chapelle,  and  hostilities  soon  after  ceased.  After  the  close  of  the 
war,  the  colony  enjoyed  a  period  of  general  tranquillity.  The  in- 
habitants vigorously  pursued  the  arts  of  peace,  and  bv  industry, 
econonniy,  and  enterprise,  repaired,  in  a  great  meapurn,  the'  losses  sus- 
tained in  the  preceding  war.  In  1750,  the  entries  at  New  York  were 
two  hundred  and  thirty-two,  and  the  clearances  two  hundred  and 
eighty-six.     Above  six  thousand  tons  of  provisions,  chiefly  flour,  were 


28 


OUTLINE    HISTORY. 


II 


1 


I 


i 


ilHl     !i 


Ullti 


I 

r 


tl(^  Ml! 


Governor  Clinton  having  resigned,  Sir  Danvers  Osborne  arrived  as 
his  successor,  in  October,  1753.  "  Clinton  is  represented  to  have  been 
mercenary ;  o  have  used  every  plausible  device,  ior  enhancing  the 
profits  of  W^^  to  have  sold  offices  and  even  the  rever- 

Cnsot  such  fs  were  ministerial;  and  to  have  — ed  %io^^^^^^^^ 
during  his  administration  of  ten  years,  of  more  than  £80  000  stening. 
He  became,  afterward,  governor  of  Greenwich  Hospital."  The  ad- 
Sinis  raTm  o  Sir  Daifvers  Osborne  endured  but  a  levy  days  only. 
F  vfdays  after  his  arrival,  he  was  found  suspended  by  the  neck  in 
the  garden  of  Mr.  Murray,  with  whom  he  resided.  This  unfortu- 
nate  gentleman  is  supposed  to  have  committed  suicide  on  account 
of  grif  for  the  loss  of  his  wife,  and  by  the  embarrassments  which 
he  ^apprehended  would    attend    the  exercise  of  his  office  as  gov- 

^Tames  de  Lanccy,  who  had  been  appointed  lieutenant-governor  by 
oneof  the  last  acts  of  Governor  Clinton,  on  the  death  of  Osborne 
assumed  the  administration  of  government.  At  this  period,  the  Eng- 
lish  and  French  extended  their  settlements  in  the  colonies,  and  each 
were  anxious  to  secure  the  most  eligible  situations  for  trading-houses 
and  forts.  Mutual  complaints  of  aggression  were  soon  loilowed  by 
open  acts  of  hostihty.  a/To.oo 

In  1754,  a  convention  of  delegates  from  New  Hampshire,  Massa- 
chusetts,  Connecticut,  Rhode  Island,  Pennsylvania^  and  Mary  and, 
with  the  lieutenant-governor  and  council  of  New  York,  was  held  at 
Albany,  for  the  purpose  of  uniting  upon  some  scheme  for  the  com- 
mon defence.  The  plan  for  a  political  union,  drawn  up  by  Dr.  Jrank- 
lin,  a  delegate  from  Pennsylvania,  was  adopted  on  the  4th  ot  July. 
This  plan  had  the  singular  fortune  to  b^  rejected  by  the  provincia 
assemblies,  because  it  gave  too  much  power  to  the  crown ;  and,  at 
the  same  time,  to  be  rejected  by  the  crown,  because  it  gave  too  much 

^^k'^Septembern^SS,  Sir  Charles  Hardy,  a  distinguished  naval  offi- 
cer, arrived  in  New  York  with  commission  of  governor.     Being 
ignorant  of  civil  affairs,  he  put  himself  into  the  hands  of  Mr.  De 
Lanccy,  and  was  guided  altogether  by  his  counsels.      Larly  in  the 
spring  of  this  vear,  the  colonies  made  preparations  for  vigorous  exer- 
tions against  the  enemy.     An  expedition  was  planned  against  the 
French  in  Nova  Scotia,  another  against  the  French  on  the  Ohio,  a 
third  against  Crown  Point,  and  a  fourth  against  Niagara.     1  he  first 
expedition  resulted  in  the  redu'cftion  of  Nova  Scotia.     That  against 
the  French  on  the  Ohio  failed  by  the  defeat  of  General  Braddock, 
who  was  drawn  into  an  ambuscade  of  French  and  Indians  near  j'ort 
du  Quesne.    The  expedition  against  Crown  Point,  commanded  by 
Gen.  Wm.  Johnson,  though  unsuccessful  in  its  main  object,  served,  in 
a  measure,  to  disj)el  the  gloom  occasioned  by  the  defeat  ol  Braddock. 
Governor  Shirley,  of  Massachusetts,  took  the  command  of  the  expe- 
dition against  Niagara.  He  advanced  to  Oswego,  where,  being  poorly 
supplied  with  provisions,  the  expedition  was  abandoned,  and  the  troops 


OUTLINE    HISTORY. 


89 


Osborne  arrived  as 
ented  to  have  been 
for  enhancing  the 
nd  even  the  rever- 
imassed  a  fortune, 
1  £80,000  sterUng. 
ospital."  The  ad- 
it a  few  days  only, 
ed  by  the  neck  in 
ed.  This  unfortu- 
Buicide  on  account 
arrassments  which 
his  office  as  gov- 

tenant-governor  by 
I  death  of  Osborne 
lis  period,  the  Eng- 
colonies,  and  each 
!  for  trading-houses 
e  soon  followed  by 

Hampshire,  Massa- 
lia,  and  Maryland, 
r  York,  was  held  at 
jheme  for  the  com- 
vn  up  by  Dr.  Frank- 
jn  the  4th  of  July, 
id  by  the  provincial 
the  crown ;  and,  at 
ise  it  gave  too  much 

inguished  naval  offi- 
f  governor.     Being 
le  hands  of  Mr.  De 
isels.      Early  in  the 
as  for  vigorous  exer- 
planned  against  the 
ench  on  the  Ohio,  a 
Niagara.     The  first 
;otia.     That  against 
:'  General  Braddock, 
ad  Indians  near  Fort 
L>int,  commanded  by 
ain  object,  served,  in 
3  defeat  of  Braddock. 
jmmand  of  the  expe- 
>,  where,  being  poorly 
idoned,  and  the  troops 


mrinsr  foliowing; 


ma« 


rauding  parties  of  western  Indians  committed  many  atrocities  in  the 
counties  of  Orange  and  Ulster. 
»In  the  plan  of  operations  for  the  campaign  of  1756,  Niagara  and 
Grown  Point,  then  in  possession  of  the  French,  were  the  principal 
points  of  attack.  Owing  to  the  improvidence  of  Gen.  Abercrombie, 
then  in  command,  in  the  absence  of  Lord  Loudon,  nothing  of  import- 
ance was  etfected  by  the  English  forces.  In  August,  Marquis  de 
Montcalm,  commander  of  the  French  troops  in  Canada,  captured  the 
two  forts  at  Oswego,  which  he  demolished,  took  1,600  men  prisoners, 
with  120  cannon,  14  mortars,  two  sloops-of-war,  200  boats  and  bat- 
teaux,  with  a  large  quantity  of  stores  and  provisions.  The  campaign 
of  1757  was  equally  unsuccessful  on  the  part  of  the  English.  Fort 
William  Henry,  on  Lake  George,  with  a  garrison  of  3,000  men  under 
Col.  Munro,  was  compelled,  after  a  brave  defence,  to  surrender  to 
Montcalm.  This  event  gave  the  French  the  command  of  the  lake 
and  the  western  frontier. 

In  1758,  the  celebrated  William  Pitt,  Lord  Chatham,  now  placed  at 
the  head  of  the  British  ministry,  gave  a  new  tone  to  their  measures, 
and  a  fresh  impulse  to  the  colonies.  The  tide  of  success  was  soon 
turned  in  favor  of  the  English,  which  continued,  with  few  exceptions, 
till  Canada  was  subjected  to  their  arms.  The  plan  for  this  year  com- 
prehended three  expeditions,  viz,  Louishurg,  Ticonderoga,  and  Fort 
du  Quesne.  Louisburg  surrendered  to  Cen.  Amherst  in  July.  Gen. 
Abercrombie,  with  an  army  of  1 6,000  men,  passed  Lake  George  and 
made  an  attack  on  Ticonderoga.  After  a  contest  of  four  hours,  he 
was  compelled  to  retire  with  the  loss  of  nearly  two  thousand  in 
killed  and  wounded.  Abercrombie,  after  his  defeat,  sent  Col.  Brad- 
street,  with  3,000  men,  against  Fort  Frorrtenac,  on  the  northeastern 
side  of  the  outlet  of  Lake  Ontario.  Bradstreet  sailed  down  the  lake, 
landed  within  a  mile  of  the  fort,  and  in  two  days  compelled  it  to 
surrender.*  The  garrison  at  Fort  du  Quesne,  unsustained  by  their 
savage  allies,  on  the  24th  of  November  abandoned  and  burnt  thi3 
fortress  on  the  approach  of  the  British  army  under  Gen.  Forbes. 

Great  Britain,  having  resolved  to  annihilate  the  French  power  in 

*  The  expedition  (indcr  Col.  Bradstreet  consisted  of  the  following  troops  : — Regulars, 
135 ;  Royol  artillery,  30  ;  New  York  provincials,  1,112  ;  Massachusetts  do.,  675  ;  New  Jer. 
,|eydo.,  412;  Rhode  Island  do.,  318 ;  battcau-men,  300;  and  about  60  rangers;  in  all 
'1,035.  The  regulars  were  commnnded  by  Capt.  Ogilvie,  and  i\w  artillery  by  Lieut.  Brown, 
iPhe  New  York  troops  consisted  of  two  detachments.    The  first  commanded  by  LieutenanU 

$ lonelCharlesClinton,  of  Ulster,  amountiiigin  the  whole 'o440,underCapt8.Ogden,  of  WeaU 
ester,  Peter  Dubois,  of  New  York,  Samuel  Bladgeiy,  of  Dutchess,  and  Daniel  Wright,  oi 
Queens.  The  second  was  commanded  by  Lieutenant-colonel  Isaac  Corse,  of  Queens,  and 
llajor  Nathaniel  Woodhull,  of  Suffolk,  amounting  to  668,  under  Captains  Elias  Hand,ofSuf- 
frlk,  Richard  Hewlett,  of  Queens,  Thomas  Arrowsmith,  of  Richmond,  William  Humphrey, 
Of  Dutchess,  Ebenezer  Seeley,  of  Ulster,  and  Peter  Yates  and  Goosen  Van  Sclmick,  of  AI. 
iS"/"  It''  "'""''^  '"'"'  '^"'■'  S'^nwix,  August  14th,  1758,  and  the  fort  capitulated  on  the 
u  V  1J^  commander  of  the  fort  was  exchanged  for  Col.  Peter  Schuyler.  Col.  Corse, 
Who  had  distrnguished  hunself  in  the  three  preceding  campaigns,  with  a  part  of  his  troops, 
Toluntccred  to  erect  a  battery,  in  the  night  of  the  26th,  in  the  midst  of  the  enemy's  fire, 
Which  in  the  morning  commanded  their  fort,  and  led  to  an  immediate  surrender.  The 
•olonel  received  a  slight  wound,  but  not  so  severe  as  to  unfit  him  for  duty.  The  detach, 
isent  returned  to  Fort  Stanwix  the  iOth  of  September."— C<»r«ton'»  Gax.  of  New  York. 


30 


OUTLINE    HISTOUV. 


America,  made  adequate  preparations  for  the  campaign  of  1759. 
The  colonies  now  displayed  that  zeal  with  which  men  pursue  their 
interests  when  animated  with  well-founded  hopes  of  success.  Tfae 
legislature  of  New  York  authorized  a  levy  of  2,680  men,  and  issued 
the  sum  of  £100,000  in  bills  of  credit,  bearing  interest,  and  redeem- 
able in  17G8,  by  the  proceeds  of  an  annual  tax.  The  impositions,  in 
the  space  of  five  months  of  the  year  1759,  amounted  to  $625,000. 
At  the  instance  of  Gen.  Amherst,  a  loan  of  £150,000  was  made  to 
the  crown,  which  was  paid  in  specie. 

The  contemplated  points  of  attack,  in  1759,  were  Ticonderoga, 
Crown  Point,  Niagara,  and  Quebec.  Gen.  Amherst  took  Ticonde- 
roga,  and  proceeded  to  Crown  Point,  which  surrendered  without  op- 
position. In  July,  Gen.  Prideaux  invested  Niagara,  but  was  slain  by 
the  bursting  of  a  cohort  in  the  trenches.  The  fort  was,  however, 
captured  by  Sir  William  Johnson,  who  succeeded  him  in  command. 
On  the  13th  of  September,  a  severe  battle  was  fought  between  the 
British  forces  under  Gen.  WoU'e,  and  the  French  under  Montcalm. 
Both  these  commanders  were  killed,  the  French  were  defeated,  and 
Quebec  surrendered  to  the  British  arms.  In  the  ensuing  spring  of 
1760,  the  French  made  a  fruitless  attempt  to  recover  Quebec.  On 
the  8th  of  September,  Montreal,  Detroit,  Michilimackinac,  and  all 
other  places  within  the  government  of  Canada,  were  surrendered  to 
his  Britannic  majesty. 

The  conquest  of  Canada,  by  preventing  the  incursions  of  the  French 
and  Indians  into  the  territory  of  New  York,  removed  a  great  obstacle 
to  the  prosperity  of  the  colony.  Gov.  De  Lancey  died  suddenly, 
July  30th,  1760.  Cadwallader  Golden  assumed  the  government,  as 
president  of  the  council,  and  received  the  appointment  of  lieutenant- 
governor  in  August,  1761.  Mr.  Golden  was  superseded  by  General 
Robert  Monckton  on  the  26th  of  October.  This  gentleman  being 
placed  at  the  head  of  an  expedition  against  Martinique,  on  the  15th 
of  November,  left  the  government  of  the  province  to  Mr.  Golden, 
under  an  agreement  for  an  equal  division  of  the  salary  and  per- 
quisites. 

In  1763,  the  celebrated  controversy  with  New  Hampshire,  respect- 
ing boundaries,  commenced.  The  territory  in  question  comprised  the 
country  between  Connecticut  river  and  Lake  Champlain,  since  known 
as  Vermont.  The  original  character  of  the  colonies,  owing  to  im- 
perfect surveys  of  the  country,  were  many  of  them  extremely  indefi- 
nite, vague,  and  often  contradictory.  A  grant  was  made  in  1664 
and  1674,  by  Charles  II.  to  his  brother,  the  Duke  of  York,  containing, 
among  other  parts  of  America,  "  all  the  lands,  from  the  west  side  of 
Connecticut  river,  to  the  east  side  of  Delaware  bay."  This  territory 
•was,  however,  by  many  supposed  to  fall  within  the  limits  of  New 
Hampshire,  although  claimed  by  New  York,  by  virtue  of  the  grant 
made  to  the  Duke  of  York. 

The  government  of  New  Hampshire,  in  1760,  made  large  grants 
of  land  to  settlers  west  of  Connecticut,  and  the  settlements  progressed 
with  astonishiner  rapidity.     In  1763.  one  hundred  and  triirtv-eiarht 


OUTLINE   HISTORY. 


31 


mpaign  of  1759. 
Tien  pursue  their 
of  success.  T|>e 
)  men,  and  issued 
rest,  and  redeem- 
he  impositions,  in 
ited  to  $625,000. 
100  was  made  to 

ere  Ticonderoga, 
•st  took  Ticonde- 
iered  without  op- 
,  but  was  slain  by 
rt  was,  however, 
him  in  command, 
ight  between  the 
under  Montcalm, 
^ere  defeated,  and 
;nsuing  spring  of 
ver  Quebec.  On 
nackinac,  and  all 
re  surrendered  to 

ions  of  the  French 
id  a  great  obstacle 
ey  died  suddenly, 
le  government,  as 
lent  of  lieutenant- 
seded  by  General 
gentleman  being 
lique,  on  the  15th 
e  to  Mr.  Golden, 
J  salary  and  per- 

ampshire,  respect- 
tion  comprised  the 
plain,  since  known 
lies,  owing  to  im- 
1  extremely  indefi- 
as  made  in  1664 
York,  containing, 
n  the  west  side  of 
."  This  territory 
he  limits  of  New 
irtue  of  the  grant 

nade  large  grants 
ements  progressed 
1  and  triirty-eiffht 


townships  had  been  granted  by  New  Hampshire,  extending  as  far 
west  as  the  shore  of  Lake  Ghamplain,  and  to  what  was  esteemed 
twenty  miles  east  of  Hudson  river.  To  check  these  proceedint^s. 
Gov.  Golden  issued  a  proclamation,  claiming  jurisdiction  as  far  east 
as  Gonnecticut  river.  He  also  commanded  the  sheriff  of  Albany 
county  to  make  return  of  all  persons,  who,  under  the  New  Hampshire 
grants,  had  taken  possession  of  lands  west  of  the  river.  In  opposi- 
tion to  this,  the  governor  of  New  Hampshire  issued  a  proclamation, 
declaring  the  grant  of  the  Duke  of  York  to  be  obsolete,  and  that 
New  Hampshire  extended  as  far  west  as  Massachusetts  and  Gon- 
necticut. 

Application  having  been  made  to  the  crown,  a  decision  was  ob- 
tained in  1764,  by  which  the  western  bank  of  Gonnecticut  river  was 
declared  to  be  the  boundary  line  between  the  provinces  of  New 
Hampshire  and  New  York.  The  government  of  New  York  proceeded 
to  organize  the  new  territory,  and  to  exercise  jurisdiction.  The  new 
district  was  divided  into  four  counties.  The  southwestern  part  was 
annexed  to  the  county  of  Albany,  and  the  northwestern  part  formed 
into  a  county,  by  the  name  of  Gharlotte  ;  east  of  the  Green  Moun- 
tains were  formed  the  counties  of  Gloucester  and  Gumberland.  Gourts 
were  held  in  these  counties,  the  grants  of  land  under  New  Hamp- 
shire were  declared  illegal,  and  the  settlers  required  to  take  out  new 
charters  from  New  York.  Some  of  the  towns  complied,  and  pur- 
chased their  lands  the  second  time,  but  the  greater  part  refused.  Ac- 
tions of  ejectment  were  commenced  in  Albany  against  several  of  the 
ancient  settlers,  which  were  decided  in  favor  of  the  New  York  titles. 
When  the  executive  officers  came  to  eject  the  inhabitants,  they  gene- 
rally met  with  opposition,  and  were  not  allowed  to  proceed  in  the 
execution  of  their  offices.  The  militia  were  called  out  to  support 
the  sheriff;  but  as  they  agreed  in  sentiment  with  the  settlers,  they 
disbanded  themselves  on  the  appearance  of  armed  opposition.  As 
the  efforts  of  the  government  were  continued,  mobs  were  raised,  the 
opposition  of  the  settlers  became  more  bold  and  daring,  and  was  fre- 
quently characterized  by  acts  of  outrage  and  violence. 

In  1765,  much  excitement  was  produced  by  the  stamp  act,  passed 
by  the  British  parliament,  for  the  purpose  of  raising  a  revenue  from 
the  colonies.  This  act  ordained  that  all  instruments  of  writing,  such 
as  deeds,  bonds,  notes,  &c.,  among  the  colonies,  should  be  null  and 
void,  unless  executed  on  stamped  paper,  for  which  a  duty  should  be 
paid  to  the  crown.  In  October,  a  congress  of  twenty-eight  delegates, 
Irom  Massachusetts,  Gonnecticut,  Rhode  Island,  New  York,  New 
Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  Maryland,  and  South  Garolina,  was 
neld  at  New  York,  to  consult  on  the  common  interest.  They  made 
a  declaration  of  the  rights  and  grievances  of  the  colonies,  and  peti- 
tioned  for  redress.  In  Gonnecticut  and  New  York  originated  an 
association  of  persons  styling  themselves  the  "  Sons  of  Liberty," 
which  extended  into  other  colonies,  who  bound  themselves,  among 
other  things,  to  march  to  any  part  of  the  continent,  at  their  own  ex- 
pense,  to  support  the  British  constitution  in  America :  by  which  was 


38 


OUTLINE    HISTORY. 


!    I 


:  11 


understood,  the  prevention  of  any  attempt  to  carry  the  stamp  act  into 

operation.  i     i 

In  New  York,  Peter  de  Lancey,  James  M'Evers,  and  other  stamp 
officers,  obeved  the  pubhc  voice,  and  renounced  their  commissions. 
Gov.  Golden,  having  taken  the  oath  to  execute  the  stamp  act,  became 
the  object  of  popular  indignation.  His  effigy  was  carried  about  the 
city  and  hung ;  his  carriage  and  other  property  were  burned  ;  and 
his  person  was  probably  preserved  from  violence,  only  by  his  ad- 
vanced age.  When  the  stamps  arrived,  they  were  lodged  in  the  fort, 
which  the  governor,  contrary  to  the  advice  of  his  council,  put  into  a 
state  for  defence.  He  was  obliged  to  surrender  their  custody  to  the 
city  corporation,  on  the  assurance  of  being  responsible  for  their  value, 
and  to  declare  that  he  would  take  no  measures  to  enforce  the  act,  but 
leave  the  subject  to  his  successor,  who  was  hourly  expected.  S=t 
Henry  Moore,  Bart.,  who  was  commissioned  governor  in  July,  1765, 
met  the  council  on  the'  13th  of  November  following,  and  proposed  at 
once  to  attempt  the  execution  of  the  stamp  act.  The  unanimous  ad- 
vice of  his  council,  and  the  demonstration  of  public  feeling,  induced 
him  to  a  more  prudent  course. 

Gov.  Moore's  administration  was  terminated  by  his  death,  in  Sep- 
tember, 1769.  During  his  term  of  service  effijrts  were  made,  unsuc- 
cessfully, to  settle  the  boundaries  between  this  province  and  Massa- 
chusetts, who  claimed  territory  to  the  Pacific  Ocean.  Emigrants 
from  Massachusetts  intruded  into  the  counties  along  the  Hudson,  and 
settled  even  in  the  manor  of  Rensselaerwyck.  They  were  frequently 
removed  by  force,  and  blood  was  shed  more  than  once  in  the  attempt. 
Commissioners  from  both  colonies  met  at  New  Haven,  October,  1767, 
who  agreed  that  the  western  line  of  Massachusetts  should  be  fixed 
at  twenty  miles  east  from  Hudson  river,  but  differed  as  to  the  man- 
ner in  which  that  line  should  be  determined. 

At  the  termination  of  Gov.  Moore's  administration,  the  supreme 
court  consisted  of  four  judges :  Daniel  Horsemanden,  chief  justice ; 
David  Jones,  second  ;  William  Smith,  third  ;  and  Robert  R.  Livings- 
ton, the  fourth  justice.  The  first  received  £300,  and  the  others 
£200  per  annum.  The  salary  of  the  governor  had  been  increased, 
from  time  to  time,  to  £2,000  per  annum,  with  a  perquisite  of  £400, 
granted  as  an  appropriation  for  fire- wood  and  candles  for  Fort  George. 
The  attorney  had  £l50,  and  the  colonial  agent,  Mr.  Charles,  at  Lon- 
don, £500  per  annum.  The  colony  of  New  York  contained,  at  this 
period,  upwards  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  thousand  inhabitants. 

By  the  death  of  Sir  Henry  Moore,  the  government  again  devolved 
on  Mr.  Golden.  This  his  third  administration,  continued  till  Novem- 
ber, 1770,  when  he  was  superseded  by  John,  Lord  Dunmore.  With 
the  service  of  this  nobleman  commenced  the  practice  of  paying  the 
governor  by  the  crown.  This  practice  was  afterward  denounced 
by  most  of  the  colonies  as  a  serious  grievance,  as  it  made  the  govern- 
or independent  of  the  assembly.  Dunmore  governed  the  colony  vmtil 
his  removal  to  Virginia,  when  his  place  was  supplied  on  the  8th  of 
Julv-.  1771,  by  William  Try  on,  the  last  of  the  royal  governors. 


OUTLINE    HISTORY. 


33 


the  stamp  act  into 

I,  and  other  stamp 
heir  commissions, 
stamp  act,  became 
carried  about  the 
fere  burned ;  and 
e,  only  by  his  ad- 
lodged  in  the  fort, 
council,  put  into  a 
eir  custody  to  the 
ble  for  their  value, 
;nforce  the  act,  but 
rly  expected.  8't 
rnor  in  July,  1765, 
g,  and  proposed  at 
'he  unanimous  ad- 
ic  feeling,  induced 

his  death,  in  Sep- 
were  made,  unsuc- 
ovince  and  Massa- 
cean.  Emigrants 
ig  the  Hudson,  and 
ey  were  frequently 
nee  in  the  attempt, 
ven,  October,  1767, 
ts  should  be  fixed 
red  as  to  the  man- 

ation,  the  supreme 
iden,  chief  justice ; 
[iobert  R.  Livings- 
0,  and  the  others 
ad  been  increased, 
perquisite  of  £400, 
es  for  Fort  George, 
[r.  Charles,  at  Lon- 
k  contained,  at  this 
id  inhabitants, 
ent  again  devolved 
itinued  till  Novem- 
1  Dunmore.  With 
;tice  of  paying  the 
erward  denounced 
t  made  the  govern- 
led  the  colony  until 
•plied  on  the  8th  of 
al  ffovernors. 

—  a  ' 


In  1772,  Governor  Tryon  made  an  unsuccessful  attempt  to  con- 
ciliate the  minds  of  the  settlers  of  the  New  Hampshire  grants.     In 
1774,  the  assembly  passed  an  act  by  which  it  was  declared  felony, 
punishable  by  '^''jath,  for  any  of  these  settlers  to  oppose  the  govern- 
ment by  force.  •'■  T^ie  governor  at  the  same  time  made  proclamation 
offering  a  reward  of  fifty  pounds  for  the  apprehension  of  Ethan  Al- 
len, Seth  Warner,  and  six  others  of  the  most  obnoxious  of  the  settlers. 
The  inhabitants  of  the  New  Hampshire  grants  became  still  more 
violent  in  their  opposition.     The  proscribed  persons,  in  an  address  to 
the  people  of  the  county  of  Albany,  made  this  public  declaration; — 
"  We  wdl  kill  and  destroy  any  person  or  persons  whomsoever,  who 
shall  presume  to  be  accessary,  aiding,  or  assisting  in  taking  any  of  us." 
In  the  spring  of  1775,  an  event  took  place  in  the  New  Hampshire 
grants  which  exasperated  both  parties.     At  the  time  appointed  for 
the  session  of  the  court  at  Westminster,  in  the  disputed  territory, 
some  of  the  inhabitants  in  this  and  the  adjacent  towns  took  possession 
of  the  courthouse,  to  prevent  the  officers  under  the  authority  of  New 
York  from  enterinff.    The  judges,  on  being  refused  admittance,  retired 
to  their  quarters.  %bout  eleven  o'clock  at  night,  the  sheriff  and  other 
offiders,  attended   by  an  armed  force,  repaired  to  the  courthouse, 
"when,  being  again  refused  admittance,  some  of  the  party  fired  into  the 
house,  killed  one  man,  and  wounded  several.    The  people  were  highly 
inflamed  by  these  rash  proceedings.   Some  of  the  officers  were  seized, 
And  carried  to  the  jail  at  Northampton,  Massachusetts.     Matters  now 
appeared  about  to  be  brought  to  a  sanguinary  crisis.     But  at  this 
period,  an  event  took  place,  which  arrested  the  attention  of  all,  and 
gave  a  new  channel  to  the  torrent  of  popular  fury.     The  breaking 
out  of  the  revolutionary  war  at  Lexington,  caused  a  suspension  of 
local  and  provincial  contests ;  and  the  public  mind  was  exclusively 
directed  to  the  great  contest  now  opening   between   Britain   and 
America. 

In  May,  1775,  the  second  continental  congress  was  to  be  assembled 
at  Philadelphia.     The  subject  of  sending  delegates  to  this  body  was 
^  agitated  m  the  assembly  of  New  York  ;  and  on  the  refusal  of  that  body 
to  appoint  them,  a  provincial  convention  was  called  bv  the  people  for 
#is  purpose.     The  convention  assembled  at  New  York  on  the  22d  of 
M-pril,  and  proceeded  to  make  the  appointments.     This  convention 
Jvas  composed  of  deputies  from  New  York,  Albany,  Dutchess,  Ulster 
Orange,  Westchester,  Kings,  and  Sufl'olk  counties.     They  appointed 
^hihp  Livingston,  George  Clinton,  James  Duane,  John  Alsop,  Simon 
3oerum,  William  Floyd,  John  Jay,  Henry  Wisner,  Philip  Schuyler 
Lewis  Morns,  Francis  Lewis,  and  Robert  R.  Livingston,  Jr.,  dele- 
gates  to  the  contmental  congress,  who,  or  any  five  of  them,  were 
intrusted  with  full  power  to  concert  with  the  other  colonies,  and  adopt 
those  measures  best  adapted  to  sustain  their  rights. 

The  news  of  the  battle  of  Lexington,  (19th  of  April,  1775,)  caused 
a  violent  agitation  in  the  city  of  New  York,  which  prevailed  for  some 
days,  until  anew  committee  of  superintendence,  consisting  of  one 
hundred  of  the  most  respectable  citizens,  was  formed  at  the  instance 

5 


34 


OUTLINE   HISTORY. 


of  the  "  committee  of  observation."  It  was  resolved  that  a  provincial 
contrress  ought  to  be  speedily  assembled,  to  assume  the  government 
of  tie  colon^y,  to  prepare  for  defence,  &c.  It  submitted  at  the  same 
time  the  form  of  an  association,  to  be  signed  by  the  inhabitants,  de- 
claratory of  their  rights  and  liberties,  and  of  their  determination  to 
sustain  them.  This  association  was  signed  by  the  whigs  with  great 
cordiality,  and  by  the  tories  under  the  fear  of,  or  by  actual  constraint. 
The  inhab.tants  generally  began  to  arise  under  the  direction  ol  com- 
mittees. Six  hundred  stands  of  arms  were  seized  in  the  city  arsenal 
and  distr:but(;d  among  the  people :  another  parcel  was  taken  from 
the  soldiery  by  Colonel  Willet,  when  on  the  way  to  the  harbor  to  be 
exported  to  Boston. 

It  was  deemed  of  importance,  in  order  to  put  the  country  in  a  pos- 
ture of  defence,  to  secure  the  fortresses  at  Ticonderoga  and  Crown 
Point.  On  the  10th  of  May,  Colonel  Ethan  Allen  took  possession  of 
Ticonderoga  by  surprise :  on  the  same  day,  Crown  Point  was  sur- 
rendered to  Colonel  Warner ;  a  third  party  surprised  Skeensborough, 
(now  Whitehall.)  The  capture  of  an  armed  sloop  at  St.  Johns  soon 
after,  gave  to  the  Americans  the  entire  commancpibf  Lake  Champlain. 
Governor  Tryon,  who  had  been  absent  on  a  visit  to  Europe,  returned 
to  New  York  on  the  24th  of  June.  He  was  much  esteemed  by 
many  of  the  citizens,  and  received  a  complimentary  address  from  the 
city  authorities.  His  exertions  to  promote  the  royal  cause,  soon  ren- 
dered him  extremely  unpopular.  In  October,  he  became  alarmed  for 
his  personal  safety,  and  retired  on  board  of  the  Halifax  packet. 

On  the  22d  of  May,  1775,  a  provincial  congress,  consisting  of  about 
seventy  members,  convened  at  New  York.  The  proceedings  of  the 
convention  were  determined  by  counties ;  New  York  having  four, 
Albany  three,  and  each  of  the  others  two  votes.  Two  regiments 
were  authorized  to  be  levied ;  bounties  were  offered  for  the  manufac- 
ture of  gunpowder  and  muskets  in  the  province  ;  fortifications  were 
projected  at  Kingsbridge,  and  the  Highlands ;  and  Philip  Schuyler 
and  Richard  Montgomery  were  recommended,  the  first  as  major- 
general,  the  second  as  brigadier,  to  be  appointed  by  the  continental 
congress. 

Upon  the  adjournment  of  the  congress,  in  September,  for  a  month, 
they  delegated  their  powers  to  a  "  Committee  of  Safety ;"  and  this  ex- 
pedient was  resorted  to  upon  every  subsequent  adjournment.  Ordina- 
rily, this  committee  was  composed  of  three  members  from  the  city, 
and  one  from  each  of  the  other  counties.  When  on  the  re-assembling 
of  the  congress,  and  at  other  times,  a  quorum  was  not  present,  the 
members  resolved  themselves  into  a  "  committee  of  safety,"  and  thus 
the  public  business  was  never  interrupted.  The  committee  was  em- 
powered to  execute  the  resolves  of  the  provincial  and  general  con- 
gresses, to  superintend  the  military  affairs  of  the  province,  to  appro- 
priate money  for  the  public  service,  and  to  convene  the  congress 
when  and  where  they  deemed  necessary. 

While  General  Washington  was  engaged  in  organizing  the  main 
body  of  the  American  army  in  Massachusetts,  an  important  expedi- 


OUTUNK    HISTORY. 


35 


3d  that  a  provincial 
ne  the  government 
mitted  at  the  same 
:he  inhabitants,  de- 
ir  determination  to 
3  whigs  With  great 
y  actual  constraint, 
e  direction  of  com- 
in  the  city  arsenal 
;el  w^as  taken  from 
to  the  harbor  to  be 

le  country  in  a  pos- 
deroga  and  Crown 

took  possession  of 
wn  Point  was  sur- 
jed  Skeensborough, 
p  at  St.  Johns  soon 
)f  Lake  Champlain. 
;o  Europe,  returned 
nuch  esteemed  by 
■y  address  from  the 
ya\  cause,  soon  ren- 
)ecame  alarmed  for 
alifax  packet. 
,  consisting  of  about 
proceedings  of  the 
York  having  four, 
s.  Two  regiments 
ed  for  the  manufac- 

fortifications  were 
nd  Philip  Schuyler 
the  first  as  major- 
1  by  the  continental 

ember,  for  a  month, 
'afety ;"  and  this  ex- 
journment.  Ordina- 
ibers  from  the  city, 
n  the  re-assembling 
v^as  not  present,  the 
of  safety,"  and  thus 
committee  was  em- 
,1  and  general  con- 
province,  to  appro- 
avene  the  congress 

Tganlzing  the  main 
a  important  expedi- 


tion was  planned  against  Canada,  the  command  of  which  was  assign- 
ed to  Generals  Schuyler  and  JMontgomery.  General  Schuyler  haVing 
retired  on  account  of  ill  health,  Montgomery,  With  a  force  of  one' 
thousand  men,  proceeded  to  Montreal,  and  from  thence  led  h.s  gallaat 
little  army  to  Quebec.  During  his  progress.  Colonel  Arnold,  w.th  a 
boldness  and  perseverance  rarely  surpassed,  passed  up  the  Kennebec 
river  and  pursued  his  course  through  a  trackless  wilderness  of  three 
hundred  mdes,  and  joined  Montgomery  at  Quebec.  On  the  last  day 
of  the  year,  (1775,)  General  Montgomery,  w  th  a  force  of  less  than 
eight  hundred,  attempted  to  take  Quebec  by  storm.  This  brave  com- 
mander lell  in  the  assault,  and  the  Americans  were  repulsed  with  the 
*Ioss  of  about  half  their  number.  Arnold,  now  in  the  command,  en- 
camped about  three  miles  from  Quebec,  where  he  malnta.ned  his 
position  till  spring.  He  was  afterward  compelled  to  make  a  disas- 
trous retreat,  and  by  the  1st  of  July  the  whole  army  was  driven  from 
Canada. 

Congress  being  informed  that  a  large  number  of  the  inhabitants  of 
Tryon  county  were  disaffected  to  the  American  cause,  and,  under  the 
direction  of  Sir  John  Johnson,  were  making  military  preparation,  re- 
solved to  disarm  them.  General  Schuyler,  to  whom  this  business 
was  committed,  in  January,  1776,  called  out  seven  hundred  of  the 
Albany  militia,  and  commenced  his  march.  But  such  was  the  enthu- 
ttasm  of  the  people  that,  on  his  arrival  at  Caghnewaga,  his  force 
amounted  to  near  three  thousand,  including  nine  hundred  of  the 
Tryon  county  militia.  The  approach  of  this  formidable  body  awed 
tile  royalists  into  submission.  The  whole  number  disarmed  was 
supposed  to  amount  to  about  six  hundred.  About  the  same  time,  a 
considerable  number  were  entrenching  themselves  on  Long  Island, 
in  order  to  support  the  royal  cause.  A  detachment  of  the  Jersey 
militia  was  sent  over,  by  whom  they  were  disarmed,  and  their  lead- 
ws  secured. 

The  fourth  provincial  congress  convened  at  White  Plains  on  the 
»th  of  July.  This  body  took  the  title  of  "  The  Representatives  of  the 
State  of  New  York"  and  exercised  all  the  powers  of  sovereignty, 
until  the  establishment  of  the  government  under  the  constitution.  On 
the  first  day  of  their  meeting,  they  received  from  the  continental  con- 
fress  The  Declaration  of  Independence.  They  immediately  passed 
|n  unanimous  resolution,' fully  approving  of  the  measure,  and  express- 
|ig  their  determination  at  all  hazards  to  support  it.  The  convention, 
fn  the  16th  of  July,  on  the  motion  of  Mr.  Jay,  declared  that  all  per- 
|»ns  abiding  in  the  state,  and  who  were  entitled  to  the  protection  of 
ttie  laws,  who  should  aid  or  abet  its  enemies,  should  on  conviction 
suffer  death. 

In  1776,  it  was  expected  that  the  enemy  would  make  New  York 
their  principal  point  of  attack.  Gen.  Washington  arrived  in  the  city 
on  the  14th  of  April,  and  great  exertions  were  made  for  putting  the 
place  m  a  posture  of  defence.  On  the  22d  of  August,  Lord  Howe 
kinded  a  force,  estimated  at  24,00G  men,  on  Long  Island,  at  Gravesend 
bay.    The  Americans,  amounting  to  15,000,  under  the  conrniand  of 


m 

mi 


86 


OITTLIN'E    HISTORY. 


Gen.  Sullivan,  were  encannped  on  a  peninsula  near  the  village  of 
Brooklyn.  On  the  27th,  an  obstinate  battle  was  fought,  and  the  Ameri- 
cans  were  compelled  to  retire  to  their  entrenchments  with  great  loss. 

8n  the  night  of  the  30th,  a  safe  retreat  was  effected  from  the  island, 
n  the  15th  of  September,  the  British  took  possession  of  New  York, 
the  American  troops  having  retired  to  Harlaem  and  King's  Bridge. 
A  few  days  after  the  British  took  possession,  a  fire  broke  out,  in  which 
about  one  thousand  houses  were  destroyed,  being  about  one  fourth 
part  of  the  city. 

A  large  proportion  of  the  distinguished  and  wealthy  inhabitants  of 
the  city  c^'  New  York,  and  many  m  the  adjacent  country,  were  loy- 
alists, and,  of  course,  enemies  to  American  independence.  On  the 
arrival  of  the  Bntish  army,  the  disaffected  in  this  part  of  the  state 
and  the  neighboring  parts  of  New  Jersey,  embodied  themselves  under 
officers  selected  by  themselves.  Oliver  de  Lancey  was  appointed  a 
general,  with  authority  to  raise  a  brigade  of  torios,  and  a  like  com- 
mission was  given  to  Courtland  Skinner,  of  New  Jersey.  These 
troops  committed  many  murders  and  robberies  on  both  sides  of  the 
Hudson  river,  but  more  especially  in  Westchester  county.  The  pro- 
vincial congress  now  adopted  energetic  measures.  The  "Council of 
Safety"  were  empowered  to  send  tor  persons  and  papers,  and  to  em- 
ploy military  force.  By  its  dread  power  numerous  arrests  imprison- 
ments, and  banishments,  were  made  throughout  the  state.  Many 
tories  and  their  families  were  sent  into  New  York,  others  expelled  the 
state,  others  required  to  give  security  to  reside  within  prescribed 
limits  ;  and  occasionally  the  jails,  and  even  the  churches,  were  crowded 
with  its  prisoners,  and  many  were  sent  for  safe-keeping  to  the  jails 
of  Connecticut.  The  personal  property  of  those  who  had  joined  the 
enemy  was  confiscated. 

The  American  army  being  in  point  of  numbers  greatly  inferior  to 
that  of  the  British,  General  Washington  drew  off  the  main  body  of 
his  army  from  York  Island,  and  encamped  at  White  Plains.  Lord 
Howe  advanced  upon  him  with  15,000  men.  An  engagement  ensued 
on  the  28th  of  October,  l)ut  no  decisive  advantage  was  obtained  ;  the 
Americans  retired  to  a  strong  position  on  the  heights  of  North  Cas- 
tle, which  the  enemy  declined  to  attack.  General  Washington,  leav- 
ing about  7,500  men  under  General  Lee  to  defend  North  Castle, 
crossed  the  Hudson  and  continued  his  retreat  to  the  southward.  The 
American  army  continuing  to  retire  from  New  York,  Sir  William 
Howe  embraced  the  opportunity  of  reducing  Fort  Washington  and 
Fort  Lee,  on  the  Hudson.  While  these  operations  were  going  on  in 
the  southern  part  of  the  state,  the  northern  division  of  the  army,  under 
General  Gates,  was  engaged  at  the  north  in  putting  Ticonderoga  in 
a  state  of  defence,  and  made  preparations  to  secure  the  command  of 
Lake  Champlain.  General  Arnold,  who  commanded  the  American 
fleet,  being  pursued,  was  obliged  to  blow  up  his  vessels,  and,  after 
firing  the  fortress  at  Crown  Point,  retreated  to  Ticonderoga.  The 
British  general,  Carlton,  after  reconnoitering  the  latter  place,  deemed 
it  prudent  on  the  approach  of  winter  to  return  to  Canada. 


OUTLINE    HISTORY. 


37 


ir  the  village  of 
it,  and  the  Arneri- 
s  with  great  loss. 
1  from  the  island. 
Ion  of  New  York, 
id  King's  Bridge, 
•oke  out,  in  which 
about  one  fourth 

thy  inhabitants  of 
juntry,  were  loy- 
ndcnce.  On  the 
part  of  the  state 
themselves  under 
was  appointed  a 
,  and  a  like  com- 
■  Jersey.  These 
both  sides  of  the 
5unty.  The  pro- 
The  "  Council  of 
apers,  and  to  em- 
arrests  imprison- 
hc  state.  Many 
thers  expelled  the 
A'lthin  prescribed 
les,  were  crowded 
3ping  to  the  jails 
ho  had  joined  the 

;reatly  inferior  to 
the  main  body  of 
ite  Plains.  Lord 
igagemcnt  ensued 
vas  obtained ;  the 
Us  of  North  Cas- 
IVashington,  leav- 
nd  North  Castle, 
I  southward.  The 
'ork,  Sir  William 
Washington  and 
were  going  on  in 
)f  the  army,  under 
g  Ticonderoga  in 
!  the  command  of 
led  the  American 
vessels,  and,  after 
condcroga.  The 
;ter  place,  deemed 
'anada. 


The  state  convention,  driven  from  New  York,  convened  from  time 
to  time  at  Harlaem,  King's  Bridge,  Philip's  Manor,  Fishkill,  White 
Plains,  Poughkeepsie,  and  Kingston.  On  the  1st  of  August,  1776,  a 
committee  was  appointed  to  report  a  constitution.  The  draft  of  this 
instrument,  which  was  prepared  by  Mr.  Jay,  was  reported  on  the 
12th  of  March,  and  finally  adopted  on  the  20th  of  April,  1777.  It 
was  amended  by  convention  in  October,  1801,  and  superseded  by  the 
present  constitution  in  November,  1821.  The  constitution  of  1777 
was  republican  in  its  character.  The  supreme  executive  power  was 
vested  in  a  governor  and  lieutenant-governor,  who  was  to  preside 
over  the  senate,  and  perform  the  duties  of  the  governor  in  case  of 
vacancy.  The  legislative  power  was  vested  in  the  senate  and  house 
of  assembly,  who  were  to  hold  at  least  one  session  every  year.  The 
governor  and  members  of  the  senate  and  house  of  assembly,  were 
to  be  elected  by  the  freeholders  of  the  state  of  New  York. 

The  returns  of  the  first  elections  under  the  new  constitution  were 
made  to  the  Council  of  Safety,  July  9th,  1777.  General  George 
Clinton  was  chosen  governor,  and  was  sworn  into  office  on  the  30th 
of  the  same  month,  at  Kingston,  being  then  in  the  active  command  of 
the  New  York  militia.  He  did  not  quit  the  field  until  after  the  defeat 
of  Burgoyne,  but  discharged  such  civil  duties  as  devolved  on  him,  by 
correspondence  with  the  Council  of  Safety.  At  the  adoption  of  the 
constitution,  the  state  was  divided  into  fourteen  counties  :  New  York, 
Richmond,  Kings,  Queens,  Suffolk,  Westchester,  Dutchess,  Orange, 
Ulster,  Albany,  Tryon,  Charlotte,  Cumberland,  and  Gloster  ;  the  two 
last  form  part  of  the  present  state  of  Vermont.  The  first  six  (except 
part  of  Westchester  and  part  of  Orange)  remained  in  possession  of 
the  enemy  until  the  peace,  the  highlands  forming  the  great  barrier  to 
his  farther  advance  from  the  south. 

The  principal  object  of  the  British  in  the  campaign  of  1777,  was 
to  open  a  communication  between  the  city  of  New  York  and  Canada, 
and  to  separate  the  New  England  from  "the  other  states.  The  plan 
consisted  of  two  parts  :  General  Burgoyne,  with  the  main  body  of 
the  army  from  Canada,  was  to  advance  by  the  way  of  Lake  Cham- 
plain,  and  effect  a  junction,  at  Albany,  with  the  royal  army  from  New 
York.  A  detachment  of  British  soldiers  and  a  large  body  of  Indians, 
under  Colonel  St.  Leger,  with  a  regiment  of  New  York  loyalists, 
under  Sir  John  Johnson,  were  to  ascend  the  St.  Lawrence  to  Lake 
Ontario,  and  penetrate  towards  Albany  by  way  of  the  Mohawk  river. 
G('neral  Burgoyne,  with  an  army  of  more  than  7,000  men,  exclusive 
of  a  corps  ol  artillery  and  a  large  body  of  Indians,  invested  Ticon- 
deroga  on  the  30th  of  June.  This  fortress  was  abandonded  by 
General  St.  Clair,  on  the  approach  of  the  enemy.  The  rear-guard 
of  the  American  army,  consisting  of  1,000  men,  under  Colonel  War- 
ner, was  overtaken  and  defeated  at  Hubbardston.  General  Schuyler, 
who  commanded  at  Fort  Edward,  was  obliged  to  retire  to  Saratoga 
before  the  superior  force  of  the  enemy.  While  the  British  were  en- 
camped at  Fort  Edward,  a  detachment,  under  Colonel  Baum,  was 
»em  to  take  possession  of  the  American  stores  at  Bennington,  in  the 


M 


I! 


38 


OUTLINE    HI3T0KV. 


New  Hampshire  grants.  General  Stark  collected  the  militia  in  that 
vicinity,  and  an  obstinate  engagement  took  place,  in  which  the  British 
were  totally  defeated.  On  the  3d  of  August,  St.  Leger,  with  about 
1,800  men,  invested  Fort  Schuyler,  under  the  command  of  General 
Gansevoort.  He  had  a  severe  conflict  with  General  Herkimer,  who 
was  advancing  to  the  relief  of  the  garrison,  and  was  obliged  to  aban- 
don the  siege  and  return  to  Montreal,  General  Burgoyne,  having 
advanced  as  far  as  Saratoga,  found  himself  surrounded  by  a  brave 
army,  from  which  he  endeavored  in  vain  to  effect  a  retreat.  In  this 
extremity,  on  the  17th  of  October,  he  was  compelled  to  surrender  his 
whole  army,  consisting  of  more  than  5,700  men,  to  General  Gates. 

During  the  operations  at  Saratoga,  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  with  three 
thousand  men,  proceeded  up  the  Hudson,  with  the  view  of  eflfecting 
a  diversion  in  favor  of  Burgoyne.  On  the  6th  of  October,  he  made 
an  attack  on  forts  Montgomery  and  Clinton.  These  works  were  car- 
ried at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  but  most  of  the  garrisons  escaped. 
Forts  Independence  and  Constitution  were  evacuated,  and  General 
Putnam,  who  had  the  command  on  the  Hudson,  retreated  to  Fishkill. 
General  Tryon  on  the  following  day  burned  Continental  Village, 
where  considerable  stores  were  deposited ;  General  Vaughan  with  a 
strong  detachment,  proceeding  up  the  river,  devastated  the  settle- 
ments along  its  banks,  burned  the  village  of  Kingston,  and  then  em- 
barked for  New  York. 

In  the  campaigns  of  1778  and  1779,  nothing  decisive  was  effected ; 
the  British  engaged  in  no  enterprise  of  much  importance,  and  appear 
to  have  aimed  at  little  more  than  to  plunder  and  devastate  the  unpro- 
tected parts  of  the  country.  Many  acts  of  cruelty  were  committed, 
and  a  great  amount  of  public  and  private  property  destroyed.  The 
main  body  of  the  American  army  was  concentrated  near  West  Point, 
for  the  protection  of  that  important  fortress.  General  Clinton,  having 
seized  the  works  at  Verplanck's  Neck  and  Stoney  Point,  GenerJil 
Washington  formed  a  design  for  their  recovery.  The  reduction  of 
the  fortress  at  Stoney  Point  by  Gen.  Wayne,  by  assault,  on  the  16th 
of  July,  1779,  was  one  of  the  most  bold  and  daring  enterprises  which 
occurred  during  the  war. 

The  Indians  of  the  Six  Nations  (with  the  exception  of  the  Oneidas 
and  a  few  others)  had  been  induced  by  the  presents  and  promises  of 
Sir  John  Johnson,  and  with  the  desire  of  plunder,  to  invade  the  fron- 
tiers, and  wherever  they  went  they  carried  slaughter  and  devasta- 
tion. To  put  a  stop  to  these  incursions,  congress,  in  August,  1779, 
sent  General  Sullivan  with  an  army  against  them.  Sullivan,  with  a 
force  of  3,000  men,  marched  from  Easton,  Pennsylvania,  to  Tioga 
Point,  where  he  was  joined  ;  y  General  Clinton,  who  marched  from 
the  Mohawk  with  a  force  of  about  one  thousand  nien.  The  Indians 
collected  their  forces,  and  took  a  strong  position  near  Newtown,  Tioga 
county,  determining  to  resist  the  advance  of  Sullivan.  They  stood 
a  cannonade  for  more  than  two  hours,  during  which  time  they  repelled 
several  assaults ;  they  were,  however,  compelled  to  give  way  and 
abandon  their  works.  Generals  Sullivan  and  Clinton  m-nntrated  with- 


OUTLINE    HISTORY. 


39 


he  militia  in  that 
which  the  British 
,eger,  with  about 
imand  of  General 
il  Herkimer,  who 
3  obliged  to  aban- 
Burgoyne,  having 
inded  by  a  brave 
I  retreat.  In  this 
d  to  surrender  his 
General  Gates, 
inton,  with  three 
view  of  effecting 
Dctobcr,  he  made 
e  works  were  car- 
arrisons  escaped, 
ited,  and  General 
reated  to  Fishkill. 
ntinental  Village, 
Vaughan  with  a 
stated  the  settle- 
on,  and  then  em- 

sive  was  effected ; 

tance,  and  appear 

vastate  the  unpro- 

were  committed, 

destroyed.     The 

near  West  Point, 

al  Clinton,  having 

'V  Point,  General 

The  reduction  of 

sault,  on  the  16th 

enterprises  which 

ion  of  the  Oneidas 
:s  and  promises  of 
()  invade  the  fron- 
bter  and  devasta- 
1,  in  August,  1779, 
Sullivan,  with  a 
ylvania,  to  Tioga 
ho  marched  from 
len.  The  Indians 
r  Newtown,  Tioga 
van.  They  stood 
I  time  they  repelled 
to  give  way  and 

m  nenntrated  with- 


out obstruction  into  the  heart  of  the  Seneca  country,  and  spread  deso- 
lation on  every  s.de.  Eighteen  tov/ns  and  villages,  besides  hamlets 
and  detached  habitations,  were  burnt.  All  their  fields  of  corn,  their 
orchards  and  gardens,  were  entirely  destroyed.  By  this  summary 
proceeding  the  ardor  of  the  Indian  warriors  was  damped,  and  their 
inroads  became  much  less  frequent  and  destructive. 

At  the  period  of  this  expedition,  different  parts  of  the  state  suffered 
severely  Irom  the  depredations  of  detached  parties  of  Indians.  In 
July,  Colonel  Brandt,  with  a  party  of  Indians  and  royalists,  burned 
the  M.nisink  settlement  and  took  several  prisoners.  In  August,  the 
Indians  with  their  tory  associates  destroyed  the  settlements  at  Cana- 
johane,  and  burnt  a  number  of  houses  at  Schoharie  and  Norman's 
creek.  In  October,  these  irruptions  were  renewed,  a  great  extent  of 
country  about  the  Mohawk  was  laid  waste,  and  many  of  the  settlers 
were  killed  or  made  prisoners. 

During  the  year  1780  and  1781,  the  operations  of  the  war  were 
chiefly  conducted  in  the  southern  states,  the  British  occupying  the 
city  of  New  York  and  its  vicinity.  In  1780,  a  plot,  fraught  with  im- 
minent danger  to  the  American  cause,  was  happily  discovered.  Gen- 
eral Arnold  having  solicited  and  obtained  the  command  of  West 
Point,  entered  into  a  negotiation  with  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  to  deliver 
that  important  fortress  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  To  facilitate 
the  correspondence,  John  Andre,  the  adjutant-general  of  the  British 
army,  proceeded  up  the  Hudson  in  the  Vulture  sloop-of-war,  as  near 
West  Point  as  practicable,  without  exciting  suspicion.  On  the  night 
of  September  21st,  Andre  went  on  shore  in  a  boat,  and  met  Arnold 
on  the  beach.  Failing  to  get  on  board  the  Vulture  again,  Andre  at- 
tempted to  return  to  New  York  by  land,  in  disguise.  Receiving  a 
passport  from  Arnold,  he  passed  the  guards  and  outposts  without 
suspicion.  When  about  thirty  miles  from  New  York,  he  was  met 
by  three  militia-men,  Paulding,  Williams,  and  Van  Wert,  who,  re- 
fusing the  bribes  which  Andre  offered,  carried  him  to  their  command- 
ing officer.  He  was  tried  as  a  spy  by  a  board  of  officers,  condemned, 
and  executed. 

The  capture  of  Comwallis  at  Yorktown,  Virginia,  convinced  the 

British  government  of  the  impractical .ility  of  conquering  the  United 

i  States.      The  provisional  articles  of  peace  between  the  two  countries 

tweic  signed  at  Paris,  November  30th,  1783.     On  the  19th  of  April, 

;178,'{,  a  lormal  proclamation  of  tho  cessation  of  liostilitics  was  made 

throughout  the  army,  and  the  dolinitive  treaty,  acknowledging  the 

independence  of  the  United  States,  was  signed  on  the  30th  ofSep- 

tember.      The  British  troops  evacuated  New  York  on  the  25th  of 

November,  and  the  Americans  took  pos8es8i(»n  the  same  day. 

The  termination  of  the  revolutionary  war,  and  the  adoption  of  the 
tcderal  constitution  in  1788,  gave  a  new  aspect  to  the  affairs  of  the 
country.  During  the  war  a  considerable  portion  of  Now  York  was 
m  possession  of  the  enemy,  and  many  of  its  most  fertile  tracts  open 
to  their  ravages :  many  of  the  new  settlements  were  broken  up.  On 
the  return  o»  peace  these  were  resumed,  und  many  others  commenced. 


'"4 


Mj     M 

1 

40 


OUTLINE   BISTORT. 


which  progressed  with  astonishing  rapidity.  Commerce,  also,  expe- 
rienced  a  rapid  revival  on  the  return  of  peace.  In  1791,  the  exports 
to  foreign  ports  amounted  to  above  two  million  five  hundred  thousand 
dollars.  In  1793,  six  hundred  and  eighty-three  foreign  vessels,  and 
one  thousand  three  hundred  and  eighty-one  coasting  vessels,  entered 

the  port  of  New  York.  ^.       rr         u-  *      *ii 

The  controversy  relative  to  the  New  Hampshire  grants  still  con- 
tinued. Frequent  application  had  been  made  by  both  parties  lu  the 
general  conc^ress  for  the  interference  of  that  body,  but  no  decisive 
result  was  obtained.  In  1789,  the  legislature  passed  an  act  in  order 
to  settle  this  controversy,  and  acknowledging  the  territory  as  an  in- 
dependent state.  Commissioners  were  mutually  appointed,  and  in 
1790.  after  a  controversy  of  twenty-six  years,  the  subject  was  brought 
to  an  amicable  adjustment.  In  1791,  the  new  state  was  admitted  into 
the  Union,  with  the  name  of  Vermont. 

In  1786,  the  state  of  New  York,  to  quiet  or  put  at  rest  certain  an- 
tiquated claims  of  Massachusetts  to  a  portion  of  her  territory,  granted 
that  state  large  tracts  of  vacant  lands.  These  lands  consisted  of  two 
parts :  one  part  comprehended  all  that  part  of  the  state  lying  west 
of  a  line  beginning  at  the  north  at  the  mouth  of  Great  Sodus  bay, 
on  Lake  Ontario,  and  running  thence  southerly  to  the  north  line  of 
Pennsylvania,  except  one  mile  on  the  east  side  of  Niagara  river,  and 
the  islands  in  that  stream.  This  tract  consisted  of  six  millions  one 
hundred  and  forty-four  thousand  acres,  and  was  called  the  Genesee 
Country.  The  other  tract  comprehended  ten  or  twelve  townships, 
of  six  square  miles  each,  embraced  in  the  counties  of  Broome  and 
Tioga.  These  cessions  embraced  about  10,000  square  miles,  nearly 
one  fourth  of  the  state.  New  York  ceding  every  thing,  save  sove- 
reignty, to  Massachlisetts  without  an  equivalent.  The  government 
of  Massachusetts  sold  the  first  tract  to  Oliver  Phelps  and  Nathaniel 
Gorham,  for  one  million  of  dollars,  and  the  other  to  John  Brown 
and  others,  for  three  thousand  three  hundred  dollars  and  some  cents. 

The  '' Military  Lands,"  as  they  wore  called,  were  set  apart  Lv  the 
legislature,  in  1782,  for  the  oflicers  and  soldiers  of  the  state  of  New 
York,  who  should  serve  in  the  army  of  the  United  States  till  theend 
of  the  war,  according  to  law.  The  military  tracts  contained  about 
one  million  eight  hundred  thousand  acres,  comprehending,  generally 
speaking,  the  counties  of  Onondaga,  Cortlandt,  Cayuga,  Tompkins, 
and  Seneca,  and  parts  of  the  counties  of  Oswego  and  Wayne.  Pre- 
vious to  the  cession  made  to  Massachusetts,  and  the  grant  made  to 
the  soldiers,  the  Indian  title  was  not  extinguished.  Messrs.  Phelps 
and  Gorham,  and  the  government  of  New  York,  had  to  extinguish 
these  before  settlements  could  be  made.  The  ^rst  permanent  settle- 
ment made  in  the  western  territory  was  by  Hugh  White,  in  1784,  in 
company  with  four  or  five  families  from  Connecticut,  who  seated 
themselves  at  Whitestown,  near  Utica. 

A  party  of  emigrants,  in  1790  or  1791,  made  a  road  through  the 
woods  from  the  settlements  of  Whitestown  to  Canandaigua.  Emigra- 
tion now  increased  from  year  to  year.    The  winter  was  the  season 


M 


OUTLINE    HISTORY. 


41 


nerce,  also,  expe- 
1791,  the  exports 
lundred  thousand 
reign  vessels,  and 
r  vessels,  entered 


grants 


still  con- 
Dth  parties  to  the 
,  but  no  decisive 
i  an  act  in  order 
jrritory  as  an  in- 
ippointed,  and  in 
Dject  was  brought 
ivas  admitted  into 

it  rest  certain  an- 
territory,  granted 
}  consisted  of  two 

state  lying  west 
Ireat  Sodus  bay, 
the  north  line  of 
[iagara  river,  and 
"  six  millions  one 
ailed  the  Genesee 
;welve  townships, 
s  of  Broome  and 
Liare  miles,  nearly 
thing,  save  sove- 
The  government 
)s  and  Nathaniel 

to  John  Brown 
s  and  some  cents, 
e  set  apart  tv  the 
the  state  of  New 
States  till  the' end 

contained  about 
lending,  generally 
lyuga,  Tompkins, 
id  Wayne.  Pre- 
le  grant  made  to 
Messrs.  Phelps 
had  to  extinguish 
permanent  settle- 
tVhite,  in  1784,  in 
licut,  who  seated 

road  through  the 
ndaigua.  Emigra- 
r  was  the  season 


usually  chosen  for  emigrating  from  New  England  to  the  western 
country.  Then,  as  the  country  was  shaded  by  forest  trees,  there  was 
comnTonly  snow  enough  for  sleighing.  In  1790,  the  British  evac- 
uated forts  Oswegatchie  and  Oswego,  and  immediately  afterward  set- 
ments  were  begun  at  these  places.  In  1797  and  1798,  settlements 
were  commenced  at  Lowville,  Watertown,  and  Brownville,  in  the 
counties  of  Lewis  and  Jefferson.  Settlements  were  now  rapidly  ex- 
tended on  every  side.  The  settlements  along  the  great  road  from 
Utica  to  Genesee  river,  were  mostly  connected  by  the  year  1800,  and 
from  that  year  the  western  country  began  to  attain  consequence  in 
the  councils  of  the  state. 

In  1795,  Governor  Clinton,  having  for  eighteen  yeai-s  discharged 
the  office  of  governor,  declined  a  re-election  on  account  of  sustair>ing 
the  republican  principle  of  rotation  in  office.  He  was  succeeded  by 
John  Jay,  who  continued  in  the  office  till  1801,  when  Mr.  Clinton 
again  accepted  a  re-election.  In  1796,  the  legislature  granted  the 
Oneida  Indians  an  annuity  of  $5,552,  in  lieu  of  all  former  stipulations 
for  lands  purchased  in  1795;  $2,300  ta  the  Cayugas  ;  and  $2,000  to 
the  Onondagas.  A  general  organization  act  was  passed  in  1801, 
dividing  the  state  into  thirty  counties.  Mr.  Clinton,  having  been 
elected  vice-president  of  the  United  States,  Morgan  Lewis  succeeded 
him  as  governor,  in  1804.  Mr.  Lewis  was  succeeded  by  Daniel 
D.  Tompkins,  in  1807.  Albany,  the  same  year,  was  made  the  capi- 
tal of  the  state. 

In  1810,  an  act  was  passed  by  the  legislature  "for  exploring  the 
route  of  an  inland  navigation  from  Hudson's  river  to  Lake  Ontario 
and  Lake  Erie."  Commissioners  were  appointed  for  this  purpose 
who  made  a  report  the  following  year.*  The  subject  now  be«ran  to 
excite  general  interest,  and  a  bill  being  introduced  by  Mr.  Clinton,  an 
act  was  passed, "  to  provide  for  the  improvement  of  the  internal  navi- 
gation  of  the  state."    Commissioners  were  again  appointed  to  solicit 

«  The  first  legislative  movmient  with  reference  to  a  communication  like  the  present 
canal  between  the  Hudson  and  Lake  Erie,  was  brought  about  by  the  exertions  of  Mr 
Joshua  Forman,  then  a  member  of  assembly  from  Onondaga  county,  who  proposed  to  the' 
House,  Fcbnmry  4th  1808,  that  "  n  jomt  committee  be  appointed,  to  fake  int^  considerat  on 
the  propriety  of  explormg  and  causmg  an  accurate  survey  to  be  made  of  the  most  eli  J  bl" 
i  and  direct  route  for  a  canal,  to  open  a  communication  between  the  tide  waters  of  the  Hud 
ton  and  Lake  Erie,  to  the  end  that  congress  may  be  enabled  to  appropriate  su"ch  sutns  as 
may  be  necessary  to  the  accomplishment  of  that  great  object."    "The  propS.n  '^sajs 
Gordon,  in  Ins  very  able  Gazetteer,  "  was  received  by  the  House  '  with  such  eX  sionsof 
«urpn.se  and  ridicule,  .is  are  due  to  a  very  wild  and  foolish  project.'    It  wL  Snatelv 
however,  irmly  sustained  by  the  proposer  and  his  friends,  and  finally  sanctioned  Tponle' 
pimciple     that  it  could  do  no  harm  and  might  do  some  good.'    But  the  joint  mnmitZnrp 
possessed  m  tavor  of  the  Oswego  route,  directed  the  «urveyor.ge„eral  to  cauTa     rv^fof 
the  nvexs,  streams,  and  waters  in  the  «*«./  route  between  Hudson  nver  and  Lake  Fie'iri 
^ch  other  route  a,  he  might  de.^  proper:  shifting  to  the  surveyoriorerart  ^   '^f 

Pr^ident  Jefferson,  and  informed  him  thl'tTn  view  oKs  ^^'iT^^^'r^t^Z 
revenues  of  the  nationin  makng  roads  and  caimls  the  stHtn  nf  M.  .!^  vii   ""  "'7^^'"" 
the  route  of  a  cnnnl  from  the  Hudson  to  Lake  Erie  a^d  had  Snd  if  ^^"'^1'""'  ""/T'^ 
he  had  described  all  the  advantages  anticipaterih'tt  d  n    reS  'T.  'Vw^^^^^^^^^ 
fine  project,  and  might  be  txecuUd  a  century  h^ce.' "  ^ 


m 


4» 


OUTUNE    HISTORY. 


aid  from  the  congress  of  the  United  States.  De  Witt  Chnton  and 
Governeur  Mums  were  appointed  to  lay  the  subject  before  th|  gen- 
eral guvornment.  They  proceeded  to  Washington,  and  presented  a 
memorial  to  congress  ;  but  were  unsuccessful  in  their  application  to 
that  body  for  assistance.  In  March,  1812,  the  commissioners  again 
made  a  report  to  the  legislature,  and  insisted  that  now  sound  policy 
demanded  that  the  canal  should  be  made  by  the  state  on  her  own 
account.  The  subject  was,  however,  soon  after  suspended  by  the 
breaking-  out  of  the  war  with  Great  Britain. 

War  having  been  declared  in  1812,  the  attention  of  the  Americans 
was  earlv  directed  to  the  invasion  of  Canada,  and  troops  to  the  num- 
ber of  eight  or  ten  thousand  were  collected  along  the  line  for  this 
purpose.  They  were  distributed  into  three  divisions  ;  the  northwest- 
ern army,  under  General  Harrison ;  the  army  of  the  centre,  under 
General  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  at  Lewiston  ;  and  the  army  of  the 
north,  in  the  vicinity  of  Plattsburg,  under  General  Dearborn,  the 
commander-in-chief.  Great  exertions  were  also  made  in  preparing  a 
naval  forc^e  uf)on  the  lakes,  the  command  of  which  was  intrusted  to 
Commodore  Chaunccy.  About  the  1st  of  October,  Commodore  Chaun- 
cey,  with  a  body  of'  seamen,  arrived  at  Sacketts  Harbor ;  several 
schooners  which  had  been  employed  as  traders  on  the  lake  were 
purchased,  and  fitted  out  as  vessels  of  war.  Lieutenant  Elliot  was 
despatched  to  Bltick  Rock,  to  make  arrangements  there  for  building  a 
naval  force  superior  to  that  of  the  enemy  on  Lake  Erie. 

On  the  13th  of  October,  a  detachment  of  one  thousand  men  under 
Colonel  Van  Rensselaer  crossed  the  Niagara  river  at  Lewiston,  and 
attacked  the  British  on  the  heights  of  Queenston.  They  succeeded 
in  dislodging  the  enemy,  but  not  being  reinforced  from  the  American 
side,  as  was  expected,  were  afterward  repulsed,  and  compelled  to 
surrender.  Dur.ng  the  ensuing  winter,  the  operations  of  the  war  on 
the  New  York  frontier  were  mostly  suspended.  Some  skirmishing 
took  place  along  the  St.  Lawrence ;  but  the  opposing  enemies  being 
divided  by  a  barrier  of  ice,  not  sufficiently  strong  to  admit  of  the 
transportation  of  artillery,  no  enterprise  of  importance  was  attempted. 
In  April,  1813,  General  Dearborn  made  dispositions  for  a  descent 
upon  York,  the  capital  of  Upper  Canada.  The  enterprise  was  com- 
mitted to  a  detachment  of  one  thousand  seven  hundred  men,  under 
the  command  of  General  Pike,  assisted  by  the  fleet  under  the  com- 
mand of  Commodore  Chauncey.  General  Pike  was  killed  in  the 
attack,  but  the  place,  with  large  quantities  of  military  stores,  fell  into 
the  hnnds  of  the  Americans.  Commodore  Chauncey  having  returned 
with  the  fleet  to  Fort  Niagara,  it  was  immediately  resolved  to  make  a 
descent  upon  Fort  George,  situated  upon  the  opposite  shore.  An 
attack  was  made  on  the  27th  of  May,  and  after  a  short  contest  ihe 
place  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Americans. 

During  these  operations  of  the  Americans,  several  enterprises  wcro 
undertaken  by  the  enemy.  About  the  last  of  May,  a  detachment  of 
about  one  thousand  British  soldiers,  under  Sir  George  Prevost,  made 
an  attack  on  Sacketts  Harbor,  but  were  repulsed  with  cousiderable 


I 


iVitt  Clinton  and 
;t  before  the  gen- 
,  and  presented  a 
3ir  application  to 
imissioners  again 
now  sound  policy 
state  on  her  own 
uspended  by  the 

of  the  Annericans 
roops  to  the  num- 
y  the  line  for  this 
IS ;  the  northwest- 
the  centre,  under 
d  the  army  of  the 
ral  Dearborn,  the 
ide  in  preparing  a 
1  was  intrusted  to 
Dmmodore  Chaun- 

Harbor;  several 
on  the  lake  were 
itenant  Elliot  was 
lere  for  building  a 
Erie, 
jusand  men  under 

at  Lewiston,  and 

They  succeeded 
:om  the  American 
and  compelled  to 
ms  of  the  war  on 
Some  skirmishing 
ing  enemies  being 

to  admit  of  the 
ice  was  attempted, 
ons  for  a  descent 
terprise  was  com- 
ndred  men,  under 
et  under  the  corn- 
was  killed  in  the 
iry  stores,  fell  into 
;y  having  returned 
resolved  to  make  a 
posite  shore.  An 
,  short  contest  the 

il  enterprises  wero 

/,  a  detachment  of 

rge  Provost,  made 

with  cousiderable 


OUTLINE    HI3TOUY.  «B 

loss.  On  the  10th  of  September,  Commodore  Pe^ry  captured  the 
British  fleet  on  Lake  Erie.  The  operations  on  Lake  Ontario  were 
less  decisive.  During  the  latter  part  of  summer  and  autumn,  frequent 
skirmishes  took  place,  but  no  important  advantage  was  obtained  by 
either  party.  After  the  victory  on  Lake  Erie,  great  preparations 
were  made' for  the  conquest  of  Montreal.  This  object  was  to  be 
effected  by  two  divisions  under  Generals  Wilkinson  and  Hampton, 
who  were  to  effect  a  junction  on  the  St.  Lawrence.  The  division 
under  Wilkinson  moved  down  the  river  early  in  November ;  on  the 
11th,  a  severe  but  indecisive  engagement  with  the  enemy  took  place 
at  Williamsburg.  General  Hampton  made  a  short  incursion  into 
Canada,  but  no  junction  was  effected.  The  enterprise  a -gainst  Mon- 
treal was  abandoned,  and  the  troops  retired  to  winter  quarters  at 
French  Mills,  near  St.  Regis.  Fort  George  was  evacuated  and  blown 
up  by  the  Americans.  In  December,  the  British  crossed  over  above 
Fort' Niagara,  and  took  that  place  by  storm.  After  the  capture  of  the 
fort,  they  proceeded  up  the  river  and  burnt  Lewiston,  Youngstown, 
Manchester,  and  the  Indian  village  of  Tuscarora.  On  the  30th,  a  de- 
tachment of  the  British  crossed  over  near  Black  Rock.  They  were 
feebly  opposed  by  the  militia,  who  soon  gave  way,  and  were  totally 
routed.  Having  set  f^re  to  Black  Rock,  the  enemy  advanced  to 
Buffalo,  which  they  laid  in  ashes,  thus  completing  the  desolation  of 
the  Niagara  frontier. 

Early  in  July,  1814,  Fort  Erie  was  taken  by  the  Americans,  and 
during  the  same  month  sanguinary  battles  were  fought  at  Chippewa 
and  Bridgewater.  On  the  11th  of  September,  Sir  George  Prevost, 
with  an  army  of  fourteen  thousand  men,  made  a  descent  upon  Platts- 
burg,  and  after  a  severe  engagement  was  compelled  to  retire  with 
great  loss.  The  British  fleet,  under  Commodore  Downie,  was  cap- 
tured by  Commodore  Macdonough,  on  the  same  day.  The  war 
was  terminated  by  the  treaty  of  Ghent,  signed  by  the  commissioners 
of  both  countries,  December  24th,  1814,  and  ratified  by  the  president 
and  senate  on  the  17th  of  the  following  February. 

On  the  termination  of  the  war,  the  consideration  of  the  great  plan 
for  the  internal  navigation  of  the  state  was  resumed.  During  the 
session  of  1817,  a  memorial  was  presented,  signed  by  upwards  of 
one  hundred  thousand  citizens,  calling  upon  the  legislature  to  pass 
laws  for  the  commencement  and  execution  of  the  proposed  canals. 
An  act  was  accordingly  passed,  and  large  appropriations  made  for 
**'■"  purpose.     The  Erie  and  Champlain  canals  were  immediately 


this 


commenced  and  vigorously  prosecuted.  The  Erie  canal,  from  Al- 
bany to  Buffilo,  was  completed  in  1825,  at  an  expense  of  about  eight 
millions  of  dollars,  and  is  one  of  the  most  magnificent  works  of  the 
kind  ever  constructed.  The  Champlain  canal,  seventy-one  miles  in 
length,  was  completed  in  1823,  at  an  expense  of  $875,000. 

In  1817,  Governor  Tompkins  was  chosen  vice-president  of  the  Uni- 
ted States,  and  De  Witt  Clinton  was  elected  to  succeed  him  as  gov- 
ernor of  New  York.  In  1822,  Mr.  Chnton  declining  a  re-election,  he 
■was  succeeded  bv  Joseoh  C.  Yates.     Durinir  this  vear.  n822.)  the 


I'f 


* 


fi 


% 


44 


ALBANY   COUNTY. 


constitution  of  the  state  having  been  revised  by  a  convention  at 
Albany  the  preceding  year,  was  accepted  by  the  people  in  January. 
In  1824,  De  Witt  Clinton  was  again  re-elected  to  the  office  of  gov- 
ernor. He  died  suddenly,  February  11th,  1828,  and  the  duties  of  his 
office  devolved  on  Nathaniel  Pitcher,  the  lieutenant-governor.  Mar- 
tin Van  Buren  was  next  elected  governor.  He  entered  on  the  duties 
of  the  office  on  the  1st  of  January,  1829,  which,  after  holding  for  three 
months,  he  resigned.  He  was  succeeded  by  Enos  T.  Throop,  who 
exercised  the  office  of  governor  from  1829  to  1833,  when  he  was 
succeeded  by  William  L.  Marcy.  Governor  Marcy  was  succeeded 
in  the  office  of  governor  by  William  H.  Seward,  in  1837, 


ALBANY  COUNTY. 

Albany  County  was  originally  organized  in  1683;  but  its  limits 
have  since  been  greatly  altered.  In  the  year  1768,  there  were  but 
ten  counties  in  the  state,  viz  :  New  York,  Westchester,  Dutchess, 
Orange,  Ulster,' Albany,  Richnripnd,  Kings,  Queens,  and  Suffislk. 
This  county  then  embraced  the  whole  of  the  territory  of  New  York 
lying  north  of  Ulster  and  west  of  the  Hudson  river,  as  well  as  all 
northward  of  Dutchess  on  the  east  side  of  the  Hudson.  Its  greatest 
length  now  is  28,  and  greatest  breadth  21  miles.  The  surface  and 
soil  are  very  r^uch  diversified.  Along  the  Hudson  are  alluvial  flats, 
nowhere  exceeding  a  mile  in  width,  susceptible  in  some  places  of 
high  cultivation.  From  these  flats,  the  surface  rises  abruptly  140 
feet,  and  thence  gradually  westward  to  the  mountains.  On  the  Mo- 
hawk, the  land  is  broken,  rugged,  and  naturally  sterile  ;  on  the  west 
are  the  Helderberg  Hills,  precipitous  and  craggy,  with  a  soil  of  cal- 
careous loam.  Centrally  the  county  consists  of  undulating  grounds 
and  plains,  with  small  marshes  and  tracts  of  cold,  wet  sands  and 
clay,  but  which  of  late  years  have  been  greatly  fertilized  by  gypsum, 
converting  the  piney  and  sandy  desert  into  fragrant  clover  and  fruit- 
ful wheat  fields.  Still,  large  tracts  in  this  county  are  unimproved 
and  perhaps  unimprovable ;  but  the  greater  portion  is  productive  of 
wheat,  of  which  a  large  surplus  is  annually  sent  to  the  New  York 
market.  The  country  is  well  watered  by  streams  which,  flowing 
from  the  highlands,  empty  into  the  Hudson,  aflfording  valuable  hy- 
draulic power.  This  county  is  divided  into  ten  towns.  Population 
in  1840  was  68,536. 

Albany,  the  capital  of  New  York,  and  the  oldest  city  in  the  Uni- 
ted States,  lies  in  42°  39'  3"  N.  Lat.,  and  3°  12'  E.  Lon.,  from  Wash- 
ington. It  received  its  present  name  in  the  year  1664,  in  honor 
of  James,  duke  of  York  and  Albany,  who  afterward  mounted  the 
throne   of  England  as   James  II.     Its   original   Indian   name   was 


»*-»  t  f  tr« 


J  a  convention  at 
people  in  January, 
the  office  of  gov- 
A  the  duties  of  his 
>governor.  Mar- 
ered  on  the  duties 
r  holding  for  three 
s  T.  Throop,  who 
933,  when  he  was 
3y  was  succeeded 
I  1837. 


J83  ;  but  its  limits 
18,  there  were  but 
Chester,  Dutchess, 
lens,  and  Suffolk, 
ory  of  New  York 
ver,  as  well  as  all 
Ison.  Its  greatest 
The  surface  and 
\  are  alluvial  flats, 
in  some  places  of 
ises  abruptly  140 
ains.  On  the  Mo- 
erile  ;  on  the  west 
with  a  soil  of  cal- 
ndulating  grounds 
Id,  wet  sands  and 
tilized  by  gypsum, 
it  clover  and  fruit- 
^  are  unimproved 
n  is  productive  of 
to  the  New  York 
ns  which,  flowing 
•ding  valuable  hy- 
jwns.     Population 

ist  city  in  the  Uni- 
Lon.,  from  Wash- 
ir  1664,  in  honor 
vard  mounted  the 
Indian   name   was 

.  i_ »»   „_j   iL:_ 

I    UlVVttgf        aiiU     UiiS 


•■■^■'  '--i/b     3 


i^ii"!'.  '.'wmmnmrnf^ 


1-^ 


ii  i 


■rnor.     .  .  .. 


*,• 


■''  :'     i'-'   ill,) 

f'^'ter,  Dutch>'=" 


i'-l*.. 


ibruptl} 
v..  witfe' »  stnl  'f>)'  : 


,.  <(.,-.  T-, 


■t>4.  in  horsi.-r 


I  .'>..  _i-.J  *» 


ALBANY  COUNTY. 


45 


name  for  the  same  reason  was  applied  by  the  aborigines  to  the 
of  the  city  of  Schenectady,  where  it  is  yet  retained  with  a  sh^" 
riation  in  the  orthography.     The  Dutch  named  Albany  "B< 
wyck,"  [i.  e.  Bea_ver-town,]  and  afterward,  "  Willemstadt." 


site 
ht  va- 
eaver- 
It  was 


•¥■. 


never  known  as  Fort  Orange,  or  Urania,  as  has  been  asserted ;  but 
the  fort  only  was  called  Fort  Orange.*  Albany  was  probably  never 
visited  by  a  white  maw  till  Sept.,  1610,  when  Hendricke  Chrystance, 
who  was  sent  up  the  river  by  Henry  Hudson  to  explore  the  country, 
#rst  landed  here ;  and  as  far'  as  can  be  learned  from  tradition  and 
iome  documentary  evidence,  he  landed  somewhere  in  the  present 
*  Korth  Market  street.  In  that  or  the  succeeding  year,  a  party  of 
the  Dutch  built  a  blockhouse  on  the  north  point  of  Boyd's  Island,  a 
hort  distance  below  the  Albany  ferry. 
This  house  was  erected  for  a  two-fold  purpose  ;  first,  to  open  a 
ade  with  the  Indians  for  furs ;  the  next,  to  secure  themselves  against 
y  sudden  attack  from  the  savages.  But  it  was  soon  demolished, 
'  for  the  next  spring's  freshet  and  ice  swept  the  whole  of  it  away. 
This  party  then  chose  a  hill,  subsequently  called  "  Kiddenhooghten"\ 
%ithin  two  miles  of  Albany,   for  the  erection  of  another  trading- 

f)use.     The  Indians  called  this  hill  "  Ta-\vass-a-gun-shee,"  or  the 
Look-out  Hill."     Not  long  afterward,  this  spot   was   abandoned, 
^d  a  more  convenient  post  selected.     The  place  last  chosen  was  in 
"  e  vicinity  of  the  house  now  called  "  Fort  Orange  Hotel,"  in  South 
arket  street.     The  Dutch  there  erected  a  Fort,  "  mounting  eight 
one  pieces,"X  and  called  it  "  Fort  Orange." 

Until  after  the  year  1625,  the  Dutch  did  not  contemplate  making 

iny  permanent  settlements  in  this  state.     They  merely  visited  the 

lountry  in  the  autumn  and  winter,  with  a  view  to  the   fur  trade 

ith  the  Indians,  returning  in  the  spring  to  Holland,  or  "Vader- 

andt."    But  in  that  year,  the  Dutch  West  India  Company  first  en- 

;ertained  the  idea  of  colonizing  their  newly  discovered  territories  in 

*  merica,  and  accordingly  offered  large  appropriations  of  land  to 

uch  families  as  should  "  settle"  in  their  colony  of  New  Netherlands. 

^his  soon  brought  many  over,  and  from  that  period  till  1635,  several 

f  our  most  respectable  Dutch  families  arrived ;  ajnong  them  were  the 

ncestors  of  the  Van  Schelluyne,  Quackenboss,  Lansing,  Bleeker, 

'^an  Ness,  Pruyn,  Van  Woert,  Wendell,  Van  Eps,  and  Van  Rensse- 

aer  families. 

It  does  not  appear  that  any  stone  or  brick  building  was  erected 

•  here   (the  fort  excepted)  until  the  year  1647,  when,  according  to 

*  For  most  of  the  statements  given  respecting  the  early  history  of  Albany,  the  authors 

«re  indebted  to  the  "  Historical  Reminiscences,"  published  in  the  American  Journal,  1835. 

T  KiddenhooghUn,  or  Kidds-heighU  or  hill,  received  its  name  about  the  year  1701;  and, 

according  to  tradition,  in  memory  of  the  pirate  Kidd,  so  celebrated  "  in  song  and  story," 

who  it  is  supposed  concealed  much  of  his  ill-gotten  treasure  in  the  vicinity.    It  is,  however, 

,  doubted  whether  Kidd  ascended  the  Hudson  as  far  as  Albany. 

t  According  to  Mr.  Vnnder  Kempt,  the  translator  of  our  Dutch  records,  they  were  called 
"  Stien-gestucken,"  or  stone  pieces,  because  they  were  loaded  with  gtone  instead  of  iron 
ball.    They  were  formed  of  bng  and  strong  iron  bars,  longitudinally  laid,  and  bound  with 
^^iron  hoops,  and  were  of  immense  caUber, 


4G 


ALBANY    COUNTY. 


a  "  letter  from  Commissary  De  la  Montagnlo"  to  the  Dutch  gov- 
ernor  at  New  Amsterdam,  (New  York,)  a  stone  building  was  erected 
near  the  fort,  and  he  complains  of  the  "  enormous  libations"  upon 
the  occasion  of  celebrating  its  completion :  "  x\o  Icss^"  (he  says) 
"  than  8  ankers  (128  gallons)  of  brandy  were  consumed.' 

About  100  years  since,  Albany  was  protected  against  sudden  ir- 
ruptions from  'the  Indians  by  the  erection  of  palisades,*  part  of  the 
remains  of  which  were  visible  within  the  last  iorty  years.  Barrack 
(now  Chapel)  street,  was  the  principal  place  for  business.  The  gov- 
ernment of  the  city  was  extremely  rigid,  and  often  cruel;  it  bore 
the  character  more  of  a  vdlitary  despot.sm  than  that  ol  a  civil  po- 
lice ;  heavy  penalties  were  imposed  for  the  least  infraction  ot  the 
laws  regulating  the  trade  with  the  hidians,  and  many  families  conse- 
quently ruined.  This  severity  drove  some  of  the  "traders"  to  the 
Schenectady  Hats,  where  they  intercepted  a  considerable  portion  of 
the  fur  on  its  way  to  Albany,  and  which  occasioned  for  many  years 
the  most  bitter  animosities  between  the  inhabitants  of  both  places. 
The  circulating  medium  then  in  use  consisted  principally  of  sewani, 

or  wampum. 

Ministers  of  the  reformed  religion  were  regularly  sent  out  Irom 
Holland  to  the  colony.  In  1657,  the  Rev.  Gideon  Schaats  sailed 
from  Amsterdam  for  this  colony,  and  about  the  same  time  the  Dutch 
West  India  Company  wrote  a'letter,  stating  that  they  would  send  a 
bell  and  a  pulpit,  "  for  the  inhabitants  of  Fort  Orange,  and  of  the  vil- 
lage of  Beaverwick,  for  their  newly  constructed  little  church"    In 


Ancient  Dutch  Church,  Albany. 

1715,  this  church  became  too  small  for  the  congregation,  and  the 
proprietors  adopted  a  singular  mode  of  enlarging  it.  Beyond  and 
on  every  side  of  the  ancient  building,  they  sunk  a  new  stone  wall; 


•  Thcf r  pnliKndfg  consisted  of  Inrjro  pieces  of  tinibrr  in  close  contart  with  each  other, 
driven  endwise  into  the  ground,  and  oatu  or  openirigi  w«re  made  at  suilabls  intervili, 
which  were  closed  at  night. 


ALBANY    COUNTY. 


49 


.0  the  Dutch  gov- 
dldinjr  was  erected 
3US  hbations"  upon 
'()  less"  (he  says) 
sumed." 

I  against  sudden  ir- 
sades,*  part  of  the 
ty  years.  Barrack 
usiness.  The  gov- 
tten  cruel ;  it  bore 
I  that  of  a  civil  po- 
st infraction  of  the 
finy  families  conse- 
le  "traders"  to  the 
iidcrable  portion  of 
led  for  many  years 
mts  of  both  places, 
ncipally  of  sewant, 

irly  sent  out  from 
eon  Schaats  sailed 
ime  time  the  Dutch 
:  they  would  send  a 
nge,  and  of  the  vil- 
little  church."    In 


igregation,  and  the 

ig  it.     Beyond  and 

a  new  stone  wall; 


p  foniact  with  each  other, 
nade  at  luiuble  intorvalii 


on  this  foundation  they  raised  a  larger  structure.  Having  thus  com- 
pletely enclosed  the  first  church,  they  took  it  down  and  removed  the 
whole,  with  only  the  loss  of  public  worship  for  three  sabbaths.  The 
neiv  edifice,  which  had  been  constructed  in  this  manner,  was  one 
story  high,  of  Gothic  appearance,  having  its  windows  richly  orna- 
mented with  coats  of  arms.  This  church,  of  which  the  preceding  en- 
graving is  a  representation,  stood  about  ninety-two  years  in  the  open 
area  formed  by  the  angle  of  State,  Market,  and  Court  streets.  It 
mas  taken  down  in  180G,  and  the  stone  of  which  it  was  constructed 
was  used  in  the  erection  of  the  South  Dutch  Church,  between  Hud- 
■on  and  Beaver  streets.  Fort  Orange,  on  the  river  bank,  appears  to 
have  been  but  a  slight  fortification.  In  1639,  a  complaint  was 
made  by  the  commandant  of  the  fort  to  Gov.  Stuyvesant,  stating 
*••  that  the  fort  was  in  a  miserable  state  of  decay,  and  that  the  hogs 
^d  destroyed  a  part  of  it."  A  later  work  built  of  stone  was  erected 
%i  the  river  hill,  at  the  wesi  end  of  State-street.  The  English  Church 
kros  just  below  it,  at  the  west  end  of  u  market. 
4  As  has  been  stated,  the  government  of  Beaver  wick,  or  Albany, 
while  under  the  Dutch  rule  was  rigid  and  arbitrary.  It  was  in  the 
Iteinds  of  three  or  more  "  commissaries,"  appointed  by  the  governor 
and  council,  who  usually  held  their  offices  for  one  year.     Without  the 

Crmission  of  the  commissaries,  no  one  was  allowed  to  build  houses, 
y  or  sell-  or  to  establish  manufactories,  stores,  shops,  taverns,  or 
leer-houses.  In  1047,  Jan  La  Battle  applied  for  permission  "to 
^ild  a  brewery,"  which  was  granted  "  on  his  paying  yearly  six  beav- 
trs,  a  duty  of  perhaps  of  about  eighty  dollars.  The  duties  were 
ifenerally  farmed  out,  or  sold  at  auction ;  and  during  this  year  and 
lEveral  years  afterward,  the  duties  on  beer  in  Beaverwick  exceeded 
bright  hundred  dollars.  The  fines  imposed  for  the  violation  of  ordi- 
ftances  were  generally  distributed  in  the  sentence  in  thij  way :  "  one 
^jjiird  to  the  church,  one  third  to  the  public,  and  one  third  to  the 
Ittorney-general." 

•J  "  Professor  Knlm,  who  visited  Albany  in  1749,  has  left  us  some  facts.  All  the  people 
pen  understood  Dutch.  All  the  houses  stood  gable  end  to  the  street ;  the  ends  were  of 
Jrick,  and  the  side  walls  of  planks  or  logs.  The  gutters  on  the  roofs  went  out  almost  to 
le  iiiiddio  of  iho  street,  greaily  annoying  travellers  in  their  discharge.  At  the  stoopes 
relies)  tlu'  people  spent  much  of  ihoir  time,  CBpeciiilly  on  the  shady  side;  and  in  the 
nings  they  were  filled  with  both  sexes.  The  streets  were  dirty  by  reason  of  the  cattle 
essing  their  free  use  during  the  summer  nights.  They  had  no  knowledge  of  stoves, 
tlieir  chimnies  were  so  wide  that  one  could  drive  through  them  with  a  cari  and  horses. 
ny  people  still  made  wiinipiim  to  sell  to  Indians  and  traders.  Dutch  manners  every. 
lere  prevailed;  but  their  drofs  in  general  was  after  the  English  form.  They  were  re. 
girded  as  close  in  traflic ;  were  very  frugal  in  their  house  economy  and  diet.  Their 
Wonirn  \wre  over-nice  in  cleanliness,  scouring  floors  and  kitchen  utensils  several  times  a 
week  ;  rising  very  early  oiid  going  to  sleep  very  late.  Their  servants  were  chiefly  negroei. 
Their  l)renkfust  wns  ti-a  wiihont  milk,  using  sugar  by  putting  a  small  bit  into  the  mouth. 

£leir  dinner  wns  bmiernnlk  ond  bread ;  and  if  to  that   ibey  added  sugar,  it  wax  deemed 
lkuHifi:'—\Vttt»on'»SkrtrhMo/Olilfn  Timet  in  New  Yotk. 

Albany  was  incnrporntod  ns  a  city,  under  Governor   Dongan's 

lininistration,  in  1«H({.     The  charter  limits  wore  one  mile  on  the 

Iver,  and  extended  northwest  to  the  north  line  of  the  manor  of  Rens- 

slacr,  and  retaining  that  width  thirteen  and  a  half  miles ;  the  fee  simple 


4'i 


Pi 


4 


48 


ALBANY    COUNTY. 


of  which  was  vested  in  the  corporation.  Its  bounds  were  enlarged 
bv  the  addition  of  part  of  the  small  town  of  Colonic,  m  1815,  which 
now  forms  the  fifth  ward.  The  government  of  the  city  is  now  lodged 
in  a  mayor,  recorder,  ten  aldermen,  and  ten  assistant  aldermen,  who 
are  annually  elected  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  May.  The  plat  on  which 
the  city  i':  uuilt  is  uneven.  A  low  alluvial  flat  extends  along  the  river 
from  fifteen  to  one  hundred  rods  wide;  west  of  which  rises  abruptly 
a  hill  of  clay  and  sand,  in  the  first  half  mile  one  hundred  and  filty- 
three  feet,  and  in  the  next  about  sixty-seven  feet  high ;  trom  this 
summit  the  country  extends  in  nearly  an  even  plain  to  Schenectady. 
The  position  of  Albany,  necessarily  makes  it  a  great  thoroughfare. 
The  completion  of  the  canals  has  given  it  a  great  commercial  im- 
portance, making  it  the  entrepot  for  a  great  proportion  of  the  pro- 
ducts  destined  for  the  New  York  market.  To  accommodate  this 
trade,  a  basin  has  been  constructed  by  the  citizens  on  the  river,  in 
which  all  the  northern  and  western  canal  boats  are  received.  It 
consists  of  part  of  the  river  included  between  the  shore  and  a  pier 
eighty  feet  wide,  and  four  thousand  three  hundred  feet  long.  The 
pier  contains  about  eight  acres,  on  which  stores  have  been  built,  and 
where  immense  quantities  of  lumber  and  other  articles  of  trade  are 
deposited.     The  basin  has  an  area  of  thirty-two  acres. 


State  and  City  Halls,  Albany. 

The  above  is  a  west  view  of  the  State  and  City  Halls,  the  fronts 
of  which  face  the  Academy  Park,  a  small  section  of  which  appears 
on  the  left.  The  building  on  the  right  is  the  City  Hall,  constructed 
of  white  marble,  hewed  out  by  the  state  prisoners,  at  Sing  Sing,  and 
distinguished  above  all  other  edifices  in  this  country  by  its  gilded 
dome,  like  the  Invalidcs  at  Paris.  It  was  completed  in  December,  1832. 
In  the  rotunda  <»f  this  building  there  is  a  statue  of  Hamilton,  a  cony 
of  that  by  Cirecnough,  in  the  Merchants'  Exchange,  destroyed  by  the 
great  fire  in  New  York,  in  1835.  There  are  also  two  designs  in  bass- 
relief,  executed  by  W.Coffee,  at  th(^  cost  of  the  citizens,  commemoro- 
tivo  of  Do  Witt  Clinton  and  Sir  Walter  Scott.    A  bust  of  each  is 


^^r 


AI.BANY    COUNTY. 


4U 


ivere  enlarged 
[1  1815,  which 
is  now  lodged 
Idermen,  who 
plat  on  which 
ilong  the  river 
rises  abruptly 
ired  and  filty- 
gh;  from  this 

Schenectady, 
thoroughfare. 
)mmercial  im- 
m  of  the  pro- 
•mmodate  this 
>n  the  river,  in 

received.  It 
ore  and  a  pier 
let  long.  The 
3een  built,  and 
s  of  trade  are 


^alis,  the  fronts 
which  appears 
ill,  constructed 
Sing  Sing,  and 
r  by  its  gilded 
ecember,  1832. 
imilton,  a  cony 
stroyed  by  the 
iesigns  inbass- 
!.  cotnmetnoro- 
bust  of  each  is 


introduced  in  the  designs ;  that  of  Clinton  is  surrounded  by  figures, 
representing  Commerce,  Agriculture,  Science,  a  canal  lock,  &c.  The 
bust  of  ScoU  is  accompanied  with  a  female  figure,  presenting  a  volume 
inscribed  "  Marmion ;"  the  words  "  Minstrel"  and  "  Waverly"  appear 
on  a  scroll  below  ;  the  Genius  of  History,  Fame,  and  the  emblems  of 
death  and  immortality,  arc  also  introduced.  The  New  State  Hall,  par- 
tially seen  on  the  left,  was  commenced  in  1835.  It  covers  an  area  of 
one  hundred  and  thirty-eight  by  eighty-eight  feet,  and  is  sixty-five  feet 
in  height.  The  materials  of  the  building  are  brick  and  stone ;  the 
exterior  faced  with  marble,  from  Mount  Pleasant ;  the  ceilings  are 
arched  with  brick,  and  the  whole  fire-proof.  This  edifice  contains 
the  offices  of  the  secretary  of  state,  comptroller,  treasurer,  attorney- 
general,  surveyor-general,  &.c. 


East  View  of  the  Capitol  at  Albany. 

The  above  is  an  eastern  view  of  the  capitol,  situated  at  the  head 
of  State-street,  one  hundred  and  thirty  feet  above  the  level  of  the 
river.  It  is  substantially,  built  of  stone,  at  an  cTipense  of  #120,000,  of 
which  the  city  corporation  paid  #31,000.  The  hall  of  the  rei)re- 
sentatives  and  the  senate  chamber,  each  contain  full  length  portraits 
of  Washington,  and  of  several  governors  of  the  state.  1  he  Academy 
is  on  the  north  side  of  the  public  s(|uare ;  is  a  fine  building,  con- 
structed of  Nyac  stone,  three  stones  high  and  ninety  feet  front; 
cost,  nt  the  city  charge,  #00,000,  exclusive  of  the  site  and  some  im- 
}»ortant  dcmations.  The  Albany  Institute  has  commodious  apartments 
in  the  Academy.  Its  library  contains  about  two  thousand  volumes, 
and  its  museum  more  than  ten  thoijsand  specimens  in  geology, 
mineralogy,  botany,  coins,  engravings,  casts,  <fec.  It  publishes  its 
transactions  from  time  to  time,  and  hns  a  high  r<'f)Utation  abroad. 
The  Albany  Female  Academy,  is  a  beautiful  building,  erected  by  a 
company  incorporated  February,  1821  ;  this  institution  hns  a  high 
reputation.     The  ExchanL'c.  Stunwix  Hull,  the  Museunu  .«/:d  sevrttl 

7 


i 


( 


W 


50 


ALBANY   COUNTY. 


of  the  churches,  are  fine  buildings.  The  Atheneum,  was  established 
in  1827  ;  the  Albany  Library,  established  in  1792,  and  now  connected 
with  the  Atheneum,  has  about  nine  thousand  volumes. 

There  are  six  banks,  viz: — Bank  of  Albany,  incorporated  in  1792; 
capital,  $240,000.  New  York  State  Bank,  incorporated  1803;  capi- 
tal,  $369,600.  Mechanics  and  Farmers' Bank,  incorporated  1811; 
capital,  $442,000.  Commercial  Bank,  incorporated  1825;  capital, 
$300,000.  Canal  Bank,  incorporated  1829;  capital,  $300,000.  Al- 
bany  City  Bank,  incorporated  1834  ;  capital,  $500,000.  The  Albany 
Savings  Bank  was  incorporated  in  1820. 

There  are  25  churches :  4  Presbyterian ;  1  Associate  do. ;  3 
Dutch  Reformed ;  4  Methodist  Episcopal ;  1  Protestant  Methodist ; 
1  Colored  do. ;  3  Baptist ;  1  Colored  do. ;  2  Catholic ;  3  Episcopa- 
lian ;  1  Friends ;  1  Universalist.  Population,  33,663.  Albany  is 
distant  from  New  York  148  miles  ;  /i-om  Washington  city,  376  ;  Phil- 
adelphia, 237 ;  Boston,  171;  Hartford,  92  ;  Montreal,  247  ;  Quebec, 
394  ;  Detroit,  664  ;  Buffalo  via  Utica  by  land,  296  ;  via  Cherry  Val- 
ley, 282  ;   by  the  canal,  363. 

Upon  the  northern  bounds  of  the  city  is  the  mansion  house  of  the 
late  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  Esq.,  the  patroon  of  the  manor  of  Rons- 
selaerwick.  It  is  almost  entirely  surrounded  by  a  thick  forest  of 
trees,  giving  it  an  unusually  retired  aspect.  "  The  name  of  this  gen- 
tleman can  scarcely  be  mentioned  without  a  passing  tr.bute  to  his 
merit.  Blessed  with  great  wealth,  which  so  frequently  leads  to  sel- 
fish egot.sm  and  exclusiveness,  he  has  through  life  been  distinguished 
as  an  active  and  efficient  public  man  ;  bestowing  his  personal  services 
and  his  fortune,  to  the  encouragement  of  every  species  of  improve- 
ment in  literature,  science,  and  art.  His  name,  as  a  benefactor,  is 
associated  With  most  of  the  charitable  and  scientific  institutions  of  the 
state  ;  and  he  has  perhaps  done  more  than  any  other  citizen  to  foster 
agriculture  and  internal  improvements." — Gordon's  Gaz. 

Berne,  centrally  distant  west  from  Albany  20  miles,  was  taken 
from  Rtnsselaerville  in  1795.  Population,  3',740.  This  town  was 
settled  (lur,ng  the  revolutionary  war,  by  a  number  of  Scotch  families. 
Berne,  East  Berne,  and  Readsville,  are  the  names  of  postoffices. 
Centrcville,  is  a  small  village.  The  lands  in  this  town  are  leased  by 
Mr.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Bktiii,i:iieivi,  the  first  town  south  from  Albany,  was  taken  from 
Wutervliet,  in  1703.  Pop.  3,225.  The  ffafs  on  Hudson  river  are 
inhabited  by  the  descendants  of  the  early  Dutch  settlers.  There  are 
here  extensive  limestone  caves,  one  of  which  has  been  explored  for 
about  a  ouarter  of  a  mile.  Coeyman's  creek  and  the  Normans  kill, 
afford  valuable  hydraulic  power.  Cedar  Hill  postoffice,  on  the  Hud- 
son, is  8  miles  south  from  Albany.  Mills  Island,  a  fertile  tract  in 
the  Hudson,  lies  partly  in  the  town. 

CoEYMANs,  taken  from  Watervliet  in  1791.  Pop.  3,107.  It  was 
early  settled  by  tlu;  Dutch,  and  received  its  name  from  one  of  the  first 
settlers,  himself  a  pntprietor.  Coeyman's  village,  at  the  junction  of 
Cov-yman's  creek  with  the  Hudson,  i4  miles  south  of  Albuuvj  includ- 


t 


vas  established 
now  connected 

orated  in  1792; 
ed  1803;  capi- 
rporated  1811; 
1825;  capital, 
$300,000.  AN 
'.     The  Albany 

sociate  do. ;  3 
ant  Methodist; 
I ;  3  Episcopa- 
33.  Albany  is 
%,  376;  Phil- 
,  247 ;  Quebec, 
ia  Cherry  Val- 

)n  house  of  the 
manor  of  Rcns- 
thick  forest  of 
me  of  this  gen- 
g  tribute  to  his 
tly  leads  to  sel- 
;n  distinguished 
srsonal  services 
;ies  of  improve- 
1  benefactor,  is 
stitutions  of  the 
citizen  to  foster 

lies,  was  taken 
Phis  town  was 
Scotch  families, 
of  postofficcs. 
ti  are  leased  by 

'as  taken  from 
dson  river  are 
rs.  There  are 
)n  explored  for 
!  Normans  kill, 
3e,  on  the  Hud- 
fertile  tract  in 

3,107.  It  Wfis 
one  of  the  first 
the  junction  of 
fVlbanv,  iuclud- 


ALBANY    COUNTY.  »>i 

* 

ing  the  Square,  contains  150  dwellings.  Coeyman's  Hollow,  is  a  post 
village,  in  the  central  part  of  the  town  on  Hawnakrans  kill. 

GuiLDERLAND,  taken  from  Watervliet  in  1803.  Pop.  2,790.  Guild- 
erland,  West  Guilderland,  Guilderland  Centre,  and  Dunsville,  are 
postoffices.     The  town  is  centrally  distant  from  Albany  10  miles. 

Knox,  taken  from  Berne  in  1822.  Pop.  2,143.  The  lands  are 
leased  by  Mr.  Van  Rensselaer. .  Knoxville,  or  Union  Street,  21  miles 
west  from  Albany,  has  about  30  dwellings. 

New  Scotland,  taken  from  Bethlehem  in  1832.  Pop.  2,914.  New 
Scotland,  8  miles  southwest  of  Albany,  has  about  40  dwelhngs. 
New  Salem,  Clarksville,  Union  Church,  are  postoffices.  Callagan's 
Corners,  is  a  small  settlement  in  the  southeast  part  of  the  town. 

Rensselaerville,  taken  from  Watervliet  in  1790.  Pop.  3,712. 
Rensselaerville,  a  village  of  about  125  dwellings,  is  situated  on  Ten 
Mile  creek,  at  the  junction  of  the  Albany,  Delaware,  and  Greenville 
tiinpikes,  24  miles  southwest  from  Albany.     The  following  view 


Northeasfem  View  of  Rensselaerville. 

was  taken  near  the  Episcopal  chinch  seen  on  the  left.  The  church 
on  the  hill  is  the  Presbyterian,  and  that  on  the  right  the  Methodist. 
Tiie  Baptist  church  is  not  seen  from  this  point.  On  the  Ten  Mile 
creek  there  is  an  artihcial  reservoir  or  dam,  Hooding  80  or  100  acres, 
which  aflbrds  great  hydraulic  power.  This  stream  approaches  the 
village  through  the  ravine,  seen  between  the  hills  in  the  engraving, 
and  in  the  course  of  half  a  mile  falls  150  or  200  feet.  In  1788,  the 
first  mill  in  this  town  was  erected  by  Messrs.  Samuel  Jenkins  and  .Toel 
Culver  on  this  creek,  near  the  site  of  the  village.  This  town  was 
first  settled  during  the  revolution  by  Mr.  Henry  Vandyke,  an  elderly 
gentleman,  who  located  himself  in  the  southwest  nart.  Samuel  Jen- 
kins, Melatiah  and  Nathaniel  Hatch,  Joseph  Woodford,  Thomas 
Brown,  Joel  Culver  Jonathan  Crocker,  Ashbel  Culver  and  others, 
•ettled  here  about  1788.     They  were  mostly  young  men,  from  (^on- 


Iti-  11 


63 


ALBANY    COUNTY. 


necticut,  Massachusetts,  and  Dutchess  county.  They  built  their  log 
cabins,  cooked  their  provisions,  remained  during  warm  weather,  and  in 
winter  returned  east.  These  first  settlers  were  very  poor.  For  the 
first  year  or  two,  not  a  horse  was  owned  within  a  mile  of  the  yillasfe, 
and  they  were  obliged  to  carry  their  maple  sugar  20  or  30  miles  _  n 
their  backs,  exchange  it  for  corn,  and  return  in  the  same  mannf^r. 
The  first  log  cabin  in  the  village  was  located  on  the  spot  where  Mr. 
Charles  L.  Mumford's  store  now  stands,  and  was  erected  by  Mr. 
Samuel  Jenkins.  In  the  hollow  near  the  village,  the  tories,  during 
the  revolutionary  war,  had  a  secret  place  of  rendezvous.  Here  they 
built  a  hut  of  bass-wood  logs,  oblong  in  its  form,  with  the  logs 
meeting  at  the  top,  and  capable  of  holding  50  or  100  men.  An 
unsuccessful  attempt  was  made  to  surprise  them.  The  military  road, 
built  during  the  old  French  war,  between  Athens  and  Schoharie,  pass- 
ed a  little  west  of  the  village  site.  Preston  Hollow,  30  miles  south- 
west of  Albany,  on  the  Athens  and  Cherry  Valley  turnpike,  has  about 
40  dwellings.  Potter's  Hollow,  2  miles  south  of  the  above,,  and  Hall's 
Mills,  about  5  rniles  south  from  Rensselaerville,  are  small  settlements, 
having  postoflices. 

The  following  account  of  the  captivity  of  two  lads,  John  and  Rob- 
ert Brice,  is  drawn  from  a  pamphlet  by  Mr.  Josiah  Priest,  entitled 
"  The  Captive  Boys  of  Rensselaerville." 

The  paronts  of  these  children  emigrated  from  Scotland  in  1774,  and  settled  in  that  part 
of  the  Reiisselaerwick  patent  formerly  comprised  in  the  limits  of  this  town,  but  now  in 
those  of  Berne.  The  war  of  the  revolution  liad  raged  with  various  success  for  about  four 
years,  when  the  few  scattered  families  of  this  vicinity  began  to  be  in  constant  fear  from  the 
incursions  of  the  tories  End  Indians,  who  had  now  commenced  their  depredations  and  acts  of 
cold-blooded  cruelty  upon  the  inhabitants  in  the  neighhorhood  of  Old  Schoharie.  The 
family  of  Mr.  Brice,  having  got  out  of  bread,  sent  one  morning  on  horseback,  Robert,  the 
youngest  of  the  two  boys,  who  was  then  about  eleven  years  of  age,  with  a  bag  of  meal  to 
get  groiuid  at  a  place  called  the  Beaver  Dam,  eight  or  nine  miles  distant  from  their  dwell, 
ing.  He  arrived  safely  at  the  mill,  in  company  with  three  other  lads,  who  went  thither  on 
a  similar  errand.  By  the  time  their  meal  was  ready,  the  day  was  far  spent  j  and  as  their 
route  back  mostly  lay  through  a  long  and  drrp  forest,  they  all  but  little  Robert  concluded 
to  remain  with  the  miller  overnight.  John  Brice,  the  elder  of  the  two  boys,  was  at  this 
time  at  work  with  a  farmer  by  the  name  of  Johannes  Deitz,  who  resided  about  three  miles 
Oom  the  mill,  and  thither  Robert  was  determined  tc  go  and  spend  the  night,  and  return 
the  remainder  of  the  way  home  on  the  next  morning.  The  bag  of  meal  being  placed  on 
the  horse,  the  little  lillow  pursued  his  lonel/  way  through  the  wilderness.  It  was  i>ear  the 
commencement  of  twilifrht,  the  last  beams  of  ihe  descending  sun  were  flashing  their  golden 
glare  among  tiie  peaks  of  the  mountains,  when,  on  approaching  the  house  where  he  intended 
to  have  passed  the  night,  an  Indian  horribly  painted  rose  up  suddenly  from  the  roadside, 
and  seizing  the  bridle  of  the  horse,  without  saying  a  word,  or  seeming  to  iiotirc  the  rider, 
lead  the  horse  directly  towards  the  house.  On  passing  the  barn  door,  the  boy  was  inspired 
with  additional  terror  on  beholding  old  Mr.  Deitz  lying  on  the  ground  weltering  in  iiis 
blood.  Between  the  house  and  barn,  he  saw  in  a  similar  situation  the  wives  of  old  Mr. 
Deitz  and  son,  with  four  small  children  of  the  latter,  and  a  servant  giri,  in  all  eight  persons, 
their  newly  shed  blood  scarcely  yet  cooled  in  the  evening  air.  He  now  porceiv  d  the 
house  to  be  full  of  Indians,  hideously  painted,  busily  and  silently  employed  in  carrying  out 
its  contents — provisions,  clothing,  &.c.  In  casting  his  eye  around,  he  beheld  at  a  little  dis. 
tance  from  the  house  his  brother  John  and  Captain  Deitz,  the  son  of  the  old  man,  lied  to 
B  tree,  prisoners.  The  work  of  robbery  and  butchery  being  accomplished,  the  Indians 
packed  their  plunder  on  the  backs  of  several  horses  which  they  had  stolen,  and  hurried  from 
the  place.  They  had  gone  but  a  little  way  from  the  scene  of  butchery,  when  hearing  a 
crackling  noise  behind  them,  the  lads  looked  back,  and  saw  the  house,  barn,  and  outhouses 
^  in  fl«ma>!     The  first  aight  of  their  esptivitj'  tliey  slept  within  a  sr.ila  of  thsir  psrvH?*,  is 


ALBANY    COUNTT. 


53 


V  built  their  log 

weather,  and  in 

poor.     For  the 

le  of  the  village, 

)  or  30  miles  ,n 

3  same  manner. 

spot  where  Mr. 

erected  by  Mr. 

e  tories,  during 

lus.     Here  they 

1,  with  the  logs 

100  men.     An 

le  military  road, 

Schoharie,  pass- 

30  miles  south- 

npike,  has  about 

bove,.and  Hall's 

aall  settlements, 

John  and  Rob- 
Priest,  entitled 


id  settled  in  that  part 
lis  town,  but  now  in 
uccess  for  about  four 
onstant  fear  from  the 
ireduuons  and  acts  of 
)ld  Schoharie.  The 
(rseback,  Robert,  the 
/ith  a  bag  of  meal  to 
int  from  their  dwell, 
who  went  thither  on 
r  spent ;  and  as  their 
tie  Robert  concluded 
ivo  boys,  was  at  this 
led  about  three  miles 
;he  night,  and  return 
leal  being  placed  on 
ess.  It  was  near  the 
flashing  their  golden 
se  where  he  intended 
ly  from  the  roadside, 
f  to  notice  the  rider, 
the  boy  was  inspired 
und  weltering  in  liis 
he  wives  of  old  Mr. 
,  in  all  eight  persons, 
e  now  pcrceiv  ,d  the 
loyed  in  carrying  out 
beheld  at  a  little  dis. 
the  old  man,  tied  to 
iplished,  the  Indians 
len,  and  hurried  from 
ery,  when  hearing  a 
,  barn,  and  outhouses 
s  nf  fh?Lr  psrf  n's,  is 


■  the  arms  of  the  savages.  Early  the  next  morning  they  resumed  their  flight ;  their  progress 
was  slow  tlirough  the  woods,  occasioned  by  the  bulkiness  of  their  baggage,  while  they 
directed  their  way  towards  the  head  waters  of  the  Cattskill  creek,  sleeping  that  night  some- 
where in  the  neighborhood  of  what  is  now  called  Potter's  Hollow,  a  few  miles  southwest 
of  Oakhill,  in  Greene  county.  From  this  place  they  again  set  off"  in  the  morning  towards 
the  Schoharie  river,  and  at  the  close  of  the  day,  while  ascendin/-;  to  the  height  of  land  aim. 
ing  to  reach  the  river  above  Middleburgh,  the  Indians  suddenly  became  very  much  alanned. 
News,  it  appeared,  h^id  reached  the  garrison  at  Schoharie  of  the  outrage,  and  they  had 
sent  out  a  party  to  intercept  the  Indians  in  their  retreat ;  but  the  savages  had  discovered 
them  in  season  not  to  be  surprised.  Abandoning  their  horses,  plunder  and  all,  the  three 
prisoners  and  eight  scalps  excepted,  the  Indians  fled  into  the  woods  on  the  side  of  the  ridge, 
and  the  darkness  of  night  soon  hid  them  from  the  fury  of  their  pursuers.  If  they  had  not 
been  disturbed  in  their  course,  their  intention  was  to  have  availed  themselves  of  the  war. 
rior's  path  on  the  Schoharie  river,  leading  to  the  place  called  Brake-a-hin,  from  thence  to 
Harpersfield,  and  so  on  to  the  Susquehannah,  the  Chemung,  Genesee,  and  Niagara.  As 
soon  as  it  was  day,  having  slept  that  night  without  fire,  they  set  forward  again,  much  cast 
down  in  their  minds ;  pursuing  the  range  of  the  mountain  till  somewhere  near  Gilboa,  they 
crossed  the  creek,  and  passed  on  through  the  woods  to  Harpersfield ;  from  thence  to  the 
Charlotte  river,  coming  to  the  Susquehannah  at  McDaniel's  Mills,  since  so  called,  and 
thence  onward  down  that  river  to  the  Oquago. 

Having  now  1  st  all  their  provisions,  they  felt  the  sufferings  of  hunger,  and  had  no  way  to 
relieve  themselves,  lest  their  tell-tale  guns  should  report  them  to  their  pursuers.     Three 
days  and  nights  they  were  compelled  to  subsist  on  nothing  except  what  the  bushes  might 
afford — wintergreens,  birch  bark,  and  now  and  then  a  few  wild  berries.    Captain  Deitz  was 
t  peculiar  sufferer,  as  suspended  from  a  stick  were  the  aged  scalps  of  his  father  and 
pother,  his  wife  and  the  iovx  bloody  memorials  of  his  babes,  adorned  with  the  half-grown 
jhair  of  their  infant  heads.    These  were  constantly  in  his  view,  and  often  slapped  in  his 
fcce  by  the  savage  warrior.     Captain  Deitz  finally  died  at  Montreal  with  a  broken  heart, 
©n  the  third  day,  when  not  far  from  the  mouth  of  the  Unadilla  river,  they  considered  them, 
•elves  out  of  danger,  consequently  travelled  more  at  leisure,  stopping  frequently  to  hunt.    At 
fuch  times,  as  when  they  went  out  to  hunt  a  day,  intending  to  return  by  night,  the  Indians 
always  bound  Captain  Deitz  and  Robert's  brother  to  a  tree,  laying  them  flat  on  their  backs, 
jvith  their  legs  a  httle  elevated  to  a  limb ;  in  this  uneasy  posture  they  were  compelled  to 
suffer  till  their  return.    The  owner  of  Robert  had  received  a  wound  in  the  leg,  when  the 
party  were  pursued  by  the  detachment  from  the  garrison  at  Schoharie,  and  after  a  few  days 
travelling,  he  became  so  lame  as  to  be  unable  to  travel  as  fast  as  his  companions.    The 
poor  boy  was  now  separated  from  his  brother  and  Captain  Deitz,  and  was  left  behind  with 
his  master  and  two  other  Indians.    The  first  intimation  to  tlie  boy  that  they  had  arrived  in 
ihe  Genesee  or  Indian  country,  were  the  yells  which  they  uttered,  and  the  responses  they 
received  from  a  great  distance,  which  were  continued  until  within  sight  of  each  other. 
Here  commenced  a  persecution  which  the  Httle  fellow  had  not  anticipated ;  for  the  Indian 
children  about  his  size  and  age  immediately  fell  upon  him  with  their  whips  and  fists,  amus. 
|ng  themselves  to  see  him  jump  about  and  cry.    He  fled  for  protection  to  his  master,  but 
•btamed  none  from  that  quarter.    His  next  resort  was  to  fly  to  a  hut,  although  full  of  Indians, 
£1  laughing  at  his  misfortunes;  he  sprang  in  among  them,  trembling,  pale,  and  bleeding, 
prhen  his  pursuers  desisted.     Whenever  they  approached  an  Indian  settlement,  the  same 
tmmous  yells  were  renewed,  when  the  same  sort  of  persecution  again  befell  him;  but  as 
|tocessiiy  at  first  had  taught  him  to  fly  to  a  hut,  so  he  now  had  learned  to  press  forward 
jrith  all  his  power  to  the  door  of  the  first  wigwam  which  offered  to  his  view,  never  being 
llpulsed  on  his  entry.     Four  times  on  passing  from  one  settlement  to  another,  he  experi. 
•need  the  same  sort  of  treatment ;  which  custom  at'  one  time  had  neariy  cost  him  his  life. 
An  Indian  lad  much  larger  than  himself,  who  ought,  even  according  to  their  notions  of 
4lgnity  and  manners,  to  have  known  better,  knocked  him  down  with  a  club,  but  he  sprang 

S),  and  soon  found  the  accustomed  asylum,  drenched  in  blood.  At  length,  the  three  Iru 
ans  came  to  a  place  called  the  Nine  Mile  Landing,  on  Lake  Ontario,  where  was  the 

|ome  ot  his  master.    Here  fhey  shaved  his  head  and  adorned  it  with  feathers,  and  painted 

Mm  alter  their  manner,  intending  to  bring  him  up  as  an  Indian,  taking  him  with  them  on 
meir  hshing  and  hunting  parties,  initiating  him  as  fast  as  possible  into  their  mode  of  living. 

A  few  weeks  after,  his  master  took  him  to  Fort  Erie,  opposite  to  where  Buffalo  now  stands. 

ttld  sold  him  for  fifteen  dollars  to  the  captain  of  a  vessel  on  Lake  Erie,  who  was  a  Scotch. 

■lan.  from  this  time  he  saw  his  Indian  acquaintance  no  more,  going  immediately  with  hia 
|ew  master  to  Detroit.  Supposing  that  if  he  continued  with  the  captain,  and  followed  a 
fBB.fanng  life,  all  opportumty  would  be  forever  lost  of  returning  to  his  parents,  he  contrived 
#  plea  to  be  left  at  Detroit,  to  which  hia  master  conaented-    At  this  plac-  he  '-Riwsjsd  —^ 


54 


ALBANY    COUNTY. 


the  close  of  the  revolutionary  war,  when,  according  to  the  articles  of  peace,  the  pnsoneni  of 
both  countries  were  to  be  sent  to  their  homes.  His  brother,  at  the  time  of  their  separatton 
wl  sent  to  Fort  Niagara,  and  he.  in  company  with  Robert  and  many  others,  we  e  released 
Tnd  sent  to  their  respective  homes.-Robert  Brice  is  now,  or  was  recently,  suU  Imng  m 
Bethlehem  in  this  county ;  a  respected  citizen  of  the  farmer  class. 

Wateevliet  was  organized  in  1788.  Pop.,  including  West  Troy, 
10  146.  It  includes  the  islands  in  the  Hudson  on  the  east ;  centrally 
dis'tant  north  from  Albany  C  miles,  extending  10  miles  aong  the 
Mohawk  river,  and  its  lowest  branch  or  sprout,  and  6  J  along  the 
Hudson.  Havers,  Van  Schaicks  or  Cahoes,  and  Green  or  Tibbets 
islands,  are  formed  by  sprouts  of  the  Mohawk.  They  were  occupied 
by  the  American  army  under  General  Gates,  m  1777.  The  lands  of 
the  town  are  principally  comprised  in  the  manor  of  Rensselaerwick. 
Cahoes,  Neskayuna,  and  West  Troy,  are  villages.  The  small  but 
flourishing  manufacturing  village  cf  Cahoes  is  situated  near  the  talis, 
on  the  bank  of  the  Mohawk,  within  a  short  distance  of  the  junction 
of  the  Erie  and  Champlain  canals.  The  water-power  developed 
here  is  very  great,  and  the  advantages  of  this  position  for  manufac- 
tures,  are  among  the  best  in  the  state. 

"  The  Cahoes  Falls,  in  full  view  of  the  village,  and  seen  with  special  advantage  from  the 
bridge,  have  a  total  descent  of  78  feet,  and  a  perpendicular  pitch  of  about  40.  Above  the  cat 
aract,  the  bank  on  the  lef'  has  nearly  100  feet  perpendicular  elevation,  and  below,  170  feet. 
On  the  right  above  the  pitch,  the  bank  is  low  ;  but  below  it,  the  shore  is  between  80  and  ilO 
feet  high ;  below  the  falls  the  river  runs  in  a  deep,  rocky  and  broken  bed  for  a  short  din. 
tance,  expanded  into  the  placid  pool  formed  by  the  state  dam,  and  ghdes  over  that  dam  in 
one  lovely  sheet  of  about  §  of  a  mile  in  length,  whose  gentle  fall  of  7  feet  makes  a  pleasant 
contrast  with  the  great  cataract  above.  In  floods,  the  whole  bed  at  the  latter  is  covered 
with  water,  which  descends  in  one  unbroken  torrent  about  900  feet  wide.  At  such  sea. 
sons,  the  high  rocky  barriers  which  confine  the  stream,  the  roar  of  the  cataract,  the  dash. 
ing  of  the  troubled  waters  as  they  descend  the  rapids,  and  the  striking  assimilation  of  the 
torrent  with  the  wilderness  above,  give  to  the  scene  unusual  sublimity." 

West  Troy,  incorporated  in  1836,  comprising  Gibbonsville,  Wa- 
terviiet,  and  Port  Schuyler,  is  situated  upon  the  Hudson,  opposite 
Troy  {.^^^  ^^^'^  <*/ 

TVoy.]  A  communication  is  constantly  kept  up  with  it  by  ferries, 
and  a  fine  macadamized  road  6  miles  in  length  along  the  river  con- 
nects it  with  Albany.  A  valuable  water-power  is  derived  from  the 
Junction  canal,  and  used  at  the  arsenal  and  other  works.  The  village 
has,  by  the  census  of  1840,  a  population  of  4,607 ;  and  enjoying  all  the 
advantages  of  navigation  possessed  by  Troy,  grows  rapidly.  The 
United  States  arsenal,  located  here,  comprises  several  extensive 
buildings  of  stone  and  brick,  in  which  there  are  a  large  quantity  of 
arms,  with  workshops  for  their  repair.  Among  the  cannon  are  some 
pieces  taken  at  Saratoga  and  at  Yorktown ;  others,  presented  to  the 
United  States  by  Louis  XIV.,  with  some  cast  in  New  York  and  Phil- 
adelphia during  the  revolution.  A.  suburb  of  Troy,  called 
North  Troy,  has  been  laid  out  upon  Tibbets  island,  upon  which  is 
the  railroad  depot. 

At  Neskayuna,  there  is  a  small  society  of  Shakers,  which  was 
established  here  in  September,  1776,  by  Ann  Lee.  They  own  2,000 
meres  of  good  land,  well  cultivated  and  divided  into  four  farms,  on 


ALBANY   COUNTY. 


55 


peace,  the  prisoners  of 
ime  of  their  separation, 
y  others,  were  released 
recently,  still  living  in 

iding  West  Troy, 
le  east ;  centrally 
miles  along  the 
nd  6i  along  the 
jreen  or  Tibbets 
ey  were  occupied 
7.  The  lands  of 
"  Rensselaerwick. 
.  The  small  but 
ted  near  the  falls, 
e  of  the  junction 
power  developed 
tion  for  manufac- 


;ial  advantage  from  the 
out  40.  Above  the  cat. 
in,  and  below,  170  feet. 
e  is  between  80  and  ilO 
ien  bed  for  a  short  dis. 
ghdes  over  that  dam  in 
'  feet  makes  a  pleasant 
at  the  latter  is  covered 
et  wide.  At  such  sea. 
°  the  cataract,  the  dash. 
:ing  aseimilation  of  the 
ty." 

jibbonsville,  Wa- 
Hudson,  opposite 
[(See  view  of 
with  it  by  ferries, 
ng  the  river  con- 
derived  from  the 
)rks.  The  village 
nd  enjoying  all  the 
ws  rapidly.  The 
several  extensive 
,  large  quantity  of 
!  cannon  are  some 
3,  presented  to  the 
3w  York  and  Phil- 
I  of  Troy,  called 
nd,  upon  which  is 

akers,  which  was 

They  own  2,000 

ato  four  farms,  on 


each  of  which  is  a  family,  the  whole  amounting  to  about  80  persons 
of  both  sexes  and  afl  ages.  From  a  very  small  beginning,  the  society 
has  grown  into  several  communities,  the  largest  of  which  is  estab- 
Ushed  at  New  Lebanon,  Columbia  county. 

Ann  Lee,  or  "  Mother  Ann,"  (as  she  is  usually  called,)  was  bom  at 
Manchester,  England.  About  the  year  1758,  she  joined  herself  to  the 
society  of  Shakers,  so  called  from  the  singular  tremblings  and  shak- 
ings with  which  these  people  were  affected  at  their  religious  meetings. 
According  to  the  account  given  by  her  biographer,  she  passed 
through  great  trial  and  distress  of  mind  for  the  space  of  nine  years, 
during  which  period  she  had  many  visions  and  revelations.  She  set 
up  herself  as  a  religious  teacher,  and  soon  collected  a  number  of  fol- 
lowers, who  believed  her  to  be  the  "  elect  lady,"  spoken  of  in  the  2d 
of  John.  After  having  been  imprisoned  in  England  and  confined  in 
a  madhouse,  she  set  sail  for  America,  in  the  spnng  of  1774,  with  a 
number  of  her  followers ;  particularly,  Abraham  Stanley,  her  hus- 
band, William  Lee,  her  brother,  James  Whitaker  and  John  Hock- 
nell;  and  arrived  at  New  York  the  following  August.  It  appears 
that  Mother  Ann  remained  in  New  York  nearly  two  years,  and  then 
went  to  Albany,  and  thence,  in  the  following  September,  to  Neska- 
yuna.  In  1781,  she  began  a  progress  through  various  parts  of  the 
country,  particularly  of  New  England,  which  lasted,  we  are  told, 
•bout  two  years  and  four  months.  She  died  in  1784.  The  follow- 
tog  lines  are  from  a  book  entitled  "  Christ's  Second  Appearing ;"  they 
tre  extracted  from  a  poem  called  "  A  Memorial  to  Mother  Ann," 
and  will  serve  to  show  in  what  light  she  is  viewed  by  her  followers. 

At  Manchester,  in  England,  this  burning  truth  began, 
When  Christ  made  his  appearance  in  blessed  Mother  Ann  : 
A  few  at  first  received  it  and  did  their  lust  forsake, 
And  soon  their  testimony  brought  on  a  mighty  shake. 

For  Mother's  safe  protection,  good  angels  flew  before. 
Towards  the  land  of  promise,  Columbia's  happy  shore; 
Hail,  thou  victorious  Gospel,  and  that  auspicious  day. 
When  Mother  safely  landed  in  North  America. 

About  four  years  she  labor'd  with  the  attentive  throng 
While  all  their  sins  they  open'd  and  righted  ev'ry  wrong  t 
At  length  she  cldsed  her  labors  and  vanish'd  out  of  sight. 
And  left  her  faithful  children  increasing  in  the  light. 


^' 


*'_ 


How  much  they  are  mistaken  who  think  that  Mother's  dead. 
When  through  her  ministrations  so  many  souls  are  fed ' 
In  union  with  the  Father,  she  is  he  second  Eve, 
Dispensing  full  salvation  to  aU  who  do  believe. 


Westerlo,  taken  from  Coeymans  and  Rensselaer  in  1815.  Pop. 
[)96.  Centrally  distant  from  Albany,  southwest,  21  miles.  The 
'estern  part  pertams  to  the  manor  of  Rensselaerwick ;  the  eastern 
jr  IS  m  Coeyman's  Patent.  The  Dutch  and  Germans  commenced 
pulements  m  1759,  around  the  lowlands.  In  1794,  they  were  much 
tocreased  by  the  arrival  of  many  emigrants  from  New  England. 
Pisbrows  and  South  Westerlo  are  postoffices. 


56 


ALLEGANY  COUNTY. 


■<    ii   J 


10  ! 


ALLEGANY  COUNTY. 

Aliegany  county  was  taken  from  Genesee  in  1806.  It  is  44 
miles  long,  28  wide,  being  part  of  the  tract  ceded  to  Massachusetts. 
The  two  western  tiers  of  towns  are  within  the  Holland  Land  tom- 
pany's  purchase.  The  Genesee  river  flows  through  the  county  by  a 
deep  channel,  depressed  from  five  hundred  to  eight  liundred  feet  below 
the  higher  hills.  By  an  act  passed  in  1828,  this  river  was  declared 
a  pubhc  highway  from  Rochester  to  the  Pennsylvania  line.  The  soil 
is  of  a  good  quality,  there  being  extensive  tracts  of  alluvion,  and  the 
uplands  embrace  a  variety.  The  northern  part  is  best  for  grain,  but 
as  a  whole  it  is  better  for  grazing.  Wheat  and  com  thrive  well  in 
the  valley  and  on  the  river  flats.  Of  the  former,  twenty-five  bushels 
an  acre  are  an  average  crop,  and  of  the  latter  forty.  On  the  upland, 
com,  rye,  potatoes,  oats,  and  buckwheat,  are  productive  crops.  The 
growth  of  forest  trees  being  heavy,  lumbering  is  carried  on  exten- 
sively. The  Rochester  and  Olean  canal,  chartered  in  1836,  and  now 
constructing,  enters  the  county  at  Portage  and  terminates  at  Olean,  in 
the  adjoining  county  of  Cattaraugus.  The  line  of  the  Erie  railroad 
also  passes  through  it.  The  county  contains  30  towns.  Pop.  40,917. 
Alfred,  taken  from  Angelica  in  1808,  distant  from  Albany  246, 
and  from  Angelica,  east,  10  miles.  Pop.  1,637.  The  town  is  a  good 
one  for  farming.  Alfred  and  Vandemark  are  postoffices.  Baker's 
Bridge  and  Alfred  Centre  are  villages.  In  1821,  Almond  and  Inde- 
pendence were  taken  from  the  town. 

Allen,  taken  from  Angelica  in  1823,  since  reduced  ;  distant  from 
Albany  244,  from  Angelica,  north,  6  miles.  There  is  a  postoffice  at 
Allen,  and  one  at  Allen  Centre.    Pop.  870. 

Almond,  taken  from  Alfred ;  since  reduced  in  area.  Pop.  1,434. 
The  Bath  and  Angelica  turnpike  passes  through  it.  Almond,  the 
largest  village,  16  miles  east  from  Angelica,  has  about  thirty-five 
dwellings.    Centre  Almond  and  North  Almond  are  postoffices. 

Amity,  taken  from  Angelica  and  Scio  in  1830 ;  distant  from  Al- 
bany 258,  from  Angelica,  south,  6  miles.  Pop.  1,356.  The  Genesee 
crosses  it  northwestwardly,  upon  which  are  flats  from  half  a  mile  to  a 
mile  wide.  Phillipsburg,  a  very  flourishing  posi^village,  lies  on  the  river 
and  line  of  the  Erie  railroad  in  the  northeast  angle  of  the  town,  and 
has  one  Presbyterian  and  one  Methodist  church.  There  is  a  fall  here 
of  twelve  or  fourteen  feet,  yielding  an  excellent  water-power.  Phil- 
lipsville,  Hobbieville,  and  Genesee  Valley,  are  postoffices. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Phillipsburg  are  the  remains  of  three  Indian  forts, 
on  the  largest  of  which  there  formerly  stood  eight  aged  trees.  On 
the  bark  of  one  of  them  was  carved  a  figure  of  a  turtle,  underneath 
which  there  was  also  cut  a  canoe,  with  seven  Indians  in  it,  headed 
down  stream.  This  was  done,  according  to  the  account  given  by 
the  natives  to  the  first  settlers,  by  a  party  of  seven  Indians  of  the 
Turtle  tribe,  to  inform  their  companions  that  they  had  gone  down  the 
river. 


ALLEGANY  COUNTY. 


87 


1806.      It  is  44 

0  Massachusetts. 
Hand  Land  Com- 

the  county  by  a 
mdred  feet  below 
ver  was  declared 
lia  line.  The  soil 
alluvion,  and  the 
est  for  grain,  but 
)rn  thrive  well  in 
/enty-five  bushels 
On  the  upland, 
tive  crops.  The 
larried  on  exten- 
in  1836,  and  now 
nates  at  Olean,  in 
the  Erie  railroad 
ns.  Pop.  40,917. 
rom  Albany  246, 
le  town  is  a  good 
offices.  Bakers 
Llmond  and  Inde- 
ed ;  distant  from 

1  is  a  postoffice  at 

rea.     Pop.  1,434. 

it.    Almond,  the 

about  thirty-five 
I  postoffices. 

distant  from  Al- 
6.  The  Genesee 
m  half  a  mile  to  a 
e,  lies  on  the  river 

of  the  town,  and 
rhere  is  a  fall  here 
ter-power.  Phil- 
ffices. 

three  Indian  forts, 
t  aged  trees.  On 
turtle,  underneath 
ians  in  it,  headed 
account  given  by 
\en  Indians  of  the 
ad  gone  down  the 


Andoveu,  taken  from  Independence  in  1824  ;  distant  from  Albany 
252,  from  Angelica,  southeasterly,  15  miles.     Pop.  664. 

Angelica,  formed  from  Leicester  in  1805;  from  i  Ibany  256,  and 
from  New  York  327  miles.  The  Genesee  crosses  the  southwestern 
angle  of  the  town.     Pop.  1,261.  •• 


View  of  the  Public  Buildings  at  Angelica. 

Angelica  Village,  2  miles  east  of  the  Genesee  river,  40  miles  west 
from  Bath,  52  S.  from  Batavia,  incorporated  2d  of  May,  1835,  is  the 
county  seat.     The  above  view,  taken  near  the  residence  of  Mr.  John 
T.    Wright,  shows  all  the    public  buildings  excepting  the  Baptist 
church.     The  gothic  structure,  on  the  left,  is  the  Episcopal  church  ; 
the  building  with  a  spire,  the  Presbyterir.n ;  the  one  with  a  cupola, 
the  courthouse  ;  and  that  on  the  extreme  Mitt,  the  Methodist  church. 
i;     There  are  in  the  village  about  one  hundred  and  thirty  dwellings  and 
I     two  printing-offices,  each  issuing  a  weekly  paper.     About  three  mile^ 
southwest  of  the  village,  is  the  seat  of  Philip  Church,  Esq.,  called 
•      Belvidere,  where  there  is  a  fine  house  with  a  farm  under  high  culti- 
vation.    The  county  was  first  settled  by  this  gentleman,  in  1804,  and 
the  town  is  named  after  his  mother,  Mrs.  Angelica  Church,  the  eldest 
daughter  of  General  Philip  Schuyler. 

Belfast,  taken  from  Caneadea,  by  the  name  of  Orrinsburg,  in 
1824  ;  name  changed  in  1825 ;  distant  from  Albany  264,  and  from 
Angelica,  west,  6  miles.  Pop.  1,684.  Summer's  Valley,  Rockville, 
and  Belfast,  are  post-offices. 

The  following  account  of  a  tornado,  which  passed  over  this  region 
4    a  few  years  since,  is  taken  from  Silliman's  Journal  for  July,  1839: — 

"  Having  visited  and  examined  the  pcene  of  the  toriiudo,  so  well  described  by  Mr.  Willis 

Gaylord,  of  Otisco,  Onondaga  County,  N.  Y.,  in  the  Genesee  Fanner,  Nov.  10,  1838,  we 

also  can  bear  witness  to  the  tremendous  devastation  which  that  whirlwind  produced. 

'!,  "  We  were  on  the  ground  in  September,  about  two  months  after  the  event.    Before  the 

g      tornado,  a  region  of  4  or  500  acres  had  been  covered  by  a  dense  forest  of  pine  trees,  manv 

8 


» 


it 


58 


ALLEGANY   COUNTS'. 


of  them  very  tall  and  large ;  roads  had  been  cut  through  this  forest,  and  a  few  solitary 
houses  were  planted  in  it,  here  and  there.  Now  we  looked  in  vain  over  the  whole  tract 
for  a  single  perfect  tree.  Those  which  had  not  been  uprooted  or  broken  in  two  near  the 
ground,  were  shivered  and  twisted  off  at  different  elevations,  leaving  only  a  portion  of  a 
shattered  trunk,  so  that  not  a  single  tree  top,  and  hardly  a  single  branch,  were  found  stand, 
ing  in  the  air :  there  were  uu|ead  only  mutilated  stems,  presenting  a  striking  scene  of  de. 
solation  wherever  our  eyes  ranged  over  the  now  almost  empty  aerial  space.  On  the  ground 
the  appearances  were  still  more  remarkable.  The  trees  were  interwoven  in  every  possible 
way,  so  as  to  form  a  truly  military  abattis  of  the  most  impassable  kind ;  nor  immediately 
after  the  gale  could  any  progress  be,  in  fact,  made  through  the  gigantic  thickets  of  entangled 
trunks  and  branches,  without  the  labor  of  bands  of  pioneers,  who  cut  off  the  innumerable 
logs  that  choked  every  avenue.  We  had  before  seen  n7any  avenues  made  through  forests 
by  winds,  prostrating  the  trees  and  laying  them  down  in  the  direction  of  its  course  :  but 
never  had  we  seen  such  a  perfec*  desolation  by  a  gyratory  movement,  before  which  the 
thick  and  lofty  forest  and  the  strongest  framed  buildings  vanished,  in  an  instant,  and  their 
ruins  were  whirled  irresisiibly  around  like  flying  leaves  or  gossamer. 

"  Still,  it  was  truly  wonderful  that  people  were  buried  in  the  ruins  of  their  houses,  and 
travellers  with  their  horses  and  cattle  were  exposed  to  this  driving  storm  of  trees  which 
literally  filled  the  air,  and  still  not  a  single  life  was  lost,  although  some  persons  were 
wounded. 

"  We  were  assured  that  this  wind  had  marked  a  track  of  devastation  for  twenty  miles  or 
more,  but  this  was  the  scene  of  its  greatest  ravages.  Two  or  three  miles  from  this  place, 
we  saw  a  wing  of  a  house  which  had  been  moved  quite  around,  so  as  to  form  a  right  angle 
with  its  former  position,  and  still  the  building  was  not  broken." — Editors. 

"  The  first  appearance  of  severe  wind,  (says  Mr.  Gaylord,)  was,  as  we  learned,  in  the 
town  of  Rushford,  some  fifteen  miles  from  the  place  where  we  observed  its  effects.  The 
day  was  hot  and  sultry,  and  the  course  of  the  gale  was  from  the  N.  of  W.  to  S.  of  East. 
At  its  commencement  in  Rushford,  it  was  only  a  violent  thunder  gust,  such  as  are  frequently 
experienced,  but  it  soon  acquired  such  force  as  to  sweep  in  places  every  thing  before  it. 
In  its  passage  the  same  violence  was  not  at  all  times  exerted  ;  some  places  seemed  wholly 
passed  over,  while  in  the  same  direction  and  at  only  a  small  distance  whole  forests  were 
crushed.  In  the  language  of  one  who  had  suffered  much  from  the  gale,  '  it  seemed  to 
move  by  bounds,  sometimes  striking  and  sometimes  receding  from  the  earth,'  which  ir 
deed  was  most  likely  the  case. 

"  It  passed  the  Genesee  river  in  the  town  of  Belfast,  a  few  miles  below  Angelica,  and  its 
fury  was  here  exerted  on  a  space  of  country  perhaps  a  mile  or  a  mile  and  a  half  in  width. 
The  country  here  is  settled  and  cleared  along  the  river,  but  the  road  passes  at  a  little  dis. 
tance  from  the  river,  and  at  this  point  wound  round  one  of  the  finest  pine  woods  to  be 
found  on  the  stream.  Of  course  when  it  came  over  the  higher  lands  from  the  N.  W.,  the 
tornado  crossed  the  river  and  the  plain  before  encountering  the  groves  of  pine.  In  the 
space  occupied  by  the  central  part  of  the  tornado,  say  three  fourths  of  a  mile  in  width, 
nothing  was  enabled  to  resist  its  fury.  Strong  framed  houses  and  bams  were  crushed  in  an 
instant,  and  their  fragments  and  contents  as  quickly  scattered  to  every  point  of  the  com- 
pass ;  while  those  out  of  the  direct  line  were  only  unroofed  or  more  or  less  damaged. 
Large  oaks  and  elms  were  literally  twisted  off,  or  crushed  like  reeds. 

"  The  road  from  the  north  approached  the  pine  woods  on  what  was  the  northern  verge 
of  the  tornado,  and  the  first  appearance  of  the  country  in  front  was  that  of  woodlands,  in 
which  all  the  trees  had  been  broken  off  at  the  height  of  20  or  30  feet,  leaving  nothing  but 
countless  mutilated  trunks.  On  entering  the  narrow  passway,  however,  which  with  im- 
mense labor  had  been  opened  through  the  fallen  trunks,  it  was  perceived  that  much  of  the 
largest  part  of  the  trees  had  been  torn  up  by  the  roots,  and  lay  piled  across  each  other  m 
the  greatest  apparent  confusion  imaginable.  Fortunately  for  our  view  of  the  whole  ground, 
a  few  days  before  our  arrival,  fire  had  been  put  in  the  *  windfall,'  and  aided  by  the  extreme 
dp'  weather,  the  whole  was  burned  over  so  clean,  that  nothing  but  the  blackened  trunks 
'?^,  P®  ^^^^  ^^""^  remaining,  thus  disclosing  their  condition  and  position  most  perfectly. 
•.IS  position  was  such  as  to  demonstrate  beyond  the  possibility  of  a  doubt,  the  fact,  that 
the  tornado  had  a  rotary  motion  against  the  sun,  and  in  perfect  accordance  with  the  course 
which  we  in  a  former  volume  of  the  Farmer  have  ascribed  to  such  electric  aerial  currents,  a 
theory  first  developed  by  Mr.  Redfield  of  New  York. 

"  The  first  tree  met  with,  prostrated  by  the  tornado,  was  a  large  pine,  which  lay  with  its 
top  exactly  to  the  N.  of  West,  or  precisely  against  the  general  course  of  the  storm.  Hun- 
dreds  of  others  lay  near  in  the  same  direction  on  the  outer  part  of  the  whirl,  but  immedi- 
afely  after  entering  the  fallen  timber,  the  heads  of  the  trees  began  to  incline  to  the  centre 
of  the  space  torn  down,  and  south  of  this,  the  incliration  was  diiecUy  the  reverse  until  the 


ALLEGANY    COUNTY. 


59 


id  a  few  solitary 
the  whole  tract 
in  two  near  the 
ly  a  portion  of  a 
3re  found  stand, 
ng  scene  of  de. 

On  the  ground 
a  every  possible 
or  immediately 
ets  of  entangled 
he  innumerable 

through  forests 
its  course :  but 
3fore  which  the 
tstant,  and  their 

leir  houses,  and 

of  trees  which 

I  persons  were 

twenty  miles  or 
from  this  place, 
m  a  right  angle 

learned,  in  the 
» effects.  The 
.  to  S.  of  East. 
8  are  frequently 
thing  before  it, 
seemed  wholly 
jle  forests  were 
, '  it  seemed  to 
arth,'  which  ir 

ngelica,  and  its 
half  in  width. 
8  at  a  little  dis. 
ne  woods  to  be 
the  N.  W.,  the 
f  pine.  In  the 
mile  in  width, 
e  crushed  in  an 
int  of  the  com- 
less  damaged. 

northern  verge 
woodlands,  in 
ng  nothing  but 
vhich  with  im- 
lat  much  of  the 
each  other  m 
whole  ground, 
by  the  extreme 
ckened  trunks 
Tiost  perfectly. 
t,  the  fact,  that 
vith  the  courao 
rial  currents,  a 

ich  lay  with  its 
storm.  Hun. 
rl,  but  immedi- 
e  to  the  centre 
verse  until  tbo 


J 


outside  of  the  whirl  was  reached,  when  they  all  lay  with  their  tops  to  the  east.  This 
almost  regular  position  of  the  fallen  timber,  was  most  distinct  m  the  bottom  courses,  or  that 
which  WM  first  blown  down,  those  that  resisted  the  longest,  bemg,  as  was  to  be  expected, 
Ditched  in  the  most  diverse  directions.  That  there  was  also  an  upward  spiral  motion,  caus. 
ing  a  determination  of  the  rushing  air  to  the  centre  of  the  whirl,  would  appear  probable 
from  the  fact  that  articles  from  the  buildings  destroyed  were  earned  high  in  the  air,  and 
then  apparen  ly  thrown  out  of  the  whirl,  into  the  common  current ;  and  also  from  the  fact, 
that  a  large  majority  of  the  trees  both  from  the  south  and  to  the  north  of  the  centre  of  the 
gale,  lay  with  their  heads  inclined  to  that  point,  while  the  centre  was  marked  by  the 
greatest  confusion  imaginable.  A  diagram  formed  of  a  continued  succession  of  circles 
moving  from  the  right  to  the  left,  would  illustrate  the  position  of  the  trees  first  uprooted,  as 
tliese  lay  as  when  first  crushed  by  the  approach  of  the  whirlwind. 

"  Many  curious  facta  illustrative  of  the  force  of  the  wind  were  related  by  the  inhabitants 
in  and  near  the  place.  A  farmer  attempted  to  drive  his  team  of  horses  to  the  barn,  but  the 
tempest  was  too  soon  upon  him.  When  the  rush  was  over,  and  it  was  seemingly  but  a 
moment,  he  found  the  barn  torn  to  pieces,  himself  about  thirty  rods  m  one  direction  trom 
it,  and  his  horses  as  many  rods  the  other,  and  what  was  most  remarkable,  with  scarcely  a 
fragment  of  harness  upon  them.  A  wagon  was  blown  away,  and  a  month  afterward  one 
of  the  wheels  had  not  been  found.  A  house  standing  near  the  Genesee  river,  and  a  little 
out  of  the  line  of  the  gale,  was  completely  covered  with  mud  that  must  have  been  taken 
from  the  bed  of  the  river.  And  appearances  render  it  very  evident  that  near  the  centre  of 
the  whirl  the  water  was  entirely  taken  fr(*n  the  channel." 

BiRDSALL,  taken  from  Allen  and  Almond  in  1829 ;  distant  from  Al- 
bany, southwest,  245  miles.  Pop.  328.  Birdsall  post-office  is  12 
miles  northeast  from  Angelica. 

Bolivar  was  taken  from  Friendship,  in  1825 ;  from  Albany  275, 
and  from  Angelica,  southwest,  19  miles.  Pop.  408.  Bolivar  Village 
has  about  twenty-five  dwellings. 

Burns,  taken  from  Ossian  in  1826  ^  distant  centrally  from  Angelica, 
northeast,  16,  and  from  Albany  239  miles.  De  Witt's  Valley  and 
Whitney's  Valley  are  post-offices.     Pop.  847. 

Caneadea,  taken  from  Angelica  in  1808  ;  distant  from  Albany  267, 
from  Angelica,  northwest,  1 1  miles.  Pop.  1,647.  Caneadea  Village 
is  centrally  situated.  The  Caneadea  Indian  reservation  commences 
here,  and  extends  northward  on  the  river  about  ten  miles,  through 
Hume  into  Portage  and  Granger. 

Centreville,  taken  from  Pike  in  1819 ;  from  Angelica,  northwest, 
18  miles.  Pop.  1,504.  Centreville  Vill-age,  centrally  situated  in  the 
town,  has  about  thirty-five  dwellings. 

Clarksville,  taken  from  Cuba  in  1835  ;  from  Angelica,  southwest, 
18  miles.    Clarksville  is  a  post-office.     Pop.  326. 

Cuba,  taken  from  Friendship  in  1822  ;  distant  from  Albany  275, 
and  from  Angelica,  southwest,  18  miles.  Pop.  1,761.  Cuba  Village, 
centrally  situated,  near  which  the  lines  of  the  Erie  railroad  and  the 
Rochester  and  Olean  canal  intersect,  is  a  very  flourishing  place,  and 
has  about  eighty  dwellings,  one  Presbyterian,  and  one  Baptist  church. 
Cadysville  is  2  miles  north  of  the  village. 

The  famed  Seneca  Oil  Spring  is  in  this  town,  within  eighty  rods  of 
the  county  line.  The  spring  rises  in  a  marsh,  distant  three  and  a  half 
miles  from  the  village.  It  is  a  muddy,  circular,  stagnant  pool,  about 
eighteen  feet  in  diameter,  with  no  visible  outlet.  The  water  is  coated 
with  a  thin  layer  of  mineral  oil,  giving  it  a  yellowish-brown  color, 
similar  to  dirty  molasses.    The  oil  is  collected  by  skimming  it  from 


60 


ALLEGANY  COUNTY. 


''I -tit 


the  fountain,  and  is  used  for  rheumatism  in  man,  and  sprains  and  sores 
for  man  or  beast.  The  spring  was  highly  valued  by  the  Indians,  and 
a  square  mile  around  it  has  been  reserved  for  the  Scnecas.  The  oil 
sold  in  the  eastern  states  is  obtained  from  Oil  Creek,  in  Venango 
county,  Pennsylvania,  where  it  is  more  pure  and  abundant.  The 
spring  gives  name  to  a  post-office. 

Eagle,  taken  from  Pike  in  1823;  centrally  distant  from  Albany 
264,  from  Angelica,  northwest,  24  miles.     Pop.  1,222. 

Friendship,  taken  from  Caneadea  in  1815.  Pop.  1,230.  Friend- 
ship Village,  on  the  line  of  the  Erie  railroad,  10  miles  southwest  from 
Angelica,  contains  about  sixty  dwellings. 

Genesee,  taken  from  Cuba  in  1830  ;  from  Angelica,  southwest, 
25  miles.  Pop.  569.  Little  Genesee  and  West  Genesee  are  names 
of  post-offices.     Little  Genesee  is  a  small  village. 

Granger,  taken  from  Grove  ;  centrally  distant  from  Angelica,  north, 
12  miles.  Grove,  Short  Tract,  and  Hickorv  Swale,  are  post-offices' 
Pop.  1,064.  .  "  ^ 

Grove,  taken  from  Nunda  in  1827  ;  from  Angelica,  north,  14  miles. 
East  Grove  is  a  post-office.     Pop.  625. 

New  Hudson,  formerly  named  Haight,  and  taken  from  Rushford 
in  1825  ;  from  Albany  268,  and  from  Angelica,  west,  13  miles.  Black 
Creek  is  a  post-office.  The  summit  level'of  the  Rochester  and  Olean 
canal  is  in  this  town.     Pop.  1,488. 

Hume,  taken  from  Pike  in  1822  ;  from  Albany,  southwest,  260  miles  ; 
drained  by  the  Genesee  on  the  southeast,  l^op.  2,305.  Hume  and 
Cold  Creek  are  post-offices.  At  Mixville,  a  post  village,  15  miles 
northwest  from  Angelica,  there  are  about  twenty  dwellings,  and  an 
excellent  hydraulic  power,  comprising  four  perpendicular  falls,  making 
m  the  whole  seventy-five  feet  descent. 

Independence,  taken  from  Alfred  in  1821  ;  from  Albany  262,  and 
from  Angelica,  southeast,  20  miles.  Pop.  1 ,398.  Independence  Cen- 
tre^ Independen  :'e,  Whitesville,  and  Spring  Mill,  are  post  villages. 

JVuNDA,  taken  from  Angelica  in  1808  ;  from  Albany  253,  and  from 
Angelica,  northeast,  18  miles,  Pop.  2,614.  The  name  is  a  corrup- 
tion of  vn  Indian  word  signifying  "  potatoe  ground,"  applied  when 
this  town  comprehended  the  rich  flats  of  the  Genesee.  Nundu  and 
t-ast  Hill  are  post-offices.  Tlie  village  of  Nunda  Valley,  upon  the 
Casfmqua  cr«ek,  is  a  place  of  much  and  increasing  business  ;  the  Ro- 
ctiester  and  Ginan  canal  is  to  pass  through  it. 

nnrT^n  ^'f  T'"^, '^  ^  ^"^"^''^'n  ^j^^^  of  tf  e  open  square  in  the  business 
portion  of  the  place,  taken  at  Whitcomb  and  Co.'s  store.  The  vii- 
lage  was  first  settled  about  the  year  1826,  by  Deacon  Rawson.  Asa 
Heath  Samuel  Swam,  David  Basset,  James  M.  Heath,  and  others. 
1  he  latter-named  person  built  the  first  tavern,  in  1826,  of  Iocs.  The 
Baptist  and  Presbyterian  churches  were  erected  in  1832.  The  vil. 
lage  contains  about  one  hundred  dwellings. 

OssiAN,  taken  from  Angelica  in  1808; from  Albany  233,  and  from 


AIJ^EGANY  OOUNTr. 


61 


I 


J 


Central  Part  of  Nunda  Valley  Village. 


Pike,  taken  from  Nunda,  March,  1818  ;  from  Albany  255,  and  from 
Angelica,  northwest,  18  miles.  Pop.  2,181.  Pike,  centrally  situated, 
has  one  Presbyterian,  one  Methodist,  and  one  Baptist  church,  and 
about  ninety  dwellings.     East  Pike  and  East  Koy  are  post-otfices. 

1  OUTAGE,  taken  from  Nunda  in  1827;  centrally  distant  from  Al- 
bany 247,  and  from  Angelica,  north.  18  miles.  Pop.  4,715.  Portage- 
VI  0,  on  the  Genesee  river  at  the  head  ol"  the  rapids,  is  a  flourishing 
village,  containing  about  sixty  or  seventy  dwelltigs.  The  line  of  the 
Olean  and  Rochester  canal  passes  through  it.  Hunt's  Hollow  and 
Oakland  are  post-otfices. 

This  town  is  located  in  an  exceedingly  interesting  region,  both  from 
the  wild  grandeur  of  •♦s  river  scenery,  and  the  exhibition  of  human 
enterprise  and  skill  in  the  construction  of  a  tunnel  for  the  canal, 
through  the  solid  rock,  which  here  bounds  the  valley  of  the  Genesee. 
'  J         t^^    '^^^  distinct  falls  on  the  river,  respectively  sixty,  ninety, 
and  one  hundred  and  ten  feet  high,  within  the  space  of  two  miles, 
each  diflering  in  character,  and  each  having  peculiar  beauties.     Al- 
though the  cascades  are  highly  admirable,  they  are  almost  disregarded 
in  the  wonder  and  fear  caused  by  the  stupendous,  perpendicu'ar  walls 
ol  the  river,  rising  to  four  hundred  feet  in  height,  and  extend    2al.mg 
the  stream  ior  three  miles,  with  almost  as  much  regularity  as  if  con- 
structed by  art.     To  this  great  depth  the  river  hJs  worn  its  bed  in 
the  so  id  rock,  m  turns  as  short  and  graceful,  as  if  winding  throui;h 
he  so  test  meadow."     The  middle  falls,  which  are  the  highest,  have 
been  the  scene  of  several  narrow  esca|)cs,  of  which,  perhaps  the  fol- 
lowing  IS  the  most  remarkable.     Early  in  the  spring  of  1827,  a  bov 
about  fourteen,  named  Joel  Burgess,  took  a  boat  into  the  river  above 
the  tails,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  a  duck  which  he  had  shot.     In 
his  eagerness  to  secure  the  prize,  he  lost  sense  of  his  peril  and  floated 
down  the  stream.     On  going  over  the  dam,  which  is  situated  about 
!ni  ^  n"     ''^"u'^.  ^'\^  P''^"'-«ct,  ho.  was  thrown  out  of  the  boat,  but 
8  111  held  on  with  both  hands.     Thus  clinging  to  the  frail  bark,  he  was 
St  hurrying  to  an  awlul  d(;atli,  when  his  fe,.t  struck  a  small  project- 
mg  rock  m  the  bed  of  the  river.     WiUi  admirabin  pr^«...i-«  of  mmd 


111 


C2 


ALLEGANY  COUNTY. 


he  lf>t  go  of  the  boat  and  stood  fast.  His  situation  was  even  now 
full  of  danger.  On  each  side  the  water  was  deep,  and  the  current 
running  with  an  irresistible  force.  Chilled  and  exhausted  by  the  cold- 
ness ot  the  element,  he  was  about  losing  hold  of  the  slippery  rock, 
when  those  ashore  succeeded  in  throwing  him  a  rope,  which  he  tied 
around  his  waist  and  was  dragged  exhausted  to  land.  Under  these 
falls,  on  the  northern  side,  is  the  "  Devil's  Oven,"  a  cave  fifteen  feet 
in  height,  and  sixty  feet  deep. 


Pass  of  the  Genesee  at  Portage  Falls. 

The  above  is  a  representation  of  the  gorge,  at  that  point  where  the 
river,  coming  from  the  south,  takes  a  sudden  and  abrupt  bend  to  the 
east.  It  IS  situati^d  below  the  middle  and  upper  falls  ;  both  of  which 
are  in  ftill  sight  from  near  this  point.  The  spectator  is  supposed  to 
be  s  anding  m  the  vn  ley,  and  looking  eastwardlv  in  the  diriction  of 
the  lower  falls,  which  are  about  a  mile  and  a  half  distant.  Imme- 
diately  in  front  rise  massy,  perpendicular  rocks,  to  the  height  of  four 
hundred  Icot,  their  summits  crowned  with  gigantic  pines  and  hem. 


♦ 


ALLEGANY  COUNTT. 


68 


IS  even  now 
i  the  current 
I  by  the  cold- 
lippery  rock, 
v^hich  he  tied 
Under  these 
e  fifteen  feet 


r^i?^.' 


< 


t  where  the 
>end  to  the 
h  of  which 
upposod  to 
direction  of 
nt.  Imme- 
ght  of  four 
i  and  hem* 


locks,  the  aged  sentinels  of  an  hundred  years.     In  the  perspective, 
the  river  meanders  along  its  rocky  bed,  until  finally  lost  to  the  view 
behind  projecting  precipices.     Far  in  the  distant  horizon  is  seen  the 
hills  of  the  Cashaqua,  and  to  the  right  "  Hornby  Lodge,"  standing  on 
the  verge  of  the  precipice,  resembling  an  ancient  chateau ;  its  rude, 
gothic  architecture  in  keeping  with  the  wildness  of  the  Eituation. 
The  sketch  for  the  above  engraving  was  taken  at  the  close  of  the 
year.     Winter  had  thrown  her  snowy  mantle  upon  the  face  of  na- 
ture.    The  huge  evergreens  and  naked  limbs  of  the  other  forest  trees 
were  enveloped  in  their  drapery  of  white  ;  immense  icicles  huno- 
from  the  rocks ;  while  the  blue  of  the  distant  hills,  contrasting  with 
the  icy  splendor  and  sublimity  of  the  foreground,  combined  to  render 
it  a  scene  of  indescribable  grandeur.     Some  years  since,  a  party  of 
surveyors  cut  down  an  immense  pine  standing  on  the  verge  of  the 
precipice.     It  turned  one  somerset  in  its  descent,  and  struck  its  butt 
perpendicularly  upon  the  rocky  bottom  of  the  gorge.     Every  limb 
fell  to  the  earth  with  the  shock.     It  stood  for  a  moment,  a  tall,  limb- 
less trunk,  quivered,  and  fell  with  a  crash. 

The  tannd,  eleven  hundred  and  eighty  feet  in  length,  to  which  al- 
lusion has  been  made,  commences  at  a  point  on  the  southern  side  of 
the  gorge,  about  six  hundred  feet  east  of  the  lodge,  and  has  a  south- 
western termination  near  the  middle  falls.  The  following  description 
of  this  work,  and  the  "  lodge,"  is  from  an  interesting  series  of  letters, 
entitled  "  Midsummer  Rambles,"  published  in  the  New  York  Com- 
mercial Advertiser  in  the  summer  and  autumn  of  1840.  "  The  trunk 
of  the  tunnel  is  to  be  twenty-seven  feet  wide  and  twenty  feet  high. 
Fortunately,  the  character  of  the  rock  (sandstone)  is  favorable  to  the 
progress  of  the  work.  The  contractor  for  this  section  is  Elisha 
Johnson,  Esq.,  formerly  mayor  of  Rochester,  and  one  of  its  most 
enterprising  citizens.  Mr.  Johnson  commenced  this  vast  excavation 
last  year,  first  running  a  shaft  or  '  heading'  five  and  a  half  feet  near- 
est the  roof,  and  of  the  entire  width  required,  through  the  whole  length 
of  the  tunnel.  One  of  the  lateral  drifts,  for  the  introduction  of  air 
and  light  from  the  river  brink  to  the  main  tunnel,  had  also  been  pre- 
viously completed,"  the  opening  to  which  is  seen  in  the  engraving 
on  the  rock  in  front  of  the  "  Lodge." 

"  The  entire  excavation  of  this  tunnel,  including  the  gallery,  shaft, 
and  lateral  drifts,  will  amount  to  more  than  twenty-fivo  thousand  cubic 
yards,  for  which  the  price  paid  is  four  dollars  per  yard.  This,  how- 
ever, will  not,  by  a  great  amount,  cover  the  entire  cost  of  the  tunnel ; 
for  since  the  excavation  has  been  commenced,  such  is  the  character 
i  1 .  •*?^'^— thrown  together  apparently  by  nature  in  loose  masses 
and  b  ocks— that  it  now  appears  that  the  entire  roof  and  sides  of  the 
tunnel  will  require  arching  with  solid  mason  work.  Indeed,  tempo- 
rary  arches  of  wood  have  been  found  necessary  during  the  proL'ress 
of  almost  every  successive  yard  of  the  work.  It  is  by  far  the  LMeat- 
est  undertaking  of  the  kind  that  has  been  attempted  in  our  country. 
1  erceiving,  at  tho  outset,  that  his  contract  would  require  a  lonir 
time  for  Its  completion,  Mr.  Johnson,  whose  dailv  proscnc.n  was 


04 


ALLEGANY  COUNTY. 


il 


Hornby  Lodge  at  Portage  Falls. 

necessary,  wisely  determined  to  surround  himself  by  his  family.  He 
accordingly  prepared  '  a  lodge'  for  them  in  the  *  wilderness.'  The 
site  selected  is  wild  and  picturesque  in  a  high  degree.  It  stands 
upon  a  small  plain  or  table,  upon  the  highest  verge  of  the  precipitous 
bank  of  the  river  so  often  adverted  to,  a  few  yards  only  from  the  edge, 
which  juts  out,  and  almost  impends  over  the  abyss,  threatening  to 
descend  and  overwhelm  all  that  may  be  below.  The  site  of  the 
building  is  near  the  southwestern  entrance  of  the  tunnel.*  Facing 
that  direction,  a  full  view  is  presented  of  the  chasm  of  the  river,  and 
the  upper  and  middle  falls ;  the  roar  of  which  is  incessant,  and  the 
ascending  clouds  of  vapor  of  which  form  objects  of  ever-varying  and 
incessant  interest  and  beauty.  '  Hornby  Lodge'  is  the  name  ot  Mr. 
Johnson's  castle,  and  the  grounds  around  it — purposely  kept  as  wild 
as  nature  herself  has  made  them— are  called  •  Tunnel  Park.' 

"  The  house,  or  lodge,  is  of  itself  a  great  curiosity.    In  shape  it  is  an 
octagon,  sixty  feet  in  diameter,  and  two  stories  high — with        p-. 
wings— according  to  the  ground-plan  annexed.    It  is  sup-      /-K 
ported  by  the  trunk  of  a  huge  oak  tree,  standing  in  the  nf        Lj 
centre,  from  which  the  beams  and  rafters  radiate  to  the       VY 
outward  circumference.     It  stands  directly  over  the  main 
tunnel,  the  roof  of  which  is  100  feet  beneath  the  base  of  the  lodge. 
The  work  is  prosecuted  by  relief  parties  night  and  day ;  and  while 
the  miners  were  at  work  directly  beneath  the  lodge,  the  explosions 
of  the  powder  used  in  blasting  were  both  heard  and  felt  by  the  family, 
essentially  disturbing  their  slumber  at  night.     The  ornaments  of  the 
lodge,  over  the  doors  and  windows,  and  much  of  the  furniture,  arc 
truly  Gothic,  being  formed  from  the  crookedest  limbs  of  trees  that 
could  be  found.     On  the  whole,  it  is  a  most  picturesque  establish- 
ment, standing  alone  in  its  rustic  beauty,  and  looking  out  fearfully 

•  Havinjf  formerly  been  nome  yoars  eiiRnged  on  public  works,  we  wero  naturally  inter, 
eated  in  tlie  corisirnction  nt  ihiN  pliice.  Muili  rrcdit  is  dun  to  Mr.  Edward  A.  Siillman,  a 
younK  rniui  <.(  aa,  who  w  the  ri-cidrnt  inntrumrnUd  iTi^fincrr.  His  linen  have  been  run  with 
uncommon  Huccfss  us  compared  with  Himilur  worlu  in  EuroiJi H.  If. 


ALLEGANY    COUNTY". 


65 


family.  He 
;rness.'  The 
e.  It  stands 
le  precipitous 
rom  tile  edge, 
ireatening  to 
e  site  of  tiie 
el.*  Facing 
he  river,  and 
sant,  and  the 
-varying  and 
name  ot  Mr. 

kept  as  wild 
ark* 
shape  it  is  an 

.h   ^^ 

)t  the  lodge. 
' ;  and  while 
e  explosions 
y  the  family, 
mcnts  of  the 
urniture,  are 
)f  trees  that 
ue  establish- 
out  fearfully 

)  naturally  inter. 
(1  A.  Stillinaii,  a 
re  been  run  with 


hen 


upon  the  confined  deep.  I  ^as  a  partaker  of  Mr.  Johnson's  hospi- 
tality for  one  night.  It  was  a  beautiful  moonlight  night;  and  both 
by  day  and  night  I  enjoyed  the  scene  to  the  full." 

To  the  foregoing  description,  we  would  add  that  the  building  pre- 
sents a  similar  appearance  from  every  direction.  There  is  between 
each  pair  of  wings  a  door  which  opens  into  an  octagonal  saloon, 
occupying  the  whole  of  the  basement,  excepting  the  wings.  This 
saloon  is  in  true  "  log  cabin"  style.  The  trunk  of  the  huge  oak,  pre- 
viously alluded  to,  with  its  shaggy  bark  covering,  rises  from  the  floor 
in  the  centre  of  the  room  as  a  pillar  to  support  the  ceiling.  The  fur- 
niture, chairs,  solas,  «&c.,  in  this  apartment  are  formed  of  the  rough 
limbs  of  the  forest.  The  wings  are  divided  into  rooms  of  convenient 
size  answering  the  respective  purposes  of  parlor,  library,  office, 
conservatory,  kitchen,  &c.  &c.  The  structure  approaches  to  the 
Swiss  Gothic  style,  and  its  peculiar  and  novel  feature  is,  that  while 
the  lower  story  is  an  octagon,  the  upper  is  a  quadrilateral,  diamonding 
with  the  base. 

We  will  close  our  account  of  this  region  by  a  description  of  the 
lower  falls,  taken  from  the  "  Rambles."  "  Ti\e  water  at  the  lower 
falls  rushes  around  an  immense  rock  in  its  descent,  close  under  the 
southeastern  bank.  Fortunately  for  visiters,  as  yet  the  scene  has 
been  thus  far  permitted  by  man  to  remain  in  a  state  of  nature.  It  is 
therefore  as  wild  and  romantic  as  can  be  desired.  A  dark  screen  of 
evergreen,  hanging  over  the  cataract  so  near  and  thick  as  to  render 
it  unsafe  to  push  through  it,  partially  hides  the  descending  torrent  of 
foam,  which  dots  after  its  final  plunge  the  river  to  a  considerable 
distance  with  cream-like  ornaments.  Partly  detached  from  the  main 
wall  which  confines  the  river  to  its  narrow  bed,  a  huge  rock  partially 
conceals  the  fall,  tapering  upward  like  a  sugar-loaf,  and  crested  with 
evergreens.  On  the  opposite,  or  western  side,  the  top  of  the  rock 
around  which  the  waters  hurry  in  their  maddened  wrath,  is  level  as 
the  house-floor,  and  large  enough  for  a  company  of 

Those  gallant  sons  who  shoulder  guns 
And  twice  a  year  go  out  a-training, 

to  perform  their  martial  exercises  upon.  Midway  from  the  top,  the 
sugar-loaf  is  united  to  the  main  buttress.  The  depth  of  this  fall  is 
96  feet." 

RusHFORD,  taken  from  Caneadea  in  1827,  is  centrally  situated 
from  Albany  270,  and  from  Angelica,  northwest,  20  miles.  Pop.  1,502. 
Rushford  village  contains  1  Methodist  church,  and  about  70  dwellings. 

Scio,  taken  from  Angelica  in  1823,  and  centrally  distant,  south,  16 
nriiles.  Scio  and  Wellsville  are  post-offices.  Pop.  1,150.  In  its  ter- 
ritorial limits,  this  town  is  far  the  largest  in  the  county.  Its  surface 
18  high  and  much  broken  by  streams,  and  heavily  timbered  with 
pines,  hemlock,  «fec.  Most  of  the  township  is  in  its  primitive  wilder- 
ness state. 

Wkht  Almond  comprises  township  No.  4  in  the  first  range  of 
Morns'  Reserve,  and  was  taken  from  Almond,  Angelica  and  Alfred 
in  1835 ;  from  Angelica,  east,  7  miles.     Pod.  810. 

9 


pt; 


66 


BnoOME    COUNTY. 


WiET,  taken  from  Friendship  and  Bolivar;  from  Angelica,  south- 
west, 14  miles.  Pop.  1,208.  South  Branch  and  Richburg  are  post- 
offi(!bs. 


BROOME  COUNTY. 


St 


I  H 


0 


Broome  county,  named  after  Lieut.  Gov.  Broome,  was  taken  from 
Tioea  in  1806.  Length,  on  the  .!*'!, nsylvania  line,  37  miles ;  breadth, 
on  the  Tioga  boundary  28,  on  the  Delaware  13,  and  midway  17 
miles.  Centrally  distant  from  New  York,  northwest,  252,  and  from 
Albany,  southwest,  145  miles.  The  surface  of  the  country  is  broken 
and  mountainous.  Among  its  principal  elevations  are  the  Cookquago, 
the  Oquago,  and  the  Randolph  mountains.  The  valleys  bordering 
on  its  numerous  streams  are  extensive  and  fertile,  producing  large 
quantities  of  wheat.  The  soil  is  generally  better  adapted  to  grazing 
than  the  culture  of  grain.  Fruit  succeeds  well.  The  inhabitants 
are  principally  farmers,  and  its  agriculture  is  respectable.  The 
Chenango  canal  enters  the  county  on  the  north,  follows  down  the 
valley  of  the  Chenango  river,  and  enters  the  Susquehannah  river  at 
Binghamton.  The  line  of  the  Erie  railroad  passes  through  the 
county.     The  county  is  divided  into  1 1  towns.     Population,  22,348. 

Barker  was  taken  from  Lisle  in  1831;  drained  by  the  Tioughni- 
oga  river  crossing  it  diagonally  from  northwest  to  southeast.  Pop- 
ulation, 1,258.  Chenango  Forks,  post  village,  12  miles  north  from 
Binghamton,  has  about  30  dwellings.  There  is  a  small  collection 
of  houses  at  Hyde  settlement. 

('henango  was  organized  in  February,  1791  ;  since  reduced  in 
limits.  It  is  centrally  intersected  by  Chenango  river,  which  enters 
the  Susquehannah  at  Chenango  Point.  Along  the  valleys  of  both 
these  streams  are  rich  alluvial  flats  from  one  to  two  miles  wide.  The 
land  is  broken  and  hilly,  containing  large  quantities  of  pine  and  other 
timber  for  market.  Population^  5,475.  The  village  of  Binghamton 
in  this  town,  form'-rly  called  Chenavfrn  Point,  the  shire  village  of  the 
county,  was  incorporated  in  1813,  r624,  and  1834.  It  derived  Hs 
present  name  from  William  Bingham,  munificent  benefactor  o?  '.He 
village  in  its  infani  state.  This  gentleman  was  possessed  of  a  largo 
estate,  and  was  the  proprietor  of  a  large  patent  of  land  lying  on  both 
sides  of  the  Susquehannah,  including  the  site  of  the  village.  Mr. 
B.ngham  was  a  native  of  England,  and  came  to  this  country  when  a 
young  man,  and  went  into  the  mercantile  business  in  Ph.ladelphia. 
He  was  a  member  of  congress  for  some  years  while  it  held  its  ses- 
sions at  Philadelphia.  His  two  daughters  married,  the  one  Alexander, 
the  other  Henry  Baring,  two  noted  bankers  in  London.  Mr.  Bing- 
ham died  in  London  in  1804. 


I 

i 


'*«Er 


BROOME   COUNTY. 


67 


;elica,  soiith- 
rg  are  post- 


I  taken  from 
3s;  breadth, 

midway  17 
>2,  and  from 
ry  is  broken 
Cookquago, 
s  bordering 
lucing  large 
i  to  grazing 

inhabitants 
table.  The 
/s  down  the 
lah  river  at 
through  the 
lion,  22,348. 
e  Tioughni- 
least.  Pop- 
north  from 

II  collection 

reduced  in 
/hich  enters 
;ys  of  both 
wide.  The 
le  and  other 

BiNGHAMTON 

Wage  of  the 
derived  ''^ 
iictor  ot  fhe 
1  of  a  larj-MT 
'ing  on  botrs 
illage.  Mr. 
»try  when  a 
'h.ladelphia. 
Iield  its  ses- 
:  Alexander, 
Mr.  Bing- 


Western  View  of  Binghamton, 

The  above  shows  the  appearance  of  the  village  as  it  is  entered 
from  the  west  side  of  Chenango  river,  by  the  red  bridge,  (so  called,) 
which  is  600  feet  long.  The  village  is  principally  on  the  east  side 
of  the  Chenango,  and  contains  about  400  houses,  30  stores,  and  2,000 
inhabitants.  There  are  six  churches,  viz :  1  Episcopal,  1  Methodist, 
1  Presbyterian,  1  Congregational,  1  Baptist,  and  1  Catholic.  There 
are  two  female  seminaries,  a  large  school  for  boys,  two  printing- 
offices,  the  courthouse  and  prison  ;  two  banks — the  Broome  County 
Bank  incorporated  1831,  with  a  capital  of  $100,000,  and  the  Bing- 
hamton Bank,  which  commenced  its  operations  in  1839,  with  a  capital 
of  8100,000,  and  the  privilege  of  extending  it  to  one  million.  The 
village  of  Binghamton  is  150  miles  from  Albany,  90  from  Utica,  40 
from  Norwich,  22  from  Owego,  and  7  from  the  Pennsylvania  line. 
The  great  medium  of  transportation  to  the  place  is  by  the  Chenango 
canal.  This  canal,  which  terminates  at  Binghamton  and  Utica,  is 
95  miles  long,  46  feet  wide,  and  4i  deep.  The  number  of  locks  in 
the  whole  route  is  105.  The  canal  was  commenced  in  1834  and 
completed  in  1837,  and  cost  nearly  two  millions  of  dollars. 

The  tract  of  country  in  which  Binghamton  is  situated,  became 
first  known  to  the  whites  by  the  expedition  of  Gen.  Sullivan  agains^ 
the  Indians  in  1779.  Upon  the  site  of  Binghamton,  a  brigade  of 
American  troops  under  (he  command  of  Gen.  James  Clinton,  the 
father  of  De  Witt  Clinton,  encamped  for  one  or  two  nights  on  their 
way  to  join  the  main  body  under  Sullivan,  then  penetrating  westward. 
The  first  white  man  who  made  a  permanent  settlement  in  what  is 
claimed  for  the  village  vicinity,  was  Capt.  Josejjh  Leonard,  who  was 
originally  from  Plymouth,  Massachusetts.  He  first  emigrated  to 
Wyoming,  Pennsylvania.  He  owned  a  farm  in  that  place,  and  w*»« 
under  arms  there  at  the  time  of  the  massacre,  though  not  on  the  fi<  id 
of  action.  He  moved  from  Wyoming  in  1787,  with  a  young  wife  and 
two  little  children.    His  wife  and  children  were  put  on  board  a 


I  i 

?  ! 

i    I 


I 


08 


BROOME    COUNTV. 


canoe,  with  what  eoods  he  brought  up,  and  the  canoe  rowed  by  a 
hired  man  ;  while  he  himself  went  up  on  land  witii  two  horses,  keep- 
ing the  shore,  and  regulating  his  progress  by  that  of  his  family  on  the 
river.  A  Capt.  Baldwin,  who  settled  on  the  Chemung  river,  moved 
up  at  the  same  time  in  company  with  him.* 

Capt.  Leonard  received  his  first  information  of  this  region  from 
Amos  Draper,  then  an  Indian  trader  in  these  parts.  On  his  first  ar- 
rival, he  found  a  Mr.  Lyon,  who  lived  in  a  temporary  log  house  near 
where  Col.  Page's  ashery  now  stands.  In  two  or  three  weeks  after- 
ward, Col.  Wm.  Rose  and  his  brother,  from  Connecticut,  came  on  to 
Binghamton,  and  fixed  their  location  a  little  above  Capt.  Leonard's. 
During  this  year,  (1787,)  Joshua  Whitney,  Gen.  Wm.  Whitney,  and 
Henry  Green,  from  Hillsdale,  Columbia  county,  came  to  this  place, 
and  settled  on  the  west  side  of  the  Chenango,  about  two  miles  above 
its  junction  with  the  Susquehannah,  on  what  was  afterward  called 
Whitney's  flats.  At  the  time  the  above  families  settled  here,  their 
nearest  white  neighbors  were  at  Tioga,  a  distance  of  forty  miles. 

Previous  to  the  settlement  of  these  first  emigrants,  a  number  of 
persons  from  Massachusetts  came  on  an  exploring  tour  to  this  region  ; 
on  their  return  they  obtained  a  grant  from  the  legislature  of  Massa- 
chusetts of  a  large  tract,  which  they  afterward  purchased  of  the  In- 
dians. This  tract  contained  230,000  square  acres,  for  which  the 
company  paid  to  the  state  £l,500.  It  appears  that  when  the  agents 
of  the  company  came  on,  they  found  that  patents  had  already 
been  granted  to  Bingham,  Wilson,  and  Cox,  by  the  state  of  New 
York,  which  interfered  with  their  grants.  This  claim  of  Massa- 
chusetts to  this  part  of  the  state,  originating  in  some  ancient  colonial 
claims,  was  finally  satisfied  by  the  grant  of  the  right  of  pre-emption 
to  certain  lands  in  western  New  York.  The  facts  respecting  the 
treaty  with  the  Indians,  &c.,  is  from  the  Annals  of  Binghamton. 

"  They  made  their  propositions  to  the  Indians  for  the  purchase  of  it, 
appointed  a  time  and  place  for  the  negotiation  of  the  bargain,  and 
returned  home.  These  individuals,  at  first,  designed  to  form  a  com- 
pany to  consist  only  of  eleven  persons  ;  but  conceiving  the  purchase 
too  heavy  for  so  small  a  number,  and  having  so  many  applications 
tor  co-partnership,  the  number  of  the  company  was  finally  fixed  at 
sixty.  This  company  appointed  as  commissioners  to  treat  with  the 
Indians,  Elijah  Brown,  Gen.  Oringh  Stoddard,  Gen.  Moses  Ashley, 
Lapt.  Raymond,  and  Col.  David  Pixley.  These  gentlemen  met  the 
Indians  m  treaty,  m  the  first  instance  on  the  Chenango  river,  the  east 
Bide,  two  or  three  miles  above  the  present  village  of  Binghamton,  in 
the  forepart  of  winter.  But  at  this  treaty  the  negotiation  was  not 
fully  completed,  and  they  adjourned  to  meet  at  the  Forks  of  the  Che- 
nango. At  this  second  treaty,  there  were  between  three  and  four 
hundred  Indians. 


i.*J*?*  T^n"  "lu"!*^?!'*'^  *^?''  ^^^n?''*!!''^  °f  Binghamton,  to  a  work  published  at  that 
place  in  1840,  emtlid  "  Annab  of  Binghamton,  and  of  the  country  connected  with  it, 
from  the  earhest  settlement,  by  J.  B.  Wilkimon."  t.«m.Bi.icu  wim  ii. 


4 


f 


BROOME    COUNTY. 


09 


rowed  by  a 
orses,  keep- 
mily  on  the 
iver,  moved 

region  from 
his  first  ar- 
1  house  near 
veeks  after- 
came  on  to 
,  Leonard's, 
hitney,  and 
>  this  place, 
miles  above 
vard  called 

here,  their 
y  miles. 

number  of 
this  region ; 
i  of  Massa- 
1  of  the  In- 

which  the 
I  the  agents 
ad  already 
te  of  New 

of  Massa- 
3nt  colonial 
)re-emption 
pecting  the 
amton. 
rchase  of  it, 
argain,  and 
3rm  a  com- 
le  purchase 
ipplications 
lly  fixed  at 
at  with  the 
ies  Ashley, 
en  met  the 
er,  the  east 
fhamton,  in 
n  was  not 
of  the  Che- 
e  and  four 


iblished  at  that 
lected  with  it. 


* 
'% 


"  At  this  and  the  former  treaty,  it  is  said,  the  Indians,  who  were  fur- 
nished with  provisions  and  liquor  at  the  expense  of  the  company, 
would  get  drunk,  almost  to  a  man,  by  night,  but  be  sober  through 
the  day.  While  the  subjects  of  the  treaty  were  under  discussion 
from  day  to  day,  they  would  sit  in  circles  upon  the  ground,  and  listen 
with  the  utmost  decorum.  Their  chiefs,  when  they  spoke,  would 
speak  in  substance,  if  not  in  form,  in  accordance  with  parliamentary 
rule.  Captain,  and  afterward  Esquire  Dean,  was  their  interpreter, 
and  did  their  business. 

"  The  nominal  sum  paid  for  this  tract  is  not  now  known,  but  the 
payment  was  made,  one  half  in  money,  and  the  other  moiety  in  goods, 
consisting  of  rifles,  hatchets,  ammunition,  blankets,  and  woollen  cloths. 
The  last,  it  is  said,  the  savages,  in  perfect  character  with  their  taste, 
immediately  tore  into  strings  for  ornament. 

"  An  estimation  was  made  of  the  entire  cost  of  these  ten  townships, 
to  wit :  the  purchase  price,  the  expense  of  the  treaties,  and  the  sur- 
vey made  of  it,  and  found  to  amount  to  about  one  shilling  per  acre. 
The  number  of  acres  contained  in  the  tract,  as  has  just  been  stated, 
was  230,000  square  acres.  This,  equally  divided  among  the  sixty 
proprietors,  would  give  to  each  3,833  acres,  with  a  fraction  over. 
The  price  for  which  the  land  was  sold,  in  the  earliest  sale  of  it,  was 
uniformly  at  twenty-five  cents  per  acre  ;  but  it,  after  a  little,  rose  to 
one  dollar  per  acre,  and  even  to  more. 

"  The  land  upon  the  shores  of  the  two  rivers,  and  for  some  distance 
back,  was,  even  at  the  time  of  the  purchase,  partially  cleared,  so  far 
as  the  Indians  have  their  lands  cleared.  The  under-brush  was 
cleared,  having  been  kept  down  by  burning,  and  grass  growing  on 
the  flats.  The  Indians  uniformly  keep  down  the  shrubby  part  of 
their  hunting  grounds,  that  they  may,  with  the  more  facility,  discover 
and  pursue  their  game.  Col.  Rose  says,  that  he  could  see  deer  upon 
the  mountains  immediately  back  of  him  for  half  a  mile,  so  free  were 
they  of  under-brush.  He  observes,  also,  that  the  woods  exhibited  a 
sombre  appearance,  from  their  annual  burnings.  The  large  island 
opposite  Judge  Stoddard's,  was,  when  the  first  settlers  came,  covered 
with  grass  and  the  anacum  weed,  a  tall  kind  of  weed,  the  roots  of 
\thich  they  were  in  the  habit  of  digging  and  drying,  and  then  grind- 
ing or  pounding  for  bread  stuff";  or  rather  its  apology,  perhaps, 
when  their  corn  failed  them. 

"  The  Indians,  in  their  treaty  with  the  New  England  commissioners, 
reserved  to  themselves  the  right  of  hunting  upon  the  lands  they  had 
sold,  for  the  term  of  seven  years ;  and  also  made  a  reserve  of  one 
half  mile  square,  as  their  own  possession.  This  reserve  was  situated 
near  the  mouth  of  Castle  creek,  and  went  by  the  name  of  the  Castle 
Farm.  Upon  this  reserve  the  Indians  of  the  neighborhood  who  did 
not  reniove  to  New  Stockbridge,  or  Oneida,  resided.  Their  number 
on  the  farm  is  said  to  have  been  about  twenty  families.  They  by  no 
means  confined  themselves  to  this  little  spot.  They  cultivated  the 
ground  of  the  farm,  more  or  less,  but  depended  chiefly,  in  accordance 
with  their  long  custom  and  native  propensity,  upon  hunting  and  fishing." 


70 


BEOOME    BOUNTY. 


i ; 


114   (li 


In  the  summer  of  1789,  a  very  considerable  accession  was  made 
by  persons  who  settled  in  the  Susquehannah  and  Chenango  valleys. 
Daniel  Hudson,  altsrward  a  major  and  judge,  settled  between  Capt. 
Leonard  and  Col.  Rose  ;  Jonathan  Fitch  settled  lipon  liie  creek  that 
took  his  name :  he  was  a  merchant  from  Wyommg,  and  had  been 
sheriff  of  the  county  ;  it  is  believed  he  was  the  first  representative  to 
the  state  legislature  from  the  new  county  of  Tioga.  The  lirst  reli- 
gious society  formed  within  the  bounds  of  the  settlement  was  a  Bap- 
tist church,  consisting  of  10  or  12  members,  formed  by  Elder  Howe, 
a  very  early  settler  in  the  place.  He  was  succeeded  by  Elder  Fisk. 
This  society  became  extinct  about  the  year  1800.  A  Dutch  Re- 
formed church  was  founded  about  1798,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Manly, 
who  was  succeeded  in  his  ministrations  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Palmer:  this 
church  was  afterward  merged  into  the  Presbyterian.  Tha  present 
Presbyterian  church  was  organized  in  1817.  Mr.  Niles,  their  minister, 
was  ordained  the  next  year.  He  died  in  1828,  and  was  succeeded  by 
Mr.  Lock  wood,  who  continued  his  pastoral  relation  till  1833.  He 
was  succeeded,  in  1836,  by  the  Rev.  John  A.  Nash:  in  1838,  Mr. 
Nash  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  David  D.  Gregory.  The  Episcopal 
church  was  incorporated  in  1816.  Rev.  Mr.  Keeler  was  the  first 
officiating  clergyman.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  F.  H.  Cumming. 
In  1821,  Mr.  Cumming  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Mr.  Gear.  The 
clergymen  succeeding  have  been  in  the  following  order :  Rev.  Na- 
thaniel Huse,  in  1824;  Rev.  Mr.  Cumming,  in  1829;  Rev.  Hiram 
Adams,  in  1831;  Rev.  Mr.  Shimeall,  in  1835;  and  Rev.  Edward 
Andrews,  in  1836.  The  Methodist  society  was  formed  in  1817.  In 
1822,  the  Methodist  chapel  was  purchased  of  the  Episcopalians,  and 
moved  from  the  site  of  the  present  Episcopal  church  to  where  it  now 
stands.  The  present  Baptist  church  was  instituted  in  1829.  Elder 
Frederick  was  its  first  pastor.  The  succeeding  pastors  have  been  in 
the  order  following :  Revs.  Jason  Corwin,  Henry  Robertson,  Davis 
Dinimick,  William  Storrs,  and  Rev.  James  M.  Coley.  The  Congre- 
gational church  was  organized  in  1836,  and  the  Rev.  John  Stark- 
weather was  called  to  be  their  pastor ;  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev. 
Samuel  W.  Bush.  A  Catholic  church  was  finished  in  1837.  In 
Jan.  1838,  a  Universalist  society  was  organized.  • 

Windsor,  the  ancient  Oquago,  was  taken  from  Chenango  in  1807; 
has  a  mountainous  surface,  and  is  centrally  intersected  by  the  Susque- 
hannah. Great  quantities  of  locust  timber,  valuable  for  shipbuildmg, 
have  been  taken  from  this  town.  The  principal  settlement  is  on 
the  west  side  of  the  Susquehannah,  and  has  about  60  dwellings,  and 
350  inhabitants ;  16  miles  from  Binghamton,  and  128  from  Albany. 
Pop.  2,368. 

The  valley  of  Oquago  was  settled  by  the  whites  about  the  year 
1788.  The  most  of  the  earlier  inhabitants  were  from  Waterbury 
and  Watertown,  in  Connecticut.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Buck  was  the  first 
minister  who  preached  in  the  place.  He  was  called  by  the  first  settlers 
Major  Buck,  as  he  had  held  that  office  during  the  revolutionary  war. 
Mr.  Williston,  a  missionary  from  Connecticut,  appears  to  have  been 


BROOME   COUNTY. 


71 


m  was  made 
ango  valleys, 
etv-^en  Capt. 
lie  creek  that 
nd  had  been 
resentative  to 
riie  tirst  reli- 
t  was  a  Bap- 
Elder  Howe, 
,'  Elder  Fisk. 
A.  Dutch  Re- 
.  Mr.  Manly, 
Palmer:  this 
Tha  present 
heir  minister, 
succeeded  by 
1  1833.  He 
in  1838,  Mr. 
he  Episcopal 
was  the  hrst 
H.  Gumming. 
Gear.  The 
r:  Rev.  Na- 
Rev.  Hiram 
lev.  Edward 
in  1817.  In 
opalians,  and 
ivhere  it  now 
1829.  Elder 
have  been  in 
crtson,  Davis 
The  Congre- 
John  Stark- 
ded  by  Rev. 
in  1837.  In 
• 
ngo  in  1807; 
'  the  Susque- 
shipbuilding, 
lenient  is  on 
ivellings,  and 
rom  Albany. 

out  the  year 
1  Waterbury 
ivas  the  first 
3  first  settlers 
tionary  war. 
o  have  beea 


the  next.  Soon  after  the  formation  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  Rev. 
Seth  Sage  became  the  settled  pastor,  and  remained  such  till  his  death. 
The  Ep.scopal  church  was  organized  in  1803,  by  Bishop  chase,  then 
a  missionary  in  Western  New  York.  The  Presbyterian  meeting- 
house was  erected  in  1800,  the  Methodist  in  1833. 

Oquago  was  the  residence  of  a  tribe  of  Indians.  It  appears  to 
have  been  a  half-way  resting-place  for  the  "  Six  Nations"  as  they 
passed  south  of  Wyoming,  and  also  for  the  tribes  of  the  Wyoming 
valley  as  they  passed  north.  Jonathan  Edwards,  the  celebrated 
divine,  while  a  minister  at  Stockbridge,  Mass.,  took  a  deep  interest 
in  the  welfare  of  the  Indians  in  this  place.  He  procured  a  mis- 
sionary for  them,  Rev.  Mr.  Hawley,  and  three  other  persons,  Mr. 
Woodbridge,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ashley.  The  three  latter  returned.  Mrs. 
Ashley,  it  appears,  was  employed  during  her  stay  as  an  interpreter. 
Mr.  Hawley  remained  their  missionary  until  the  commencement  of, 
the  French  war,  when  it  was  considered  unsafe  for  him  to  remain 
longer.  About  one  year  previous  to  this  time,  Mr.  Edwards  sent 
one  of  his  sons,  a  lad  of  about  nine  years  of  age,  to  Oquago,  under 
the  care  of  Mr.  Hawley,  to  learn  the  Indian  language,  in  order  to 
become  an  Indian  missionary.  When  the  war  commenced,  a  faithful 
Indian,  who  had  special  care  of  the  lad,  took  him  and  conveyed  him 
to  his  father,  part  of  the  way  on  his  back.  This  lad  was  afterward 
President  of  Union  Gollege. 

The  following,  relating  to  the  privations  and  difficulties  encountered 
by  the  first  settlers  of  Oquago  valley,  is  from  Wilkinson's  Annals  of 
Binghamton. 

"  In  about  the  year  1794,  there  was  what  was  called  Xhe  pumpkin 
freshet,  in  the  month  of  August;  the  Susquehannah  rising  much 
above  its  usual  height,  and  sweeping  down  in  its  tide  the  productions 
of  the  fields — corn,  pumpkins,  potatoes,  &c.  A  great  scarcity  was 
the  natural  consequence.  During  this  scarcity,  Maj.  Stow  shouldered 
a  bushel  of  wheat,  in  which  the  whole  neighborhood  had  a  common 
share,  and  started  for  Wattles'  ferry  to  mill,  a  distance  of  more  than 
forty  miles,  carrying  his  grist  the  whole  distance  on  foot.  He  got 
his  wheat  ground,  and  returned  in  the  same  trudging  manner. 
During  his  journey,  he  purchased  one  quarter  of  a  pound  of  tea — at 
that  time  a  rare  article  with  the  settlers — to  help  out  the  repast 
which  he  anticipated  at  his  return.  Upon  his  arrival  home,  the 
neighbors,  who  held  an  interest  in  the  grist  of  wheat — and  most  pro- 
bably others  also— collected  at  the  major's  house,  to  hold  a  sort  of 
thanksgiving ;  which  was  to  be  celebrated  by  preparing  and  partak- 
ing of  as  sumptuous  a  feast  as  their  stores  would  admit.  Out  of  the 
flour  they  made  short-cake;  but  having  no  hog's  lard,  they  would 
have  come  short  of  this  luxury,  had  not  the  major  bethought  himself 
of  some  bear's  grease  which  he  had  in  the  house,  and  which  answer- 
ed as  a  substitute.  Their  tea  was  quite  a  n^vr  article  to  them,  for 
which  they  were  not  prepared.  They  had  no  teakettle,  no  teapot, 
no  teacups.  Instead  of  the  first,  a  small  kettle  was  furnished  to  boil 
the  water  in ;  they  put  the  tea  into  the  same  to  steen  it :  and  insti^ad 


72 


BECOME    COUNTV. 


i      ,|i 


IS .    '  f  I 


f 


of  cups  and  saucers,  they  used  a  wooden  bowl,  which  they  passed 
around  from  one  to  the  other.  Still  they  made  a  merry  cheer  of  it ; 
felt  the  glow  of  sociability,  and  told  each  his  best  anecdote.  These 
early  inhabitants,  when  they  became  old,  would  tell  the  story  to  their 
children  and  more  recent  inhabitants,  with  moistened  eyes  ;  but  said, 
it  was  then  a  heart-felt  thanksgiving  and  a  merry  time." 

CoLEsviLLE,  taken  from  Windsor  in  1821  ;  drained  centrally  by 
the  Susquehannah river;  from  Albany  123  miles.  Pop.  2,517.  Har- 
persville,  17  miles  N.  E.  from  Binghamton,  has  about  30  dwellings. 
Colesville,  New  Ohio,  Nineveh,  Dora,  and  Susquehannah,  are  post- 
offices.  Bellona  springs  in  this  town,  so  named  from  some  sulphur 
springs,  has  been  frequented  for  health  and  pleasure. 

CoNKLiN,  taken  from  Chenango  in  1824  ;  having  the  Susquehannah 
river  running  N.  W.  through  it  in  a  deep  valley  with  fertile  flats. 
Pop.  1,471.  Conklin  and  Corbotville  are  post-offices:  the  former  of 
which  is  about  4  miles  E.  of  Binghamton. 

Lisle,  taken  from  Union  in  1801 ;  from  Binghamton,  N.  E.,  18 
miles.  Lisle,  Lisle  Centre,  and  Union  Village,  are  post-offices.  This 
town  was  settled  in  1792  by  emigrants  from  the  eastern  states.  Pop. 
1,558. 

"  A  congregational  church  was  organized  in  what  is  called  Lisle,  in 
the  year  1797,  by  the  Rev.  Seth  Williston,  who  had,  a  short  time  pre- 
viously, been  sent  there  by  the  Connecticut  Missionary  Society,  upon 
the  personal  application  of  Mr.  Edwards.  The  church  consisted,  in 
its  first  formation,  of  sixteen  members,  eleven  of  whom  were  by  pro- 
fession. In  1801,  William  Osborn  was  elected  to  the  office  of  a 
deacon;  but  it  was  not  till  1810  that  he  was  consecrated  by  the  im- 
position of  hands  from  the  presbytery ;  and  his  colleague,  Andrew 
Squires,  was  consecrated  at  the  same  time. 

"  Mr.  Williston  employed  about  half  of  his  time  in  pastoral  duties  in 
"-   congregation;  the  rest  of  his  time  he   missionated  in  Union, 


this 


Owego,  and  in  Oquago.  He  was  installed  pastor  of  the  church  in 
Lisle,  in  October,  1803  ;  and  from  this  period  he  appears  to  have  em- 
ployed all  his  time  within  the  pastoral  limits  of  this  one  congregation, 
until  he  was  dismissed  from  it  in  1810.  The  church  of  Lisle  was  the 
earliest  organized,  it  is  believed,  of  any  west  of  the  Catskill  and  south 
of  Utica.  At  the  time  of  Mr.  Williston's  installation,  the  council  or- 
ganized what  then  was  called  *  The  Susquehannah  Association,'  tak- 
ing in  some  of  the  northern  counties  of  Pennsylvania. 

"  In  the  year  1796,  Mr.  E.  Edwards  built  the  first  saw-mill  on  the 
Onondaga  or  its  waters  ;  and  was  nearly,  if  not  quite,  the  first  that 
came  down  the  Chenango  with  a  raft.  He  subsequently  carried  on 
lumbering  to  a  great  extent ;  and  the  pine  timber  of  that  section  being 
of  a  superior  quality,  compensated  for  his  being  so  far  back  from  the 
broader  stream  of  the  Susquehannah.  The  first  grist-mill  was  built 
much  later,  by  Dr.  Wheeler.  Previous  to  this,  the  inhabitants  came 
down  to  Castle  creek  for  their  grinding ;  and  when  that  mill  failed 
for  want  of  water,  they  were  obliged  to  go  to  Tioga  Point." 

Nanticoke,  taken  from  Lisle  in  1831 ;  from  Albany  144  miles. 


i 


BROOME   COUNTY. 


73 


they  passed 

cheer  of  it ; 

iote.     These 

itory  to  their 

es ;  but  said, 

centrally  by 
J,517.  Har- 
10  dwellings, 
ah,  are  post- 
lome  sulphur 

usquehannah 

fertile  flats. 

he  former  of 

1,  N.  E.,  18 
flices.  This 
states.    Pop. 

illed  Lisle,  in 
ort  time  pre- 
lociety,  upon 
consisted,  in 
jvere  by  pro- 
!  office  of  a 
d  by  the  im- 
jue,  Andrew 

aral  duties  in 
d  in  Union, 
he  church  in 
to  have  em- 
ongregation, 
jisle  was  the 
:ill  and  south 
e  council  or- 
ciation/  tak- 

vf-mill  on  the 
the  first  that 
y  carried  on 
section  being 
ick  from  the 
lill  was  built 
bitants  came 
at  mill  failed 
int." 
^144  miles. 


There  are  sulphur  springs  in  the  N.  W.  part  of  the  town ;  14  miles 
N.  W.  from  Binghamton.     Pop.  418. 

Sandford,  taken  from  Windsor  in  1821  ;  from  Albany  121,  from 
Binghamton,  E.,  24  miles.  The  town  is  thinly  settled,  being  stony 
and  mountainous.     Pop.  1,172. 

Triangle,  so  named  from  its  shape,  taken  from  Lisle  in  1831 ; 
from  All'pny  132,  from  Binghamton,  N.,  17  miles.  Pop.  1,692.  Tri- 
angle post-office  is  at  Clarke's  settlement,  near  the  E.  line,  where 
there  are  about  30  dwellings.  At  Union  Village  is  the  post-office 
named  Upper  Lisle. 

Union  was  organized  in  1791 ;  lies  on  the  north  side  of  the  Sus- 
quehannah ;  its  surface  is  undulating,  with  a  fertile  soil  of  gravelly 
loam.  The  village  of  Union  is  on  the  Susquehannah,  9  miles  W. 
from  Binghamton,  containing  about  50  houses  and  300  inhabitants. 
Maine  post-office  is  in  the  northern  part  jof  the  town.  Pop.  2,600. 

The  town  appears  to  have  been  first  settled  about  the  year  1789, 
One  of  the  most  prominent  settlers  was  Gen.  Oringh  Stoddard,  one 
of  the  commissioners  appointed  by  the  Boston  Company  to  treat  with 
the  Indians.  Amos  Patterson,  afterward  judge  of  Broome  county, 
and  Joshua  Mersereau,  one  of  the  earliest  judges  of  old  Tioga 
county,  were  early  settlers  in  Union.  Judge  Mersereau  and  his 
brother  John,  were  originally  from  New  Jersey.  Previous  to  the 
revolutionary  war,  these  two  brothers  removed  to  Staten  Island, 
where  they  kept  a  large  tavern.  It  is  stated  that  they  were  the  first 
persons  who  commenced  a  line  of  stages  from  New  York  to  Phila- 
delphia, uniting  their  line  with  the  boats  that  plied  between  their  own 
dock  and  New  York. 

When  Staten  Island  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  British,  Judge  Mer- 
sereau and  his  brother,  being  zealous  in  the  American  cause,  left  the 
island  and  entered  into  the  American  service.  These  two  brothers 
were  the  principal  agents  in  preventing  the  British  from  crossing  the 
Delaware  in  their  pui'suit  of  Washington.  Judge  Mersereau,  who 
was  a  commissary  through  the  war,  was  much  about  the  person  of 
Washington.  When  he  had  crossed  the  Delaware,  he  was  asked  if 
he  was  sure  that  he  had  removed  every  thing  that  could  be  employed 
to  transport  the  enemy  over.  Washington  replied  he  thought  he 
had.  Judge  Mersereau  begged  the  privilege  of  re-crossing  with  his 
brother  and  making  search.  They  went  back  and  searched  the  op- 
posite shore,  and  found,  below  the  surface  of  the  water,  two  Durham 
boats,  which  had  been  timely  sunk  by  a  royalist  who  lived  near. 
They  raised  them  up  and  took  them  to  the  Pennsylvania  side. 

"  Several  of  the  Indians,  whose  particular  location  was  at  the  Castle 
farm,  had  temporary  huts  or  wigwams  in  Union,  near  the  river,  and 
on  both  sides.  These  they  occupied  more  or  less  for  several  vears 
after  the  country  was  settled.  Where,  and  in  what  manner,  they  ob- 
tained their  salt  was  always  a  mystery  to  the  whites.  They  would 
strike  a  course  over  the  mountain  about  opposite  Judge  Mersereau's, 
on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  and  after  an  absence  of  about  twelve 
hours,  would  return  with  a  pail  or  kettle  of  salt :  and  that,  too,  im- 

10 


u 


CAYUGA    COUNTY. 


•m 


I     il: 

r      I 

m^i   ! 


i 

mi 


mediately  upon  their  return,  would  be  warm.  Old  Mr.  Richards 
used  to  say,  that  the  Indians  would  cross  the  river  below  Willow 
Point,  rise  the  mountain,  and  bring  back  salt.  Sometimes  it  would 
be  warm.  He  inferred  that  there  must  be  a  salt  spring  near,  but  it 
never  could  be  found.  John  D.  Mersereau  relates,  that  when  a  lad, 
ills  father  and  himself  have  endeavored  to  follow  the  Indians  when 
they  were  known  to  have  set  out  for  salt ;  but  they  soon  would  ap- 
pear to  be  apprehensive  that  they  were  watched,  and  would  either 
remain  where  they  were,  or  turn  from  their  course.  Never  more 
than  iwo  would  set  out  upon  the  expedition.  They  used  the  utmost 
precaution  to  prevent  the  whites  from  ever  discovering  the  secret 
spot.  They  had  other  places  to  which  they  resorted  for  salt,  one  or 
more  in  the  neighborhood  of  Oquago.  Why  these  sources  of  salt 
have  never  been  founu  by  the  whites,  is  a  mystery. 

Vestal  was  taken  from  Union  in  1823,  being  divided  from  that 
town  by  the  Susquehannah.  It  is  a  lumbering  town,  being  but  a 
small  part  of  it  cultivated.  Major  David  Barney  was  one  of  the  first 
settlers.  He  came  down  the  river  from  Cooperstown  with  a  large 
family  of  children  in  a  canoe.  Vestal  is  8  miles  S.  W.  from  Bing- 
hamton.    Pop.  1,250.     There  are  two  post-offices,  Vestal,  S.  Vestal. 


CAYUGA  COUNTY. 

Cayuga  county  was  formed  from  Onondaga  in  1799;  but  other 
counties  have  since  been  taken  from  it.  Greatest  length  N.  and  S. 
55,  greatest  breadth  E.  and  W.  23  miles.  From  Albany,  W.,  156 
miles,  from  New  York,  301.  Upon  the  S.  the  surface  rises  into 
ridges,  along  the  Cayuga  lake,  the  Owasco  lake  and  inlet,  and  the 
Skaneatelcs  lake.  The  disposition  of  the  waters  shows  an  irregular 
surflice.  The  Poplar  ridge,  E.  of  the  Cayuga  lake,  rises  in  some 
places  to  000  feet  above,  but  has  a  gentle  slope  towards  the  lake,  dis- 
playing finely  cultivated  farms.  The  eastern  declivity  of  this  and 
other  hills  are  more  abrupt.  On  the  N.  of  Auburn,  the  country  is 
comparatively  level,  yet  has  a  rolling  appearance  from  the  many 
large  gravel  hills  scattered  over  the  plain,  assuming  in  many  places 
the  semblance  of  stupendous  mounds  formed  by  art.  This  grave! 
has  much  limestone,  and  produces  excellent  wheat.  Few  portions 
of  the  state  possess  more  fertile  lands,  or  can  boast  of  higher  cultiva- 
tion. In  all  the  fruits  of  the  climate,  this  county  is  prohfic.  About 
two  thirds  of  the  land  is  under  improviunent.  The  southern  portion 
IS  most  thickly  settled.  Thj  Cayuga  lake,  which  forms  a  large  part 
of  the  western  boundary,  is  a  beautiful  sheet  of  water,  36  miles  long, 
and  from  1  to  4  broad.  The  county  h  divided  mto  23  towns.  Pop. 
60,364.  ' 

Auburn  was  taken  from  Aurolius  in  1823.     The  town,  3  miles  by 


I 


CAYUOA    COlJNTT. 


n 


\  Richards 
ow  Willow 
les  it  would 
near,  but  it 
when  a  lad, 
dians  when 
1  would  ap- 
'ould  either 
fever  more 
the  utmost 
the  secret 
salt,  one  or 
rces  of  salt 

from  that 
eing  but  a 

of  the  first 
vith  a  large 
from  Bing- 
;,  S.  Vestal. 


;  but  other 
1  N.  and  S. 
y,  W.,  156 

rises  into 
ct,  and  the 
n  irregular 
js  in  some 
le  lake,  dis- 
)f  this  and 

country  is 

the  many 
any  places 
'his  gravel 
w  portions 
ler  cultiva- 
ic.  About 
3rn  portion 

large  part 
miles  long, 
vns.     Pop. 

!}  miles  by 


i/f 


2,  comprehending  6  lots  of  the  old  military  tract,  is  included  within 
the  chartered  limits  of  the  village.  The  compact  part  of  the  village 
lies  2i  miles  from  Lake  Owasco,  on  the  outlet  of  that  name.  It  is 
156  miles  from  Albany,  314  from  New  York,  7  from  Weedsport  on 
the  Erie  canal,  and  339  from  Washington.  Pop.  5,626.  There  are 
2  Presbyterian  churches,  1  Episcopal,  1  Baptist,  1  Universahst,  and 
1  Catholic;  a  state  prison,  courthouse,  theological  seminary,  an 
academy,  2  banks,  4  printing-offices,  and  a  number  of  splendid  hotels. 
Auburn' is  one  of  the  most  thriving  and  beautiful  villages  in  the  state. 
li§  principal  streets  are  adorned  with  lofty  buildings  of  brick  and 
limestone. 


Eastern  part  of  Genesee-street,  Auburn. 


Auburn  was  first  settled  in  1793,  by  Col.  John  L.  Hardenbergh, 
and  was  for  many  years  called  "  Hardenbergh'' s  Comers."  It  became 
a  post  village  in  1800,  and  in  1805  the  county  town  ;  and  received  its 
present  name  from  Dr.  Crosset.  At  this  time,  the  village  consisted 
of  but  a  few  log  dwellings,  a  store  or  two,  a  grist-mill,  &c.,  all  situ- 
ated near  the  biml^  of  the  creek,  not  far  from  the  spot  occupied  by 
the  establishment  of  Messrs.  Leonard  &  Warden. 

In  1807,  the  building  of  the  courthouse  was  commenced,  and  the 
county  courts  removed  to  this  place  from  Aurora.  In  1811,  the  vil- 
lage is  supposed  to  have  contained  about  300  inhabitants  ;  the  court- 
house was  the  only  public  building  ;  even  this  was  in  an  unfinished 
state.  The  construction  of  an  academy,  a  three-story  brick  building, 
and  a  neat  little  Episcopal  church  were  commenced,  and  a  Pre»- 
byterian  society  formed  during  this  year.  . 

In  1815,  Auburn  was  incorporated  a  village,  at  which  time  it  con- 


(  ! 

I  :  I 


76 


CAYUGA    COUNTY. 


lilKi!  iHill 


tained  1,000  inhabitants.  From  this  period,  its  improvement  became 
more  rapid  and  uniform ;  walks  were  now  put  down  on  the  principal 
streets,  which  before  were  muddy  and  uneven.  In  1816,  the  state 
prison  was  founded  in  tliis  place  ;  the  first  Presbyterian  church  in 
North-street  was  commenced,  and  the  Bank  of  Auburn,  capital 
$200,000,  was  chartered.  In  April,  1817,  the  village  contained 
1,506  inhabitants,  148  dwellings,  20  stores,  and  40  mechanic  shops. 
A  railroad  connects  Auburn  with  Syracuse.  This  road  is  26  miles 
long,  and  was  constructed  at  an  expense  of  $400,000.  A  railroad  is 
now  constructing  between  this  place  and  Rochester,  which  p;  ssfs 
some  distance  S.  of  the  Erie  canal,  through  the  flourishing  villages 
of  Canandaigua  and  Geneva,  a  distance  by  this  route  of  77^  miles. 


Auburn  Theological  Seminary, 

The  Auburn  Theological  Seminary  was  established  by  the  synod  of 
Geneva  in  1819,  and  by  the  act  of  incorporation,  in  1820,  was  placed 
under  commissioners,  chosen  by  the  synods  of  Genesee,  Geneva,  and 
Oneida.  There  are  four  professors  in  the  institution.  Over  300 
clergymen  have  been  educated  since  its  establishment.  In  \Hm,  tl'R 
number  of  students  was  71.  The  pri-i-ipal  building  is  of  stone,  pre- 
sentmg  a  In.nt  of  200  feet.  The  libr  .ry  exhibits  n  valuable  collec- 
ti(»n  ot  choice  tlie()|ogi«;al  works,  and  conlains  upwards  of  .'>.000  vols. 
No  charge  is  made  for  the  use  of  the  library,  rooms,  or  liiniiture. 
The  Me//<m/f.';/ 7^/;/.vco/jrt/ society  was  organized  in  1821  ;  their  house, 
on  Gha[)el.street,  was  erected  soon  after,  and  has  been  since  sold  to 
the  Catholics  ;  tli(>ir  present  stone  chnpel,  on  North-street,  was  erected 
in  1833.  The  Baptist  society  was  organized  in  182.'),  and  built  a 
church  on  South-street,  (since  sold  to  the  Universalists.)  in  1829; 
their  church  on  Genesee-strcet  was  erected  in  1834.  The  Srcnnd 
Presbyterian  society  was  organized  in  1820,  and  the  foundatior:  of 
their  house  laid.  In  1833,  the  Universalist  society  was  organized; 
and  in  1834,  the  Catholics  fitted  up  their  church  un  Ghap.'i-stre(;t. 

The  following  is  a  representation  of  the  state  prison  as  viewed  from 
the  N. ;  the  cupola  of  the  courthouse  is  seen  in  the  distance.     The 


•  «y 


CAYUGA    COUNTY. 


rr 


ment  became 
the  principal 
ne,  the  state 
m  church  in 
burn,  capital 
ye  contained 
chanic  shops, 
id  is  26  miles 
A  railroad  is 
which  ppssfs 
iliing  villages 
77 i  miles. 


the  synod  of 
I,  was  placed 
Geneva,  and 
.     Over   .'HIO 

In  1H35),  the 
»f  stone,  pre- 
uabio  collec- 
)!'  .'■),()()()  vols, 
or  furniture. 

their  house, 
since  sold  to 
,  was  erected 

and  built  a 
ts.)  in  IN'^9; 
The  Sfcimd 
oundatior;  of 
8  orfnnizcd; 
pel-street, 
viewed  from 
itance.     The 


State  Prison  at  Auburn. 

erection  of  this  prison  commenced  in  1816.  "It  occupies  a  plot  of 
ground  forming  a  square  500  feet  each  way,  enclosed  with  a  boundary 
wall  i>,000  feet  in  extent,  30  fe.'t  high,  and  4  feet  thick  at  the  base. 
A  small  river  or  creek  runs  along  the  S.  side  of  the  boundary,  and 
sulHcient  power  from  the  stream  is  obtained,  by  means  of  a  water- 
wheel  and  shaft  through  the  wall,  to  work  the  machinery  within  the 
prison.  The  prison  buildings  stand  back  about  80  feet  from  the 
road,  and  torm  three  sides  of  a  square ;  the  front  part  being  about 
280  feet  long ;  each  of  the  return  wings  is  240  feet  long  and  45  in 
depth.  The  cost  of  erecting  the  prison  was  more  than  $600,000. 
1  he  usual  number  of  prisoners  of  late  years  has  been  between  6  and 
700.  Ihe  earnmgs  of  the  prison  during  the  year  ending  Sept.  1839, 
was  $60,161.46;  the  expenditures  during  the  same  period,  $51,671.21. 
Keiigious  instruction  is  regularly  given  by  the  chaplain.  Sunday 
schools  are  instituted  in  the  prisons,  in  which  the  students  in  the  the- 
ological seminary  and  other  pious  persons  assist :  the  younger  por- 
tion of  the  convicts,  if  illiterate,  are  taught  to  read,  write,  and  cast 
accounts. 

"  The  building  contained  originally  550  cells.  More,  we  believe, 
have  lately  been  added.  They  are  principally  distributed  into  f  )ur 
tjers  or  stones,  and  constructed  on  each  side  of  the  block  or  win.^. 
The  cells  are  each  7  feet  long,  7  feet  high,  and  3i  wide.  They  are 
suthciently  lighted,  well  warmed,  and  ventilated.  The  area  between 
the  cells  and  the  parallel  walls,  10  feet  wide,  is  open  from  the  ground 
to  the  root ;  and  ol  this  interval.  3  feet  adjoining  the  cells  are  occu- 
p.ed  by  the  galleries.  This  space  in  front  of  the  cells  forms  a  com- 
plete  sounding-gallery,  so  that  the  watchman  in  the  open  area  on  the 
grmind  can  hear  even  a  whisper,  from  a  distant  cell  in  the  upper 

CI* 

"Such  are  the  provisions  and  precautions  for  the  separate  confine- 
ment  ol  the  prisoners  at  ni^ht.  In  the  daytime,  they  are  compelled 
to  labor  together,  in  an  orderly  and 'penitential  manner.  Soon  after 
aaylight.ou  a  signal  given  by  the  prison  bell,  the  turnkey  unlocks  the 


14 


i-ll 


a 


78 


CAYUGA    COUNTY. 


.  -    .••■•  ■ttiaiti.V,  .Si  1  aw '*,^i  I,      1 1    '« !  '  I , 

.■*-*3™!!!#Sl«*B'4w'!iil|li;'   "-"   » 


Prisoners  at  the  State  Prison  at  Auburn. 

doors  of  the  cells,  when  the  convicts,  each  with  his  night  tub,  water 
can,  and  mush  kid,  mnrch  out ;  and  having  disposed  of  these  articles 
according  to  the  order  of  the  prison,  proceed  to  the  workshops, 
where  they  commence  the  labor  of  the  day.  At  a  fixed  hour  another 
bell  is  rung,  when  they  form  again  in  line,  and  march  in  silence,  with 
closed  files,  to  the  mess-room,  where  they  breakfast  at  narrow  tables, 
Sfi  arranged  that  they  are  unable  to  exchange  even  looks  or  signs. 
After  an  interval  of  20  to  30  minutes,  they  return  in  the  same  mann(>r 
to  the  workshops.  At  12  o'clock,  they  dine  under  the  same  care  to 
prevent  intercourse.  On  the  approach  of  night,  they  wash  their 
faces  and  hands,  and  at  the  ringing  of  the  bell,  form  a  line  according 
to  the  number  of  their  cells,  march  out  of  the  shops  to  their  tubs,  and 
at  the  word  of  command  take  them  up,  step  forward  and  empty  into 
the  drain  the  water  which  had  been  placed  in  them  in  the  morning 
to  purify  them.  They  then  proceed,  with  closed  files,  the  tubs  hang- 
ing on  their  arms,  to  the  wash-room,  adjoining  the  kitchen,  where 
their  mush  and  molasses  in  a  kid,  and  water  in  a  can  for  drinking, 
have  been  placed  together,  in  rows,  by  the  cooks ;  and,  without 
breaking  their  step,  they  stoop  and  take  up  the  can  and  kid,  march  to 
their  respective  galleries,  enter  their  cells  as  they  arrive  at  them,  and 
pull  the  doors  partly  shut.  Ea(;h  gallery  is  occupied  by  one  compa- 
ny, which  is  marched  and  kicked  up  by  one  turnkey,  with  two  keys, 
differing  from  each  other,  and  from  all  the  rest.  The  convicts  then 
eat  supper  in  their  respective  cells.  At  an  early  hour  they  are  re- 
quired, by  the  ringing  of  n  bell,  to  take  off  their  clothes  and  go  to 
bed,  upon  their  canvass  hammocks;  when  well,  they  are  not  permitted 
to  lie  down  before  the  bell  rings,  nor  to  get  up  again,  but  from  neces- 
sity, until  the  ringing  of  the  morning  bell.  During  the  night,  turn- 
keys are  constantly  moving  round  the  galleries,  .vearing  wcoilc: 
socks  on  their  feet,  and  walking  so  noiselessly  that  the  convicts  are 
not  able  to  discover  their  presence  or  absence ;  and  thus  the  whole 


■:.•/''■ 


A   :'.■>■  "N"' 


CAYUGA    COUNTY. 


79 


ight  tub,  water 
f  these  articles 
he  workshops, 
d  hour  another 
in  silence,  with 
;  narrow  tables, 

looks  or  signs, 
e  same  manner 
ic  same  care  to 
ey  wash  their 

line  according 

their  tubs,  and 
and  empty  into 
in  the  morning 
,  the  tubs  hang- 
kitchen,  where 
n  for  drinking, 
;  and,  without 
d  kid,  march  to 
re  at  them,  and 
by  one  compa- 
with  two  keys, 
e  convicts  then 
air  they  are  re- 
othes  and  go  to 
•e  not  permitted 
l)ut  from  neces- 
thc  night,  turn- 
earin,cr  wcoilen 
he  convicts  are 

thus  the  whole 


wing,  containing  several  hundred  convicts,  is  preserved  in  perfect 
stillness  and  order.  It  is  obvious  that  no  communication  can  take 
place  between  the  convicts  at  night,  without  the  connivance  or  negli- 
gence of  the  turnkeys,  which  is  guarded  against  by  the  visits  of  the 
keeper  and  his  deputies  at  different  hours." — GoTdorCs  Gaz. 

The  following  inscriptions  are  copied  from  monuments  in  the  grave- 
yard N.  of  the  village.  ^ 

"Professori  Hisi.  Eccles  Politiaeque  nostro  Reverendo  Matthaeo  La  Rue  Perrine  D.  D. 
quindecim  annos  a  principio  in  Seminario  Auburnensi  theologico  qui  eruditus  dilectus  mo. 
destus  imnietate  erga  deuni  a'que  homines  cunctos  imagine  Dei  creatos  sincerus  vixit  nato 
mail  V  MDCCLXXVII  moriturus  exituni  proapexit  tranquiilus  patiens  benignus  spe  in 
Christo  solo  radiatus  christum  esse  verum  dcuni  et  redemptorem  suum  gloriosissimum 
gaudens  confessus  et  prucatus  triumphavit  suis  benedixit  gloriae  ascendit  Feb.  XII 
MDCCCXXXVI    Hunc  lapidem  amici  nonnulli  orbati  posuere." 

[To  the  memory  of  Rev.  Matthew  La  Rue  Perrine,  D.  D.,  Professor  of  Ecclesiastical 
History  and  Polity,  for  fifteen  years,  in  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Auburn.  He  was 
learned,  amiable,  and  modcs^^  lived  in  sincere  piety  towards  God  and  good  will  towards 
al!  men  created  in  the  image  fVod.  He  was  born  May  5,  1777.  In  the  near  prospect 
of  death  he  was  tranquil  and  paTient,  illumined  by  hope  in  Christ  alone,  whom  he  joyfully 
confessed  to  be  the  true  God  and  his  most  glorious  Redeemer.  Having  prayed,  he  tri- 
umphcd  over  death,  blessed  his  friends,  and  ascended  to  glory,  Feb.  12,  1836.— Some  of 
his  bereaved  friends  have  erected  this  monument  to  his  memory.] 

T  "  ^  9u":  ^'^  •  ^^'  '  ^'"  thanks  be  to  God  which  giveth  us  the  victory  through  uur  Lord 
Jesus  Chnst,  ff^o.  Wtliiam  Lewis,  Jr.,  son  of  Wm.  and  Mary  Lewis  of  'his  vicinity.  After 
his  course  of  pi  -pnratory  studies  in  Williams  College  and  Auburn  Theo.  Seminary,  and 
successfully  devot.-ng  himself  to  the  cause  of  Education,  Temperance  and  Piety  in  Canada 
Wew  York,  Indiana,  and  Ohio,  he  went  home  to  God,  4  April,  1838,  aged  36  years.  From 
the  bible  class,  his  interest  in  religion  began.  His  faith  and  character  were  formed  on  the 
Bible ;  and  he  wont  down  the  dark  valley  saying  '  all  is  light.'  " 

AuRELius,  organized  in  1789;  bounds  since  altered;  from  Albany 
159  miles.  Pop.  2,644.  Cayuga,  8  miles  W.  from  Auburn,  has  about 
30fi\vellings.  Aurelius  and  Fosterdale  are  small  villages.  Clarks- 
viUe,  1  mile  W.  from  Auburn,  has  about  50  dwellings. 


Cayuga  Bridge. 


lak^nn  1?"  ''T  ""[  ^'^y"^"'  P'''^^^'  ^^'^^^  ^'•^^^es  the  Cayuga 
lake  on  the  greiit  western  turnpike,  was  taken  on  the  western  hA 

Se  of iwf '  TTf'  ^'f  rf  ^^^  '-'^'^  ^  P-"-  «^  the  ftttle^  : 
tavern  of W?Tit..r  '"''^'  ^""''^■"^  ^'^  '^''^  '''^^''  '«  ^^e  well-known 
so  fammi  in'  .  ♦  '  ^'"'''"^  '"'P'"''"''  -^«""ni"<lations.  .  Thi.  bridge, 
so  famous  in  pohtical  estimates,  was  commenced  iii  May,  179U,  and 


.■.■xv-w:::v 


80 


CAYUGA    COUNTY. 


rl 


!li!if«! 


finished  in  September,  1800.  Il  was  built  by  the  Manhattan  Com- 
pany of  New  York,  and  cost  $150,000.  Its  length  is  one  mile. 
"  This  bridge  is  the  longest  in  America,  perhaps  in  the  world,  and 
yet  five  years  ago,"  says  a  traveller  in  1800,  "  the  Indians  possessed 
the  shores  of  the  lake,  imbosomed  in  almost  impenetrable  woods." 
The  first  bridge  was  built  on  mud  sills — the  second  on  piles — the 
third  and  last  was  erected  i*  1833,  and  cost  about  $15,000. 

Brutus,  taken  from  Aurelius  in  1802.  Pop.  2,045.  Weedsport, 
incorporated  in  1831,  on  the  canal  7  miles  N.  of  Auburn,  26  irom 
Syracuse,  87  W.  of  Utica,  and  197  by  canal  from  Albany,  is  a  flour- 
ishing village,  with  about  120  dwellings.  Centre ville  is  a  small  vil- 
lage on  the  canal. 

Cato,  taken  from  Aurelius  in  1802 ;  bounds  since  altered ;  from 
Albany  155,  from  Auburn,  N.  E.,  13  miles.  Cato  Corners  and  Cato 
are  small  villages.     Pop.  2,380.  |||^ 

CoNauEST,  taken  from  Cato  in  1821  ;^Rm  Albany  162  miles. 
Pop.  1,911.     The  post-office  is  19  miles  N.  N.  W.  of  Auburn. 

Fleming,  taken  from  Aurelius  in  1823;  from  Albany  160  miles. 
Pop.  1,330.  Fleming,  5  miles  S.  of  Auburn,  has  about  20  dwellings. 
Genoa,  organized  by  the  General  Sessions  of  Ontario  county,  in 
1789,  by  the  name  of  Milton;  name  and  bounds  since  altered ;  from 
Albany  185,  from  Auburn  centrally  distant,  S.,20  miles.  Pop.  2,591. 
Genoa,  formerly  called  the  "  Indian  Fields,"  has  about  40  dwellings. 
Northville  has  about  20  dwellings.  Kings  Ferry,  Five  Corners,  and 
East  Genoa  are  post-offices. 

Ira,  taken  from  Cato  in  1821  ;  from  Albany  189  miles.  Pop.  2,282. 
Ira,  24  miles  N.  of  Auburn,  has  about  25  dwellings. 

Ledvard,  taken  from  Scipio  in  1823.  Aurora,  post  village  18 
miles  S.  W.  from  Auburn,  is  beautifully  situated  upon  the  lake  in  a 
fertile  country,  and  has  several  churches,  the  Cayuga  Academy,  and 
about  125  dwcll.ngs.  Levana,  also  upon  the  lake,  14  miles  from 
Auburn,  is  a  small  village.     Pop.  2,500. 

Locke,  taken  from  Milton,  original  name  of  Genoa,  in  1802  ;  from 
Albany  166,  from  Auburn  centrally  distant,  S.  E.,  21  millfe.  Milan, 
at  which  is  the  post-office  of  the  town,  has  about  50  dwellings.  Pop. 
1,800. 

Mentz,  originally  named  Jefferson,  and  taken  from  Aurelius  in  1808; 
from  \lbany  161  miles.  Pop.  4,215.  Port  Byron,  on  the  canal,  3 
miles  W.  from  Weedsport,  and  8  from  Aubura,  has  about  150  dwell- 
ings. Throopsville  is  a  small  munufacturing  village  on  the  Owasco 
outlet,  3  miles  N.  W.  from  Auburn.  Montezun.a  Village  is  situated 
at  the  junction  of  the  Seneca,  Cayuga,  and  Erie  canals.  It  con- 
tains an  Episcopal  and  a  Baptist  church,  a  collector's  office,  and 
about  75  dwellings:  distant,  10  miles  from  Auburn,  21  from  Geneva, 
64  from  Rochester,  7  from  Cayuga,  35  from  Syracuse,  and  205  from 
Albany.  In  18.30,  the  state  was  successful  in  sinking  u  shaft  about 
300  feet,  from  which  issues  a  large  quantity  of  the  best  salt  water  in 
the  state.  The  salt  made  from  it  is  romcrkably  free  from  imjnirities, 
and  the  facilities  for  its  manufacture  are  great,  the  ground  being  good 


CAYUGA    COUNTY. 


81 


lanhattan  Com- 
th  is  one  mile. 
1  the  world,  and 
idians  possessed 
letrable  woods." 
d  on  piles — the 
15,000. 

[5.  Weedsport, 
Luburn,  26  from 
Ibany,  is  a  flour- 
le  is  a  small  vil- 

;e  altered ;  from 
orners  and  Cato 

)any  162  miles, 
f  Auburn, 
bany  160  miles, 
ut  20  dwellings, 
itario  county,  in 
;e  altered ;  from 
es.  Pop.  2,591. 
)ut  40  dwellings, 
ve  Corners,  and 

ies.     Pop.  2,282. 

post  village  18 
9n  the  lake  in  a 
a  Academy,  and 
I,  14  miles  from 

I,  in  1802  ;  from 
1  milib.  Milan, 
dwellings.    Pop. 

Aureliusin  1808; 

on  the  canal,  3 
ibout  150  dwell- 
;  on  the  Owasco 
illage  is  situated 
canals.  It  con- 
tor's  office,  and 
21  from  Geneva, 
se,  and  205  Irom 
ng  a  shaft  about 
lest  salt  water  in 

from  impurities, 
ound  being  good 


and  fire-wood  plenty.  No  lime  is  used  in  the  manufacture  of  salt 
from  these  springs.  The  Montezuma  marshes  commence  about  a 
mile  westward  of  the  village :  they  are  gradually  drying  away,  and 
it  is  believed  that  the  healthfulness  of  this  town  is  now  equal  to 
any  in  the  vicinity. 

"  This  marshy  tract,"  says  a  well  known  writer,  "  is  the  paradise 
of  musquetoes"  which  tiny  and  troublesome  insect  are  here  notorious 
for  their  numbers,  size,  and  '•  penetrating  proboscis."  The  following 
is  said  to  be  the  tradition  of  the  Onondagas  respecting  the  origin  of 
this  "  musical  insect :" 

"  There  were,  in  times  of  old — many  hundred  moons  affo — two  huge  feathered  monsters 
permitted  by  the  Manitou  to  descend  from  the  sky  and  light  upon  the^nks  of  the  Seneca 
river,  near  the  present  route  of  the  cunal,  at  Montezuma.  T-.oir  forn^as  exactly  that  of 
a  musquetoe,  and  they  were  so  large  that  they  darkened  the  sun  like  a  cloud,  as  they  flew 
between  the  earth  and  it.  Standing  the  one  upon  one  side  of  the  river,  and  the  other  op- 
posite on  the  other  bank,  they  guarded  the  river,  and  stretching  their  long  necks  into  the 
canoes  of  the  Indians  ns  they  attempted  to  paddle  along  the  stream,  gobbled  them  up  as 
the  stork  king  in  the  fable  did  the  frogs.  The  destruction  of  life  was  great,  for  the  em- 
bargo was  so  strictly  enforced  that  not  an  Indian  could  pass  without  being  devoured  in  tiie 
attempt.  It  was  long  liefore  the  monsters  could  be  exterminated,  and  then  only  by  the 
combined  efforts  of  all  the  wamurs  of  the  Caytiga  and  Onondaga  nations  of  Indians. 
The  battle  was  terrible,  but  the  warriors  finally  triumphed,  and  the  mammoth  musquetoes 
were  slain.  But,  sad  to  r(  late,  as  their  carcases  decomposed  in  the  sun,  every  particle  be- 
came vivified,  and  flew  off  daily  in  myriads  of  clouds  of  musquetoes  !  And  they  have  filled 
the  country  ever  since." 

Moravia,  taken  from  Sempronius  in  1833;  from  Albany  157,  from 
Auburn  centrally  distant,  S.  E.,  20  miles.  Settlemcnls  wore  com- 
menced here  in  1794.  A  branch  of  the  Owasco  inlet  here  falls  per- 
pendicularly 70  feet.     Pop.  2,010.     Moravia  is  a  small  viliage. 

NiLES,  taken  from  Sempronius  in  1833;  from  Albany  160,  from 
Auburn  centrally  distant,  S.  E.,  15  miles.  Kellogsville  and  West 
Niles  are  post-ofticcs.     Pop.  2,234. 

Owasco,  taken  from  Aurelius  in  1802 ;  from  Albany  164  miles. 
Owasco,  a  small  village,  is  8  miles  S.  E.  from  Auburn.     Pop.  1,331. 

SciPio,  organized  as  part  of  Ontario  county  in  1789;  bounds  since 
altered;  from  Albany  180,  centrally  distant  S.  from  Auburn,  10 
miles.  Scipi'O,  N.  Scipio,  Sherwood's  Corners,  and  Scipioville  are 
post-offices.     Pop.  2,255. 

Sempronius,  organized  in  1799;  from  Albany  153,  from  Auburn 
centrallv  distant,  S.  E.,  16  miles.  Skaneateles  lake  touches  it  on  the 
N.     Pop.  1,304. 

Sennet,  taken  from  Brutus  in  1807;  from  Albany  160  miles. 
Sennet,  5  miles  N.  of  Auburn,  has  about  30  dwellings.     Pop.  2,060. 

Springpobt,  taken  from  Scipio  and  Aurelius  in  1823  ;  from  Albany 
166  miles.  Pop.  1.891.  Union  Springs,  so  called  from  two  springs 
whose  united  waters  form  a  useful  mill-stream,  laid  out  in  1813,  on 
the  Cayuga  lake,  10  miles  S.  W.  from  Auburn,  has  about  50  dwellings. 

Sterling,  the  northernmost  town,  formed  from  Cato  in  1812  ;  from 
Albany  172,  from  Auburn,  N.,  centrally  distant  28  miles.  Sterling, 
Martville,  and  Little  Sodus  are  post-othces.     Pop.  2,536. 

Summer  Hill,  originally  named  Plato,  and  taken  from  Locke  in 

U 


U4 


S2 


CATTARAUGUa    COUNTY. 


Il-  ;''.!< 


1821 ;  from  Albany  147,  from  Auburn,  S.  E.,  centrally  distant  25 
miles.  Summer  Hill,  in  the  south  part,  has  about  20  dwellings. 
Pop.  1,446. 

Venice,  taken  from  Scipio  in  1823 ;  W.  from  Albany  162  miles. 
Smith's  Corners,  14  miles  S.  W.  of  Auburn,  Talcott's  15,  Tupper's  17, 
and  Stuart's  Corners,  are  small  villages.     Pop.  2,105. 

Victory,  taken  fromCato  in  1821 ;  from  Albany  167,  from  Auburn 
N.,  20  miles.  Lathrop's  Corners  has  about  25  or  30  dwellings. 
Pop.  2,371. 


CATTARAUGUS  COUNTY. 


11  ' 


Cattaraugus  county,  taken  from  Genesee  in  1803;  centrally  dis- 
tant from  New  York  via  Catskill,  384 ;   from  Albany,  292 ;  from 
Buffalo,  S.  E.,  50  miles.     Length,  E.  and  W.,  39,  and  greatest  breadth 
N.  and  S.  36  miles.     It  derives  its  name  from  the  Indian  word  Gah- 
ta-ra-ke-ras,  signifying  stinking  shore  or  beach,  originally  applied  to 
Lake  Erie,  and  thence  extended  over  the  adjacent  country.     This 
county  is  highly  elevated,  being  from  500  to  1200  feet  above  Lake 
Erie.     Its  surface  is  broken  by  some  hills  of  no  mean  pretensions  to 
the  character  of  mountains,  but  in  general  it  is  but  moderately  uneven, 
and  in  some  parts  quite  level.     In  the  S.,  along  the  Allegany  river, 
there  are  broad  belts  of  white  pine,  behind  which  there  are  marshes ; 
excepting  these,  the  lands  are  generally  firm,  and  timbered  with  a 
variety  of  trees  of  loA;y  growth.     No  region  of  this  state,  and  proba- 
bly none  of  any  other  in  the  Union,  was  originally  covered  with  an 
equal  amount  of  valuable  timber.     Some  of  the  trees  have  measured 
230  feel  in  height,  and  five  of  them  have  been  known  to  furnish  an 
hundred  "  lumber-man's"  logs.     Shingles  and  boards  for  the  supply 
of  the  whole  western  world,  have  been  manufactured  in  the  shingle 
shanties  and  saw-mills  upon  the  Allegany  and  its  tributaries.     The 
lands  in  the  N.  part  are  warmer  and  better  adapted  to  grain  and 
grass  crops  than  in  the  south,  except  at  the  S.  W.  corner.     This 
county  formed  part  of  the  Holland  Land  Company's  purchase,  who 
orig  nally  owned  it  all  excepting  the  Indian  reservations.     About  one 
eighth  of  the  county  is  under  improvement.     The  county  is  divided 
into  26  lowns.     Pop.  28,803. 

AsHFjRD,  taken  from  Ellicottville  in  1824 ;  from  Albany  282,  from 
Bufllilo  40,  from  Ellicottville,  N.,  10  miles.  Pop.  1,402.  Not  more 
than  a  tenth  part  of  the  town  is  yet  under  improvement.  The  valley 
of  the  Cattaraugus  creek,  on  the  northern  line  of  the  town,  is  from  1 
to  2  miles  broad,  and  fertile.    Ashford  is  a  small  village. 

Burton  was  taken  from  Great  Valley  in  1831  ;  centrally  distant 
from  Ellicottville,  S.  E.,  16  miles.  Pop.  511.  "  Allegany  city,"  is  a 
plot  laid  out  some  years  since  upon  the  Allegan}-^  river,  near  the  east- 


CATTARAUOUO   COCNTY. 


es 


ly  distant  25 
20  dwellings. 

ny  162  miles. 
,  Tupper's  17, 

from  Auburn 
30  dwellings. 


centrally  dis- 
y,  292;  from 
jatest  breadth 
m  word  Gah- 
lUy  applied  to 
)untry.  This 
t  above  Lake 
pretensions  to 
rately  uneven, 
.llegany  river, 
are  marshes ; 
abered  with  a 
te,  and  proba- 
vered  with  an 
ave  measured 
I  to  furnish  an 
for  the  supply 
in  the  shingle 
lUtaries.  The 
to  grain  and 
corner.  This 
jurchase,  who 
s.  About  one 
inty  is  divided 

any  282,  from 
2.  Not  more 
..  The  valley 
>wn,  is  from  1 
;e. 

ntrally  distant 
;any  city,"  is  a 
near  the  east- 


ern boundary.    Not  more  than  one  thirtieth  part  of  this  town  is  under 

improvement.  ^    , .  ,  •    /•         ,  .  . 

Cold  Spring  was  taken  from  Napoli,  of  which  it  termed  the  south- 
ern part.  Pop.  G73.  This  townsh  :p  is  intersected  by  the  Allegany 
river.  At  the  mouth  of  Cold  Spring  creek,  v^hich  enters  th.s  stream, 
is  an  "  Indian  village  called  Tunes-assah ;  the  reservation,  one  mile 
in  width  along  the  river,  extends  some  miles  above  and  several  be- 
low this  point  into  Pennsvlvania ;  this  remnant  lately  had  at  its  head 
the  celebrated  chief  Cornplanter,  who  died  early  •!  the  year  1836, 
aged  about  100  years.  Some  of  the  tribe  are  wealthy;  have  large 
stocks  of  cattle,  and  some  saw-mills.  Much  is  due  for  the  improve- 
ment of  their  condition  to  the  judicious  efforts  of  the  society  of 
'Friends,'  of  Philadelphia,  who  have  long  maintained  instructers 
among  them,  teaching  the  primitive  arts  of  civilization,  and  who 
have  a  settlement  in  the  southern  part  of  the  town."  Some  of  the 
last  of  the  Indian  prophets  incorporated  a  part  of  the  tenets  of  Chris- 
tianity into  their  pagan  system.  A  few  years  since,  a  portion  of  the 
Indians  In  this  town  were  in  the  practice  of  collecting  around  a  log 
about  30  feet  long,  worked  into  a  resemblance  of  the  human  form,  to 
which  they  performed  a  kind  of  worship.  The  son  of  Cornplanter 
subsequently  persuaded  them  to  throw  it  into  the  river. 

Cornplanter,  the  chief  above-mentioned,  it  appears,  was  the  son  of 
a  white  man,  who  lived  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Plank  ;  his  mother  was 
a  young  woman  of  the  Seneca  tr.be.  The  Seneca  Indians,  durmg 
the  revolutionary  war,  were  led  on  aga'nst  the  Americans  m  the  Mo- 
hawk valley,  by  Cornplanter,  who,  in  one  of  his  incursions,  took  his 
father  prls  ^ner.  He  however  treated  him  well,  and  released  hm 
from  confinement.  In  a  letter  wr  tten  by  Cornplanter  to  the  govern- 
or of  Pennsylvania  in  1822,  complaining  of  the  attempt  to  imp;>se 
taxes  upon  him  and  the  Senecas  resld.ng  on  the  Allegany,  he  began 
as  follows: 

"  When  I  was  a  child,  I  played  with  the  butterfly,  the  grasshopper,  and  the  frogs.  As  I 
grew  up,  I  began  to  pay  some  attention,  and  play  with  the  liidian  boys  iii  the  neighborhood, 
and  they  took  notice  of  my  skin  being  a  different  color  from  theirs,  and  spoke  about  it.  I 
inquired  of  my  mother  the  cause,  and  she  told  me  that  my  father  was  a  resident  of  Albany. 
I  ate  still  my  victuals  out  of  a  bark  dish :  I  grew  up  to  be  a  young  man,  and  married  me  a 
wife,  but  I  had  no  kettle  or  gun.  I  then  knew  where  my  father  lived,  and  went  to  see 
him,  and  found  he  was  a  white  man  and  spoke  th?  English  language.  He  gave  me  victuals 
while  I  was  at  his  house,  but  when  I  started  to  return  home  he  gave  me  no  provision  to  eat 
on  the  way.  He  gave  me  nei  her  kettle  nor  gur<,  neiiher  did  he  tell  me  that  the  United 
States  were  about  to  rebel  against  the  government  of  England,"  &c.  &c. 

"Cornplanter  lived  to  a  great  age,  having  deceased  within  the  last  eight  or  ten  years. 
He  was  an  able  mun,  distinguished  in  subsequer.t  negotiations.  He  was  eloquent,  and  a 
great  advocate  for  temperance.  He  made  a  very  effective  and  characteristic  speech  upon 
that  subject  in  1822.  'The  Great  Spirit  first  mide  the  world,  and  next  the  flying  animals, 
and  found  all  things  good  and  prosperous.  He  is  immortal  and  everlasting.  After  finish, 
ing  the  flying  animals,  he  came  down  upon  the  earth  and  there  stood.  Then  he  made  dif- 
ferent kinds  of  trees,  and  woods  of  all  sorts,  and  people  of  every  kind.  He  made  the 
spring  and  other  seasons,  and  the  weather  suitable  for  planting.  These  he  did  make.  Bui 
ttilU,  to  make  whiskey  to  give  to  Indians,  he  did  not  make.'  •  •  ■  •  ♦  The  Great 
Spirit  told  us  that  there  were  three  things  for  people  to  attend  to.  First,  we  ought  to  tak« 
care  of  our  wives  and  children.  Secondly,  the  white  people  ought  to  attend  to  their  farms 
and  cattle.  Thirdly,  the  Great  Spirit  has  given  the  bears  and  deers  to  the  Indians.'  »  »  • 
'  Tlie  Great  Spirit  haa  ordered  me  to  quit  drinking.    He  withes  ma  to  inform  the  people 


J.'  - 


y 


i 


i  i  ? 


!|i. 


■  r« 


i.!:'|i 


ill   J 


84 


CATTARAUGUS    COUNTY. 


that  they  should  quit  drinking  intoxicating  drink.'  In  the  course  of  the  same  speech,  he 
gave  evidence  that  he  was  not  overmuch  pleased  with  the  admixture  of  his  own  blood. 
«  #  •  •  The  different  kinds  the  Great  Spirit  made  separate,  and  not  to  mix  with  and 
disturb  each  other.  But  the  white  people  have  broken  this  command,  by  mixing  their 
color  with  the  Indians.  The  Indians  have  done  better  by  not  doing  so.'  " — Stoiie'a  Life 
of  Brant. 

Ganothjowaneh,  a  distinguished  chief  of  the  Seneca  tribe,  was,  it 
is  said,  a  superior  orator  to  Red  Jacket.  He  was  called  by  the 
whites,  Big  Kettle,  that  being  the  signification  of  his  Indian  name.  It 
is  stated  that  believer  tasted  ardent  spirits,  and  opposed  the  practice 
among  the  Indians,  and  suflored  some  persecutions  on  this  account. 
During  the  early  period  of  his  life,  he  was  opposed  to  the  introduction 
of  Christianity,  but  latterly  was  rather  in  favor  of  it.  Mr.  Wright, 
the  missionary,  now  living  among  the  Senecas,  near  Buffalo,  attempt- 
ed to  persuade  him  to  embrace  the  Christian  religion.  When  told 
that  he  was  a  sinner  in  the  sight  of  God,  Big  Kettle  appeared  to  be 
somewhat  sur])rised  ;  throwing  himself  in  an  oratorical  attitude,  he 
recounted  a  long  list  of  his  good  deeds,  and  endeavored  to  make  it 
appear  that  he  was  not  a  sinner.  He  once  came  to  Mr.  Wright,  and 
asked  him  the  question,  "  Does  God  overrule  all  things  ?"  "  Certainly," 
replied  Mr.  Wright.  "  I  tell  my  people  so,  in  council,"  replied  Big 
Kettle ;  "  but  when  I  am  alone,  and  think  how  much  iniquity  is  prac- 
tised by  the  white  people  in  getting  away  our  lands,  &c.,  and  how  they 
go  on  without  being  punished,  I  have  my  doubts."  He  said  that  the 
preaching  of  the  missionaries  was  good,  and  that  the  Indians  would 
listen  to,  and  follow  it,  but  he  said  it  would  be  useless  :  the  bad  habits 
of  his  people  were  so  strong,  the  attempt  to  break  them  up  would  be 
as  idle  as  to  "  stop  the  wind  from  blowing  down  Lake  Erie." 

CoNNEWANGo,  formed  from  Little  Valley  in  1823;  from  Albany, 
312,  from  Ellicottville,  S.  W.,20  miles.  The  soil  is  excellent.  Pop. 
1,316.     Rutledge  is  a  small  post  village. 

Dayton,  taken  from  Perrysburg  in  1835;  from  Albany  302,  from 
Ellicottville,  N.  W.,  25  miles.  Pop.  922.  The  surface  of  the  town  is 
undulating,  and  generally  heavily  timbered. 

Ellicottville,  taken  trom  Ischua  in  1820  ;  was  named  after  Joseph 
Ellicott,  late  principal  agent  of  the  Holland  Land  Company.  Pop. 
1,088. 

Ellicottville,  the  county  seat,  is  from  Albany  292,  from  New  York, 
by  the  way  of  Cattskill,  384,  from  Mayville,  E.,  50,  ti'om  Angelica, 
W.,  35,  and  from  Buffalo,  S.  W.,  50  miles.  Grove  Hurlburt  and 
Ornn  Pitcher  were  the  first  settlers,  and  came  here  in  1815.  The 
following  view  of  the  county  buildings  was  taken  near  Gregory's 
tavern.  The  Episcopal  church  is  seen  on  the  left.  The  courthouse 
IS  the  largci  building,  fronting  the  spectator.  The  jail,  a  stone  siruct- 
ure,  is  seen  on  the  right.  There  are  here,  besides  the  above,  2 
land  and  2  weekly  newspaper  offices,  a  fine  hotel,  a  Presbyterian 
church,  and  about  90  dwellings.  The  scenery  of  the  valley  and  sur- 
rounding hills  is  beautiful,  and  has  been  compared  to  the  Italian. 

Farmersville,  taken  from  Clean  in  1812  ;  area  since  much  re- 
duced; from  Albany  280,  and  from  Ellicottville,  N.  E.,  19  miles. 


CATTABAUGUS    COUNTY. 


85 


3  same  speech,  he 
of  his  own  blood. 
)t  to  mix  with  and 
I,  by  mixing  their 
).'"— Stone's  Life 

i  tribe,  was,  it 
called  by  the 
lian  name.  It 
d  the  practice 

this  account, 
e  introduction 

Mr.  Wright, 
iffalo,  attempt- 
.  When  told 
ppeared  to  be 
il  attitude,  he 
3d  to  make  it 
'.  Wright,  and 

"  Certainly," 
,"  replied  Big 
iquity  is  prac- 
and  how  they 

said  that  the 
Indians  would 
the  bad  habits 
I  up  would  be 
Erie." 

from  Albany, 
cellent.     Pop. 

my  302,  from 
of  the  town  is 

d  after  Joseph 
npany.     Pop. 

n  New  York, 
'om  Angelica, 
Hurlburt  and 
1  1815.  The 
;ar  Gregory's 
le  courthouse 
1  stone  siruct- 
the  above,  2 
Presbyterian 
illey  and  sur- 
B  Italian, 
ice  much  re- 
E,.,  19  miles. 


Pop.  1,294.    Farmersville  is  a  small  post  village.    About  one  fourth 
part  of  the  town  is  under  cultivation. 


Southern  View  of  the  Public  Buildings,  Ellicottville. 

Franklinville,  taken  from  Olean,  by  the  name  of  Ischua,  in  1812. 
Pop.  1,276.  Franklin ville  Village  in  the  N.  E.  angle  of  the  town, 
13  mdes  N.  E.  from  Ellicottville,  has  about  60  dwellings.  Cadiz,  a 
mile  below  on  the  Ischua  creek,  has  about  40  dwellings. 

Freedom,  formed  from  Ischua,  or  Franklinville,  in  1820.  Pop. 
1,831.  Freedom  Village,  26  N.  E.  from  Ellicottville,  Chelsea  21, 
and  bandusky  24  mdes,  are  small  settlements.  There  is  here  an  oil 
spring,  simdar  in  many  respects  to  the  famous  Seneca  oil  spring  at 
Cuba,  Allegany  county. 

Great  Valley,  taken  from  Olean  in  1818  ;  from  Albany  299,  cen- 
trally  distant  S.  from  Ellicottville  1 1  miles.  Chamberlain  is  a  village. 
Kilbuck  and  Great  Valley  are  post-offices.  The  Indian  reservation, 
about  a  mile  wide,  extends  along  the  river  to  the  east  line  of  the 
town.     Pop.  843. 

Hinsdale,  taken  from  Olean  in  1820.  Pop.  1,937.  Hinsdale,  26  S. 
J^.,  and  West  Hinsdale,  16  miles  from  Ellicottville,  are  post  villages. 

Humphrey,  taken  from  Burton;  from  Ellicottville,  S.  E.,  centrally 
distant  10  miles.     Chapelsburg  is  a  post-office.     Pop.  459. 

Leon,  taken  from  Connewango  in  1832;  from  Albany  307,  from 
Ellicottville,  W.,  18  miles.  Leon  Centre  is  a  small  village.  Leon 
and  Leon  Mills  are  post-offices.     Pop.  1,325. 

Little  Valley,  taken  from  Perry  in  1818  ;  Little  Valley  village 
is  a  smaU  settlement,  7  miles  S.  W.  from  Ellicottville.  Bucktooth  is 
a  post-office.  Not  one  fortieth  part  of  the  town  is  settled.  The  In- 
dmn  reservation  extends  along  the  Allegany  river  through  this  town. 

frn     w'!r'^^f,"t°'"^'''^"'^Jinville  in  1829;  from  Albany  277,  and 
from  EUicottviUe,  E.,  80  miles.    Hopkins  is  a  post-office.    Pop.  628. 


fi 


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33  WIST  MAIN  STRUT 

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86 


CATTARAUGUS   COUNTY. 


n:!! 


Hii 


iiilld; 


Machias,  taken  from  Yorkshire  in  1827 ;  from  Albany  268,  from 
EUicottville,  N.  E.,  10  miles.  Machias,  a  post-office,  and  Machias 
Corners,  are  small  settlements.     Pop.  1,085. 

Mansfield,  taken  from  Little  I' alley  in  1830,  originally  named 
Cecilius ;  from  Albany  296,  and  from  EUicottville,   W.,   5   miles. 

Pop.  960.  ,  „  T  •    ,     Tr   „ 

Napoli,  originally  named  Cold  Spring,  and  taken  from  Little  Valley. 
Seeleysburg,  13  miles  S.  W.  from  EUicottville,  is  a  post-office.  Na- 
poli  is  a  small  vUlage.     Pop.  1,142. 

New  Albion,  taken  from  Little  Valley  in  1830  ;  from  Albany  302, 
from  EUicottville,  W.,  10  miles.    New  Albion  is  a  post-office.    Pop. 

1,033. 

Olean.  organized  in  1808 ;  bounds  since  much  reduced.  Pop.  638. 
Clean  Village,  at  the  junction  of  the  Olean  creek  with  the  Alleghany 
river,  is  the  oldest  place  in  the  county.  It  was  founded  by  Major 
Hoops,  and  named  by  him,  in  honor  of  Gen.  Hamilion,  "  Hamilton  on 
the  Allegany."  Major  Hoops  was  originally  from  Philadelphia,  and 
served  as  an  aid  under  Washington  during  the  revolutionary  vvar. 
This  is  a  Uourishing  village,  and  is  destined  to  become  a  place  of  im- 
portance. The  New  York  and  Erie  railroad  is  to  pass  through  it; 
and  the  Genesee  Valley  canal,  now  constructing  trom  Rochester 
south,  is  to  terminate  here.  The  width  of  the  Allegany  river  is  20 
rods,  with  a  channel  free  from  obstructions.  The  amount  of  lumber 
annually  sent  to  market  by  it,  is  about  200  millions  of  feet,  board 
measure,  of  superior  quality. 

Otto,  taken  irom  Pcrrysburg  in  1823  ;  from  Albany,  W.,  300  miles. 
Waverly,  1 1  miles  N.  W.  from  EllicottvUle,  is  a  small  vUlage.  Otto 
and  East  Otto  are  names  of  post-offices.     Pop.  2,125. 

Perrvsduro,  originally  named  Perry,  was  taken  from  Olean  and 
Ischua  in  1814.  It  is  in  the  northwestern  angle  of  the  county  ;  from 
AH)any  804,  and  from  EUicottville  30  miles.  Perrysburg  and  Ver- 
sailles are  small  villages,  and  North  Perrysburg  a  post-office.  Pop. 
1,672. 

Persia,  taken  from  Perrysburg  in  1835 ;  from  Albany,  W.,  300 
miles.  Pop.  870.  Lodi,  25  miles  N.  W.  from  EUicottville,  upon 
both  sides  of  the  Cattaraugus  creek,  is  partly  in  Erie  county.  It  was 
first  settled  on  the  Erie  county  side  of  the  creek,  in  1811,  by  Mr. 
Turner  Aldrich,  one  of  the  society  of  Friends  ;  and  on  ihe  Cattara  ;- 

fus  side,  about  the  year  1813,  by  Benjamin  Waterman,  Thomas 
^arnsworth,  Daniel  and  Ahaz  Allen,  and  others.  Both  of  the 
churches,  the  Presbyterian  and  Methodist,  were  built  in  1832.  At  its 
first  settlement,  there  was  not  a  white  inhabitant  south  of  here  in  the 
western  half  of  the  county,  and  no  road  to  Pennsylvania  in  the  county, 
excepting  an  Indian  tr;  i'.  The  village  contains  about  100  houses, 
an  academy,  and  a  weekly  newspaper  office.  The  creek  in  this 
town  affords  a  valuable  water-power. 

Portville,  the  S.  E.  town  of  the  county,  recently  taken  from 
Olean  ;  from  Albany  296  miles.  Pop.  462.  Riceville  is  a  small  let- 
tlement ;  MiU  Grove  a  post-office. 


# 


1 


CHATAUaUE  COUNTT. 


m 


lany  288,  from 
,  and  Machias 


t:"^5 


named 
5   miles. 


1  Little  Valley, 
st-office.     Na- 

n  Albany  302, 
It-office.     Pop. 

ed.  Pop.  638. 
the  Alleshany 
nded  by  Major 
"  Hamilton  on 
liladelphia,  and 
lutionary  war. 
!  a  place  of  im- 
ass  through  it ; 
•om  Rochester 
any  river  is  20 
ount  of  lumber 
5  of  feet,  board 

W.,  300  miles. 
1  village.    Otto 

rom  Olean  and 
!  county  ;  from 
iiburg  and  Ver- 
st-office.     Pop. 

bany,  W.,  300 
icottville,  upon 
ounty.  It  was 
1  1811,  by  Mr. 
n  the  Cattara  - 
rman,  Thomas 
Both  of  the 
n  1832.  At  it« 
h  of  here  in  the 
a  in  the  county, 
ut  100  houses, 
a  creek  in  this 

tly  taken  from 
a  II  a  small  set- 


# 


Randolph,  taken  from  Connewango  in  1826 ;  from  Ellicottville, 
S.  W.,  centrally  distant  about  35  miles.  East  and  West  Randolph 
are  small  settlements.    Pop.  1,283. 

Yorkshire,  taken  from  Ischua  in  1820 ;  from  Albany,  W.,  281, 
from  Ellicottville,  N.  E.,  15  miles.  Yorkshire,  Yorkshire  Forks,  and' 
Delavan  are  small  post  villages.    Pop.  1,292. 


CHATAUQUE  COUNTY. 

CHATAuauE  COUNTY,  the  southwestern  county  of  the  state,  wp.g 
formed  from  Genesee  in  1808.  The  name  is  a  corruption  of  the  In- 
dian word  Ots-ha-ta-ka,  which  signifies  a  foggy  place,  and  was  ap- 
plied to  the  country  around  the  head  of  the  Chatauque  lake,  even  now 
famous  for  its  fogs.  Its  greatest  length  N.  and  S.  is  40,  and  greatest 
breadth  E.  and  W.  36  miles ;  centrally  distant  from  Albany,  W., 
330,  and  from  New  York,  by  way  of  Cattskiil,  N.  W.,  428  miles. 
The  soil  generally  is  strong  clay  loam,  very  productive  of  large  crops 
of  wheat,  barley,  and  com  ;  the  last  is  however  destroyed  sometimes 
by  the  early  frosts  to  which  the  country  is  subject.  The  plain  upon 
the  lake  is  highly  fertile,  and  produces  the  finest  fruits  adapted  to  the 
climate. 

This  county,  though  bordering  on  Lake  Erie,  is  situated  on  the 
elevated  ground  known  as  the  "  Chatauque  Ridge,"  which  divides  the 
waters  ofthe  northern  lakes  from  those  of  the  Allegany  river.  This 
ridge  is  generally  from  5  to  10  miles  from  the  shore  of  Lake  Erie, 
and  elevated  from  790  to  1400  feet  above  it.  The  general  surface 
of  the  county,  though  hilly,  is  not  mountainous,  and  the  highest  hills 
are  arable  to  their  summits  and  frequently  adorned  with  valuable  farms. 
The  soil  along  the  shore  of  Lake  Erie  from  1  to  4  miles  wide  is  a  border 
of  rich  alluvion,  and  along  the  margin  of  the  rivers.  The  upland  is 
generally  a  most  loam.  Grain  is  raised  in  considerable  quantities, 
and  the  county  is  generally  well  adapted  to  g-azing.  Fruit,  such  as 
apples,  pears,  and  plums,  succeeds  well. 

Chatauque  Lake  is  a  fine  sheet  of  water  16  miles  long,  and  from  1 
to  4  wide.  Its  elevation  is  1,305  feet  above  the  ocean,  and  it  is  navi- 
gated  by  steamboats.  This  county  formed  part  of  the  Holland  Land 
Company's  purchase;  and  wild  lands  were  offered  by  them  at  «1  50 
to  »4,  per  acre ;  but  a  company  from  Batavia  bought  their  interest  in 
the  wild  land  of  the  county.  More  than  three  quarters  of  the  county 
are  yet  unimproved.  The  county  is  divided  into  20  towns.  Pop. 
47,641.  ^ 

AHKvvRiarrT,  taken  from  Pomfret  and  Villenova  in  1829;  distant 
from  Albany  310,  centrally  situated  from  Mayville,  N.  E.,  16  miles, 
"op.  1,418. 

BuBTi,  formed  from  Ellicott  and  Harmony  in  1823 ;  from  Albany 


* 


88 


CHATAUaUE  COUNTY. 


334,  from  Mayville,  S.  E.,  17  miles.  Its  surface  is  hilly,  and  the  soil 
good.    Pop.  1,749. 

Carroll;  taken  from  Ellicott  in  1825;  from  Albany  336,  from 
Mayville,  S.  E.,  29  miles.  Carroll  and  Frewsburgh  are  small  set- 
tlements.  Scarcely  one  third  of  the  town  is  yet  improved.    Pop.  1,632. 

Charlotte,  taken  from  Gerry  in  1829;  from  Albany  325,  and 
from  Mayville,  N.  E.,  13  miles.  Charlotte  Centre  is  a  post-office, 
and  Sinclairville  a  small  post  village.     Pop.  1,428. 

CHATAuauE,  organized  as  part  of  Genesee  county  m  1804 ;  smce 
much  reduced  in  area.  It  is  upon  the  "  dividing  ridge,"  but  chiefly  on 
its  eastern  declivity,  and  produces  excellent  crops  of  corn,  wheat, 
and  grass.     Pop.  2,980. 


Western  entrance  into  Mayville. 

Mayville  the  county  seat,  incorporated  in  1830;  distant,  386 
miles  W.  of  Albany ;  from  New  York,  via  Cattskill,  434 ;  from  Buf- 
falo, S.  W.,  66 ;  from  Erie,  Penn.,  35 ;  from  Warren,  Penn.,  40 ;  from 
Portland  Harbor,  E.,  7  miles.  This  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful 
sites  for  a  village  in  the  state,  and  is  situated  upon  the  high  grounds 
at  the  head  of  the  lake.  The  above  view  was  taken  near  the  resi- 
dence of  Mr.  M.  P.  Bemas,  on  the  road  to  Wcstfield,  at  a  point  com- 
manding  a  view  of  the  principal  street  and  the  lake  in  the  distance. 
The  top  of  the  courthouse,  a  substantial  edifice,  costing  $9,000,  is 
seen  on  the  left.  Further  down  is  the  spire  of  the  Episcopal  church, 
nearly  opposite  to  it  the  Baptist,  and  on  the  right  of  the  engraving 
the  Academy.  The  Methodist  and  Presbyterian  churches  are  not 
seen  from  this  point.  The  Episcopal,  the  first  church  built  here,  was 
erected  about  1824.  Mayville  has  about  80  dwelln^s.  In  the 
northern  part  are  two  springs  on  the  "  dividing  ridge  within  ten 
minutes  walk  of  each  other.  One  of  which  flows  into  those  streams 
which  empty  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  the  other  into  those  which 
flow  into  the  Atlantic  by  the  St.  Lawrence.  Hartfield,  2  miles  E.  of 
Mayville,  is  a  small  village.  There  is  a  post-office  at  De  Wittville, 
and  one  called  Magnolia. 
Cherry  Creek,  taken  from  Ellington  in  1829 ;  from  Albany  880, 


CHATAUaUE    COUNTY. 


IN) 


ly,  and  the  soil 

any  336,  from 
are  small  set- 
id.  Pop.  1,632. 
bany  325,  and 
is  a  post-office, 

in  1804;  since 
"  but  chiefly  on 
>f  corn,  wheat, 


I;  distant,  336 
434 ;  from  Buf- 
Penn.,40;  from 
most  beautiful 
le  high  grounds 
I  near  the  resi- 
at  a  point  com- 
in  the  distance, 
•sting  80,000,  is 
piscopal  church, 
f  the  engraving 
lurches  are  not 
i  built  here,  was 
?irngs.  In  the 
dge  within  ten 
to  those  streams 
nto  those  which 
Id,  2  miles  E.  of 
at  De  Wittville, 

am  Albany  320, 


and  from  Mayville,  E.,  18  miles.  There  is  a  post-office  at  Cherry 
Creek  village.     Pop.  1,141. 

Clymer,  formed  from  Chatauque  in  1821 ;  from  Albany  353,  and 
from  Mayville,  S.  W.,  15  miles.  Clymer  is  a  small  village,  and 
Clymer  Centre  a  post-office.     Pop.  800. 

Ellery,  on  Chatauque  lake,  taken  from  Chatauque  in  1821 ;  from 
Albany  342,  and  from  Mayville,  S.  E.,  13  miles.  Pop.  2,252.  El- 
lery Centre  is  a  small  post  village. 

Ellicott,  taken  from  Pomfret  in  1812 ;  limits  since  reduced  ;  from 
Albany  330,  and  from  Mayville,  S.  E.,  22  miles.     Pop.  2,568. 


Southern  view  of  Jamestown. 

Jamestown,  the  principal  village  in  the  county,  is  on  the  Chatauque 
outlet,  4  miles  below  the  lake,  and  contains  about  200  dwellings. 
The  above  view  was  taken  near  the  sawmill  on  the  Chatauque  out- 
let, seen  in  front,  and  shows  the  principal  portion  of  the  place.  The 
spire  in  the  centre  of  the  view,  is  that  of  the  Congregational  church. 
The  steeple  on  the  left  is  the  Presbyterian,  and  that  on  the  right  the 
Academy.  There  are  also  a  Methodist  and  a  Baptist  church,  and 
2  weekly  newspaper  offices  in  the  place.  A  steamboat  plies  on 
the  lake  between  here  and  Mayville.  James  Pendergrast,  E^q,, 
from  Pittstown,  Rensselaer  CO.,  established  himself  here  in  1811  or 
'12,  and  laid  the  foundation  of  the  village.  The  first  tavern  was  built 
shortly  after  by  Jacob  Fenton.  But  few  dwellings  were  erected  till 
1816,  when  the  place  rapidly  increased  by  emigrants  principally  from 
the  eastern  part  of  the  state.     Fluvanna  and  Dexterville  are  villages. 

Ellington,  taken  from  Gerry  in  1824;  from  Albany  320,  from 
Mayville,  E.,  20  miles.  Pop.  1,709.  Ellington  and  Clear  Creek  are 
small  villages. 

French  Ckeek,  taken  from  Clymer  in  1829;  from  AlbarJl  355, 
from  Mayville,  S.  W..  17  miles.  Pop.  621.  The  greater  part  of  the 
town  is  yet  in  its  wilderness  state. 

Gerry,  divided  from  Pomfret  in  1812 ;  from  Albany  326,  from 
Mayville,  S.  E.,  13  miles.  Vermont  is  a  small  village.  '  Pop.  1,246. 
About  three  fourths  of  thr  town  is  yet  unimproved. 

IIanoveh,  token  from  l\>mfret  in  1812.    Pop.  3,098. 

12 


m 


96 


CHATAUaUE   COUNTY. 


i 


Silver  creek,  33  miles  from  Buffalo,  lies  on  a  harbor  on  Lake  Erie, 
and  has  about  100  dwellings.  Forestville,  on  Walnut  creek,  6  miles 
from  the  Lake,  has  about  100  dwellings,  and  a  weekly  newspaper 
office.  Nashville,  Smith's  Mills,  Irving,  and  Le  Grange,  are  small 
settlements. 

"  Walnut  creek  in  this  town  has  its  name  from  a  black  walnut  tree,  which  formerly  stood 
a  mile  above  its  mouth,  and  was  36  feet  in  circumference  at  its  base,  gradually  and  grace, 
fully  tapering  80  feet  to  the  first  limb.  Its  entire  height  was  150  feet,  and  was  estimated  to 
contain  150  cords  of  wood,  or  50,000  feet  of  inch  boards.  The  bark  was  a  foot  thick.  The 
tree  was  entirely  sound  when  blown  down  in  1822,  and  was  supposed  to  have  been  500 
years  old.  The  butt,  9  feet  in  length,  was  transported  to  Buffalo,  having  been  excavated, 
and  was  there  occupied  as  a  grocery.  It  was  subsequently  carried  by  the  canal  to  the  At. 
lantic  cities,  and,  splendidly  adorned,  was  exhibited  for  money  to  thousands  of  admirers."— 
Gordon's  Gaz. 

Harmony,  taken  from  Chatauque  in  1816  ;  from  Albany  338,  from 
Mayville,  S.,  13  miles.  Ashville  and  Panama  are  small  villages. 
Pop.  3,333.     About  one  fourth  of  the  town  is  under  improvement. 

MiNA,  taken  from  Clymer  in  1824;  from  Albany  353,  from  Mayville, 
S.  W.,  13  miles.  Pop.  870.  There  is  a  small  settlement  at  Mina,  and 
one  at  Finley's  mills.    Most  of  the  town  is  yet  in  its  wilderness  state. 

Poland,  taken  from  Ellicott  in  1832  ;  from  Albany  316,  from  May- 
ville, S.  E.,  20  miles.  Kennedy's  Mills  and  Waterborough  are  small 
hamlets.     Pop.  1,082. 

PoMFRET,  taken  from  Chatauque  in  1808,  is  on  the  "divided  rid^e." 
Pop.  4,556.  Fredonia  village  was  incorporated  in  1829 ;  is  on  the  Can- 
adawa  creek,  315  miles  from  Albany,  22  N.  E.  from  Mayville,  45  S. 
W.  from  Buffalo,  and  3  from  Lake  Erie  at  Dunkirk.  It  is  the  oldest 
village  in  the  county,  and  was  formerly  called  Canadawa,  from  the 
creek.    It  contains  about  120  dwellings.    The  annexed  view  was 


p;  ^ ;: 


i_'i::tMll    'i 


Southern  view  of  Fredonia, 

taken  near  the  residence  of  Samuel  Johnson,  Esq.  The  large  build- 
ing with  a  square  tower  is  the  Johnson  House ;  the  steeple  next  to  it 
is  that  of  the  Baptist  church ;  the  third  is  the  Academy,  incorporated 
in  183(i  i  tlie  foiixtb  the  Presbytenun,  and  the  tilth,  on  the  extreme 


m 


CHATAUaUK   COUNTY. 


^ 


on  Lake  Erie, 
creek,  6  miles 
ly  newspaper 
ige,  are  small 

ich  formerly  stood 
[dually  and  grace. 
1  was  estimated  to 
a  foot  thick.  The 
to  have  been  500 
g  been  excavated, 
e  canal  to  the  At. 
ds  of  admirers."— 

any  338,  from 
mall  villages, 
provement. 
rom  May  ville, 
t  at  Mina,  and 
Iderness  state. 
16,  from  May- 
>ugh  are  small 

livided  ridge." 
is  on  the  Can- 
layville,  45  S. 
t  is  the  oldest 
awa,  from  the 
led  view  was 


he  large  build- 
seple  next  to  it 
r,  incorporated 
the  extreme 


>n 


right,  the  Episcopal  church.  The  Methodist  and  Universalist  church- 
es are  not  seen  in  the  drawing.  Laona,  2  miles  above  Fredonia,  has 
a  valuable  water-power  and  about  45  dwellings. 

The  following  account  of  the  Gas  springs  in  this  vicinity,  is  from 
the  Report  of  Dr.  Lewis  C.  Beck,  published  in  the  New  York  Geo- 
logical  Reports  for  1832. 

"  Chatauque  Gat  Springi.— By  far  the  most  interesting  exhibitions  of  the  evolution  of 
carburetted  hydrogen,  which  occur  in  this  state,  are  to  be  observed  in  the  county  of  Cha- 
tauque.  The  village  of  Fredonia,  indeed,  has  attracted  much  attention  in  consequence  of  the 
gas  springs  found  in  its  immediate  vicinity,  although  they  are  by  no  means  confined  to  this 
particular  locality.  The  gas  springs  seem  to  have  their  origin  in  the  strata  of  slale  which 
form  the  bed  of  the  stream,  and  which  are  everywhere  met  with  in  this  vicinity,  a  short 
distance  from  the  surface  of  the  earth.  This  slate  has  a  bluish  color,  and  some  of  the 
layers  are  exceedingly  fragile,  requiring  only  a  few  years  exposure  to  be  completely  con- 
verted  into  a  clayey  soil.  The  lower  strata,  however,  resist  atmospheric  agencies,  and  are 
sometimes  used  as  a  building  material.  When  recently  broken,  this  slate  always  emits  a 
strong  bituminous  odor,  and  it  frequentiy  contains  thin  seams  of  a  substance  resembling 
bituminous  coal.  Most  commonly,  however,  this  bituminous  matter  occurs  in  patches,  hav. 
ing  more  the  appearance  of  detached  vegetable  impressions  than  a  regular  stratum.  Through 
fissures  in  this  rock  in  the  creek  near  the  village,  are  everywhere  to  be  seen  bubbles  of 
gas  rising  through  the  water.  The  evolution,  however,  is  most  abundant  at  the  bridge,  and 
about  three  quarters  of  a  mile  below.  The  gas,  when  collected  in  a  proper  vessel  and  fired, 
burns  with  a  white  flame  tinged  with  yellow  above,  and  blue  near  the  orifice  of  the  burner. 
Its  illuminating  power  is  not  inferior  to  that  of  ordinary  coal  gas.  When  mixed  with 
atmospheric  air  and  ignited,  it  explodes  violentiy.  It  contains  no  admixture  of  sulphuretted 
hydrogen. 

"  The  illuminating  power  of  this  gas,  and  its  abundant  supply,  suggested  the  idea  of  its 
employment  in  lighting  the  village.  A  copious  discharge  of  the  gas  was  observed  issuing 
from  a  fissure  in  the  rock,  which  forms  the  bed  of  the  creek,  which  it  was  thought  could  be 
diverted  to  a  boring  on  the  bank.  A  shaft  was  accordingly  sunk  through  the  slate  about 
22  feet  in  depth,  which  occasionally  passed  through  layers  of  the  bi  uminous  substance, 
already  described,  and  the  result  was  that  the  gas  left  the  creek  and  issued  through  the 
shaft.  By  means  of  a  tube,  the  gas  was  now  conducted  to  a  gasometer,  and  from  thence  to 
different  parts  of  the  village.  The  gasometer  had  a  capacity  of  about  220  cubic  feet,  and 
was  usually  filled  in  about  15  hours,  aflfording  a  suflScient  supply  of  gas  for  70  or  80  lights. 
Bubbles  of  the  same  gos  are  here  and  there  seen  rising  through  the  water  in  this  creek  for 
nearly  three  quarters  of  a  mile  below  the  village.  But  the  largest  quantity  is  evolved  at 
the  latter  point.  It  was  not  possible  for  me,  with  any  apparatus  which  I  could  command,  to 
determine  the  amount  of  gas  given  out  at  this  place  in  a  given  time  ;  but  bubbles  rise  with 
great  rapidity  from  an  area  of  more  than  20  feet  square,  and  I  should  probably  be  warranted 
in  asserting  that  it  is  5  or  6  times  greater  than  that  obtained  at  the  village. 

"  At  Van  Buren  harbor,  on  Lake  Erie,  4  miles  from  Fredonia,  bubbles  of  inflammable 
gas  may  be  seen  rising  through  the  water,  when  the  lake  is  calm,  a  rod  or  two  from  the 
shore.  In  the  town  of  Sheridan,  six  and  a  half  miles  from  Fredonia,  the  same  gaa  is  also 
abundantly  evolved  in  various  places ;  and  a  short  distance  below  Portland  harbor,  near 
the  shore  of  the  lake,  there  is  supposed  to  be  a  suflficient  supply  to  light  a  city.  It  is  em> 
ployed  in  the  lighthouse  at  the  harbor,  75  feet  above  the  level  of  the  lake." 

Dunkirk,  formerly  owned  by  the  Dunkirk  Land  Company,  is 
pleasantly  situated  on  Lake  Erie,  and  is  destined  to  be  a  place  of 
great  importance  from  its  being  the  terminating  point  of  the  line  of 
the  New  York  and  Erie  railroad.  The  distance  from  Buffalo  is  44 
miles,  and  to  Piermont,  on  the  Hudson,  (about  22  miles  N.  of  New 
York,)  by  the  line  of  the  railroad,  446  miles.  This  whole  distance 
from  Dunkirk  to  New  York,  on  the  completion  of  the  road,  will  be 
accomplished  in  from  20  to  24  hours.  The  U.  S.  government,  view- 
ing the  growing  importance  of  the  place,  has  expended  large  sums  in 
the  improvement  of  its  harbor.  This  port  is  occasionally  open  many 
days,  and  even  weeks,  earlier  in  the  spring  and  later  in  the  fall,  than 


#r 


92 


CHATAUaUE   COUNTY. 


•I  ! 


ill 


Northeastern  view  of  Dunkirk  Harbor, 

that  of  Buffalo.  The  above  view  was  taken  about  a  mile  from  the 
village,  seen  on  the  left.  The  large  cupola  is  that  of  the  hotel,  a 
capacious  brick  structure  ;  the  steeple  next  to  it  is  that  of  the  Presby- 
terian church,  and  the  smaller  one  the  Academy.  The  opposite  shore 
of  the  harbor  is  seen  beautifully  curving  around  in  the  distance,  and  is 
lined  to  near  the  water's  edge  with  a  fine  growth  of  forest  trees. 
Van  Buren  is  the  name  of  a  place  laid  out  as  a  city  2  miles  above  Dun- 
kirk, where  there  is  a  good  harbor.  Shumla  and  West  Milford  are 
small  villages.     Cassadaga  is  a  post-office. 

Portland,  taken  from  Chatauque  in  1813  ;  distant  from  Albany 
354,  and  from  Mayville,  N.,  6  miles.  Salem  and  Centreville  are  small 
settlements.  Pop.  2,136.  About  half  the  town  is  under  improve- 
ment. 

Ripley,  taken  from  Portland  in  1817,  on  the  "dividing  ridge,"  has 
a  hilly  surface.  Distant  from  Albany  348,  and  from  Mayville,  W., 
12  miles.  Pop.  2,197.  Quincy,  formerly  called  Ripley,  contains  the 
post-offiee  and  about  50  dwellings. 

Sheridan,  taken  from  Pomfret  and  Hanover  in  1827 ;  340  miles 
from  Albany,  and  20  N.  E.  of  Mayville.  East  Sheridan  and  Orring- 
ton  are  post-offices.     Pop.  1,883. 

Sherman,  taken  from  Mina  in  1822 ;  from  Albany  348,  from  M.iy- 
ville,  S.  W.,  12  miles.  Sherman  is  a  small  village.  Pop.  1,100. 
More  than  two  thirds  of  the  town  is  yet  a  forest. 

Stockton,  formed  from  Chatauque  in  1821  ;  distant  from  Albany 
323,  from  Mayville,  N.  E.,  8  miles.  Delanti  and  Casadaga  are  small 
villager.     Pop.  2,078. 

Villenova,  taken  from  Hanover  in  1823 ;  distant  from  Albany 
318,  from  Mayville,  N.  E.,  22  miles.  Omar  is  a  small  village.  Pop. 
1,655.     About  one  fourth  part  of  the  town  is  under  cultivation. 

Westfield,  formed  from  Portland  and  Ripley  in  1829.  Pop. 
3,199.  Near  the  shore  of  Lake  Erie,  about  three  quarters  of  a  mite 
below  Portland  harbor,  is  a  carburetted  hydrogen  spring,  the  gas 
of  which  is  sufficiently  abundant  to  light  a  city,  and  is  used  for  the 
lig^ouse  at  the  harbor,  seventy-five  feet  above  the  lake  level.    Mcln- 


f^t 

K 


CHATAUUUK    COUNTY. 


mile  from  the 
r  the  hotel,  a 
•f  the  Presby- 
pposite  shore 
stance,  and  is 
forest  trees. 
s  above  Dun- 
t  Milford  are 

from  Albany 
ville  are  small 
der  improve- 

ng  ridge,"  has 
Mayville,  W., 
^  contains  the 

!7 ;  340  miles 
a  and  Orring- 

8,  from  Miy- 
Pop.   1,100. 

from  Albany 
aga  are  small 

from  Albany 
village.  Pop. 
tivation. 

1829.  Pop. 
ters  of  a  mile 
)ring,  the  gas 
s  used  for  the 
level.    Mcln- 


'it 


V: 


tyre's  sulphur  spring,  on  the  banks  of  the  Chatauque  creek,  3  miles 
from  the  lake,  was  formerly  much  frequented. 

Westfield  village,  from  Albany  342,  from  Mayville,  N.  W.,  6, 
and  from  Buffalo,  S.  W..  60  miles ;  was  incorporated  in  1833.  It  is 
a  pleasant,  bustling  little  village,  situated  on  the  border  of  a  handsome 


View  in  central  part  of  Westfield  Village. 

plain,  and  containing  about  100  dvi^ellings.  The  above  view  was 
taken  at  Edson  &  Son's  store,  and  shows  on  the  left  the  Episcopal, 
and  on  the  right  the  Presbyterian  churches.  The  other  public  build- 
ings are  the  Methodist  church.  Academy,  and  Westfield  Hotel,  a  sub- 
stantial brick  edifice,  with  a  cupola.  About  two  and  a  half  miles 
from  the  village,  near  the  road  to  Mayville,  is  a  remarkable  gulf, 
known  as  the  "  Hogs  Back,"  which  is  much  resorted  io  in  the  sum- 
mer. The  first  settler  with  a  family  in  the  county,  was  a  Mr.  John 
McMahan,  from  Northumberland  county,  Penn.  He  came  here  about 
the  year  1803,  and  bought  of  the  Holland  Land  Company  a  tract 
six  miles  square,  on  the  Chatauque  creek,  in  this  town.  Portland,  or 
Barcelona,  one  mile  from  Westfield,  on  the  lake,  was  early  occupied 
by  the  French,  who  had  a  military  post  at  this  place.  The  lighthouse, 
40  feet  in  height,  standing  on  a  bluff,  is  a  conspicuous  object,  and  vis- 
ible at  a  great  distance  on  the  lake.  The  village  contains  about  40 
dwellings.    Rogersville,  Volusia,  and  JVettle  Hill  are  post-offices. 


94 


chemu?;q  county. 


HlllHi 


I  i 


CHEMUNG  COUNTY. 

Chemung*  county  was  formed  from  the  western  part  of  Tioga  in 
1836.  Greatest  length,  N.  and  S.,  28 ;  greatest  breadth,  E.  and  W., 
20  miles.  The  surface  of  the  county  is  hilly.  The  soil  consists  gen- 
erally of  sandy  and  gravelly  loam,  interspersed  with  patches  ot  niarl 
and  clay.  The  uplands  are  commonly  better  adapted  to  grass  than 
grain ;  but  the  valleys  give  fine  crops  of  wheat  and  corn ;  oats, 
Beans,  barley,  peas,  and  hops  thrive  almost  everywhere.  The  pine 
plains,  principally  in  the  towns  of  Elmira  and  Big  Flats,  formerly 
considered  almost  worthless,  are  now  deemed  highly  valuable ;  pro- 
ducing by  treatment  with  plaster,  and  due  succession  of  crops,  abun- 
dant returns  in  wheat.  Indian  corn,  and  clover.  The  Chemung  canal, 
connecting  Elmira  with  Cayuga  lake,  is  about  20  miles  in  length. 
The  New  York  and  Erie  railroad  passes  through  the  towns  of  Che- 
mung, Southport,  Elmira,  and  Big  Flats.  Chemung  county  is  divided 
into  ten  towns.     Pop.  20,731. 

Big  Flats,  taken  from  Elmira  in  1822 ;  from  Albany  207,  trom 
Elmira  centrally  distant,  NW.,  10  miles.  The  navigable  feeder  of 
the  Chemung  canal  passes  centrally  through  the  town  in  an  easterly 
direction.    There  are  extensive  flats  on  the  Chemung  river.     Pop. 

1  375. 

'  Catherines  was  taken  from  Newtown  in  1798  ;  from  Albany  184 
miles.  Havanna,  founded  in  1829  by  Mr.  David  Ayres,  and  incor- 
porated in  1836,  18  miles  N.  from  Elmira,  is  a  very  thriving  village, 
containing  about  700  inhabitants.  It  is  situated  upon  a  small  stream 
rushing  over  a  high  hill  from  the  west,  with  three  cascades,  making 
together  a  fall  of  over  100  feet. 

This  town  appears  to  have  derived  its  name  from  its  having  been 
the  residence  of  Catherine  Montour,  the  wife  of  an  Indian  sachem  or 
king.  She  has  sometimes  been  called  Queen  Esther.  This  remark- 
able woman,  it  is  said,  was  a  native  of  Canada,  a  half-breed,  her 
father  being  one  of  the  French  governors,  probably  Count  Frontenac. 
During  the  wars  between  the  Six  Nations  and  the  French  and  Hu- 
rons,  Catherine  was  taken  prisoner,  when  she  was  about  ten  years 
old,  and  carried  into  the  Seneca  country,  and  adopted  as  one  of  theii 
children.  At  a  suitable  age  she  was  married  to  a  distinguisbed  chief 
of  her  tribe,  by  whom  she  had  several  children.  Her  husband  was 
killed  in  battle  about  1730.  She  is  represented  as  having  been  a 
handsome  woman  when  young,  genteel,  and  of  good  address.  She 
frequently  accompanied  the  chiefs  of  the  Six  Nations  to  Philadelphia, 
and  other  places  where  treaties  were  holden.  On  account  of  her 
character  and  manners,  she  was  much  caressed  by  the  American  la- 
dies of  the  first  respectability,  and  invited  and  entertained  at  their 
houses.    Her  residence  was  at  the  head  of  Seneca  lake.    She  has 


•  Chemung  is  said  to  be  hig  horn,  or  grrat  horn,  in  the  ancient  Indian  dialect.     And 
that  a  very  laige  hom  waa  found  in  the  Chemung  or  Tioga  river,  haa  been  well  aacertained. 


CHEMUNG   COUNTT. 


W 


art  of  Tioga  in 
1th,  E.  and  W., 
»il  consists  gen- 
patches  of  marl 
d  to  grass  than 
nd  corn  ;  oats, 
ere.  The  pine 
Flats,  formerly 

valuable ;  pro- 
of crops,  abun- 
I!hemung  canal, 
niles  in  length. 

towns  of  Che- 
oxmty  is  divided 

bany  207,  from 
igable  feeder  of 
n  in  an  easterly 
ng  river.    Pop. 

rom  Albany  184 
.yres,  and  incor- 
thriving  village, 
1  a  small  stream 
ascades,  making 

I  its  having  been 
ndian  sachem  or 
.  This  remark- 
1  half-breed,  her 
!ount  Frontenac. 
French  and  Hu- 
I  about  ten  years 
d  as  one  of  theii 
stinguisbed  chief 
ler  husband  was 
i  having  been  a 
id  address.  She 
( to  Philadelphia, 
n  account  of  her 
the  American  la- 
;ertained  at  their 
a  lake.     She  has 


been  accused  of  perpetrating  some  savage  atrocities  at  the  massacre 
at  Wyoming,  but  the  account  does  not  appear  to  be  well  authenti- 
cated. At  the  period  of  the  revolutionary  war,  Catherine's  town  con- 
sisted of  thirty  houses,  cornfields,  orchards,  &c. ;  these  were  all  de- 
stroyed by  Gen.  Sullivan,  Sept.  3,  1779,  in  his  expedition  into  the  In- 
dian country. 

Catlin,  taken  from  Catherine  in  1823 ;  from  Albany  190,  from 
Elmira,  N  W.,  12  miles.  A  great  portion  of  the  town  is  yet  unsettled. 
Catlin,  West  Catlin,  and  Martins  Hill,  are  post-offices.     Pop.  1,119. 

Cayuta,  taken  from  Spencer  in  1824;  from  Albany,  SW.,  188, 
from  Elmira,  NE.,  20  miles.  It  is  rather  thinly  settled.  Cayuta, 
West  Cayuta,  and  Van  Eltensville,  are  post-offices.  Pop.  835.  The 
surface  of  the  township  is  hilly  and  broken ;  the  hills  are  covered 
with  pines  and  hemlocks. 

Cehmung,  organized  in  1791 ;  from  Albany,  SW.,  198,  from  El- 
mira, E.,  12  miles.  Surface  is  hilly,  and  broken  with  fertile  flats 
along  the  Chemung  river.  Pop.  2,377.  The  Chemung  upper  and 
lower  Narrows  are  formed  by  high,  rocky  cliff's,  projecting  into  the 
river,  along  which  the  road  is  conducted  with  great  labor. 

"  In  the  south  part  of  the  'own  ia  a  mound,  called  Spanish  Hill,  elevated  110  feet  above 
the  plain,  and  near  the  river  bank,  described  as  a  work  of  art ;  but  this  suggestion  is  ren. 
dered  incredible  from  the  fact,  that  the  area  of  its  summit  comprises  four  acres.  Upon  this 
sunimit,  however,  are  vestiges  of  fortifications,  displaying  much  skii:  in  the  art  of  defence  • 
having  regular  entrenchments,  which  perfectly  commanded  the  bend  in  the  river.— Gordon'* 
Gazeteer. 

Dix,  taken  from  Catlin  in  1835,  is  the  NW.  town  of  the  county; 
from  Elmira  20  miles.  Pop.  1,990.  Townsend,  Moreland,  and 
West  Catlin  are  post-offices.  Jefferson,  post  village,  partly  in  Steuben 
county,  at  the  head  of  Seneca  lake,  3  miles  N.  of  Havanna,  was 
fomided  m  1828  bv  Dr.  Watkins,  and  has  about  50  dwellings. 

Elmiea  was  taken  from  Chemung  by  the  name  of  Newtown,  in 
1792.  Mjach  of  the  land  in  this  township  is  rich  and  productive,  par- 
ticularly the  flats  on  Chemung  river.  Pop.  4,791.  Elmira  village 
IS  situated  at  the  confluence  of  Newtown  creek  with  the  Chemung 
river.    It  was  formerly  the  half-shire  village  of  Tioga  county,  and  is 

?2rL  u  l^^^  °^  J"^*'*^^  ^^^  Chemung  co.  It  was  incorporated  in 
1S16  by  the  name  of  Newtown,  which  name  was  changed  to  Elmira 
in  1828  :  its  ancient  Indian  name  was  Conowawah,  a  word  signifv- 
ing  ^  a  head  on  a  pole."  Elmira  is  admirably  situated  for  the  pur- 
poses  of  trade,  in  the  midst  of  a  fertile  valley,  eight  to  ten  miles  in 
extent  trom  N.  to  S.,  and  from  twelve  to  fifteen  miles  E.  and  W 
The  place  IS  connected  with  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland,  in  trade, 
by  the  Chemung  and  Susquehannah  rivers,  and  with  almost  every 

fhlnnlt  ^^^  'Tf  ^'y  "?T«  Of  the  Chemung  canal,  which  leads 
through  Seneca  lake,  and  thence  by  the  Seneca  to  the  Erie  canal. 
1  he  village  contams  about  230  dwellings,  4  churches— 1  Presbyte- 
rian 1  Baptist,  1  Methodist,  and  1  Episcopal-2  newspaper  estabUsh- 
ments,  1  bank,  and  a  number  of  select  schools.  The  village  is  on 
the  line  of  the  Erie  railroad. 


CHEMUNG   COUNTY. 


Distant  view  of  the  Village  of  Elmira. 

The  above  view  was  taken  near  the  Sullivan  mill,*  about  a  mile 
eastward  of  the  village,  near  the  junction  of  Newtown  creek  with  the 
Chemung  river.  The  first  spire  on  the  right  is  that  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian church,  the  next  to  the  left  the  courthouse  ;  the  others  are  those 
of  the  Episcopal  and  Baptist  churches.  The  bridge  seen  extending 
across  the  Chemung  is  600  feet  in  length. 

The  section  of  country  in  which  Elmira  is  situated  became  known 
to  the  whites  during  the  revolutionary  war.  When  Gen.  Sullivan 
was  penetrating  into  the  Indian  country,  in  1779,  the  Indians  under 
Brant,  and  the  tories  under  Colonels  Butler  and  Johnson,  made  a 
stand  to  oppose  his  progress  at  the  SE.  point  of  this  town.  They 
entrenched  themselves  by  a  breast-work  of  about  a  half  a  mile  in 
length,  so  covered  by  a  bend  in  the  river  as  to  expose  only  their 
front  and  one  of  their  flanks  to  attack.  On  Sullivan's  approach,  Aug. 
29th,  an  action  commenced  which  is  sometimes  called  the  "  Battle  of 
the  Chemung ;"  the  force  of  the  Indians  and  tories  has  been  estimated 
from  800  to  1,500,  while  that  of  the  Americans  was  between  4,000 
and  5,000.  The  following  account  of  the  battle  is  extracted  from  the 
2d  vol.  of  "  Stone's  Life  of  Brant." 

"  The  enemy's  position  was  discovered  by  Major  Parr,  commanding  the  advance  guard, 
at  about  11  o'clocit  in  the  morning  of  the  29th  of  August.  General  Hand  immediately 
formed  the  light  infantry  in  a  wood,  at  the  distance  of  about  400  yards  from  the  breast- 
work,  and  waited  until  the  main  body  of  the  army  arrived  on  the  ground.  A  skirmismng 
was,  however,  kept  up  by  both  sides— the  Indians  sallying  out  of  their  works  by  small  par- 
ties,  firing,  and  suddenly  retreating— making  the  woods  at  the  same  time  to  resound  with 
their  war-whoops,  piercing  the  air  from  point  to  point  as  though  the  tangled  forest  were 
alivt  with  their  grim-visaged  warriors.  Correctly  judging  that  the  hill  upon  his  right  was 
occupied  by  the  savages,  Gen.  Sullivan  ordered  Poor's  brigade  to  wheel  off,  and  endeavor 
to  gain  their  left  flank,  and,  if  possible,  to  surround  them,  while  the  artillery  and  main  body 

•  So  called  from  its  being  only  a  few  rods  above  Sullivan's  landirig  place,  where  he  en. 
camped  both  on  the  advance  of,  and  return  from  his  expedition  against  the  Indians.  The 
site  of  the  fortress  which  Sullivan  built,  can  be  distinctly  seen  from  the  south  windows  of 
this  mill. 


1,*  about  a  mile 
creek  with  the 
f  the  Presbyte- 
ithers  are  those 
seen  extending 

became  known 
Gen.  SuUivan 
3  Indians  under 
ohnson,  made  a 
s  town.  They 
I  half  a  mile  in 
pose  only  their 
approach,  Aug. 
I  the  "  Battle  of 
i  been  estimated 
between  4,000 
racted  from  the 


the  advance  guard, 

I  Hand  immediately 
■ds  from  the  breast, 
uid.    A  skirmishing 

works  by  small  par- 
time  to  resound  with 
3  tangled  forest  were 

II  upon  his  right  waa 
se\  off,  and  endeavor 
tillery  and  main  body 

place,  where  he  en- 
St  the  Indians.  The 
16  south  windows  of 


CHEMUNG    COUNTY.  g/J 

of  the  Americans  attacked  them  in  front.  The  order  was  promptly  executed ;  but  as  Poor 
(•limbed  the  ascent,  the  battle  became  animated,  and  the  possession  of  the  hill  was  bravely 
Contested.  In  front  the  enemy  stood  a  hot  cannonade  for  more  than  two  hours.  Both 
torirs  and  Indians  were  entitled  to  the  credit  of  fighting  manfully.  Every  rock,  and  tree 
and  bush,  shielded  its  man,  from  behind  which  the  winged  messengers  of  death  were 
thirkly  sent,  but  with  so  little  eircct  as  to  excite  astonishment.  The  Indians  yielded  ground 
only  inch  by  inch ;  and  in  their  retreat  darted  from  tree  to  tree  with  the  agility  of  the  pan- 
thcr,  often  contesting  each  new  position  to  the  point  of  the  bayonet — n  thing  very  unusual 
even  with  niilitiiimen,  and  still  more  rare  among  the  undisciplined  warriors  of  the  woods. 
Thaycndanegea  was  the  animating  spirit  of  the  savages.  Always  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight, 
he  used  every  eff'ort  to  stiiniilatc  his  warriors,  in  the  hope  of  leading  tliein  to  victory.  Until 
the  artillery  began  to  play,  the  whoops  and  yells  of  the  savages,  mingled  with  the  ratling  of 
musketry,  had  well-nigh  obtained  the  mastery  of  sound.  But  their  whoops  were  measur.: 
ably  drowned  by  the  thunder  of  the  cannon.  This  cannonade  '  was  elegant,'  to  adopt  the 
phraseology  of  Sullivan  himself,  in  writing  to  a  friend,  and  gave  the  Indians  a  great  panic. 
Still,  the  battle  was  contested  in  front  for  a  length  of  time  with  undiminished  spirit.  But 
the  severity  of  fighting  was  on  the  flank  just  described.  As  Poor  gallantly  approached  the 
ponit  which  completely  uncovered  the  enemy's  rear,  Brant,  who  had  been  the  first  to  pene. 
trate  the  design  of  the  American  commander,  attempted  once  more  to  rally  his  forces,  and 
with  the  assistance  of  a  battalion  of  the  rangers,  make  a  stand.  But  it  wiis  in  vain,  al- 
though  he  exerted  himself  to  the  utmost  for  that  purpose— flying  from  point  to  point,  seem, 
irig  to  be  everywhere  present,  and  using  every  means  in  his  power  to  reanimate  the  flag- 
gitig  spirits,  and  rcinvigorate  the  amis  of  his  followers.  Having  ascended  the  steep,  and 
gained  his  object  without  faltering,  the  enemy's  flank  was  turned  hv  Poor,  and  the  fortunes 
of  the  day  decided.  Perceiving  such  to  be  the  fact,  and  that  there  was  danger  of  being 
surrounded,  the  retreat-halloo  was  raised,  and  the  enemy,  savages  and  white  men,  precipi- 
tately  abandoned  their  works,  crossed  the  river,  and  fled  with  the  utmost  precipitation— 
the  Indians  leaving  their  packs  and  a  number  of  their  tomahawks  and  scalping-knives 
behind  them.  The  battle  was  long,  and  on  the  side  of  the  enemy  bloody.  Eleven  of  their 
dead  were  found  upon  the  field— an  unusual  circumstance  with  the  Indians,  who  invariably 
exert  themselves  to  the  utmost  to  prevent  the  bodies  of  their  slain  from  falling  into  the 
hands  of  their  foes.  But  being  pushed  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  they  had  not  time  to 
bear  them  away.  They  were  pursued  two  miles,  their  trail  affording  indubitable  proof  that 
a  portion  of  their  dead  and  wounded  had  been  carried  ofl".  Two  canoes  were  found  cov. 
ered  with  blood,  and  the  bodies  of  14  Indian  warriors  were  discovered  partially  buried 
among  the  leaves.  Eight  scalps  were  taken  by  the  Americans  during  the  chase.  Consid. 
ering  the  duration  of  the  battle,  and  the  obstinacy  with  which  it  was  maintained,  the  loss 
of  the  Americans  was  small  almost  to  a  miracle.  Only  5  or  G  men  were  killed,  and  be 
tween  40  and  50  wounded.  Among  the  American  officers  wounded,  were  Maj.  Titcomb 
Capt.  Clayes,  and  Lieut.  Collis— the  latter  mortally.  All  the  houses  of  the  contiguoua 
Indian  town  were  burnt,  and  the  cornfields  destroyed." 

The  first  settler  of  Newtown,  now  Elrnira,  was  Col.  John  Hendy, 
a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  a  veteran  of  the  revolution.  In  the 
summer  of  1788,  he  came  into  this  town  and  erected  a  log  hut  on  the 
point  where  Sullivan  had  encamped,  about  half  a  mile  from  the  pre- 
sent  centre  of  the  village  of  Elmira.  He  brought  his  family  to  this 
place  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year.  It  was  during  this  year  that  this 
section  of  the  country  was  surveyed  by  Gen.  James  Clinton,  Gen. 
John  Hathom,  and  JohnCantine,  Esq.,  as  commissioners  on  the  part 
ot  the  state.  The  land  at  this  time  was  estimated  and  sold  by  the 
state  at  eighteen  pence  per  acre  to  the  first  settlers.  The  second  log 
house  was  built  by  John  Miller  near  the  bank  of  the  river  on  the  farm 
now  occupied  by  Capt.  Partridge.  The  same  year,  and  the  year  fol- 
lowing,  (1789,)  several  families  came  in  and  settled  on  the  south  side 
ot  the  Tiver,  m  Southport.  In  the  same  year,  Thomas  Hendy  and  a 
Mr  Marks  built  log  houses  at  the  east  end  of  the  site  of  the  village. 
When  Col.  Hendy  built  his  log  cabin  on  the  pine  plain  of  Conewawah, 
the  only  highway  or  road  existing  in  the  country  for  hundreds  of 

13 


98 


CHEMUNG    COUNTY. 


Mi!  I 


miles  round,  was  what  was  called  the  Indian  pathway,  extending 
from  Wilkesbarre,  Pcnn.,  to  Canada.  This  pathway  crossed  the  lot 
of  Coi.  Hendy,  and  was  for  a  long  period  the  only  avenue  by  which 
emigrants  from  the  south  reached  Niagara  and  the  northwestern  part 

of  the  state.  tt     ,     ■       i      i-  l 

The  following  anecdote  relative  to  Col.  Hendy,  is  taken  Irom  a  pub- 
lication, in  a  pamphlet  form,  entitled  "  Views  of  Elmira,"  by  Solomon 
Southwick,  Esq.  It  is  from  this  publication  that  the  historic  notices 
of  this  place  are  mostly  taken. 

"  They  [the  Indians]  knew  nothing  of  ceremony,  and  never  waited  for  an  invitation  to  visit 
the  cabins  of  the  white  settlers ;  but  would  stalk  in  and  sit  themselves  down  as  freely  as 
they  had  been  used  to  do  in  their  own  huts ;  nor  were  they  less  scrupulous  m  their  attacks 
upon  whatever  food  or  beverage  presented  itself.    If  any  of  the  whites  disliked  this  freedom, 
they  found  it  their  best  policy  to  bear  patiently  with  the  oft-r^peated  demands  upon  their 
hospitality  which  flowed  from  it;  but  in  spite  of  their  philosophy  were  sometimes  involved 
in  serious  strife  with  their  lawless  visiters.    One  evening  of  a  suinmer's  day,  Col.  Hendy, 
havin"'  returned  from  the  labors  of  the  field,  found  two  Indians  at  his  house,  one  of  whom 
was  Tohn  Harris,  celebrated  for  his  quarrelsome  and  malignant  temper,  as  well  as  vigorous 
and  athletic  frame.    He  had  insulted  Mrs.  Hendy,  and  evinced  such  bad  intentions,  that 
his  companion,  aided  by  Col.  Hendy's  t  m,  had  found  it  necessary  to  bind  him  down  in  a 
chair,  which  operation  they  had  just  performed  when  Cel.  Hendy  came  in.    Whilst  the 
friendly  Indian  laid  down  and  went  quietly  to  sleep,  the  Colonel  seated  himself  to  watch 
the  motions  of  the  unruly  savage.    The  fellow  was  so  mortified  by  the  compulsion  and  re- 
straint  imposed  upon  him,  that  he  became  apparently  huinbh,  and  the  Colonel,  on  his 
promise  to  behave  well,  unbound  him,  and  ordered  him  to  lay  down  on  the  floor  and  go  to 
sleep,  whilst  he  threw  himself  on  the  lied,  but  did  not  think  it  safe  to  undress  or  sleep  ;  and 
the  event  proved  the  necessity  and  prudence  of  his  precaution.    For  the  savage,  ruminating 
on  the  disgraceful  circumstance  of  his  having  been  bound,  till  his  revengeful  temper  was 
roused  to  a  high  degree,  rose  up  suddenly  crying  out  "  Me  be  many,"  a  well  known  excla- 
mation  of  the  Indians  when  prepared  to  commence  a  fight  single-handed  with  one  of  their 
own,  or  that  of  the  white  race.    This  was  a  critical  moment  for  Hendy,  who  quickly  per- 
ceived  there  was  no  time  to  be  lost;  he  therefore  rose  up,  exclaiming  "  You  be  many— 
You  none  at  all — /  be  many .'"  and  as  the  Indian  sprang  forward  to  grapple  with  him, 
brandishing  a  long  knife,  the  veteran  gave  him  a  blow  on  the  side  of  his  head  which  laid 
him  prostrate  on  the  hearth ;  and  then  beizing  him  by  the  hair,  beat  his  head  upon  the 
hearth,  till  the  savage  yielded  up  his  knife,  well  convinced  by  the  Colonel's  demonstrations, 
that  if  he  was  many,  his  host  was  many  more,  or  at  least  too  many  for  him — and  the  next 
morning  he  was  as  quiet  and  peaceable  as  a  lamb." 

"  In  1790,  we  believe  it  was,  Elmira  was  visitcl  by  some  ten  or  twelve  hundred  Indians; 
one  of  the  oldest  settlers  assures  us  there  were  not  less  than  eleven  hundred.  Theii  object 
was  the  negotiation  of  a  treaty  with  the  United  States.  On  our  part  the  venerable  Timo. 
THY  PicKKRiNO  WB8  the  principal  negotiator.  Guv  Maxwell  acted  as  his  secretary,  and 
transcribed  the  treaty.  On  the  part  of  the  Indians  there  were  chiefs  o^  all  the  Six  Nations, 
among  whom  were  Red  Jacket,  Big  Tree,  TroTch  Peter,  Farmer's  Brother,  &.c.  Jisper 
Parish,  of  Canandaigua,  was  their  interpreter.  It  was  on  this  occasion  that  Red  Jacket 
made  one  of  his  most  eloquent  and  powerful  speeches.  One  of  the  chiefs,  and  several  of 
the  subordinates,  died  during  the  negotiation ;  and  their  bones,  it  is  said,  have  been  re- 
cently  found  in  digging  the  cellars  for  the  elegant  row  of  buildings,  ca^ed  Benjamin't  Block, 
on  Front-street.  The  treaty  was  held  immediately  east  of  the  present  courthouse  in  Lake- 
street,  under  an  ancient  oak-tree,  which  thenceforth,  if  not  before,  was  known  by  the 
name  of  the  council  tree." 

In  1792,  Nathaniel  Seely  built  the  first  frame  house  in  the  village 
of  Newtown,  now  Elmira.  The  original  patentee  of  the  towns  of 
Southport  and  Newtown  was  Moses  De  W  itt ;  he  sold  out  to  a  Mr. 
White.  In  1794,  Guy  Maxwell  and  Samuel  Hepburn  purchased 
the  village  plot  of  Elmira  from  Mr.  White.  In  1797,  Elmira  re- 
ceived a  visit  from  Louis  Phillipo,  the  present  king  of  Fnincc,  the 
Duke  de  Nemoura.  and  tl>e  Duke  de  Berri.     These  distiniruished  per- 


CHENANGO   COUNTY. 


0» 


vay,  extending 
crossed  the  lot 
3nue  by  which 
thwestern  part 

en  from  a  pub- 
i,"  by  Solomon 
iiistoric  notices 


an  invitation  to  visit 
J  down  as  freely  88 
ious  in  their  attaclts 
isliked  tiiis  freedom, 
iemanda  upon  their 
sometimes  involved 
•'8  day,  Col.  Hendy, 
louse,  one  of  whom 
,  as  well  as  vigorous 
bad  intentions,  that 
bind  him  down  in  a 
me  in.  Whilst  the 
3d  himself  to  watch 

compulsion  and  re. 

the  Colonel,  on  his 

I  the  floor  and  go  to 
ndress  or  sleep  j  and 
B  savage,  ruminating 
rengeful  temper  was 
a  well  known  excla- 
ed  with  one  of  their 
Jy,  who  quickly  per. 
ig  "  You  be  many — 

II  grapple  with  him, 
his  head  which  laid 
his  head  upon  the 

nel's  demonstrations, 
r  him — and  the  next 

ve  hundred  Indians ; 
idred.  Then  object 
the  venerable  Timo. 
IS  his  secretary,  and 
■  all  the  Six  Nations, 
Brother,  &,c.  Jisper 
on  that  Red  Jacket 
:hicf«,  and  several  of 
i  said,  have  been  re. 
ed  Benjamin't  Block, 

courthouse  in  Lake. 

was  known  by  the 

se  in  the  village 
)f  the  towns  of 
Did  out  to  a  Mr. 
burn  j)urchast;d 
797,  Elmira  re- 
of  France,  the 
istiniruished  per- 


sonages had  been  spending  some  time  at  Canandaigua,  under  the 
hospitable  roof  of  Thomas  Morris,  Esq.,  son  of  Robert  Morris,  to 
whom  the  United  States  are  so  much  indebted  for  his  services  as  a 
financier  in  the  revolution.  Mr.  Morris  gave  the  royal  exiles  a  letter 
of  introduction  to  Henry  Tower,  Esq.,  who  then  resided  here.  They 
travelled  on  foot  through  the  Indian  pathway  from  Canandaigua  to 
Elmira,  a  distance  of  more  than  70  miles.  Mr.  Tower,  on  their 
arrival,  fitted  up  a  boat — an  American  ark  or  batteau — in  which  he 
took  them  down  to  Harrisburg,  through  the  Chemung  and  Susque- 
hannah  rivers, 

EaiN,  taken  from  Chemung  in  1822;  from  Albany  186,  from  El- 
mira, NE.,  12  miles.  Erin  is  a  post-office,  centrally  located.  Pop. 
1,441.  The  surface  of  the  town  is  hilly  and  broken  and  the  soil 
rather  of  an  indifferent  quality. 

SouTHPORT,  taken  from  Elmira  in  1822;  from  Albany  203  miles. 
It  has  broad  and  rich  flats  upon  the  Chemung  river,  which  forms  in 
part  the  northern  boundary.  Wellsburg  on  the  Chemung  river,  6 
miles  SE.  from  Elmira,  is  a'small  post  village.  Southport  and  Seeleys 
Creek  are  post-offices.     Pop.  2,100. 

Veteran,  taken  from  Catherines  in  1823 ;  from  Albany  190,  from 
Elmira,  N.,  centrally  distant  12  miles.  Pop.  2,279.  Millport,  Pine 
Valley,  and  Veteran  are  post-offices. 


CHENANGO  COUNTY. 

Chenango  county  was  formed  from  Herkimer  and  Tioga  counties 
in  1708  ;  the  northern  part  of  which  was  erected  into  Madison  county 
in  1806.  Its  form  is  irregular;  the  greatest  length  N.  and  S.,  35 
miles ;  greatest  width,  28.  The  general  surface  of  the  county  is 
broken  and  hilly,  though  not  mountainous.  Its  valleys  are  extensive, 
rich,  and  fertile,  producing  large  crops  of  grain ;  while  the  uplands 
are  well  adapted  to  grazing.  Its  agriculture  is  respectable,  and  its 
inhabitants  are  generally  ftirmers.  Live-stock  is  one  of  their  prin- 
cipal exports.  The  Susquehannah  river  crosses  the  SE.  corner  of  the 
county.  The  Chenango  river,  one  of  its  principal  brancfhes,  flows 
southerly  through  the  centre  of  the  county.  The  Unadilia  river 
forms  most  of  the  eastern  bounds  of  the  county.  The  numerous 
streams  in  this  county  furnish  abundance  of  fine  mill  sites.  The 
Chenango  canal  passes  through  the  county  in  the  valley  of  the  Che- 
nango river.  This  county  was  principally  settled  by  emigrants  from 
the  eastern  states.  It  originally  included  the  twenty  townships  of 
the  "  Governor's  purchase,"  a  pan  of  which  are  now  in  Madison 
county.     The  county  is  divided  into  19  towns.     Pop.  40,770. 

Bainbridoe,  organized  as  part  of  Tioga  county,  by  the  n«ime  ol" 
JGrichos  in  1791 1  name  since  sdtersd  Rnd  Tiniits  rnuch  rS4iucfid»    Pod* 


100 


CHEXANGO    COUNTY. 


3,324.    The  town  forms  part  of  a  tract  gjven  by  the  state  to  suffer- 
ers in  former  grants  to  the  present  state  of  Vermont. 

Bainbridge,  incorporated  in  1829  ;  a  large  and  thriving  village, 
pleasantly  situated  upon  the  W.  branch  of  the  Susquehannah,  upon  the 
Ulster  and  Delaware  turnpike;  110  miles  from  Albany,  and  14  S. 
from  Norwich ;  has  about  90  dwellings.  E.  Bainbridge,  N.  Bam- 
bridge,  and  S.  Bainbridge  are  names  of  post-offices. 

Columbus,  taken  from  Brookfield  in  1805 ;  from  Albany  83,  from 
Norwich,  NE.,  16  miles.  Columbus  is  a  small  village,  and  Columbus 
Corners  a  post-office.     Pop.  1,561. 

Coventry,  taken  from  Greene  in  1806;  from  Albany  117,  from 
Norwich  16  miles.  Coventry  and  Coventry ville  are  post  villages, 
on  the  Cattskiil  turnpike.     Pop.  1,681. 

German,  taken  from  De  Ruyter  in  1806  ;  from  Albany  115,  from 
Norwich,  W.,  15  miles.     Pop.  975. 

Greene  was  formed  from  Union  and  Jericho  in  1798 ;  limits  since 
reduced.  The  Chenango  river  passes  in  a  SW.  direction  through 
the  town,  upon  which  are  rich  alluvial  flats.  Pop.  3,452.  Greene, 
the  principal  village,  is  on  the  river,  20  miles  SW.  from  Norwich,  and 
19  N.  from  Binghamton.  It  contains  3  churches,  11  stores,  and 
about  90  dwellings.  It  was  laid  out  in  village  form  in  1806,  and 
was  at  first  called  Hornby.  East  Green  and  Genegansette  are  post- 
offices. 

The  first  person  who  settled  in  the  vicinity  of  the  village  of  Greene, 
is  supposed  to  have  been  Conrad  Sharp,  a  Dutchman,  who  located 
himself  about  two  miles  above  the  village  in  1794  ;  a  number  of 
other  Dutchmen  came  in  and  formed  quite  a  settlement  in  his  vicinitv. 
The  names  of  some  of  the  other  principal  settlers  were,  Stephen 
Ketchum,  David  Bradley,  Derick  Race,  Joseph  Tillotson,  Mr.  Gray, 
a  Baptist  elder,  and  Elisha  Smith,  who  was  the  agent,  for  a  number 
of  years,  in  behalf  of  the  Hornby  Patent ;  he  surveyed  the  town  of 
Greene  and  laid  out  the  village. 

The  first  vvhite  inhabitants  who  located  themselves  on  the  site  of 
the  village,  were  eight  or  ten  French  families,  who  fled  from  their 
country  during  the  revolutionary  period.  The  first  one  who  came 
appears  to  have  been  Simon  Barnet,  who  is  said  to  have  been  a 
Creole  from  the  West  Indies.  He  came  to  this  place  from  Philadel- 
phia, probably  sent  as  a  pioneer  for  the  French  company.  tJne  of 
the  emigrants,  M.  Dutremont,  was  a  man  of  considerable  talents, 
learning,  and  wealth.  This  gentleman  contracted  for  the  lands  settled 
by  the  company.  The  purchase  was  made  of  William  W.  Morris 
and  Malachi  Treat,  the  patentees.  Capt.  Juliand,  one  of  the  French 
emigrants,  c.vme  into  the  place  in  1797,  a  little  after  the  first  con  iny. 
About  the  year  1795,  the  celebrated  French  statesman,  Talleyrand, 
visited  this  place,  when  on  a  sylvan  jaunt  on  horseback  from  I'liila- 
delphia  to  Albany  in  company  with  a  French  gentleman.  When  here, 
he  became  acquainted  with  the  son  of  M.  Dutremont,  with  whom  he 
was  ft)  muclf  pleased,  that  he  obtained  the  consent  of  his  parents  to 

-^t._  1 ^_   e>^ ._    I I 1 U! : i_ »__..        t»..    ' 


CUEXANtiO    COUNTY. 


101 


state  to  suffer- 

iriving  village, 
mnah,  upon  the 
any,  and  14  S. 
idge,  N.  Bain- 

Ibany  83,  from 
and  Columbus 

any  117,  from 
;  post  villages, 

bany  115,  from 

)8 ;  limits  since 
rection  through 
J,452.  Greene, 
n  Norwich,  and 
11  stores,  and 
n  in  1806,  and 
nsette  are  post- 

llage  of  Greene, 
m,  who  located 
: ;  a  number  of 
it  in  his  vicinitv. 
were,  Stephen 
tson,  Mr.  Gray, 
It,  for  a  number 
yed  the  town  of 

29  on  the  site  of 
fled  ii'om  their 
one  who  came 
to  have  been  a 
e  from  Philadcl- 
npany.  One  of 
derable  talents, 
the  lands  settled 
liam  W.  Morris 
e  of  the  French 
le  first  con  iny. 
Kin,  Talleyrand, 
)ack  from  i'iiila- 
an.  When  here, 
t,  with  whom  he 
jf  his  parents  to 


death  of  M.  Dutremont,  the  financial  affairs  of  the  little  colony  be- 
came deranged.  He  was  drowned  while  fording  a  river  on  horse- 
back, on  his  way  to  Philadelphia.  As  he  had  not  paid  for  the  land 
occupied  by  the  emigrants,  it  reverted  back  to  the  patentees.  The 
emigrants  became  discouraged,  and  after  a  few  years  left  the  place, 
moved  down  below  Towanda,  and  joined  a  French  settlement  at  a 
place  called  Frenchtown,  now  Asylum.  Capt.  Juliand,  however,  re- 
rnained  in  Greene,  and  to  him  and  Judge  Elisha  Smith  the  founda- 
tion of  the  village  is  to  be  ascribed. 

^  "  There  were  no  Indians  in  this  particular  section,  when  first  settled  by  the  whites.    But 

we  have  to  record  a  most  remarkable  mound,  the  relic  of  Indian  superstition  and  industry. 
There  are  now  to  be  seen  only  some  imperfect  traces  of  it.  It  was  situated  about  two 
miles  south  of  the  village,  and  about  tnirty  rods  from  the  river  bank,  on  what  is  now  the 
farm  of  Mr.  Lott.  The  mound,  before  it  was  dug  down  or  ploughed  over,  wa"  about  six  or 
seven  feet  above  the  surface  of  the  ground,  and  forty  feet  in  diameter  ;■  being  nearly  cir- 
cular.  There  was  also,  till  within  a  few  years,  a  large  pine  stump  in  the  centre  of  it,  the 
remams  of  a  large  pine-tree  which  was  standing  when  the  whites  came  in.  It  was  then 
however,  a  dead  tree.  When  it  was  cut  down,  there  were  counted  180  concentric  circles 
.  or  yearly  growths.  Estimating  the  age  of  the  mound  by  the  concjujitric  circles  of  the 
stump.  It  must  have  been  over  200  years  old  when  this  section  of  the  country  was  settled 
An  examination  of  this  mound  was  made  in  1829,  by  digging,  and  there  wert  found  hui 
man  bones  to  a  great  number;  and  lower  from  the  surface,  there  were  found  bones  that 
had  been  evidently  burnt ;  suggesting  the  idea,  that  the  mode  of  disposing  of  the  dead 
when  these  bones  were  deposi.'.-d,  was  burning  the  dead  body.  No  conjecture  could  be 
tormed  as  to  the  number  of  bodies  buried  here.  They  were  found  lying  without  order 
very  much ^umWerf,  and  so  far  decayed  as  to  crumble,  or  fall  apart,  when  brought  to  the 
air  and  handled.  1  he  supposition  would  not  be  an  unlikely  one,  that  these  bones  were  the 
remains  of  bodies  which  had  fallen  in  battle,  and  were  afterward  hurriedly  thrown  together 
and  buried.  •  •  *  •  In  the  mound  near  Greene,  there  were  found,  lying  quite  in  one  pile, 
200  arrow  lieuds,  cut  after  their  usual  form,  and  all  either  of  yellow  or  bhck  flint.  It  will  be 
recollected  thai  there  are  no  stones  of  this  kind  found  in  this  part  of  the  state  of  New 
„f,"pr  ih.  I'n!""!-  part  of  the  mound  there  were  found,  lying  together,  about  sixty,  made 
after  the  same  form  A  silver  band  or  ring  was  also  found,  of  about  two  inches  in  di. 
ameter,  extremely  thin,  but  wide,  with  the  rcmains-in  appearance-of  a  reed  pipe  lying 
within  It.  The  supposition  is,  that  it  was  some  sort  of  musical  instrument.  There  wm 
also  found  a  number  of  stone  chisels,  of  di^rent  shapes,  evidently  fitted  to  perform  difTeN 
ent  species  ot  work.  A  large  piece  of  mica  also,  cut  into  the  form  of  a  heart ;  the  border 
much  decayed,  and  the  different  laminiE  separated."-.l„„«Z«  of  Binghamton. 

Guilford,  taken  from  Oxford  in  1813.  by  the  name  of  Eastern ; 
?3'"^''o'!f!lf  ""^^"^fl  *"'■'""  Norwich,  centrally  distant  S.,  10  miles. 
1  on. ^,828.  Guiltord  is  a  small  post  village,  Rockdale  a  post-office, 
and  Mount  Upton  a  small  settlement. 

LmcKLAKN.  taken  from  German  in  1823;  since  reduced  in  area: 
h..m  Albany  128,  from  Norwich,  NW.,  20  mfles.  Lincklaen  and 
West  Lincklaen  are  post-ofhces.     Pop.  1,249. 

McDoNouoH,  named  in  honor  of  Commodore  McDonough,  taken 
from  Preston  in  1810;  from  Albany  128,  from  Norwicht  W..  14 
miles.  Pop.  1,309.  Near  the  south  line  of  the  town  is  a  sulphur 
spring  much  frequented.     McDono-...h  is  a  small  village.  ^ 

Nkvv  Rki...,n.  taken  from  Nor.v-,  h  in  1807.  Pop  3,086.  New 
Berlin,  an  incmporated  village  13  miles  NE.  from  Norwich,  and 
90  W.  from  Albany,  on  the  Unadilla  river,  has  1  Presbyterian,  1 
Episcopal,  1  Baptist,  and  1  Methodist  church.     There  are  here  164 


•^; 


arss-ai- 


•D., 


dwellings,  10  mercantile  stores,  a  week  I  v  n««r'»T^„,,«.  ,.«; 


11C6>  Suu  3€V'- 


102 


CHENANGO    COUNTY. 


M. 


iiii 


eral  large  manufacturing  establishments.  South  New  Berlin,  9  miles 
east  from  Norwich,  has  about  40  dwellings.     New  Bcrlm  Centre  is  a 

'""NlRTO'formed  from  Jericho  and  Union,  as  part  of  Tioga  county, 
in  1793;  arca  since  much  reduced.  Pop.  4,146  Norwich  village, 
the  county  seat,  is  delightfully  situated  upon  the  Chenango  river.  Its 
site  is  much  admired  by  travellers.    It  is  surrounded  by  lands  in  a 


Courthouse  and  other  buildings  in  Norwich. 

hijrh  state  of  cultivation,  and  well  supplied  with  pure  and  wholesome 
water.  There  is  a  mineral  spring  near  the  village  resorted  to  tor 
cutaneous  diseases.  The  above  view  shows  the  courthouse  m  the 
centre  of  the  engraving ;  the  buiWing  with  a  spire  on  the  lett,  is 
the  Presbyterian  church.  The  courthouse  has  been  but  recently 
erected.  It  is  built  of  freestone,  and  is  one  of  the  most  splendid 
structures  of  the  kind  in  the  state.  Besides  the  above,  there  are  m 
the  village  1  Episcopal,  1  Baptist,  and  1  Methodist  church,  2  weekly 
newspaper  offices,  the  Chenango  Bank,  several  manufactories,  and 
about  200  dwellings. 

Otselic,  taken  from  German  in  1817;  distant  from  Albany  110, 
from  Norwich,  NW.,  20  miles.  Otselic  is  a  small  village,  and  bouth 
Otselic  a  post-office.     Pop.  1,021. 

Oxford.*  "The  present  town  of  Oxford  was  originally  a  part  ot  the 
township  of  Fayette,  a  tract  which  was  laid  out  soon  after  the  war 
of  the  revolution,  and  sold  at  auction  in  New  York,  in  lots  of  a  mile 
square.  This  township,  and  a  tract  called  the  Gore,  bought  by  Gen. 
Hovey  and  Judge  Melancton  Smith,  containing  about  7,000  acres, 
were  incorporated  into  a  town  in  1793,  and  in  1794  the  first  town 
meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Gen.  Hovey  ;  this  building  «tood 
on  the  site  of  the  Fort  Hill  house,  (burnt  in  1839.)     Previous  to  1791, 

•  Communictted  to  th«  tutbon  by  Hanry  M.  Hyd«,  Esq. 


:hexango  county. 


lOS 


Berlin,  9  miles 
;rlin  Centre  is  a 

'  Tioga  county, 
orwich  village, 
ango  river.  Its 
id  by  lands  in  a 


ich. 

and  wholesome 
}  resorted  to  for 
ourthouse  in  the 
c  on  the  left,  is 
en  but  recently 
e  most  splendid 
ove,  there  are  in 
;hurch,  2  weekly 
inufactories,  and 

om  Albany  110, 
illage,  and  South 

lally  a  part  of  the 
>on  after  the  war 
in  lots  of  a  mile 
,  bought  by  Gen. 
out  7,000  acres, 
5)4  the  first  town 
lis  building  stood 
Previous  to  1791, 

1 1,  — ^— — — — — ^^ 

Eaq. 


there  were  no  settlers  on  the  western  part  of  Fayette  except  two, 
Mr.  Elijah  Blackman,  and  a  man  named  Phelps.  They  lived  on  lot 
92,  in  the  bounds  of  the  present  village. 

"  From  the  time  the  settlement  was  commenced,  by  the  exertions  of 
Gen.  Hovey,  whose  enterprise  and  hardihood  surmounted  every  ob- 
stacle, the  population  rapidly  increased.  The  pioneers  who  com- 
posed the  settlement,  were  distinguished  for  qualifications  rarely  pos- 
sessed by  men  in  their  laborious  occupations.  Their  intelligence  was 
prove-bial.  In  fact,  many  of  them  were  persons  of  considerable  sci- 
entific attainments.  They  obtained  an  act  of  incorporation  for  an 
academy  as  early  as  1794,  and  sustained  the  institution  in  the  most 
creditable  manner,  under  all  difficulty.  Gen.  Hovey,  whose  name 
seems  to  be  connected  with  nearly  all  the  occurrences  in  the  early 
days  of  the  town,  was  a  man  of  uncommon  business  abilities,  and 
was  a  favorite  of  the  distinguished  men  who  were  at  that  time  at  the 
head  of  affairs  in  this  state.  He  was  a  member  of  assembly  in 
1798,  and  was  also  a  judge  of  the  county.  He  afterward  removed 
to  the  Ohio,  and  at  the  time  of  Burr's  expedition  down  the  Mississippi, 
he  was  the  general  agent  of  a  company,  composed  of  some  of  the 
first  men  of  the  Union,  for  the  purpose  of  canalling  the  Ohio  at  the 
falls  opposite  Louisville.  The  project  failed,  and  Gen.  Kovey  was  a 
severe  sufferer  in  consequence.     He  died  about  1815. 

"  Nearly  all  the  settlers  were  natives  of  New  England,  and  a  ma- 
jority were  from  the  state  of  Connecticut.  There  are  at  present 
living  many  of  the  hardy  pioneers  who  commencer'  the  settlement. 
Of  these,  Mr.  Francis  Balcom,  Mr.  Jonathan  Baldwin,  Judge  Anson 
Gary,  Col.  Samuel  Balcom,  James  Padgett,  and  some  few  others,  are 
now  residing  in  this  town.  Judge  Uri  Tracy,  who  was  some  years 
since  a  member  of  congress  from  this  district,  and  who  died  three  or 
four  years  since,  was  likewise  an  early  resident,  and  principal  of  the 
academy." 

"  The  Indian  antiquities  in  and  about  the  village  of  Oxford  are  worthy  of  notice.    Of 
these,  the  Old  Fort  has  always  attracted  the  most  attention.     This  fort  stood  upon  the  hill 
m  about  the  iniddie  of  the  village,  and  the  ditch  is  yet  to  be  distinguished,  in  front  of  tha 
house  of  Ira  Wilcox,  Esq.     When  discovered,  it  was  a  regular  semicircle  from  the  river, 
and  enclosed  about  three  quarters  of  an  acre,  and  the  ditch,  when  the  ground  was  cleared 
was  in  many  places  four  feet  deep.    The  interior  of  the  fort  was  covered  with  the  largest 
kind  of  niap  e  and  beach  trees,  and  on  the  lop  of  the  bank  hove  up,  stood  a  dead  pine 
stump,  which,  when  cut,  left  r\  stump  on  which  was  counted  two  hundred  grains  or  circles. 
This  tree  evidently  sprang  up  after  the  ditch  was  dug.    There  were  upon  the  north  and 
south  sides  of  the  fort,  two  places  where  the  ground  had  evidently  never  been  disturbed 
These  are  supposed  to  have  been  gates.     The  ditch  was  four  or  five  feet  wide,  and  on  the 
river  side,  the  bank  huviiig  been  almost  perpendicular.     The  fort  must  have  been  a  stronir 
position.     Nothmg  short  of  camion  from  the  neighboring  hills  could  annoy  the  fort.    In 
the  course  of  subsequent  excavations  .n  and  about  it,  human  bones,  cooking  utensils, 
and  other  relics  have  been  found.    Of  coume,  nothing  is  known  about  the  object  of  thii 

back,  but  they  can  tell  us  nothing  definite.  The  Oneidas  leave  us  this  tradition-  that 
about  H  century  or  more  since,  a  gigantic  chief  occupied  it,  who  destroyed  all  their 
hunters  who  came  into  this  quarter.  They  called  this  rhief  Thick  Neck  The  One] 
das  made  several  attempts  to  decoy  him  from  his  stronghold,  but  without  succes.! 
They  Ht  length  managed  to  go  between  him  and  the  fort,  when  he  ran  down  the  river 
about  SIX  miles  and  «'-"''trd  h'm  i;lf  in  the  marsh  around  the  pond  called  Wam's  Pond. 

Mara  ha  wiui  diarnvumH  nml  lcilla.1  k>  .k-  n ;j _u-  v,    •    ...  .  ....   "■■"• 


m 


■  tii 

! 


I. II 


104 


CHENANGO   COUNTY. 


over  his  grave  that  no  vestige  of  him  should  remain.  The  remnant  of  his  tribe  were 
adopted  by  the  Oneidas,  and  an  Indian  who  was  hung  at  Morrisville  many  years  since 
named  Abram  Antone,  was  a  descendant  from  Thick  Neck. 

"  There  is  an  incident  connected  with  a  small  island  a  lew  rods  above  the  bridge  over  the 
Chenango.  Some  years  ago,  two  worthies  residing  in  the  town,  having  quarrelled  about 
some  trifling  matter,  resolved  to  exchange  shot-i,  in  vindication  of  their  honor.  The  place 
selected  for  the  transaction  was  this  island.  On  the  day  appouited,  the  belligerents  made 
their  appearance  on  the  spot.  The  seconds,  however,  were  agreed  that  neither  should 
suffer  harm,  and  loaded  the  pistols  with  cork  instead  of  ball.  Each  second  inspired  his 
principal  with  courage,  by  imparting  to  him  the  information  that  his  antagonist's  pistol  was 
loaded  wilh  cork,  at  the  same  time  assuring  him  that  his  own  contained  the  lead.  The 
consequence  was,  the  duellists  manifested  great  bravery— no  one  was  hurt,  and  the  actors 
were  highly  complimented  for  their  chivalry,  and  unhesitatingly  pronounced  men  of  honor. 
The  island  baa  since  been  called  Cork  Island." 


Central  part  of  the  Village  of  Oxford. 

The  above  view  was  taken  on  the  banks  of  the  Chenango  canal, 
and  shows  the  principal  public  buildings  in  the  village.  The  church 
on  the  left  is  the  Presbyterian,  the  smaller  building  with  a  cupola  in 
the  centre  is  the  Academy,  and  the  two  spires  seen  on  the  right  are 
those  of  the  Episcopal  and  Baptist  churches,  which  latter  structures 
stand  near  the  site  of  the  old  fort.  There  is  also  a  Methodist  church 
in  the  village,  2  weekly  newspaper  offices,  and  about  170  dwellings. 
There  are  several  bridges  over  the  Chenango  river,  and  the  Appian 
way,  from  Newburg,  terminates  here.  The  village  is  8  miles  south 
of  Norwich.  There  is  a  post-office  at  South  Oxford.  Population  of 
the  town,  3,177. 

PnAR3ALiA,  first  Settled  in  1708,  and  taken  from  Norwich  in  1806, 
by  the  name  of  Stonington  ;  name  afterward  changed  ;  distant  from 
Albanv  114,  from  Norwich,  NE.,  11  miles.  Pop.  1,213.  Pharsalia  is 
a  small  post  village,  and  East  Pharsalia  a  post-office. 

PiTCHKR,  formed  from  German  and  Lincklaen  in  1827;  from  Al- 
bany 127,  from  Norwich,  W.,  17  miles.  Pitcher  is  a  small  post 
village.     Pop.  ^.^Ol. 

Pi.vMniiTii.  tnlfpn    fViini   iCnrwinh    in   IRHIl-    frnin    Alhnnv  107-  frnrn 


CLINTON    COUNTF. 


106 


it  of  his  tribe  were 
le  many  years  since 

s  the  bridge  over  the 
ing  quarrelled  about 
r  honor.  The  place 
lie  belligerents  made 

that  neither  should 
,  second  inspired  his 
itagonist's  pistol  was 
ined  the  lead.     The 

hurt,  and  the  actors 
inced  men  of  harm. 


Norwich,  NW.,  7  miles.     Frankville,  formerly  known  by  the  name 
of  the  French  settlement,  has  30  or  40  dwellings.     Pop.  1,625. 

Preston,  taken  from  Norwich  in  1806;  from  Albany  115,  from 
Norwich,  centrally  distant  W,,  7  miles.  Pop.  1,117.  The  Chenango 
river  and  canal  pass  through  the  SE.  section  of  the  town.  Mason 
and  Palmer's  Corners  are  small  villages. 

Sherburne,  taken  from  Genoa  in  1806 ;  from  Albany  96,  from  Nor- 
wich, N.,  11  miles.  Pop.  2,791.  The  flats  on  the  Chenango  river, 
which  flows  through  this  town,  are  remarkably  fertile.  The  portion 
of  the  town  called  "  the  Quarter,"  was  early  settled  by  20  families 
from  Connecticut,  who  bought  one  quarter  of  the  township.  Theji* 
formed  themselves  into  a  religious  society  of  the  Presbyterian  denom- 
ination before  emigrating.  They  arrived  on  a  Thursday,  and  by  the 
succeeding  Sabbath  had  erected  a  log  meeting-house,  in  which  they 
assembled  for  public  worship ;  and  not  a  single  Sunday  has  since 
passed  without  divine  service  being  performed.  Sherburne,  post  vil- 
lage, has  about  100  dwellings. 

Smithville,  taken  from  Greene  in  1806 ;  from  Albany  131,  from 
Norwich,  SW.,  20  miles.  Pop.  1,762.  Smithville  is  a  village  of 
about  40  or  50  dwellings. 

Smyrna  was  taken  from  Sherburne  in  1808.  Pop.  2,240.  The 
first  settler  was  Joseph  Porter,  who  emigrated  here  in  1792.  The 
first  post-office  was  established  in  1808.  The  village  of  Smyrna  was 
incorporated  in  1834;  it  is  101  miles  from  Albany  and  11  NW.  of 
Norwich^  and  contains  about  60  dwellings. 


Chenango  canal, 
e.  The  church 
with  a  cupola  in 
on  the  right  are 
latter  structures 
[ethodist  church 
it  170  dwellings, 
and  the  Appian 
is  8  miles  south 
.     Population  of 

Norwich  in  1806, 
sd ;  distant  from 
13.    Pharsaliais 

1827;  from  Al- 
ls a  small  post 

ilbanv  lO?:  from 


f 


CLINTON  COUNTY. 

« 

Clinton  county  lies  on  the  western  shore  of  Lake  Champlain,  at 
the  northeastern  extremity  of  the  state,  about  170  miles  N.  from  Al- 
bany. Soon  after  the  conquest  of  Canada,  in  1759,  the  shores  of  Lake 
Champlain  were  visited  by  speculators  in  quest  of  pine  and  oak  tim- 
ber, but  no  permanent  settlements  were  made  until  about  the  close  of 
the  revolution.  Its  greatest  length  N.  and  S.  is  40i  miles,  greatest 
breadth  37  miles.  The  northern  boundary  being  latitude  45°,  indi- 
cates the  rigors  of  a  cold  northern  country.  The  natural  advantages 
enjoyed  by  this  county  have  been  undervalued.  Along  the  whole 
eastern  border,  adjoining  the  shore  of  Lake  Champlain,  a  wide  tract 
of  land  extends,  moderately  uneven  or  quite  level,  with  a  pretty 
strong:  inclination  or  depression  eastward,  averaging  8  miles  in  width 
of  no  inferior  quality.  It  amply  repays  the  labor  of  the  husbandman. 
The  western  part  is  mountainous,  but  these  mountains  are  covered 
with  timber,  and  the  county  with  rapid  streams  and  mill  sites,  and 
abounds  with  the  richest  and  best  of  iron  ores,  already  extensively 

„.       _ ,  ,.,  ^.i    > «i ii_-t.!3  tjuaii«c3.      vii    iiic    uiuau    wcJi 

14 


106 


CLINTON    COUNTY. 


of  comparatively  level  land  above  noticed,  it  is  principally  a  clayey 
with  some  tracts  of  a  sandy  loam.  The  strea-ms  supply  a  profusion 
of  good  natural  sites  for  all  sorts  of  hydraulic  work.  With  these 
advantages,  this  county  looks  forward  with  confidence  to  increased 
sources  of  business  and  profit.  About  one  fifth  part  is  settled.  Pop. 
28,180.     The  county  is  divided  into  10  towns. 

Au  Sable,  taken  from  Peru  in  1839;  distant  155  miles  N.  from 
Albany,  centrally  distant  from  Plattsburg  15  miles.  Pop.  3,229. 
The  Village  of  Clintonville  on  the  Au  Sable  river,  partly  in  Clinton 
and  partly  in  Essex  counties,  was  incorporated  in  1825.  It  contains 
»2  churches,  1  Presbyterian  and  1  Methodist,  8  mercantile  stores, 
upwards  of  80  dwellings,  and  730  inhabitants.  It  is  6  miles  W.  of 
Keesville,  17  from  Elizabeth,  and  18  from  Plattsburg.  The  exten- 
sive works  of  the  "  Peru  Iron  Company"  are  located  in  this  village. 
They  have  a  forge  of  18  fires,  an  extensive  rolling-mill,  a  nail  and  a 
cable  factory,  furnace,  &c.  All  these  works  were  commenced 
when  the  place  was  comparatively  new,  by  I.  Aiken,  Esq.,  but  little 
was  done  till  the  organization  of  the  company  by  the  legislature  about 
the  year  1825. 

Beekman,  taken  from  Plattsburg  in  1820;  distant  from  Albany 
167,  NW.  from  Plattsburg,  18  miles.  The  township  is  6  miles  in 
width,  and  stretches  across  the  country  37  miles ;  the  eastern  part 
of  the  town  is  level  or  undulating,  the  western  mountainous.  Pop. 
2,763. 

Black  Brook,  taken  from  Peru  in  1839;  from  Albany  163,  from 
Plattsburg,  SW.,  25  miles.  Black  Brook  and  Union  Falls  are  small 
villages.     Pop.  1,054. 

Champlain,  organized  in  1788;  from  Albany,  N.,  185  miles. 
Champlain  village,  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Chazy,  5  miles  from  Lake 
Champlain,  has  about  40  dwellings.  Rouses  Point,  23  miles  N.  from 
Plattsburg,  Corbeau,  and  Perrysville,  are  small  villages.     Pop.  2,950. 

Chazy,  taken  from  Champlain  in  1804.  Pop.  3,592.  'Chazy,  15 
miles  N.  of  Plattsburg  on  the  state  road  from  Albany  to  Canada,  and 
West  Chazy,  are  small  villages.  Chazy  Landing,  on  Lake  Champlain, 
is  3  miles  from  Chazy  village. 

Ellenburg,  taken  from  Mooers  in  1830;  from  Plattsburg,  NW., 
25  miles.     Pop.  1,164. 

MooERs,  named  in  honor  of  Gen.  B.  Mooers,  was  taken  from 
Champlain  in  1804 ;  from  Plattsburg,  NNW.,  18  miles.  Pop.  1,701. 
Mooers  is  a  small  post  village  on  the  Chazy  river. 

Peru,  taken  from  Plattsburg  and  Willsburg  in  1792 ;  bounds  since 
altered.  Pop.  3,183.  Peru,  post  village,  10  miles  S.  of  Plattsburg 
and  4  from  Lake  Champlain,  has  1  Presbyterian,  1  Methodist,  and  1 
Catholic  church,  70  dwellings,  and  360  inhabitants.  Unionville 
and  Port  Jackson  are  post-offices.  The  first  settler  in  Peru  village 
was  John  Cochran,  who  came  here  in  1794.  Rev.  Hernan  Garlick 
was  one  of  the  first  ministers  who  preached  in  this  section.  It  is 
said  that  he  used  to  cross  the  lake,  in  a  boat,  and  walk  30  miles  to 
preach  to  a  oongrpg:^UpP' 


CLINTO^f    COUNTY. 


107 


:ipally  a  clayey 
ply  a  profusion 
c.  With  these 
:e  to  increased 
s  settled.     Pop. 

miles  N.  from 
I.  Pop.  3,229. 
artly  in  Clinton 
!5.  It  contains 
rcantile  stores, 

6  miles  W.  of 
g.  The  exten- 
in  this  village, 
ill,  a  nail  and  a 
re  commenced 
Esq.,  but  little 
;gislature  about 

t  from  Albany 
ip  is  6  miles  in 
\ie  eastern  part 
itainous.     Pop. 

bany  163,  from 
Falls  are  small 

N.,  185  miles, 
liles  from  Lake 
J  miles  N.  from 
!S.  Pop.  2,950. 
92.  'Chazy,  15 
to  Canada,  and 
lake  Champlain, 

attsburg,  NW., 

^as  taken  from 
s.    Pop.  1,701. 

I ;  bounds  since 
I.  of  Plattsburg 
[ethodist,  and  1 
ts.      Unionville 

in  Peru  village 
Hernan  Garlick 

section.  It  is 
bralk  30  miles  to 


The  following  is  an  account  of  the  conflagration  of  the  steamer 
Phcenix,  which  took  place  near  here,  on  Lake  Champlain,  September 
5,  1819. 

The  steamboat  left  Burlington  for  Plattsburg  about  midnight,  and  had  proceeded  by  one 
o'clock  in  the  morning  as  far  as  Providence  island,  when  the  alarm  was  given.  The  boat 
at  this  lime  was  temporarily  commanded  by  a  son  of  the  captain,  Richard  M.  Sherman,  a 
young  man  of  twenty-two.  "  Amid  the  confusion,  danger,  and  difficulties  attendant  on  tliis 
terrible  disaster,  he  displayed  an  energy  and  presence  of  mind,  not  only  worthy  of  the 
highest  praise,  but  which  we  might  seek  for  in  vain,  even  among  those  of  riper  years.  To 
qualities  like  these,  rightly  directed  as  they  were,  was  it  owing  that  not  a  person  was  lost 
on  that  fearful  night.  In  that  burning  vessel,  at  the  dead  of  night,  and  three  miles  from 
the  nearest  land,  was  the  safety  of  every  one  cared  for,  and  ultimately  secured,  by  the 
promptness,  energy,  and  decision  of  this  young  commander." 

Shortly  after  the  fire  was  discovered,  it  raged  with  irresistible  violence.  "  The  passen- 
gers, roused  by  the  alarm  from  their  slumbers,  and  waking  to  a  terrible  sense  of  impending 
destruction,  rushed  in  crowds  upon  the  deck,  and  attempted  to  seize  the  small-boats. 
Here,  however,  they  were  met  by  young  Sherman,  who,  having  abandoned  all  hope  of 
saving  his  boat,  now  thought  only  of  saving  his  passengers,  and  stood  by  the  gangway  with 
a  pistol  in  each  hand,  determined  to  prevent  any  person  from  jumping  into  the  boats  be- 
fore they  were  properiy  lowered  into  the  water,  and  prepared  to  receive  their  living  freight. 
With  the  utmost  coolness  and  presence  of  mind  he  superintended  the  necessary  prepara. 
tions,  and,  in  a  few  minutes,  the  boats  were  lowered  away,  and  the  passengers  received 
safely  on  board.  They  then  shoved  off,  and  pulled  through  the  darkness  for  the  distant 
shore.  As  soon  as  this  was  reached,  and  the  passengers  landed,  the  boats  returned  to  the 
steamboat  and  took  off  the  crew,  and,  as  the  captain  supposed,  every  living  soul  except 
himself.  But,  shortly  after  the  boats  had  left  the  second  time,  he  discovered,  under  a  set. 
tee,  the  chambermaid  of  the  Phoenix,  who,  in  her  fright  and  confusion,  had  lost  all  con- 
sciousness.  Lashing  her  to  the  plank  which  he  had  prepared  for  his  own  escape,  this  gal. 
lant  captain  launched  her  towards  the  shore ;  and  was  thus  left  alone  with  his  vessel,  now 
one  burning  pile.  Having  satisfied  himself  that  no  living  thing  remained  on  board  his  boat, 
and  with  the  proud  consciousness  that  he  had  saved  every  life  intrusted  to  his  care,  he 
sprung  from  the  burning  wreck  as  it  was  about  to  sink  beneath  the  waters,  and,  by  the 
means  of  a  settee,  reached  the  shore  in  safety. — This  is  no  exaggerated  story.  It  is  the 
simple  narrative  of  one  of  the  most  heroic  acts  on  record.  We  have  only  to  add,  that  the 
captain  who  so  faithfully  and  fearlessly  discharged  his  dirty  on  this  trying  occasion,  is  still 
(1840)  in  command  of  a  noble  boat  on  Lake  Champlain,  and  is  known  to  every  traveller 
as  Captain  Shennan,  of  the  steamboat  Buriington." 

The  following  description  of  this  terrific  scene  was  written  by  one  of  the  passengers : — 
"  I  awoke  at  the  time  of  the  alarm,  but  whether  aroused  by  the  cry  of  fire,  the  noise  of  feet 
trampling  on  deck,  or  by  that  restlessness  common  to  persons  who  sleep  in  a  strange  place, 
with  a  mind  filled  with  sorrow  and  anxiety,  I  am  unable  to  tell.  I  thought  I  heard  a  faint 
cry  of  fire,  and,  after  a  short  interval,  it  seemed  to  be  renewed.  But  it  came  so  weakly 
upon  my  ear,  and  seemed  to  be  flung  by  so  careless  a  voice,  that  I  concluded  it  was  an 
unmeaning  sound  uttered  by  some  of  the  sailors  in  their  sports  on  deck.  Soon,  however,  a 
hasty  footstep  was  heard  passing  through  the  cabin,  but  without  a  word  being  uttered.  As 
I  approached  the  top  of  the  cabin  stairs,  an  uncommon  brilliancy  at  once  dispelled  all 
doubts.  Instantly  the  flames  and  sparks  began  to  meet  my  eyes,  and  the  thought  struck 
me  that  no  other  way  of  escape  was  left  but  to  plunge  half  naked  through  the  blaze  into  the 
water.  One  or  two  more  steps  assured  me  that  this  dreadful  alternative  was  not  yet  ar. 
rived:  I  hastily  stepped  aft, — a  lurid  light  illuminated  every  object  beyond  with  the  splen. 
dor  of  a  noon.day  sun ;  I  fancied  it  was  the  torch  of  death,  to  point  me  and  my  fellow, 
travellers  to  the  tomb.  I  saw  no  person  on  deck ;  but,  on  casting  my  eyes  towards  the  boat 
which  was  still  hanging  on  the  larboard  quarter,  I  perceived  that  she  was  filled,  and  that 
her  stern-sheets  were  occupied  with  ladies.    I  flew  '  gangway,  and  assisted  in  lower- 

ing  the  boat  into  the  water.  I  then  descended  the  b...  ,  with  an  intention  of  entering  die 
boat ;  but  perceiving  that  she  was  loaded  deep,  and  that  there  was  a  strong  breeze  and  a 
high  sea,  I  desisted.  The  painter  was  soon  cut,  and  the  boat  dropped  astern.  I  ascended 
the  steps  with  the  design  of  submitting  myself  to  the  water  upon  a  plank ;  for  I  had  great 
confidence  in  my  skill  in  swimming,  and  I  acted  under  an  impression  that  the  shore  was 
only  a  few  rods,  certainly  not  half  a  mile  distant.  Judge  of  what  would  have  been  my  as- 
tonishment,  and  probably  also  my  fate,  had  I  done  as  I  contemplated ;  when  the  fact  was, 
that  the  steamboat  at  this  period  waa  in  the  broadest  part  of  Lake  Chamolain.  and  at  least 


W 


108 


CLINTON    COUNTY. 


three  miles  from  any  land.  I  had  left  the  deck  about  two  hours  before,  and  this  change 
had  occurred  in  the  mean  time.  I  looked  round  upon  the  deck  to  find  a  suitable  board,  or 
something  of  sufficient  buoyancy,  that  I  could  trust  to  amid  such  waves  as  I  saw  were  run. 
ning.  There  was  nothing  large  enough  to  deserve  such  confidence  ;  I  looked  aft  over  the 
taffrail,  every  thing  there  looked  gloomy  and  forbiddinsr ;  I  cast  my  eyes  forward,  the  wind 
was  directly  ahead,  and  the  flames  were  forced,  in  the  most  terrific  manner,  towards  the 
stem,  threatening  every  thing  in  its  range  with  instant  destruction.  I  then  thought  if  I 
could  pass  the  middle  of  the  boat,  which  seemed  also  to  be  the  centre  of  the  fire,  I  might 
find  security  in  standing  to  windward  on  the  bowsprit.  I  made  the  attempt.  It  was  vain. 
The  flames  were  an  insurmountable  barrier.  I  was  obliged  to  return  towards  the  stern. 
There  was  then  no  one  in  sight.  I  stepped  over  upon  the  starboard  side  of  the  quarter- 
deck.  1  thought  all  was  gone  with  me.  At  that  moment  I  saw  a  lady  come  up  to  the 
cabin  door ;  she  leaned  against  the  side  of  it,  and  looked  with  a  steadfast  ga/,e  and  dis. 
tracted  air  towards  the  flames ;  she  turned  and  disappeared  in  the  cabin.  It  was  Mrs.  WiU 
son,  the  poor  unfortunate  ladv  who,  afterward,  with  the  captain's  assistance,  as  he  informed 
me,'  committed  herself,  with  many  piercing  shrieks  and  agonizing  exclamations,  to  the 
treacherous  support  of  a  small  bench,  on  the  troublous  bosom  of  the  lake.  I  then  looked 
over  the  starboard  quarter  to  know  whether  the  other  boat  was  indeed  gone.  I  had  the 
happiness  to  see  her;  she  seemed  to  be  full,  or  nearly  so;  one  or  two  passengers  were 
standing  on  the  lower  steps  of  the  accommodation  ladder,  apparently  with  the  design  of 
entering  the  boat  when  she  came  within  reach.  1  was  determined  to  enter  her  at  all  risks, 
and  instantly  leaped  over  the  quarter  and  descended  into  her.  I  found  her  knocking  under 
the  counter,  and  in  danger  of  foundering.  The  steam-vessel  still  continued  to  advance 
through  the  water :  the  waves  dashed  the  boat  with  considerable  violence  against  her,  and 
most  of  those  who  had  sought  safety  in  the  boat,  being  unacquainted  with  water  scenes, 
were  much  alarmed,  and  by  their  ill.directed  efforts  were  adding  to  the  risk.  Under  these 
circumstances  it  became  necessary  to  cut  the  fast,  which  was  done,  and  the  boat,  and  those 
that  were  in  it,  were  instantly  secure.  All  these  incidents  occurred  in  a  shorter  time  than 
I  have  consumed  in  writing  them.  From  the  moment  of  my  hearing  the  first  alarm  to  that 
of  leaving  the  steamboat,  was  not,  I  am  satisfied,  near  ten  minutes ;  1  believe  it  was  not  five." 


View  of  Plattsburg. 


Plattsburg,  organized  in  1785.  Pop.  6,397.  Plattsburg,  an  incor- 
porated village  and  county  seat,  is  distant  from  New  York  319,  from 
Albany  164,  from  Whitehall  112,  and  from  Ogdensburg,  E.,  120  miles. 
Tiie  accompanying  view  was  taken  on  the  eastern  bank  of  the  Sa- 
ranac,  about  30  rods  above  the  bridge.  The  first  steeple  on  the  left 
is  that  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  the  second  the  Methodist,  the  third 
the  courthouse,  the  fourth  the  Episcopal,  and  the  fifth  the  Catholic. 


CLINTON    COUNTY. 


109 


•e,  and  this  change 
1  suitable  bo;ird,  or 
IS  I  saw  wfrc  run. 
looked  aft  over  the 

forward,  the  wind 
aiiner,  towards  the 

then  thought  it'  I 
if  the  fire,  I  might 
inpt.     It  was  vain. 

towards  the  stern, 
ide  of  the  quar'er. 
idy  come  up  to  the 
fust  ga/e  and  dis. 
It  was  Mrs.  Wil- 
ice,  as  he  informed 
^clamations,  to  the 
ic.  I  then  looked 
1  gone.  1  had  the 
fo  passengers  were 
with  the  design  of 
Iter  her  at  all  risks, 
ler  knocking  under 
itiuued  to  advance 
:e  against  her,  and 
with  water  scenes, 
risk.  Under  these 
the  boat,  and  those 
a  shorter  time  than 
s  first  alarm  to  that 
3ve  it  was  not  five." 


iburg,  an  incor- 
fork  319,  from 
;,  E.,  120  miles, 
ank  of  the  Sa- 
eple  on  the  left 
lodiat,  the  third 
.h  the  Catholic. 


Besides  the  above-mentioned  public  buildings,  there  is  an  academy, 
the  Clinton  county  bank,  and  about  300  buildm^s. 

A  settlement  was  commenced  in  this  village  "  previous  to  the  revo- 
lution, by  a  Count  ^''redenburg,  a  German  nobleman,  who,  marrying 
a  lady  of  the  household  of  the  queen  of  England,  obtained  a  warrant 
for  30,000  acres  of  land,  which  he  located  on  Cumberland  bay, 
whither  he  removed,  although  he  did  not  perfect  Ks  title  by  patent.  He 
built  a  large  house  on  the  spot  now  occupied  by  the  United  States 
Hotel  in  Plattsburg,  where  he  resided,  as  tradition  reports,  in  extraor- 
dinary luxury,  having  his  floors  covered  with  carpets,  and  his  win- 
dows shaded  with  damask  curtains.  When  the  revolutionary  strug- 
gle commenced,  he  sent  his  family  to  Montreal,  but  remained  some 
time  after  their  departure,  and  then  suddenly  and  mysteriously  disap- 
peared :  his  house,  and  a  saw-mill  he  had  built  3  miles  above,  on  the 
Saranac, '  at  Vredenburg's  Falls,'  being  at  the  same  time  burned.  He 
was  generally  supposed  to  have  been  robbed  and  murdered  by  some 
one  covetous  of  the  money  and  plate  which  he  displayed. 

"  In  July,  of  1783,  after  the  preliminaries  of  peace  had  been  settled, 
Lieut,  (since  Maj,  Gen.)  Benjamin  Mooers,  adjutant  of  Hazen's  regi- 
ment of  Canadian  and  Nova  Scotia  refugees  stationed  at  Newburg, 
on  the  Hudson,  with  2  other  officers  and  8  men,  left  Fishkill  Landing 
m  a  boat,  and  by  way  of  the  Hudson,  the  portage  from  Fort  Edward 
to  Lake  George,  and  by  that  lake  and  ChamplaJn,  reached  Point  au 
Roche,  9  miles  N.  of  Plattsburg,  where  he  and  his  companions,  on 
the  10th  August,  commenced  the  first  permanent  settlement  of  the 
county. 

"  A  company,  consisting  of  Judge  Zephaniah  Piatt  and  others,  form- 
ed soon  after  the  war  for  the  purchase  of  military  warrants,  located 
tlieir  warrants  on  Lake  Champlain.  In  August,  1784,  the  judge, 
Capt.  Nathaniel  Piatt,  and  Capt.  Reeve,  personally  surveyed  the 
1  lattsburg  patent  on  Cumberland  bay,  and  laid  off,  among  others,  10 
lots  of  100  acres  each,  to  be  given  to  the  first  10  settlers  who  came 
on  with  families.  Another  tract  of  100  acres  was  allotted  as  a  dona- 
tion to  the  first  male  child  born  on  the  patent.  Messrs.  Jacob  Ferris, 
John  Burke,  Derrick  Webb,  Jabez  Pettit,  and  Cyrenus  Newcomb, 
were  the  first  settlers  on  the  'gift  lots;  and  Piatt  Newcomb,  Esq., 
was  the  fortunate  first  born  male,  b^t  not  the  first  child  born  on  the 
patent ;  Mrs.  Henry  Ostrander  having  previously  given  birth  to  a 
daughter,  who  intermarried  with  a  Mr.  Wilson,  of  Chateaugua,  of 
l-rankhn  county.  From  this  period  the  settlement  of  the  county 
steadily  progressed. 

^nllH  ^""t  'i°"',*  was  holden  at  Plattsburg  on  the  28th  day  of  Oct., 
1788,  ot  which  the  fo  lowing  persons  were  officers :  Charles  Piatt, 
judge  /Peter  Saily  Wm.  McAuley,  and  Pliney  Moore,  assistant  jus- 
tices;  Theodorus  Piatt,  justice ;  Benjamin  Mooers,  sherif;  John 
Jautfreyde,  coroner-  Robert  Paul,  John  Stevenson,  Lott  Elmore, 
l.ewis  Lezotte,  and  Jonathan  Lynde,  constables.  Grand  jury,  Cle- 
ment Goslm,  A  len  Smith,  Abner  Pomeroy,  Jonas  Allen,  Joseph 
bhelden,  Peter  Payn,  Moses  Soper,  Edward  Everett.  Elnathan  Rosr- 


ii' 


^. 


no 


CLINTON    COUNTY. 


hi  ill  I 


ers,  John  Hoffnagle,  Cyrenus  Newconib,  Melchor  Hoffnagle,  Stephen 
Cuyler,  Jacob  Ferris,  John  Ransom,  and  John  Cochran."— Gordon's 

Gaz.  c   \.      ■ 

Plattsburg  is  rendered  memorable  as  the  place  of  the  victory  of 
Com.  McDonough  and  Gen.  Macomb,  over  the  British  naval  and 
land  forces,  in  Sept.  1814.  The  following  account  of  the  military 
movements  on  the  land  are  copied  from  the  statements  given  by  Maj. 
A.  C.  Flagg  and  Gen.  St.  J.  B.  L.  Skinner,  who  both  were  actors  in 
the  scenes  described. 

" '  On  the  3l9t  Aug.,  (says  Maj.  Flagg,)  the  advance  of  the  British  army  under  Gen.  Brisbane 
entered  Champlain,  and  encamped  on  the  north  side  of  the  great  Chazy  river,  and  on  the  same 
day  Maj.  Gen.  Mooers  ordered  out  the  militia  of  tlie  counties  of  Clinton  and  Essex,'  en  masae. 
» The  regiment  from  Clinton  co.,  under  Lieut.  Col.  Miller,  immediiitely  assembled,  and  on  the 
2d  Sept.  took  a  position  on  the  west  road  near  the  village  of  Chazy ;  and  on  the  3d,  Gen. 
Wright,  with  such  of  his  biigade  as  had  arrived,  occupied  a  position  on  the  same  road,  about 
8  miles'in  advance  of  this  place.  On  the  4th,  the  enemy  having  brought  up  his  main  body 
to  Champlain,  took  up  his  line  of  march  for  Plattsburg.  The  rifle  corps,  under  Lieut.  Col. 
Apphng  on  the  lake  road,  fell  back  as  far  as  Dead  creek,  blocking  up  the  road  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  impede  the  advance  of  the  enemy  as  much  as  possible.  The  enemy  advanced 
on  the  5th,  within  a  few  miles  of  Col.  Appling's  position,  and  finding  it  too  strong  to  attack, 
halted,  and  caused  a  road  to  be  made  west  into  the  Beekmantown  road,  in  which  the  light 
brigade  under  Gen.  Powers  advanced ;  and  on  the  morning  of  the  6ih,  about  7  o'clock, 
attacked  the  militia,  which  had  at  this  time  increased  to  nearly  700,  under  Gen.  Mooers; 
and  a  small  detachment  of  regulars  under  Maj.  Wool,  about  7  miles  from  this  place.  After 
the  first  fire,  a  considerable  part  of  the  militia  broke  and  fled  in  every  direction.  Many, 
however,  manfully  stood  their  ground,  and  with  the  small  corps  of  Maj.  Wool,  bravely  con- 
tested  the  ground  against  five  times  their  number,  falHng  back  gradually,  and  occupying 
the  fences  on  each  side  of  the  road,  till  they  arrived  within  a  mile  of  the  town,  when  they 
were  reinforced  by  two  pieces  of  artillery  under  Capt.  Leonard ;  and  our  troops  occupying 
a  strong  position  behind  a  stone  wall,  for  some  time  stopped  the  progress  of  the  enemy.' 

"  At  this  point,  one  of  the  finest  specimens  of  discipline  ever  exhibited,  was  shown  by  the 
British  troops  on  the  occasion  of  the  opening  Capt.  Leonard's  battery  upon  them.  The 
company  to  which  I  was  attached,  formed  a  part  of  the  left  flank  of  our  little  army,  and 
was  on  the  rise  of  ground  west  of  the  road  leading  from  Mr.  Halsey's  co-  ■  'o  u-iac  C. 
Piatt's,  and  about  midway  between  the  artillery  H!id  the  head  of  the  British  column  ;  nnd 
the  whole  scene  was  open  to  our  view.  Here,  (at  Halsey's  corner,)  was  \  '  it't.j  <^  ''O 
field-pieces,  so  perfectly  masked  by  a  party  of  the  infantry,  that  the  ene  ■  i  .i>.j  as 
not  aware  of  it,  until  it  opened  upon  him.  There  a  dense  column  of  men,  with  a  front 
equal  to  the  width  of  the  road,  and  extending  nearly  half  a  mile  in  length,  pressing  on  with 
a  buoyancy  and  determination  of  spirit,  betokening  an  expectation  that  they  wotild  be  per- 
mitted  to  wnlk  into  our  works  without  much  opposition.  How  sad  the  disappointment  to 
the  victorious  veterans  of  so  many  bloody  fi( '  of  Europe  !  So  perfect  was  the  motion  of 
the  troops  ii.  man'hiitg,  that  they  seemed  leat  mass  of  living  matter  moved  by  some 
invisible  raac'iiMc>...  Yet  I  can  now  almo;  fancy  we  could  hear  them  cracking  their 
jokes,  and  f .n-.li  ;!riining  ft.!'  himself  the  honor  of  being  the  first  to  make  a  lodgment  in 
the  Yankee  torts  ;  jheii  suddenly,  with  the  noise  of  thunder,  the  sound  of  a  cannon  came 
booming  tlu^ugh  ih  ■  air.  It  sent  forth  a  round  shot  which  took  efliect  near  the  centre  of 
the  front  platoon,  about  breast  high,  and  ploughed  its  way  through,  sweeping  all  before  it, 
the  whole  length  of  the  cohmm ;  opening  a  space  apparently  several  feet  wide,  which, 
however,  was  immediately  closed,  as  if  by  magic  ;  and  on  the  column  pressed  as  if  nothing 
had  happened.  A  second  shot  was  tired  with  the  like  effect,  and  similar  consequences ; 
but  when  the  third  discharge  came,  with  a  shower  of  grape  shot,  there  was  a  momentary 
confusion.  Immediately,  however,  the  charge  was  sounded  by  some  dozen  British  bugles ; 
which  through  the  clear  and  bland  atmosphere  of  a  bright  September  morning,  was  the 
most  thrilling  and  spiriustirring  sound  that  could  greet  a  soldier's  ears.  In  an  instant  of 
time,  the  men  forming  the  advance  of  the  column  had  thrown  their  knapsacks  on  either 
side  the  road,  and  bringing  their  pieces  to  the  charge,  advanced  in  double  quick  time  upon 
our  miniature  battery. 

" '  Our  troops  being  at  length  compelled  to  retire,  contested  every  inch  of  ground,  until 
they  reached  the  south  bank  of  the  Saranac,  where  the  enemy  attempted  to  pursue  them, 
but  was  !£"ulsed  with  IgsS;    The  io™  of  the  British  ia  this  skirniishi  was  GoL  Wellington, 


M 


CLINTON    COUNTY. 


Ill 


lagle,  Stephen 
GordoviS 


n. 


the  victory  of 
sh  naval  and 
f  the  military 
given  by  Maj. 
vere  actors  in 

nder  Gen.  Brisbane 
ir,  and  on  the  same 
1  Essex,'  en  masse. 
emblod,  and  on  the 
id  on  the  3d,  Gen. 
le  same  road,  about 
t  up  his  main  body 
I,  under  Lieut.  Col. 
the  road  in  such  a 
le  enemy  advanced 

00  strong  to  attack, 
,  in  which  the  Hght 
h,  about  7  o'clock, 
ider  Gen.  Mooers; 
n  this  place.    After 

direction.  Many, 
Wool,  bravely  con- 
illy,  and  occupying 
le  town,  when  they 
ir  troops  occupying 
s  of  the  enemy.' 
I,  was  shown  by  the 
'  upon  them.  The 
)ur  li'tle  army,  and 

CO*  ,'  tf  iViac  C. 
iritisti  column ;  nnd 
as  (  '  ■■'M.i-  <  ■''  "-vo 
le.  'J  .ti.j  -'as 
'  men,  with  a  front 
;h,  pressing  on  with 

they  would  be  per. 
i  disappointment  to 

was  the  motion  of 
;ter  moved  by  some 
lem  cracking  their 
ake  a  lodgment  in 

1  of  a  cannon  came 
;  near  the  centre  of 
eeping  all  before  it, 

feet  wide,  which, 
ressed  aa  if  nothing 
lilar  consequences; 
)  was  a  momentary 
Dzen  British  bugles ; 
!r  morning,  was  the 
1.  In  an  instant  of 
napsacks  on  either 
tile  quick  time  upon 

ich  of  ground,  until 
ed  to  pursue  them, 
as  Coi-  Wellington, 


I- 


and  a  Lieut,  of  the  3d  Buffs,  and  two  Lieute.  of  the  58th,  killed ;  and  one  Capt.  and  one 
Lieut,  of  th''  58ih  light  company  wounded,  together  with  about  100  privates  killed  and 
wounded,  while  tiiat  on  our  part  did  not  exceed  25.  The  corps  of  riflemen  under  Col. 
Appling,  and  d,;  uchment  under  Capt.  Sproul,  fell  back  from  their  posi'ion  at  Dead  creek 
in  time  to  join  the  militia  and  regulars  just  before  they  entered  the  village,  and  fought  wiih 
their  accustomed  bravery.  The  British  got  possession  of  that  part  of  the  village  north  of 
the  Saranac  about  11  o'clock,  but  the  incessant  and  well-directed  fire  of  our  artillery  and 
musketry  from  the  forts  and  opposite  banks,  compelled  them  to  retire  before  night  beyond 
the  reach  of  our  guns.'  The  bridge  in  the  village  was  defended  during  this  day  by  Capt. 
Martin  I.  Aikin's  company*  of  volunteers,  who  were  stationed  in  the  saw-mill  on  the  south 
bank  of  the  river  for  that  purpose.  The  enemy  arrived  towards  night  with  his  heavy  anil, 
lery  and  baggage  on  the  lake  road,  and  crossed  the  beach,  where  he  met  with  a  warm  re. 
ception  from  our  row.galleys ;  and  it  is  believed,  suffered  a  heavy  loss  in  killed  and  wound, 
ed.  On  our  side,  Lieut.  Duncan  of  the  navy  lost  an  arm  by  a  rocket,  and  3  or  4  men  were 
killed  by  the  enemy's  artillery.  The  enemy  encamped  on  the  ridge  west  of  the  town,  his 
right  near  the  river,  and  occupying  an  extent  of  nearly  3  miles,  his  left  resting  on  the  lake 
about  a  mile  north  of  the  village.  From  the  6th  until  the  morning  of  the  Uth,  an  almost 
continual  skirmishing  was  kept  up  between  the  enemy's  pickets  and  our  militia  and  volun. 
teers  stationed  on  the  river,  and  in  the  mean  time  both  armies  were  busily  engaged — ours 
in  strengthening  the  works  of  the  forts,  and  that  of  the  enemy  in  erecting  batteries,  collect, 
ing  ladders,  bringing  up  his  heavy  ordnance,  and  making  other  preparations  for  attacjting 
the  forts.  On  the  morning  of  the  7th,  a  body  of  the  enemy  under  Capt.  Noadie,  attempted 
to  cross  at  the  upper  bridge  about  7  miles  west  of  the  village,  bu'  were  met  by  Capt. 
Vaughn's  company  o""  about  25  men,  and  compelled  to  retire  with  the  loss  of  two  killed,  and 
several  wounded.  On  the  morning  of  the  ll;h,  the  enemy's  fleet  came  round  the  Head 
with  a  tight  breeze  from  the  north,  and  attacked  ours  which  lay  at  anchor  in  Cumberland 
bay,  two  miles  from  shore  east  of  the  fort. 

"  '  The  enemy  commenced  a  simultaneous  bombardment  of  our  works  from  7  batteries, 
from  which  several  hundred  shells  and  rockets  were  discharged,  which  did  us  very  little 
injury ;  and  our  artillery  had  nearly  succeeded  in  silencing  them  all  before  the  contest  on 
the  lake  was  decided. 

"  '  The  enemy  attempted  at  the  same  time  to  throw  his  main  body  in  the  rear  of  the  fort, 
by  crossing  the  river  3  miles  west  of  the  town,  near  the  site  of  Pike's  cantonment.  He 
succeeded  in  crossing,  after  a  brave  resistance  by  the  Essex  militia  and  a  few  of  the  Ver. 
mont  volunteers,  in  all  about  350,  stationed  at  that  place,  who  retired  back  a  mile  and  a 
half  from  the  river,  continually  pouring  in  upon  them  an  incessant  fire  from  behind  every 
tree,  until  Lieut.  Sumpter  brought  up  a  piece  of  artillery  to  their  support,  when  the  enemy 
comm<  ficed  a  precipitate  retreat. 

"  '  The  Vermont  volunteers,  who  had  hastened  to  the  scene  of  action  on  the  first  alarm, 

fell  upon  the  enemy's  left  flank,  and  succeeded  in  making  many  prisoners,  including  3  oflicers. 

" '  Hnd  the  British  remained  on  the  south  side  of  the  river  30  minutes  longer,  he  must 

have  lost  neuriy  the  whole  detachment  that  crossed.     Our  loss  in  this  affair  was  five  killed 

and  eight  or  ten  wounded,  some  mortally. 

"  '  Immediately  on  ascertaining  the  loss  of  the  fleet.  Sir  George  Prevost  ordered  prepara. 
tions  to  be  made  for  the  retreat  of  the  army,  and  set  off  himself,  with  a  small  escort,  for 
Canada,  a  htt^  after  noon.  The  main  body  of  the  enemy,  with  the  artillery  and  baggage, 
were  taken  off  m  the  afternoon,  and  the  rear  guard,  consisting  of  the  light  brigade,  started  at 
daybreak  and  made  a  precipitate  retreat ;  leaving  their  wounded  and  a  large  quantity  of  pro- 
visions,  fixed  ammunition,  shot,  shells,  and  other  public  stores,  in  the  different  places  of 
deposit  about  their  camp.  They  were  pursued  some  distance  by  our  troops,  and  many 
prisoners  taken ;  but  owing  to  the  very  heavy  and  incessant  rain,  we  were  compelled  to 
return.  The  enemy  lost  upon  land  more  than  1,000  men,  in  killed,  wounded,  prisoners, 
and  deserters,  while  our  aggregate  loss  did  not  exceed  150.' " 

The  following  account  of  the  naval  action  is  from  "  Perkins'  His- 
tory of  the  late  War." 

■  'i7}^  American  fleet,  under  Commodore  McDonough,  lay  at  anchor  in  the  bay,  on  the 
nght  flank  of  the  American  lines,  and  two  miles  distant.    Great  exertions  had  been  made 


i 

f 


'-I 
'I 


n.mtaTv  du?v  wh^vni^n^l"^^^  "^r""'!,!","".""''  l^^'  ""^ '"e  village,  moat  of  whom  were  not  subject  to 
Sen  Macomb  who  nr—^^  mlima  had  gone  out  on  the  Chazy  roa.l,  otTered  their  services  to 

hZ^mnT.^'TG^TZ^.^l^L"^^''^'^'^}*'^  5;f""Jry  *""  ""«-  »""  ""-loVed  them  to  repair  to  the 
W«oT^^  ie^y^o"'a^^    ^  '^  "'^        ^^^  °"'^'  *' '»  *^'  *""  '^*  "'*"'«"  "f  '^  "'«* 


1i 


i  i 


112 


CLINTON    COUNTY. 


i! 


iilil 


jilli! 

i  , 


i. 

1 

^r. 

'  1 

til  ' 

n 

by  both  parties  to  produce  a  superior  naval  force  on  this  lake ;  the  Americans  at  Otter 
creek,  and  the  British  at  the  Isle  rux  Noix.  On  comparing  their  relative  strength  on  the 
11th  of  September,  the  American  fleet  consisted  of  the  Saratoga,  flng.ship,  mounting  26 
guns;  Eagle,  20  guna ;  Ticonderoga,  17  guns;  Preble,  7  guns;  6  galleys,  of  2  guns  each, 
12  guns  ;  four,  of  one,  4  guns  ;  making  in  the  whole,  86  guns  ;  and  820  men.  The  British 
fleet  consisted  of  the  frigate  Confiaiice,  flag-ship,  mounting  39  guns;  Linnet,  16  guns; 
Cherub,  11  guns;  Finch,  11  guns;  five  galleys,  of  2  guns  each,  10  feans;  eight,  of  one,  8 
guns;  making  in  the  whole  95  guns,  and  1,020  men.  i,  ,    •    ,   ■     ■ 

"The  British  land  forces  employed  themselves  from  the  7th  to  the  J  1th,  m  bringing  up 

their  heavy  artillery,  and  strengthening  their   works  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Saranac. 

Their  fmiified  encampment  was  on  a  ridge  a  litde  to  the  west  of  the  town,  their  right  near 

the  river,  and  their  left  resting  on  the  lake,  1  mile  in  the  rear  of  the  village.     Having  deter. 

mined  on  a  simultaneous  attack  by  land  and  water,  they  lay  in  this  position  on  the  morning 

of  the  11th,  waiting  the  approach  of  their  fleet.     At  8  o'clock,  the  wishcd-for  ships  appear. 

ed  under  easy  sail,  moving  round  Cmr.berland  head  ;  and  were  hailed  with  joyous  acclania. 

tions.     At  9,'  they  anchored  within  300  yards  of  the  American  squadron  in  line  of  battle  ; 

the  Confiance  opposed  to  the  Saratoga,  the  Linnet  to  the  Eagle  ;  13  British  galleys  to  the 

Ticonderoga,  Preble,  and  a  d:.'ision  of  the  American  galleys.      The  Cherub  assisting  the 

Confiance  "and  Linn'^t,  and  the  Finth  aiding  the  galleys.      In  this  position,  the  weather 

being  perfectly  clear  and  calm,  and  the  bay  smooth,  the  whole  force  on  both  sides  became 

at  once  engaged.*      At  an  hour  and  a  half  after  the  commencement  of  the  action,  the  star. 

board  guns^of  die  Saratoga  were  nearly  all  dismantled.     The  commandant  ordered  a  stern 

anchor  to  be  dropped,  and  the  bower  cable  cut,  by  means  of  which  the  ship  rounded  to, 

and  presented  a  fiesli  broadsic*    to  her  enemy.      The  Confiance  attempted  the  same  ope. 

ration  and  failed.     This  was  attended  with  S"ch  powerful  eifccts,  thai  she  was  obliged  to 

surrender  in  a  few  minutes.     The  whole  broadside  of  the  Saratoga  was  then  brought  to 

bear  on  the  Linnet,  u  J  in  15  minutes  she  followed  the  example  of  her  flag-ship.     One  of 

the  British  sloops  struck  to  the  Eagle  ;  3  galleys  were  sunk,  and  the  rest  made  off;  no  ship 

in  the  fleet  being  in  a  condition  to  follow  them,  they  escaped  down  the  lake.     There  was 

no  mast  standing  in  cither  squadron,  at  the  close  of  the  acti(m,  to  which  u  sail  could  be 

attached.    Th(-  Saratoga  received  55  round  shot  in  her  hull,  and  the  Confiance  105.     The 

action  lasted  without  any  cessaiijn,  on  a  smooth  sea,  at  close  quarters,  2  hours  and  20 

minutes.     In  the  American  squadron  52  were  killed,  and  58  wounded.     In  the  British,  84 

were  killed,  and  110  wounded.     Among  the  slain  was  the  British  commandant,  Com. 

Downie.    This  engagement  was  in  full  view  of  both  armies,  and  of  numerous  spectators 

collected  on  the  heights,  bordering  on  the  bay,  to  witness  the  scene.     It  was  viewed  by  thn 

inhabitants  with  trembling  anxiety,  as  success  on  the  part  of  the  British  would  have  opetied 

to  them  an  easy  passage  into  the  heart  of  the  country,  and  exposed  a  numerous  population 

on  the  bo-Jcrs  of  the  lake  to  British  ravages.    When  the  flag  of  the  Confiance  '-is  itruek, 

the  shores  resounded  with  the  acclamations  of  the  American  troops  and  citizens,     "''he 

British,  when  they  saw  their  fleet  completely  conquered,  were  dispinted  and  confoundea." 

"  A  short  distance  from  die  ullage,  are  the  ruins  of  the  cantonment  and  breastworks 

occupied  by  Gen.  Macomb  and  his  troops.     A  mile  north,  is  shown  the  house  held  by  Gen. 

Prevost,  as  his  head.quarters,  during  the  siege ;  between  which  and  the  village  the  marks 

of  cannon-shot  on  the  trees  and  other  objects  are  siill  visible.     Further  onward  about  5 

miles,  on  a  hill  overlooking  the  village  of  Beekinantown,  is  the  spot  where  a  sanguinary 

engagement  took  place  between  the  American  and  British  troops,  which  resulted  in  the 

death  of  the  British  Col   Wellington  and  several  men  of  both  armies."— Gort/oH's  Gaz. 

The  following  inscriptions  were  copied  from  monuments  in  the 
graveyard  in  Plattsburg. 

"  In  memory  of  Gkn.  Benjamin  Mooers,  who  died  Feb.  20,  1839.    He  served  aa  lieu, 
tenant  and  adjutant  during  the  revolutionary  war.    He  commanded  the  militia  at  the  battle 

♦  "  1  will  mention  one  rircummanro  tor  Itie  piiriioup  of  fhnwlng  the  (Vaine  of  nilml  In  which  the  br»v« 
McDonoiikh  inliTfd  the  b»tllc,  nnd  In  whom  he  put  hU  trimt  for  hihtiw.  Aner  the  ciifniy'B  flwi  hove  In 
RlUhl,  the  nii'ii  of  liU  shlii  wit«  aiwi  milled  on  the  (iiiarlcrdeck,  wht'ii  he  knt'iMcd  dmvii.  and  In  hiiirilile,  and 
fcivrnt  pniycr,  romnn'ndi-d  liimmir,  his  men,  and  llii'  ciiiihc  In  whirh  Ihi-y  wt^rccngnirrH,  to  the  (Jml  of  Hat 
llw,  and  ariim-  Iroiii  that  ,,iwlurc,  wlih  ii  culnineiw  and  w'ri'nlly  dcplcti'd  uii  IiIb  hrow,  which  nhowpd  hf  had 
received  ronilori  nnd  tissurjune  fniin  ulmvr.  One  oilier  llltir  Incident,  and  I  will  proceed  with  my  mib>MM 
O.irlnu  the  lielleKl  part  ol  llie  Imllle,  ilie  hen  co-ip  whh  nhot  iiwny,  when  a  cmk  (tciiimiI  and  flew  up  Into  the 
riimlnu,  Mapped  hl«wln(|K,  and  crowitl  niool  mantnlly!  'I'lifi  Kail'omcoiiildered  thin  a»  a  Biire  omen  of  hiiccpiw, 
and,  cheeriim  I'loin  one  end  ot  the  Khip  to  the  oilier,  went  to  their  work  of  dealin«  death  to  the  mierav  wUh 
riNloiihlecl  exertion.  The  eiirk  reinained  In  the  riKKlnn  dnrliiH  the  whole  of  lh«  eiigilKKmenl,  P»er  and  anon 
ch(«rlii|i  ihu  iiicn  on  to  a  grcaicr  uxvriiun  by  lili  ckar  *hrlll  vulce,"— fVen.  akinntr'i  account  af  tKt  Battle  oj 


COLUMBIA    COUNTY. 


113 


.mericans  at  Otter 
ivn  strength  on  the 
•ship,  mounting  26 
ys,  ot'  2  guns  each, 
ninn.  The  Britiish 
;  Linnet,  16  guns; 
s  ;  eight,  of  one,  8 

1th,  in  bringing  up 
nk  of  the  Snviinac. 
vn,  their  right  near 
ge.  Having  deter, 
ion  on  the  morning 
'd-for  ships  appear, 
ith  joyous  acelnma. 
1  in  hne  of  battle  ; 
ritish  galleys  to  the 
iherub  assisting  the 
iition,  the  weather 

both  sides  became 
the  action,  the  star, 
ant  ordered  a  slcru 
le  ship  rounded  to, 
pted  the  same  ope- 

she  was  obliged  to 
'as  then  brought  to 

flag-ship.  One  of 
t  made  off;  no  ship 
3  lake.  There  was 
lich  u  sail  could  be 
jnfiancc  105.  The 
rs,  2  hours  and  20 
In  the  British,  84 
;omniandant,  Com. 
lumerous  spectators 
t  waa  viewed  by  the 
would  have  opened 
umerous  population 
Hifiance  ••"is  itruck, 
and  citizens,  "'he 
1  and  confounded." 
It  and  breastworks 
house  held  by  Gen. 
e  village  the  marks 
er  onward  about  5 
where  a  sanguinary 
ncli  resulted  in  the 
■Gordoii'H  Gaz. 


luments  in 


the 


He  served  aa  lieu, 
miliiia  at  the  battle 


Ind  In  wlilrh  the  br»v« 
'  cMiiny's  flt'«M  hove  In 
nil,  niut  in  hiiRihle,  nnil 
igf'rt,  In  the  (JcmI  of  Bnl- 
,  which  dliowpil  he  hml 
iicffil  Willi  my  siibjiT! 
Ill)  nnd  (low  up  into  thu 
H  Kiiri'  oiiien  oC  mict  ciiii, 
i>alh  to  the  eiii'iuv  wUli 
ntienirnt,  PVf  r  nnd  snon 
acuunt  t/  tki  Baltic  »/ 


of  Plattsburg,  Sept.  11th,  1814.  He  was  the  first  settler  in  this  county  who  remained  here 
through  life.  He  was  the  fu-nt  sheriff  of  the  county,  and  for  30  years  county  treasursr.  He 
repeatedly  represented  this  section  of  country  in  the  assembly  and  senate  of  the  state,  and 
discharged  the  important  duties  which  devolved  upon  him  as  a  citizen,  a  soldier,  and  a 
Christian,  with  fidelity  to  his  country,  and  integrity  to  his  God." 


Grave  of  Commodore  Downie  at  Plattshurg. 

"  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Georoe  Dowme,  Esq.,  a  post.captain  in  the  British  naw. 
who  gloriously  fell  on  board  his  B.  W.  S.  ConHance,  while  leading  the  vessels  under  his 
connnand  to  the  attack  of  the  American  Flotilla,  at  anchor  in  Cumberland  Bay  off  Plattn 
burg,  on  the  llih  of  Sept.,  1814." 

"  To  mark  the  spot  where  the  remains  of  a  gallant  officer  and  sincere  friend  were  honor, 
ably  mferred,  this  stone  has  been  erected  by  his  affectionate  sister.in.law,  Mnry  Downie." 

Saran.ac,  taken  irom  Plattsburg  in  1834  ;  from  Albany  N  145 
•jniles.  Pop.  1,404.  Rodford,  21  miles  southwesterly  from  Platts- 
burg, has  about  CO  dwellings.  Here  are  the  extensive  works  of  the 
Kedtord  Crown  Glass  Company.  BukersviUe  is  a  small  village 
about  5  miles  NE.  irom  Redford.  ^ 


COLUMBIA  COUNTY. 

Columbia  couNTv,  taken  from  Albany  in  1786:  its  greatest  length 
on  the  E.  line  36.  medium  brea.lth  18  miles.  Centrally  distant  N 
rom  New  York  125,  from  Albany.  SE..  34  miles.  The  surfoce  of 
the  county  is  considerably  diversified,  though  no  part  can  be  called 
mountainous.  R.nnges  of  small  hillocks  are  interspersed  with  extni- 
sive  plains  or  valleys,  and  much  of  rich  alluvion.  '  There  are  some 
cultu  rt  rf  ^'h  hTr''  of  the  larger  portion  mav  be.  bv  judidoT.S 
of-  no  hn,  r  •  Wy  P'-"^^"^^'^^-  ^'^ature.  in  iL  abundlnt  beds 
of  lime,  has  furnished  the  means,  as  if  by  a  special  providence  of 
tempering  the  co  d  and  ungrateful  constituents  of  theTy ;  and  in 

many  places  tne  lime  in  thn  fnr,»  ofrv,„.i  a ■     f  '    .      '" 

'^  '  ■••■•"  t^v-cs  iiui  ict^uirc  uiirning  lo 


'4!;M 


M 


IP 


114 


COLUMBIA  COUNTY. 


■!tt 


■ii  J  ': 


!  i' 


l!> 


HI); 


become  a  stimulant.     Scarce  any  portion  of  the  state  is  better  adapted 
?o  the  raising  of  sheep,  and  the  profits  from  this  source,  already  great 
are  yearly  increasing.     This  county  is  famed  for  the  quantity  and 
qualitv  of  its  Indian  corn     Lead  and  iron  ore  are  lound  in  this  county. 
It  is  divided  into  19  towns.     I'op.  44,237. 

Ancham,  originally  named  Gallatin,  and  taken  from  Livingston  in 

1803  •  from  Albany,  S.,  51,  centrally  distant  S.  E.  from  Hudson  21 

miles'    Pop.  1,769.     The  Ancram  Iron  Works  operate  quite  exten- 

^ely  in  castings  and  bar  iron  from  the  celebrated  ore  of  balisbury,  in 

onn^ecticut.     Ancram  is  a  small  village  near  the  W  line  of  the  town 

AusTERLiTZ,  taken  from  Hillsdale,  Canaan,  and  Chatham,  in  1818  ; 
surface  hilly  and  mountainous.  Pop.  2,090.  Spencertown,  15  miles 
NE.  of  Hudson,  and  Green  River,  are  small  villages. 

Canaan,  organized  in  1788;  bounds  since  altered.  Canaan  Cor- 
ners  24  Canaan  18  miles  NE.  from  Hudson,  and  Red  Rock  are 
small  se'ttlements.  The  surface  of  the  town  is  mountainous,  with 
some  fertile  valleys.     Pop.  1,957.         ,  „.    ,    ,      ,     .     ,^„^      p^„ 

Chatham,  taken  from  Canaan  and  Kmderhook  in  1795.  Pop. 
3  650  Chatham  Four  Corners,  on  the  Albany  and  Harttord  and  the 
Hudson  and  New  Lebanon  roads,  is  a  small  settlement,  20  m>les  bE. 
of  Albany  and  14  NE.  from  Hudson.  Chatham,  North.  Chatham, 
New  Con>-oio.  and  are  post-offices.  •    ,    •      . 

Claveuack,  organized  in  1788.  Pop.  3,053.  This  name  is  derived 
from Klauver-rack literally  Clover-reach;  so  called  in  its  early  settle- 
ment  from  the  immense  fields  of  clover  which  abounded  here.  Cla- 
verack  post  village,  4  miles  E.  of  Hudson,  was  the  seat  of  justice  tor 
the  countv,  from  1787  to  1806,  when  it  was  removed  to  Hudson.  IJ 
is  a  beautiful  village,  and  contains  about  60  dwellings.  Churchtown, 
Smoky  Hollow,  and  Centreville  are  small  villages.  This  country  was 
settled  at  a  very  early  period  by  the  Dutch.  The  following  extracts 
from  anci(!nt  newspapers,  show  that  difficulties  between  the  land- 
lords and  tenants  are  not  confined  to  our  time. 

To  the  printer  of  the  New  York  Gazette,  dated  May  20th,  1766. 

S\T,-For  many  months  past  we  have  heard  a  great  deal  of  the  uneasiness  and  riotous 
behavior  of  the  tenants  upon  several  of  the  large  manors  of  this  government.  And  as 
these  disonlrrs  have  risen  to  a  very  great  and  dangerous  height,  and  the  causes  of  hem 
variously  spoken  of,  and  not  well  understood,  (some  imputmg  the  fault  to  the  andlords, 
and  others  the  tenants,)  it  is  surprising  that  more  earc  has  not  ''••^■"  "'J^'n;"  «^'  '«  ^Jf 
affair  in  a  clearer  light;  which,  besides  that  it  might  tend  to  an  amicable  settlement  of  the 
difference,  would  dispose  the  puWic  to  join  in  discoimtennnnng  the  blameable  party,  arid 
obtain  redress  for  the  injured.  On  the  one  hand,  it  seems  strange  that  the  landlords  should 
draw  upon  themselves  so  much  trouble  and  vexation,  so  much  ill-will  and  opposition  from 
their  tenanu,  unless  the  matters  they  insist  on  are  just  atid  reasonable,  and  of  very  great 
importance.  On  the  other  hand,  it  seems  equally  strange  that  the  tenants  should  take  stich 
desni-rnte  steps,  and  hazard  the  ruin  of  their  families,  the  loss  of  property,  and  even  life 
itself,  unless  their  grievances  are  of  the  n-  t  insupportable  kind,  and  such  as  it  is  woree 
than  death  to  bear.  If  these  matters  wr  plained  by  an  impartial  narrative,  it  would,  1 
believe,  Ao  service  to  the  parties  and  oh  i/j'    lu  pubhc,  ice.  A.  a. 

Extract*  from  letter*  from  Claverack,  near  Albany,  dated  June  97th,  1706. 

"  For  some  inoiiihs  a  mob  has  frequently  assembled  and  ranged  ihc  cantem  part  of  the 
manor  of  Rensi-olncr.     Last  week  they  nppcared  at  Mr.  Livingston's  with  some  n'"nn.«l. 


to  hini  i  but  he  being  frnin  hoiu?,  'a-j  rf iumsa  tr-  i*sr,  ks 


unn'fl.  ahnut  IWO  mils 


COLUMBIA    COUNTY. 


115 


better  adapted 

already  great, 

!  quantity  and 

in  this  county. 

Livingston  in 
)m  Hudson  21 
te  quite  exten- 
Df  Salisbury,  in 
[le  of  the  town, 
tham,  in  1818; 
•town,  15  miles 

Canaan  Cor- 
Red  Rock  are 
intainous,  with 

n  1795.  Pop. 
artibrd  and  the 
,t,  20  miles  SE. 
forth.  Chatham, 

name  is  derived 
its  early  settle- 
led  here.    Cla- 
at  of  justice  for 
to  Hudson.    I J 
Churchtown, 
his  country  was 
lowing  extracts 
ween  the  land- 


h,  17G6. 

rasinesa  and  riotous 
)vcrnmciit.  And  aa 
d  the  causes  of  them 
lult  to  the  landlords, 
iken  to  set  the  whole 
ihle  settlement  of  the 
blaitienblc  party,  and 
the  landlords  should 
and  opposition  from 
jle,  and  of  very  great 
ints  should  take  such 
jpcrty,  and  even  life 
,d  such  Bfl  it  is  worse 
narrative,  it  would,  I 
A.  B. 

«  a7th,  1766. 

le  eaulem  part  of  the 

I  with  some  proposals 

tnn'm.  ahnut  two  mjlel 


from  Claverack,  where,  not  finding  him  at  home,  they  used  some  insultmg  words,  and  left 
a  message  for  Mr.  Rensselaer,  that  if  he  did  not  meet  them  next  day  at  their  rendezvous,  they 
would  come  to  him.  On  the  26th,  the  sheriff  of  Albany,  with  150  men  under  his  corti- 
mand  went  to  disperse  the  rioters,  who  were  assembled  it  is  supposed  to  the  nuinbei-  of  bO 
in  a  house  on  the  manor.  On  the  sheriff's  advancing  to  the  house  they  fired  upon  him, 
and  shot  off  his  hat  and  wig,  but  he  escaped  unhurt— many  shots  were  exchanged  on  both 
sides.  Of  the  miliiia,  Mr.  Cornelius  Tenbrook,  of  Claverack,  was  killed,  and  seven 
wounded.  Of  the  rioters,  three  were  killed  (two  of  whom  were  the  ringleaders)  and  many 
wounded,  among  whom  was  Cppt.  Noble  (one  of  the  chief  instigators)  in  the  back.  The 
rioters  retreated  to  Capt.  Noble's  house,  where  they  formed  a  breastwork,  and  did  not  quit 
the  house  till  the  sheriffs  party  left  the  place.  He  afterward  went  to  PoughKcepsie  to  get 
assistance  from  the  regulars  to  disperse  the  whole ;  but  the  regulars  were  gone  to  Fender, 
graft's  house,  on  Philip's  Patent,  in  Dutchess  county. 

"  We  hear  from  Fredericksburg,  in  Dutchess  county,  that  on  Saturday  last,  as  a  party  ot 
regulars  stationed  there,  under  the  command  of  Major  Brown,  were  crossing  a  bridge  they 
were  met  by  about  Zd  of  the  rioters,  who  were  going  to  join  Pcndergratt,  tlieir  chid  s 
party— a  skirmish  ensued,  whereon  two  of  the  regulars  were  wounded,  and  it  is  .^upposud  a 
much  greater  number  of  the  rioters,  who  generally  dismounted  and  tied  to  the  corniields 
and  bushes,  leaving  some  of  their  horses  and  guns,  which  were  taken,  and  one  prisoner. 
Several  more  were  taken  that  nighf.  The  next  evening  they  sent  a  flag  of  truce  wrh  50 
followers,  who  were  all  lodged  in  the  meeting-house,  and  the  next  day  several  morr  parties 
came  in.  Pendergrafi's  wife  was  gone  to  persuade  her  husband  to  accept  of  the  governor's 
mercy,  as  were  many  more  wives  of  the  rioters.  We  hear  of  no  lives  lost.  It  was  reported 
tliat  3J0  of  the  rioters  lodged  at  Quaker  Hill,  intending  to  attack  the  regulars  on  the  13th 
ult."  [How  many  uneasy  moments  must  such  of  these  sensible  regulars  feel,  wh  j  are  pur- 
suaded  that  they  are  employed  to  support  In  Equitv  ?] 

From  the  New  York  Gazette,  dated  November  10th,  1768. 
"On  Saturday  last,  the  great  cause  between  the  Crown  and  Mr.  John  Van  Rensselaer 
was  ended.  It  was  tried  by  a  struck  jury,  and  came  on  before  the  Hon.  Justice  Jones,  on 
Tuesday  the  25th  of  October,  and  continued  (with  evening  adjouriiiiients  by  the  consent 
of  parties)  until  the  5ih  iiist.  The  suit  was  for  intrusion  upon  the  crown  lands,  to  try  the 
limits  of  that  part  of  the  old  Rensselaerwick  manor  and  estate  called  Claverack.  It  was  pro. 
moted  by  certain  reduced  officers  upon  a  supposition  that  there  was  a  great  unpatented 
vacancy  between  the  manor  of  Rensselaerwick  and  Livingston,  and  the  patents  of  Kinder, 
hook  and  Westenhook,  and  carried  on  at  the  expense  of  the  crown.  There  never  was  a 
trial  in  this  colony  so  solemn,  important,  and  lengthy.  The  counsel  spent  about  eleven 
hours  in  summing  up  the  evidence :  Mr.  Attorney  General,  Mr.  Mayor,  Mr.  Duane,  and 
Mr.  Kissam,  were  of  the  counsel  for  the  crown ;  and  Mr.  Smi'h,  jr.,  Mr.  Scott,  and  Mr 
Thomas  Smith  conducted  the  defence.  The  judge  was  clear  in  his  charge  upon  the 
construction  of  the  old  patent  in  the  Rensselaer  family,  and  the  jury  in  two  hours  agreed 

on  their  verdict  for  the  defendant This  estate  was  attached  upon  the  same  princi- 

pics,  by  certain  petitioners  a  few  years  ago ;  but  their  petitions  were  dismissed  by  the  gov. 
ernor  and  council,  in  the  adininisirution  of  Gen.  Monckton,  on  the  20th  October,  1762." 

Clermont,  orginized  in  1788 ;  from  Albany,  S.,  43  miles.  Pop. 
1,231.  Clermont,  12  miles  S.  of  Hudson,  is  a  small  post  village.  It 
was  the  ancient  seat  of  the  Livingston  family,  and  the  residence  of 
Chancellor  Livingston,  the  well-known  patron  of  Fulton,  who  named 
his  first  American  steamboat  the  "  Clermont."  The  following  biogra- 
phical sketch  is  extracted  from  the  Encyciopffidia  Americana. 

"Robert  R.  Livingston,  nn  eminent  American  politician,  was  born  in  the  city  of  New 
York,  November  27ih,  1746.  Ho  was  educated  at  King's  College,  and  graduated 
in  1765.  He  studied  and  practised  law  in  that  city  with  great  success.  Near 
the  commencement  of  the  American  revolution  he  lost  the  office  of  recorder,  on  ac- 
count  of  his  attachment  to  liberty,  and  was  elected  to  the  first  general  congress  of  the 
colonies ;  was  one  of  the  committee  appointed  to  prepore  the  Declaration  of  Independence ; 
in  1780,  was  appointed  secretary  of  foreign  affairs;  and  throughout  the  war  of  the  revolu. 
tion,  signalized  himself  by  his  zeal  and  efficiency  in  the  revolutionary  caase.  Ai  the  adop. 
tion  of  the  constitution  of  New  York,  ho  wna  appointed  chnnccllor,  whie;h  office  he  held 
until  he  went,  in  1801,  to  France,  as  minister  plenipotentiary,  appointed  by  President  Jef. 
ff.t.a/%rt      Uu  ...Mjk  received  bv  Nfi'^oiscn  Bon£'^£Ttfi.  tbtsn  lirsl  cctisuK  witil  niftrk^d  reApoct  And 


km 


i 


■h   I 


1 


'■1 


116 


C0LUMH1A    COUNTY. 


cordiality,  and  during  a  residence  of  several  years  in  the  French  cnpitnl,  the  chancellor  ap. 
peared  to  be  the  fuvorite  foreign  envoy.  He  conducted,  with  the  aid  of  Mr.  Monroe,  the  nego. 
tiation  which  ended  in  the  cession  of  Louisiana  to  the  United  States,  took  leave  ol  the  hrst 
consul,  (1804,)  and  made  an  extensive  tour  on  the  ccntinent  of  Europe,  On  his  return 
from  Paris,  Napoleon,  then  emperor,  presented  to  him  a  splendid  snuft-box,  with  a  nnnia. 
ture  likeness  of  himself,  (Napoleon,)  painted  by  the  celebrated  Isabey.  It  was  ui  Pans  that 
he  formed  a  friendship  and  close  personal  intimacy  with  Robert  Fulton,  whom  he  maierially 
assisted  with  counsel  and  money,  to  maL-re  liis  plan  of  steam  navigation.  In  1805,  Mr. 
Livingston  returned  to  the  United  States,  and  thenceforward  employed  himself  in  promoting 
the  arts  and  agriculture.  He  introduced  into  the  state  of  New  York  the  use  of  gypsum, 
and  the  Merino  race  of  sheep.  He  was  president  of  the  New  York  Academy  of  fine  arts, 
of  which  he  was  a  chief  founder.  He  died  March  26th,  1813,  'vith  the  reputation  of  an 
able  statesman,  a  learned  lawyer,  and  a  most  useful  citizen," 

CoPAKE,  taken  from  Taghkanic  in  1824;  from  Albany,  S.,  57 
miles;  from  Hudson,  SE.,  10  miles.  The  town  is  part  of  the  Liv- 
ini'ston  manor.  Pop.  1,505.  The  eastern  part  of  this  township  is 
mountainous  ;  on  the  western  border  is  Copake  lake,  which  covers 
about  600  acres,  and  embosoms  an  island  of  about  20  acres,  which 
has  been  the  residence  of  members  of  the  Livingston  family. 

Gallatin,  taken  from  Ancram  in  1830;  from  Hudson,  SE.,  15 
miles.     Pop.  1,645. 

Germantown,  organized  in  1788;  from  Albany,  S.,  39,  and  from 
Hudson,  S.,  12  miles:  commonly  known  by  the  name  of  the  German  or 
East  Camp.  Pop.  968.  There  are  three  landings  on  the  Hudson. 
In  June,  1710,  seventy  of  the  palatines  sent  out  by  Queen  Anne  set- 
tled on  this  spot,  then  part  of  Livingston  manor.  In  1725,  pursuant 
to  an  arrangement  between  George  I.  and  the  proprietor,  this  tract 
was  granted  by  letters  patent  to  the  persons  belonging  to  East  Camp, 
as  the  settlement  was  called,  in  trust  to  appropriate  40  acres  for  the 
use  of  a  church  and  school,  and  to  divide  the  rest  equally  among  the 
inhabitants.  The  settlement  first  commenced  by  three  small  lodges, 
or  dorfs,  the  German  word  for  village,  named  respective!)^  after  the 
supenntendent  of  each,  as  Weiser's  l)orf,  Kneiskerns  Dorf,  &c. 

Ghent,  taken  from  Claverack,  Kinderhook,  and  Chatham  in  1818. 
Population  2,557,     Ghent  is  a  small  village,  10  miles  NE.  of  Hudson. 

Greenport,  recently  formed  from  Hudson.     Pop.  1158. 

Hillsdale  was  organized  in  1788 ;  centrally  distant  14  miles  E. 
of  Hudson.  Pop.  3,470.  Green  river  and  Hillsdale  are  post-olHces. 
Unhappy  disputes  relative  to  titles  to  land  in  this  town,  long  ag.itited 
the  inhabitants,  and  several  lives  were  lost  in  the  controversy  before 
it  was  finally  settled  by  arbitration. 

HcDflON,  the  capital'of  Columbia  county,  is  situated  on  the  E.  bank 
of  Hudson  river,  llt»  miles  from  New  York,  29  from  Albany,  and  28 
from  West  Stockbridge,  Mass.  Lat.  42°  14'  N.,  long.  14'' E.  from 
New  York.  The  city  is  finely  situated  on  an  elevation  of  about 
50  feet  above  the  Hudson,  the  western  part  of  which  is  a  bold  cliff 
or  promontory  projecting  into  the  river,  more  than  60  feet  high. 
The  principal  part  of  the  city  is  built  on  a  street  one  mile  long,  ex- 
tending in  a  straight  line  from  the  foot  of  Prospect  Hill,  to  the  prom- 
enade on  the  extremity  of  the  cliff.  Nearly  all  the  streets  intersect 
each  other  at  rieht  anffles.  except  near  the  river,  where  thev  confiDrm 


the  chancellor  sp. 
Monroe,  the  ncgo. 
i.  leave  of  the  first 
;.  On  his  return 
lox,  with  a  niinia. 
t  was  in  Paris  that 
bom  he  materially 
in.  In  1805,  Mr. 
nself  in  promoting 
le  use  of  gypsum, 
demy  of  fine  arts, 
reputation  of  an 


Ibany,  S.,  57 
rt  ot"  the  Liv- 
s  township  is 
which  covers 
acres,  which 
mily. 
Ison,  SE.,  15 

39,  and  from 
ihe  German  or 

the  Hudson. 
2en  Anne  set- 
725,  pursuant 
itor.  this  tract 
to  East  Camp, 
I  acres  for  the 
lly  among  the 
1  small  lodges, 
vely  after  the 
)orf,  &c. 
tham  in  1818. 
E.  of  Hudson. 
[58. 

It  14  miles  E. 
:e  post-olHces. 

long  aguiited 
•oversy  before 

>n  the  E.  bank 
Llbanv,  and  28 
.  14'"  E.  from 
ition  of  about 
is  a  bold  cliff 
60  feet  high, 
mile  long,  ex- 
I,  to  the  prom- 
reets  intersect 
;  thev  conform 


I 


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to 

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M 

so 

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ac 


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mi 

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to 
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N( 


COLUMBIA    COUNTY. 


117 


to  the  shape  of  the  ground.  The  promenade  at  the  western  extrem- 
ity, and  fronting  the  principal  street,  commands  a  beautiful  view  of 
the  river,  the  village  of  Athens  opposite,  the  country  beyond,  and  the 
tovs^ering  Catskill  mountains.  The  bay  south  of  the  city  is  locked  in 
by  a  lofty  eminence,  anciently  termed  Rorabuck,  now  called  Mount 
Merino,  in  consequence  of  there  being  a  sheep  farm  established  here 
some  years  since.  The  city  contains  5  churches — 1  Presbyterian,  1 
Episcopal,  1  Baptist,  1  Methodist,  and  1  Universalist.  There  is  an 
academy,  a  number  of  classical  schools,  the  Hudson  Lunatic  Asylum, 
a  private  hospital  for  the  reception  and  cure  of  lunatics,  1  bank,  and 
3  printing-offices.  An  elegant  courthouse  has  been  recently  erected. 
Water  is  brought  in  subterranean  pipes  from  the  foot  of  Becraft's 
mountain  for  the  use  of  the  city.     Pop.  5,671. 

Hudson  was  founded  in  1783,  by  enterprising  men  of  property 
from  Rhode  Island  and  Nantucket,  of  the  names  of  Jenkins,  Paddock, 
Barnard,  Coffin,  Thurston,  Greene,  Minturn,  Lawrence,  and  others,  in 
all  thirty  persons.  About  twenty  of  this  company,  in  the  early  part  of 
1783,  sailed  up  the  Hudson  to  find  some  navigable  situation  on  which 
to  commence  a  new  settlement.  They  selected  and  purchased  the  site 
on  which  the  city  now  stands,  which  at  that  time  was  occupied  as  a 
farm,  with  a  single  store-house  on  the  bank  of  the  river.  In  the  fall 
of  this  year,  two  families  arrived  and  commenced  a  settlement.  In  the 
spring  of  1784,  the  other  proprietors  arrived,  bringing  with  them  seve- 
ral vessels;  they  were  soon  follo\/ed  by  other  emigrants  from  the  east- 
ward. Between  the  spring  of  1784  and  that  of  1786,  there  were  150 
dwelling-houses  erected,  besides  wharves,  warehouses,  shops,  barns, 
&c.,  and  several  works  connected  with  manufactures ;  and  the  pop- 
ulation had  increased  to  1,500  persons.  In  1795,  Mr.  Ashbel  Stod- 
dard removed  from  Connecticut,  established  a  printing-office,  and 
issued  a  weekly  paper,  the  "  Hudson  Gazette." 

Hudson  was  incorporated  a  city  in  1785.  At  this  period  about 
twenty-five  vessels  were  owned  in  the  place,  which  were  mostly  em- 
ployed in  the  West  India  trade ;  a  few  were  engaged  in  the  whale 
and  seal  fishery,  which  was  carried  on  with  considerable  success,  and 
Hudson  rapidly  increased  in  wealth  and  population.  During  the  rev- 
olutionary struggle  in  France,  and  the  long  protracted  war  in  Europe, 
such  was  the  demand  for  neutral  vessels,  and  such  the  high  prices  of 
freight,  that  the  vessels  owned  here  were  engaged  in  the  carrying 
trade.  This  trade  was  not  long  enjoyed,  for  British  orders  in  council 
and  French  decrees  swept  many  of  them  from  their  owners.  Other 
losses  followed  by  shipwreck,  and  the  embargo,  non-intercourse,  and 
the  war  which  succeeded,  almost  finished  the  prosperity  of  Hudson. 
The  city  was  a  port  of  entry  till  1815.  The  immense  losses  at  sea 
produced  much  embarrassment  and  many  failures,  and  kept  the  place 
in  a  state  of  depression  for  a  considerable  period.  From  this  de- 
pression it  is  gradually  and  steadily  advancing.  The  Hudson  and 
Berkshire  railroad  proceeds  from  this  city,  across  the  route  of  the 
New  York  and  Albany  railroad,  31  miles  to  the  west  line  of  Massa- 


I 


118 


COLUMBIA    COUNTY. 


chusetts  at  West  Stockbridge,  whence  it  is  continued  for  two  miles, 
till  it  unites  with  the  great  western  railroad  of  that  state. 

The   following   inscriptions  are  copied  from 
monuments  in  the  graveyard  in  this  place : 

"  To  the  memory  of  William  Howard  Allen,  lieutenant  in 
the  U.  S.  Navy,  who  was  killed  in  the  act  of  boarding  a  piratical 
schooner  on  the  const  of  Cuba,  near  Matanzas,  on  the  9th  of 
November,  1822,  jE  32~-Wilham  Howard  Allen.  His  remains, 
first  buried  at  Matanzas,  were  removed  to  this  city  by  the  U. 
S.  government,  and  interred  under  the  direction  of  the  Com. 
mon  Council  of  this  city,  beneath  this  marble  erected  to  his 
honor  by  the  citizens  of  his  native  place,  1833.  William  How. 
ard  Allen  was  born  in  the  city  of  Hudson,  July  8,  1790;  ap. 
pointed  a  midshipman  in  1801,  and  a  heutenant  in  1811 ;  took 
a  conspicuous  part  in  the  engagement  between  the  Argus  and 
Pelican  in  1813,  and  was  killed  while  in  the  command  of  the 
U.  S.  schooner  Alligator. 

"  Pride  of  his  country's  banded  chivalry, 
His  fame  their  hope,  his  name  their  battle  cry. 
He  lived  as  mothers  wish  their  sons  to  hve, 
He  died,  as  fathers  wish  their  sons  to  die." 

Allen's  Monument. 

"  In  memory  of  John  Milton  Mann,  M.  D.,  who  was  drowned  crossing  the  Hud. 

son  from  this  city  to  Athens,  August  24,  A.  D.  1809,  aged  43  years.    This  monument  is 

erected  as  a  token  of  their  love  by  his  bereaved  wife  and  children.    Doctor  Mann  was 

born  in  Attlebury,  Massachussetts  ;  he  was  educated  at  Brown's  University  in  Providence, 

Rhode  Island  ;  and  came  to  reside  in  Hudson,  A.  D.  1800.    This  city  is  indebted  to  him 

for  the  introduction  of  vaccine  innoculation,  though  here  as  elsewhere,  the  philanthropic 

enterprise  was  obliged  to  contend  against  prejudice  and  misrepresentation.    The  Common 

Council  of  Hudson,  of  which  body  he  was  a  member,  voted  that  they  would  attend  his  fu- 

neral  and  wear  crape  on  the  left  arm  thirty  days  on  account  of  their  respect  for  his  char. 

acter,  and  their  regret  for  his  loss.    Here  are  laid  the  remains  of  one  whom  society  re- 

spected  and  his  kindred  loved.     He  was  a  wise  scholar,  a  skilful  physician,  a  kind  husband 

and  father,  and  a  sincere  Christian.    Deeply  is  he  bewailed.    Few  men  of  hie  time  pos. 

sessed  a  mind  more  happily  turned  to  the  acquisition  of  science,  or  exhibited  more  per- 

spicuously  patience  and  vigor,  than  Doctor  Mann.    Alas !  just  as  his  faculties  had  become 

mature,  and  society  had  learned  their  value — just  when  in  the  prime  of  bodily  and  mental 

manhood,  with  his  honors  tliickening  upon  him,  death  struck  him  down.    But  let  not  in. 

fidel  grief  regard  his  mind  as  having  been  cultivated  or  his  knowledge  accumulated  in  vain ; 

for  so  he  was  enabled  to  enter  the  future  life  with  enlarged  capacities  of  eiyoyment,  with 

more  worthy  views  of  his  own  nature  and  destiny,  with  a  clearer  apprehension  of  his 

heavenly  Father's  will,  and  with  added  incitement  to  constant  obedience.     We  will  not 

mourn,  then,  as  they  who  have  no  hope." 

KiNDERHooK  was  Organized  in  1788  ;  the  surface  of  the  town  is  di- 
versified, soil  gravelly  clay  of  sandy  loam,  and  generally  well  culti- 
vated. Pop.  3,512'  This  place  was  settled  at  an  early  period  by 
some  Dutch  and  Swedish  families.  Its  name  is  of  curious  origin,  and 
signifies  childrerCs  corner,  or  point ;  so  called  from  the  number  ot 
children  belonging  to  a  Swedish  family  that  anciently  lived  on  a  point 
of  land  about  half  a  mile  above  the  present  upper  landing.  Several 
of  their  descendants  are  now  living  of  the  fourth  and  fifth  generation. 
Valatie  is  a  large  manufacturing  village  in  this  town,  14  miles  N.  of 
Hudson,  at  the  junction  of  the  Valatie  and  Kinderhook  creeks.     It 


ar  two  miles, 


'«  Monument. 


roBsing  the  Hud- 
rhis  monument  is 
Doctor  Mann  was 
ity  in  Providence, 
is  indebted  to  him 
,  the  philanthropic 
n.  The  Common 
ould  attend  his  fu. 
spect  for  his  char- 
whom  society  re. 
n,  a  kind  husband 
m  oi"  his  time  pos- 
xhibited  more  per- 
ultics  had  become 
bodily  and  mental 
a.  But  let  not  in- 
•umulated  in  vain ; 
)f  enjoyment,  with 
pprehension  of  his 
ice.    We  will  not 


he  town  is  di- 
iliy  well  culti- 
irly  period  by 
lus  origin,  and 
he  number  of 
ved  on  a  point 
ling.  Several 
fth  generation. 
14  miles  N.  of 
ok  creeks.    It 

.  -. u    a  — «- 


i 


\ 


t 


1 


COLUMBIA    COUNTY. 


119 


cantile  stores,  300  dwellings,  and  1,700  inhabitants.  Kinderhook 
village  on  the  old  post-road  to  Albany,  12  N.  of  Hudson,  5  E.  from 
the  river,  and  20  miles  S.  from  Albany,  is  finely  situated  on  a  beauti- 
ful level  plain.  Many  of  the  dwellings  have  spacious  yards  and 
gardens  decorated  with  shrubbery ;  and  groves  of  trees  interspersed 
here  and  there  give  this  place  a  pleasing  aspect.  There  are  several 
churcnes,  an  academy  in  high  repute,  and  about  90  dwellings. 


Birthplace  of  President  Van  Buren,  Kinderhook. 

The  above  is  a  representation  of  the  house  in  which  Martin  Van 
Buren,  recently  president  of  the  United  States,  was  born.  It  is  situ- 
ated about  60  rods  E.  of  the  central  part  of  the  village,  near  the 
banks  of  the  creek.  It  was  at  that  time  occupied  by  his  father,  Abra- 
ham Van  Buren,  as  a  tavern,  and  the  town  meetings  of  form3r 
days  were  held  within  its  walls.  Originally  it  had  a  gable  roof  with 
two  attic  wmdows,  in  Dutch  style ;  and  the  small  building  seen  on 
the  right  stood  in  the  rear  and  was  used  as  a  kitchen.  On  a  beam  in 
the  cellar,  cut  rudely  with  a  penknife,  are  the  initials,  M.  V.  B ;  a 
memento  of  the  president's  youthful  days. 

The  following  epitaph  of  president  Van  Buren's brother  wascopied 
Irom  a  tablet  in  the  new  graveyard,  about  three  fourths  of  a  mile  N. 
of  the  village. 

"In  memory  of  Abraham  A.  Van  Buren,  who  died  at  Hudson,  Oct.  30th,  18.36,  in  the 
4ath  year  ot  his  age.  He  had  been  for  many  years,  and  was  at  the  time  of  his  death,  sur- 
rogate of  the  county  of  Columbia ;  and  by  his  talents  and  integrity,  secured  universal  respect 
and  esteem.    Peace  be  to  his  ashes." 

Livingston  was  organized  in  1788.  Glenco,  9  miles  SE.  from 
Hudson,  and  Johnstown,  are  small  villages.     Pop.  2,534. 

tnlin^'" f  f  ■°"  '"''"°'"  "'  lordship,  originally  contained  that  tract  which  now  compof.e8  the 
I?T.i  ITf  ?.'  Wl^r'"'  ^"P^''"'  ^""""''  Cfallotin,  Clemiont,  and  Gertiantown 
It  was  granted  by  the  English  government,  while  America  was  a  colony,  to  Robert  Livings, 
on  who  had  been  some  years  settled  in  this  country  and  who  was  a  member  of  the  Brit. 
inH  ifia«  ""ri-in  '^  'consisted  of  several  distinct  grante  made  in  the  years  1684, 1685, 
lit  A  L,  ,  *'  .'.■«'f^^'*  '°  ""  arrangement  with  Queen  Anne,  the  proprietor  con. 
veyed  a  tract  contammg  6,000  acres  adjoining  the  Hudson  from  the  SE.  part  of  the  manor, 
10  a  number  ot  I'alaUnes,  who  had  served  in  hflf  annies^  and  wera  now  drivnp.  frritr.  Qs-r- 


&}\ 


120 


COLUMBIA    COUNTY. 


many  by  the  French  army.  This  tract  constituted  the  township  of  Gcrmantown.  In  1714  a 
new  grant,  or  grant  and  confirniution,  was  made  of  the  manor  to  the  original  proprietor, 
and  erected  into  a  lordship,  wiih  the  usual  privileges  and  royalties  at  that  day  annexed  to 
baronies.  He  was  authorized  to  constitute  a  Court  Baron,  and  appoint  the  officers  thereof; 
and  the  manor  tenants  were  entitled  to  elect  a  member  to  the  legislative  asnembly  for  the 
manor,  and  without  losing  their  votes  in  the  county  elections,  which  privilege  they  cxer- 
cised  until  the  revolution." 

New  Lebanon  was  taken  from  Canaan  in  1818.  Lebanon  Springs 
village  is  25  miles  from  Albany,  32  NE.  from  Hudson.  There  are  here 
about  35  dwellings,  and  several  taverns  for  the  accommodation  of 
visiters  at  the  sprmg.  The  spring  is  ten  feet  in  diameter  and  four 
deep,  and  discharges  water  sutficient  to  turn  several  mills  near  its 
source.  The  water  is  tasteless,  inodorous,  and  soft,  and  is  deemed 
beneficial  in  internal  obstructions,  salt-rheum,  and  cutaneous  atiec- 
tions  generally.  The  place  is  much  resorted  to  for  health  and  amuse- 
ment. The  surrounding  country  is  salubrious  and  picturesque.  New 
Lebanon  is  a  small  settlement,  one  mile  and  a  half  SE.  of  the  spring. 


Shaker  Buildings  in  New  Lebanon. 

New  Lebanon,  Shaker  village,  called  by  its  inhabitants  the  village 
of  the  "  Millennial  Church^'  is  two  and  a  half  miles  S.  of  the  spring, 
on  the  western  side  of  the  Taghkanic  mountain,  and  contains  about 
six  hundred  inhabitants.  The  annexed  view  shows  one  of  their 
dwellings  (containing  a  family  of  150  persons,)  and  their  meeting- 
house, which  was  erected  in  1823.  This  place  of  worship  is  some- 
what singular  in  its  construction.  It  is  eighty  feet  long  by  sixty-five 
wide,  all  in  one  room,  without  beams  or  pillars,  having  a  domical  root 
covered  with  tin  ;  and  a  porch  thirty-four  by  twenty-seven  feet,  roofed 
and  covered  the  same  way.  The  building  is  of  wood,  but  the  founda- 
tion and  flights  of  steps  are  of  marble. 

"  This  edifice,"  says  a  visiter,  "  stands  in  a  beautiful  grass  plat,  in 
the  centre  of  the  village.  There  are  no  seats  in  the  house,  except  for 
spectators  of  their  worship.  Their  stone  walls  a.id  other  fences  are 
constructed  with  the  utmost  regularity  and  precision,  and  their  gate- 
posts are  of  massive  marble  columns,  of  many  tons  weight.  They 
manufacture  a  great  variety  of  articles  for  sale,  which  are  remarka- 
ble for  tiioir  neatnt^as  and  dnrabilitY  -.  and^  in  short-,  their  farms,  their 


S 


COLUMBIA    COUNTT. 


121 


town.  In  1714  a 
iij;inul  proprieior, 
clay  aiiiu'xcd  to 
)  offifors  tlicrpoJ"; 
asH(,'mbly  tor  the 
vilcge  tliey  cxer- 

anon  Springs 
here  are  here 
imodation  ot" 
ter  and  four 
nills  near  its 
id  is  deemed 
aneous  atiee- 
h  and  amuse- 
esque.  New 
of  the  spring. 


ts  the  village 
»f  the  spring, 
)ntains  about 
one  of  their 
»eir  meeting- 
ship  is  some- 
by  sixty-five 
domical  root 
in  feet,  roofed 
It  the  founda- 

grass  plat,  in 
se,  except  for 
er  fences  are 
id  their  gate- 
sight.  They 
are  remarka- 
r  farms,  their 


gardens,  their  manufactories,  and  houses,  all  exhibit  the  pleasing  effects 
of  industrv  and  rural  economy.  Indeed,  they  are  one  independent 
community ;— their  property  is  all  held  in  common,  and  '  nowhere,' 
says  Professor  Silliman,  *  in  any  community,  can  the  moralist,  the 
phUosopher,  or  the  statesman,  see  such  a  demonstration  of  the  power 
of  industry  and  economy.'  They  cheerfully  pay  their  proportion  of 
the  public  taxes,  and  share  all  the  burdens  of  government  except  the 
bearing  of  arms,  which  they  deem  to  be  unlawful.  They  never  ask 
charity  for  any  purpose,  but  always  have  hands  and  hearts  to  give. 
We  were  conducted  through  the  whole  establishment  in  every  de- 
partment. Tlieir  internal  domestic  arrangement  is  excellent.  Their 
standing  motto  seems  to  be,  to  save  time  and  labor,  and  all  their  va- 
rious machines  and  utensils  are  constructed  to  this  end.  We  visited 
their  extensive  dairy,  their  washing-house,  mills  and  manufactories, 
ail  of  which  evinced  the  most  consummate  skill  and  nicety.  We  also 
visited  their  school,  consisting  of  about  one  hundred  hearty,  rosy- 
cheeked,  and  contented  children,  from  eight  to  fifteen  years  of  age. 
They  underwent  a  very  creditable  examination  in  the  various  branches 
of  astronomy,  grammar,  reading,  spelling,  arithmetic,  &c.,  and  gave 
us  the  most  satisfactory  proof  that  they  are  not  trained  up  in  igno- 
rance  As  far  as  our  observation  extended,  they  are  as  willing 

to  let  others  think  for  themselves,  as  they  arc  to  cherish  their  own 
peculiarities ;  and,  surely,  if  they  are  tolerant  we  should  not  be  in- 
tolerant. They  are  indeed  a  most  singular  people,  but  they  have 
many,  very  many,  excellent  qualities.  They  are  plain  in  their  de- 
portment and  manners,  close  though  honest  in  their  dealings,  but  kind, 
benevolent,  and  hospitable  ;  and  they  remember  and  treasure  up 
every  kindness  shown  to  them.  In  short,  they  are  inoffensive,  quiet, 
and  valuable  citizens  ;  and  notwithstanding  the  idle,  and  even  abomi- 
nable stories  that  have  been  put  forth  against  them,  after  close  ob- 
servation for  many  years  past,  it  is  our  deliberate  conviction  that  among 
themselves  they  strictly  live  up  to  their  professions,  and  that  their 
conduct  and  morals  are  irreproachable."* 

The  society  own  about  2,000  acres  of  land  in  this  town,  and  about 
half  as  much  more  in  Hancock,  Mass.,  the  adjoining  town.  Within 
a  few  years  after  "  Mother  Ann,"  as  she  is  usually  called,  made  an 
establishment  at  Neskayuna,  (.s-ee  Watervliei, p.  55,)  another  washer 
gun  at  New  Lebanon,  which  is  now  the  principal  Shaker  establish- 
ment in  the  state.  Their  religious  tenets  must,  of  course,  necessarily 
afl^ect  the  order  of  their  societies,  by  producing  an  entire  separation 
of  the  men  from  the  women. 

The  leading  characteristic  in  the  worship  of  this  people,  is  their 
dancing.  This  they  describe  as  the  involuntary  result  of  the  exhilirat- 
ing  and  overpowering  delight  received  through  the  outpouring  of  di- 
vine grace  upon  their  hearts.  The  evolutions  and  changes  in  the 
dance,  by  constant  practice,  become  as  precisely  correct  as  the  man- 
CEUvres  of  a  regiment  of  experienced  soldiers ;  it  becomes  in  fact  a 

•  New  York  Commercial  Advertiiar.^ 
16 


„ .;» V 


1 

I 


h  M 


i  I 


^t 


122 


COLUMDIA    COUNTY. 


mechanical  movement.  No  one  ever  makes  a  mistake,  or  throws  the 
rank  in  disorder  from  inattention  or  inexperience  ;  but  every  thing  is 
conducted  in  the  most  exact  order,  as  if  every  step  and  movement  ot 
the  body  was  directed  by  a  gauge  and  rule.  Dances  are  sometimes 
held  in  private  houses,  when  variations  are  frequently  introduced. 
On  some  occasions  it  is  said  their  movements  are  so  rapid,  that  the 
eye  can  scarce  follow  or  keep  pace  with  their  swift  motions. 

"  The  principal  doctrines  of  the  Shakers  are  a  belief  in  the  second 
appearance  of  Christ  in  the  person  of  the  holy  mother.  They  admit 
ot  but  two  persons  in  the  Godhead,  God  the  Father,  and  God  the 
Mother,  which  they  say  is  according  to  the  order  of  nature,  being 
male  and  female.  To  relieve  the  depraved  race  of  man,  they  believe 
that  it  became  necessary  for  God  to  take  upon  him  the  real  character 
of  human  nature  as  it  is,  male  and  female,  and  that  his  first  appear- 
ance was  in  the  person  of  man,  and  the  second  in  the  person  of  wo- 
man, whereby  the  work  of  redemption  was  finished  and  completed. 
The  confusion  and  wickedness  that  prevailed  in  the  Catholic  Church, 
during  the  long  period  which  preceded  and  followed  the  reformation, 
they  ascribe  to  the  work  of  redemption  not  being  completed  in  Christ's 
first  appearance,  it  being  the  necessary  period  that  must  intervene 
between  the  making  and  fulfilment  of  the  promise  of  Christ,  that  he 
would  establish  his  law  of  righteousness  on  earth.  They  believe  in 
perfect  holiness,  and  insist  that  salvation  from  sin  here  is  necessary 
to  salvation  from  misery  hereafter.  They  regard  the  Bible  as  a  tes- 
timony of  Christ's  first  appearance,  but  deny  that  it  contains  the  word 
of  God,  or  of  life,  as  they  consider  a  belief  in  the  second  appearance 
of  Christ,  or  in  the  spiritual  character  and  mission  of  the  holy  mother, 
as  indispensable  to  salvation." 

Stockport,  so  named  from  Stockport,  England,  the  native  place  of 
Mr.  Wilde,  the  proprietor  of  the  mills  at  Columbiaville,  was  taken  from 
Hudson,  Ghent,  and  Stuyvesant,  in  1833.  The  Claverack  and  Kin- 
derhook  creeks  unite  near  the  centre  of  the  town.  In  breaking 
through  the  high  bank  of  the  river,  these  streams,  within  three  miles, 
have  several  falls  which  amount  to  about  one  hundred  and  sixty  feet, 
and  this  water-power  has  given  rise  to  the  several  flourishing  manu- 
facturing villages  named  below.  Columbiaville,  fa  miles  N.  of  Hud- 
son, has  very  extensive  cotton  factories,  amd  about  forty-five  dwell- 
ings.    The  Hudson  rive^  Seminary  is  located  here.     The  print  works 

for  printing  calicoes,  were  established  fourteen  years  since,  by  J 

Marshall  &  Co.,  and  employ  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  hands. 
There  are  in  this  vicinity  about  seventy  dwellings.  Chittenden's 
Falls  are  seven,  and  Springville  two  and  a  half  miles  from  Hudson. 
At  Glencadia,  on  the  Kinderhook  creek,  three  and  a  half  miles  from 
Hudson  riiv,  there  are  two  falls  amounting  to  about  seventy  feet,  on 
which  are  situated  extensive  cotton  factories.     Pop     1P14. 

Stuyvepant  was  taken  from  Kinderhook  in  1823.  Stuyvesant  or 
Kitlderhook  Landing,  on  the  Hudson,  is  one  hundred  and  twenty-five 
miles  N.  of  New  York,  five  W,  from  Kinderhook,  twenty  S.  of  Al- 
bany, and  contains  about  fitty  dwellings.     Pop.  1,946, 


COETLAND    COUNTY. 


123 


tr  throws  the 
very  thing  is 
movement  ot 
■e  sometimes 
introduced, 
pid,  that  the 
ons. 

in  the  second 
They  admit 
ind  God  the 
lature,  being 
they  beUeve 
sal  character 
first  appear- 
irson  of  wo- 
1  completed. 
loHc  Church, 
reformation, 
ed  in  Christ's 
1st  intervene 
lirist,  that  he 
!y  beUeve  in 
is  necessary 
ible  as  a  tes- 
lins  the  word 
I  appearance 
holy  mother, 

itive  place  of 
IS  taken  from 
ck  and  Kin- 
In  breaking 
I  three  miles, 
[id  sixty  feet, 
shing  manu- 
s  N.  of  Hud- 
^-five  dwell- 
3  pi-int  works 

::e,by  J 

fifty  hands. 
Chittenden's 
om  Hudson, 
f  miles  from 
enty  feet,  on 
14. 

Ituyvesant  or 
1  twenty-five 
ity  S.  of  Al- 


I 


%^ 


Taghkanic,  taken  from  Livingston,  in  1823,  by  the  name  of  Gran- 
ger ;  name  and  bounds  s'ncc  altered.  It  is  one  of  the  towns  of  Liv- 
ingston manor,  and  lies  SE.  of  Hudson  fifteen  miles.     Pop.  1,724. 


CORTLAND  COUNTY. 

Cortland  county,  taken  from  Onondaga  in  1808,  and  named  in 
honor  of  Gen.  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  who  was  a  large  landholder 
here:  centrally  distant  NW.  from  New  York  200,  and  from  Al- 
bany, W.,  14.5  miles.  This  county  forms  part  of  the  high  central 
section  of  the  state.  It  has  the  dividing  ridge  between  the  northern 
and  southern  waters  across  its  northern  and  western  borders.  It  is 
consequently  elevated.  Its  surface  is  composed  of  easy  hills  and 
broad  valleys,  giving  it  a  gently  waving  and  diversified  aspect.  The 
soil  is  generally  a  gravelly  loam,  rich  and  productive.  This  county 
comprises  four  whole  and'  two  half  townships  of  the  tract  granted  by 
the  state  to  the  soldiers  of  the  revolution,  and  is  settled  chiefly  by 
emigrants  from  the  eastern  states.  Pop.  24,605.  It  is  divided  into 
11  towns. 

CiNciNNATUs,  taken  from  Solon  in  1804 ;  W.  from  Albany  131, 
from  Cortland,  SE.,  15  miles.  Pop.  1,301.  Cincinnatus,  the  post 
village,  contains  about  30  dwellings. 

CoRTLANDviLLE,  taken  from  Homer  in  1829;  142  miles  from  Al- 
bany.    Pop.  3,799.     The  following  view  shows  the  principal  public 


Public  buildings  in  Cortlandville. 

buildings  in  the  village.  The  first  building  on  the  right  is  the  Meth- 
odist church,  the  second  the  Academy,  the  third  the  Presbyterian, 
the  fourth  the  Baptist,  and  the  last  the  Universalist  church.     The 


jtM 


124 


CORTLAND    COUNTY. 


courthouse  is  seen  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  street.  The  village  is 
pleasantly  situated  and  laid  out  in  regular  squares.  There  are  here 
two  weekly  newspaper  offices  and  about  120  dwellings,  some  of  them 
splendid,  with  neat  door-yards  adorned  with  trees,  shrubbery,  &c.  &c. 
McGrawsville,  a  small  village,  is  4  miles  E.  from  Cortlandville.  South 
Cortland  and  Port  Watson  are  post-offices. 

The  following  epitapli  was  copied  from  a  monument  in  the  grave- 
yard at  Cortlandville. 

"  In  memory  of  Martha  Merrick,  wife  of  David  Merriclt,  who  died  April  8,  1831,  in  the 
62d  year  of  her  age.  Siie  had  passed  the  hist  32  years  of  her  hfe  in  this  town  and  Homer, 
having  been  among  the  first  settlers  in  this  county.  She  departed  tliis  life  in  the  full  faith 
of  a  blessed  Saviour.     She  lived  respected  and  died  regretted." 

Freetown,  taken  fz'om  Cincinnatus  in  1818  ;  from  Albany  140,  and 
from  Cortland,  SE.,  10  miles.  Freetown  Corners  is  a  small  village, 
and  Freetown  is  a  post-office.     Pop.  949. 

Homer,  organized  in  1794.  The  township  is  level;  the  soil  a 
sandy  and  clay  loam.  Pop.  3,572.  Homer  village,  the  largest  in 
the  county,  is  beautifully  situated  upon  a  plain,  upon  the  W.  bank  of 
the  Tioughnioga  river  ;  Irom  Albany  138  miles,  40  JV.  from  Oswego. 
30  S.  from  Syracuse,  2h  N.  from  Cortland  village.  The  following 
view  shows  on  the  right  the  Episcopal  church,  the  building  next  is 


-^?: 


Public  buildings  in  Homer. 

the  Academy,  the  third  the  Presbyterian,  the  fourth  the  Methodist, 
and  the  fifth  the  Baptist  church.  The  Cortland  Academy  is  a  highly 
flourishing  institution,  having  a  collection  of  philosophical  apparatus 
and  a  cabinet  of  minerals.  The  public  buildings  are  upon  a  s  suare 
of  «  acres.  The  village  was  incorporated  in  1825,  and  has  about  200 
buildings. 

The  following  is  the  copy  of  an  inscription  on  a  monument  in  the 
graveyard  in  this  village. 

"  Rev.  E1.11ATQAN  Walkxr,  wm  bom  at  Taunton,  Mbbs.,  Feb.  7th,  1780 ;  graduated  at 
Brown's  CoikKC  Uhi>dc  Island,  Sept.  7th,  1803.    Juiited  tho  church  in  Dishum.  Man.. 


♦. 


DELAWABE    COUNTY. 


135 


he  village  is 
ore  are  here 
onie  of  tlieiu 
Dry,  &LC.  &c. 
ville.    South 


n  the  grave- 


I  8,  1831,  in  the 
iwn  and  Homer, 
i  in  the  full  fuidi 

iny  140,  and 

mull  village, 

;  the  soil  a 
0  largest  in 
W.  bnnk  of 
oin  Oswego, 
le  following 
ding  next  is 


3  Methodist, 
y  is  a  highly 
al  apparatus 
pon  a  f  luare 
as  about  200 

anient  in  the 


0;  graduatrd  at 
Dishton.  Maaa.. 


Jan.  31,  1805,  was  ordained  and  installed  Paator  of  this  church,  Oct.  25th,  1809.  Died 
June  4th,  1820.  This  monument  is  erected  by  an  affectionate  people  as  the  last  testimony 
of  respect  to  their  beloved  pastor.  Rev.  Mr.  Walker  settled  over  this  church  when  it  con- 
sisted of  99  members.  Admitted  during  his  ministry  481.  Left  when  he  died  440.  Hav. 
ing  ended  his  labors  and  called  upon  God,  saying  Lord  Jesus  receive  my  spirit,  he  fell 
asleep. 

Marathon,  originally  named  Harrison  ;  taken  from  Cincinnatus  in 
1818;  from  Albany  145,  and  from  Cortland,  SE.,  15  miles.  Pop. 
1,063.  Marathon  is  a  small  village  about  4  miles  from  the  county 
line,  on  the  south. 

Preble,  taken  from  Tully  in  1808 ;  from  Albany  138,  from  Cort- 
land, N.,  10  miles.  Preble,  a  small  post  village,  is  seven  miles  N.  of 
Cortland.     Pop.  1,247. 

Scott,  taken  from  Preble  in  1815;  from  Albany  146  miles.  The 
surface  of  the  township  is  broken  by  ridges  of  hills  running  N.  and 
S.,  with  valleys  of  good  land.  Pop.  1,332.  Scott  Centre,  post  vil- 
lage  10  miles  NW.  of  Cortland,  has  about  20  dwellings. 

Solon,  organized  in  1798;  from  Albany  140,  from  Cortland,  E., 
10  miles.  Solon  and  East  Solon  are  post-offices.  Pop.  2,311.  This 
township  has  a  soil  of  good  quality,  and  the  inhabitants  have  been 
much  engaged  in  rearing  cattle. 

Truxton,  taken  from  Solon  and  Fabius  in  1808;  limits  since 
changed  ;  from  Albany  128,  NE.  from  Cortland  12  miles.  Pop. 
3,658.  Truxton  village,  pleasantly  situated  on  the  right  bank  of  the 
river,  has  about  40  dwellings.     Cuylcr  is  a  post-office. 

Virgil,  organized  in  1804  ;  from  Albany  148,  from  Cortland,  S., 
6  miles.     Virgil  and  Hartford  are  small  post  villages.     Pop.  4,501. 

Willet,  taken  from  Cincinnatus  in  1818;  from  Albany  137,  from 
Cortland,  SE.,  17  miles.  Pop.  870.  This  is  a  hilly  township  and 
but  thinly  settled.  ^ 


DELAWARE  COTINTY. 

Delaware  county,  formed  from  Ulster  and  Otsego  counties  in  1797 
IS  centrally  distant  from  New  York  via  Cattskill  166,  SW.  from 
Albany  77  miles  Greatest  length  NE.  and  SW.  00 ;  greatest  breadth 
SL.  and  NW.  37  miles. 

I  f7^^  ^j  T^y  ^'^^  ^  ^^"^^^^  ^'^^  diversified  surface— from  the  rugged, 
olty,  and  barren  mountain  side  and  summit,  to  the  subsiding  hill  and 
the  high  and  low  plain,  with  the  rich  valley,  and  the  low  and  fertile 
alluvion.  Its  climate  is  subject  to  sudden  and  great  changes  of  tern- 
perature.  yet  not  unfriendly  to  health  and  longevity.  It  is  principally 
watered  by  the  northeastern  sources  of  the  Delaware,  a  large  navi- 
gable riyerof  Pennsylvania,  on  which  stands  the  citv  of  Philadelphia. 
Ihe  east  branch  ol  the  Susquohannah,  another  large  stream  of  I W 
sylvama,  lorms  a  part  of  the  northeastern  boundary,  as  dn..«  thn  n,.l. 


T'f 


m 


u 


I  «-.* 


I 


I.'  'Il 


I  ili 


i  I 


126 


DELAWARE  COUNTY. 


aware  a  part  of  its  southwestern.     The  Cookquago  branch  of  the 
Delaware,  or  the  true  Delaware,  as  it  ought  to  be  called,  runs  nearly 
centrally  through  the  county  from  NE.  to  SW. ;  the  Popacton  branch 
runs  nearly  parallel  with  "this,  a  short  distance  to  the  south  ot  it. 
These  streams  with  their  branches,  and  many  smaller  streams,  spread 
plentifully  over  the  whole  county,  and  supply  a  vast  profusion  ot  fine 
sites  for  mills.     The  quality  of  the  soil  is  as  various  as  the  surface. 
On  the  upland  there  is  a  large  proportion  of  chocolate-colored  loam, 
and  the  vallevs  and  alluvial  Hats  have  a  rich  mould.     The  whole  may 
be  pronounced  a  good  country  for  farming,  well  watered  by  small 
spruK's  and  rivulets.     The  heavy  trade  ot  th.s  county  lollows  the 
cours^  of  its  lumber,  which  goes  in  rafts  by  the  Delaware  and  Sus- 
quehannah  rivers  to  Philadelphia  and  Baltimore  ;  while  considerable 
tratlic  is  carried  on  with  the  towns  on  the  Hudson,  to  which  there 
are  turnpikes  in  various  directions.     The  value  of  the  wild  lands  in 
the  county  is  from  two  to  three  dollars  an  acre,  and  the  improved 
lands  in  the  valleys  average  about  30  dollars,  while  those  on  the  hills 
are  worth  about  5  dollars  the  acre.     West  of  the  Mohawk  branch 
of  the  Delaware,  the  county  was   divided  into  several  patents  ;  but 
east  of  it  was  included  in  the  Hardenburgh  patent.    In  1768,  William, 
John,  Alexander,  and  Joseph  Harper,  with  eighteen  others,  obtained 
a  patent  here  for  2^,000  acres  of  land,  and  soon  alter  the  Harpers 
removed  from  Cherry  Valley,  and  made  a  settlement  which  was 
called  Harpcrsfield,  but  which  was  broken  up  by  the  Indians  and 
lories  during  the  revolutionary  war.    About  one  quarter  of  the  county 
is  under  improvement.     Pop.  32,933.     The  county  has  18  towns. 

Andes,  taken  from  Middletown  in  1819  ;  from  Albany  90,  centrally 
distant  SE.  from  Delhi  15  miles.  Shavertown  and  Andes  are  post- 
offices.  This  town  and  Bovina  were  principally  settled  by  the  Scotch. 
Pop.  2,176.  .    ,    . 

Bovina,  taken  from  Middletown,  Delhi,  and  Stamlord,  in  1820; 
distant  from  Albany  89,  from  Delhi  centrally  situated  E.  10  miles. 
Bovina  and  B^ish  Lake  are  post-offices.     Pop.  1,403. 

Colchester,  taken  from  Middletown,  part  of  Ulster  county,  in 
1792;  bounds  since  reduced;  from  Albany  91,  from  Delhi  S.  21 
miles.  Colchester  and  Popacton  are  post-offices.  Pop.  1,567.  The 
surface  is  hilly,  somewhat  mountainous.  The  settlements  are  princi- 
pally on  a  branch  of  the  Susquehannah,  which  passes  through  the 
town. 

Davenport,  formed  in  1817  ;  from  Albany  65,  from  Delhi  centrally 
situated  N.  1 1  miles.  Davenport,  West  Davenport,  and  Davenport 
Centre,  arc  post-offices.    Pop.  2.054. 

Delhi,  taken  from  Mi  UUetown,  Kortwright,  and  Walton,  in  1798 ; 
area  since  much  reducea;  from  Albany  77,  west  from  Cattskill  68, 
from  Kingston  67  miles.     Pop.  2.555. 

The  following  view  of  Delhi  village,  the  county  seat,  was  taken  on 
the  eastern  bank  of  the  Delaware.  This  village  was  incorporated  in 
1821.  The  building  with  a  steeple  seen  on  the  extreme  right  is  a 
factory — the  spire  near  the  ccntrt  of  the  view  is  that  of  the  j^pis- 


DELAWARE  COUNTr. 


127 


'anch  of  the 

runs  nearly 
icton  branch 

south  of  it. 
;ams,  spread 
usion  of  fine 

the  surface, 
olored  loam, 
e  whole  may 
ed  by  small 

follows  the 
are  and  Sus- 
considerable 

which  there 
wild  lands  in 
he  improved 
e  on  the  hills 
hawk  branch 
patents  ;  but 
Hm,  William, 
lers,  obtained 

the  Harpers 
t  which  was 

Indians  and 
3f  the  county 
18  towns. 

90,  centrally 
ides  are  post- 
y  the  Scotch. 

ird,  in  1820; 
E.  10  miles. 

?r  county,  in 

Delhi  S.  21 

1,507.     The 

its  are  princi- 

1  through  the 

►clhi  centrally 
(id  Davenport 

Iton,  in  1708 ; 
1  Cattskill  66, 

was  takon  on 
icorporated  in 
eme  right  is  a 

♦  „i-  ti —  p„:- 
.1  ui    tjic  ilipi3- 


Eastern  view  of  Delhi  Village. 

copal  church,  the  one  to  the  left  the  Presbyterian,  and  the  cupolas 
are  respectively  those  of  the  Courthouse,  Jail,  and  Academy.  The 
academy  here,  under  the  charge  of  the  Rev.  Daniel  Shepherd,  is  in- 
corporated  and  flourishing.    The  village  contains  about  100  dwellings. 


Delaware  Literary  Institute,  Franklin. 

Frankmn,  taken  from  Harpcrsfield  whilst  part  of  Otsego  county,  in 
1792 ;  area  since  much  altered.  It  was  settled  in  1785.  P„p.  3,025 
Frnnklm  village  '«  I^^asantly  situated  10  miles  W.  from  6elh  ,  80 
ron)  Kingston,  an.  00  S.  ot  Utica,  and  contains  1  Presbyterian  1 
«ai)tist.and  1  Methodist  church,  and  alx.ut  ,500  inhabitants.  "The 
IJelaware  Literary  Institute  was  incorporated  in  1h;J5.  The  build- 
ing  IS  of  stone,  80  feet  long,  42  wide,  and  4  stories  high.  It  cr.ntains, 
DnHides  rooms  to  aecominodatc  SO  male  students,  a  cliapei,  two  re- 


( 


PI 
•  n 


128 


DELAWARE  COUNTY. 


ii.iiimlj 


citation  roomg,  and  one  for  apparatus.  Cost,  nicluding  the  site,  $7,500. 
It  has  a  chemical,  a  philosophical  apparatus,  and  a  library.  It  is  di- 
rected by  a  board  of  24  trustees.  It  has  a  male  and  lemale  depart- 
ment, and  five  teachers  are  employed  in  instruction.  Kev.  bilas  t  itch 
is  principal,  and  Merit  Piatt  lecturer  and  instructer  in  natural  science. 
It  has  110  students.  The  moral  influence  and  pecuniary  advantages 
it  aflx)rds  are  considered  highly  favorable."   East  Franklin  and  JNorth 

Franklin  are  post-offices.  ,  x^  „..,„«,-     r         ah,        oc 

Hamden,  taken  from  Walton  and  Delhi  m  1825;  from  Albany  85, 
from  Delhi,  SW.,  8  miles.  Hamden  is  a  small  post  village  on  the 
Delaware.     Pop.  1,469.  . 

Hancock,  a  large  and  somewhat  mountainous  township,  was  taken 
from  Colchester  in  1806 ;  from  Albany  129,  and  from  Delhi  centrally 
distant  SW.  27  miles.  Hancock,  East  Branch,  Bloomfield,  Paulma, 
and  Partridge  Island  are  the  post-otlices.  Pop.  1,027.  The  mhabi- 
tants,  who  are  principally  engaged  in  lumbering,  are  chiefly  settled 
upon  the  Popacton  branch  of  the  Delaware. 

Harpersfield,  organized  in  1788  as  part  of  Montgomery  county  ; 
bounds  since  much  reduced  ;  from  Albany  62  miles.  It  has  a  moun- 
tainous surface.  Pop.  1,696.  Harpersfield,  18  miles  NE.  of  Delhi, 
and  West  Harpersfield,  are  small  post  villages.     North  Harpersheld 

is  a  post-office.  ,   ,„    •  •  j 

The  following  is  extracted  from  Mr.  Campbell  s  interesting  and 
valuable  work  entitled  "  Annals  of  Tryon  County :" 

"  In  1768,  William,  John,  Alexander,  and  Joseph  Harper,  with  eighteen  other  individuals, 
obtained  a  patent  for  twenty-two  thousand  acres  of  land  lying  m  the  now  county  of  Dela- 
ware.  The  Harpers  removed  from  Cherry  Valley  soon  after,  and  mode  a  settlement  there 
which  was  called  Harpersfield.  This  settlement  had  begun  to  flourish  at  the  commence, 
ment  of  the  war.    Col.  John  Harper  had  the  command  of  one  of  the  forta  m  Schoharie. 

The  following  account  of  a  successful  enterprise  of  Col.  Harper,  was  furnished  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Fenn,  who  received  the  information  from  him.  He  informed  me  that  in  the  year 
1777,  he  had  the  command  of  the  fort  in  Schoharie,  and  of  all  the  frontier  stations  m  this 
region.  He  left  the  fort  in  Schoharie,  and  came  out  through  the  woods  to  Harpersfield  m 
the  time  of  making  sugar,  and  from  thenc-  laid  his  course  for  Cherry  Valley  o  investigate 
the  state  of  things  there ;  and  as  he  was  pursuing  a  blind  kind  of  Indian  trail,  and  was  as. 
cending  what  are  now  colled  Decatur  Hills,  he  cast  his  eye  forward  and  saw  a  company  ..I 
men  coming  directly  towards  him,  who  had  the  appearance  of  Indians.  He  knew  that  it 
he  attempted  to  flee  from  them  they  would  shoot  him  down  ;  he  resolved  to  advance  right 
up  to  them,  and  make  the  best  shift  for  himself  he  could.  As  soon  as  he  came  near  enough 
to  discern  the  white  of  their  eyes,  he  knew  the  head  man  and  several  others ;  the  head 
man's  name  was  Peter,  an  Indian  with  whom  Col.  Harper  had  often  traded  ni  Oquago  be. 
fore  the  revolution  began.  The  colonel  had  his  great.coat  on,  so  that  his  regimentals  were 
concealed,  and  he  was  not  recognised ;  the  first  word  of  address  o<  Col.  Harper's  was, 
*  How  do  you  do,  brothers  V  The  reply  was,  '  Well— how  do  you  do,  brother '!  Which 
way  are  you  l)ound,  brother  ?'  '  On  n  secret  expedition  :  and  which  way  are  you  bound, 
brothers?'  '  Down  the  Susquehannah,  to  cut  off  the  Johnston  settlement.'  (Parson  John- 
mon  and  a  number  of  Scotch  families  had  settled  down  the  Susquehannah,  at  what  la 
now  called  Sidney's  Plains,  and  these  were  llie  people  whom  ihey  were  about  to  destroy.) 
Says  the  colonel, '  Where  do  you  lodge  to-night  ?'  'At  the  mouth  of  Schenevaa  creek,' 
was  the  reply.    Then  shaking  hands  with  them,  he  bid  them  good  speed,  and  proceeded  on 

his  journey.  .      .    ,         u   t  j 

"  He  had  gone  but  a  little  way  from  them  before  he  took  a  circuit  through  the  woods,  a 
distsncp  of  right  or  ten  miles,  on  to  the  head  of  Chariotle  river,  where  were  a  number  of 
men  making  sugar ;  ordered  them  to  take  their  arms,  two  days' provisions,  a  canteen  of 
rum,  and  a  Tope-,  and  mt-t^:  Isin!  'Jo----!-,  'h--^  ChHrloi-.!-,  at  a  small clearuiH  ciUod  Ev«ni'«  place. 


% 


V^ 


PBLAWARE  COUNTY. 


129 


;  site,  $7,500. 
ry.  It  is  di- 
male  depart- 
V.  Silas  Fitch 
tural  science. 
y  advantages 
in  and  North 

1  Albany  85, 
tillage  on  the 

ip,  was  taken 
elhi  centrally 
field,  Paulina, 
The  inhabi- 
ihiefly  settled 

nery  county ; 

,  has  a  moun- 

^E.  of  Delhi, 

Harpersfield 

iteresting  and 


I  other  individuals, 
V  county  of  Dela- 
1  settlement  there 
at  the  commence- 
ts  in  Schoharie. 
a  furnished  by  the 
ie  that  in  the  year 
ier  stations  in  this 
to  Harpersfield  in 
Jley  0  investigate 
trail,  and  was  ac 
saw  a  company  of 
He  knew  that  if 
A  to  advance  right 
came  near  enougli 
I  others  ;  the  head 
ied  at  Oquago  be- 
I  regimentals  were 
ol.  Harper's  was, 
brother  ?  Which 
ly  are  you  bound, 
I.'  (Parson  John- 
nnah,  at  what  is 
about  to  destroy.) 
Schenevas  creek,' 
and  proceeded  on 

ough  the  woods,  a 
were  a  number  of 
siuns,  a  canteen  of 
ilfld  kvtns'B  ulacc. 


at  a  certain  hour  that  afternoon ;  then  rode  with  all  speed  tlirough  the  woods  to  Harpers- 
field ;  collected  all  the  men  who  were  there  making  sugar,  and  being  armed  and  victualled, 
each  man  with  his  rope  laid  his  course  for  Charlotte  ;  when  he  arrived  at  Evans's  place  he 
found  the  Charlotte  men  there,  in  good  spirits ;  and  when  he  mustered  his  men,  there  were 
fifteen,  including  himself,  exactly  the  same  number  as  there  were  of  the  enemy  ;  then  the 
colonel  made  his  men  acquainted  with  his  enterprise. 

"  They  marched  down  the  river  a  little  distance,  and  then  bent  their  course  across  the 
hill  to  the  mouth  of  Schenevas  creek ;  when  they  arrived  at  the  brow  of  the  hill  where 
they  could  overlook  the  valley  where  the  Schenevas  flows,  they  cast  their  eyes  down  upon 
the  flat,  and  discovered  the  fire  around  which  the  enemy  lay  encamped.  '  There  they 
are,'  said  Col.  Harper.  They  descended  with  great  stillness,  forded  the  creek,  which  was 
breast-high  to  a  man ;  after  advancing  a  few  hundred  yards,  they  took  some  refreshment, 
and  then  prepared  for  the  contest—daylight  was  just  beginning  to  appear  in  the  east. 
When  they  came  to  the  enemy,  they  lay  in  a  circle  with  their  feet  towards  the  fire,  in  a 
deep  sleep ;  their  arms  and  all  their  implements  of  death,  were  all  stacked  up  according  to 
the  Indian  custom  when  they  lay  themselves  down  for  the  night :  these  the  colonel  se. 
cured  by  carrying  them  ofl'  a  distance,  and  laying  them  down ;  then  each  man  taking  his 
rope  in  his  hand,  placed  himself  by  his  fellow ;  the  colonel  rapped  his  man  s(,ftly,  and  said, 
'  Come,  it  is  time  for  men  of  business  to  be  on  their  way  ;'  and  then  each  one  sprang  upon 
his  man,  and  after  a  most  severe  struggle  they  secured  the  whole  of  the  enemy. 

"  After  they  were  all  safely  bound,  and  the  morning  had  so  far  advanced  that  they  could 

dis^cover  objects  distinctly,  says  the  Indian  Peter,  'Ha!  Col.  Harper!  now  I  know  thee 

why  did  I  not  know  thco  yesterday  ?'  '  Some  policy  in  war,  Peter.'  '  Ah,  me  find  em 
so  now.'  The  colonel  marched  the  men  to  Albany,  delivered  them  up  to  the  commanding 
officer,  and  by  this  bold  and  well-executed  feat  of  valor  he  saved  the  whole  Scotch  settle, 
ment  from  a  wanton  destruction. 

"  Early  in  the  spring  of  1780,  a  party  of  tories  and  Indians,  under  the  command  of  Brant, 
destroyed  Harpersfield.  The  inhabitants  had  geiiprnlly  left  the  place ;  hut  a  few  of  the 
men  were  at  the  time  engaged  in  making  maple  sugar.  Nitipteen  were  taken  prisoners, 
and  several  killed.  A  consultation  was  held  in  the  Indian  lantriiage  in  presence  of  the 
prisoners  relative  to  a  contemplated  attack  upon  the  upper  fort,  in  Schoharie;  the  Indians, 
satisfied  with  the  booty  and  prisoners  already  obtained,  were  uii*villing  to  risk  any  thing 
in  an  uncertain  expedition  ;  some  of  the  tories  represented  the  plan  as  promising  success 
and  advised  the  Indians  to  kill  the  prisoners,  that  they  might  not  be  encumbered  with  them! 
Brant  came  up  to  Capt.  Alexander  Harper,  one  of  the  prisoners,  and  drawinir  his  sword' 
asked  hnn  if  there  were  any  troops  in  the  fort ;  saying  his  life  should  be  taken  if  he  did' 
not  nilorm  hini  correctly.  Harper  knew  enough  of  the  Indian  language  to  have  learned 
the  subject  ot  the  foregoing  conversation,  niui  immediately  answered  that  it  was  well  gar. 
nsoned,  believing  that  they  would  all  be  killed  should  he  answer  differently.  Another  pris. 
oner,  not  knowing  the  determination  of  the  Indians,  and  fearing  their  vengeance  should  the 
talsehood  be  detected,  stated  truly  that  there  were  few  if  any  troops  in  the  fort.  Harper 
insisted  that  his  statement  was  true  ;  he  was  believed,  and  they  returned  to  Niagara.  The 
last  night  o»  their  journey  they  encamped  a  short  distance  from  the  fort.  In  the  morning 
the  prisoners  were  to  run  the  gauntlet.  Harper,  knowing  the  hostility  of  the  Indians  to. 
wards  him,  and  fearing  they  might  take  his  life,  requested  Brant  to  interfere  and  protect 
him,  which  he  promised  to  do.  The  Indians  arranged  themselves  in  two  parallel  line* 
facing  inward,  with  clubs  and  whips  in  their  hands.  ' 

"  Harper  was  selected  first ;  he  was  a  tall,  athletic  man,  and  on  the  first  signal  spranjr 
from  the  mark  with  extraordinary  swiftness.  An  Indian  near  the  end  of  the  line  fearing 
he  might  escape  with  little  injury,  stept  before  him  ;  Harper  struck  him  u  blow  with  his  fist,  and 
then  spmiging  over  him,  ran  towards  the  fort;  the  Indians,  enraged,  broke  their  ranks  and 
followed  him.  r he  garrison,  who  had  been  apprised  of  the  nuvemerits  of  the  Indians 
were  upon  the  walls  when  Uiey  saw  Harper  approaching;  ihev  threw  npn.  the  gate,  and 
he  nishe^  m,  when  they  immediately  closed  it.  It  was  with  difficulty  they  could  k.ep  the 
Indians  buck.  1  he  other  pris.mers  took  different  courses  and  got  into  the  fort  without 
passing  through  this,  if  not  hery,  yet  bloody  ordeal."* 


.,™I  T  "".!^''  '*'"  .""""'*■«•  "•••niber  of  the  provincial  eonereiw.  nn.1  aftrr  the  war  wiii.  k-vmsI 

tl..-  ro.niiry,  «„,1  i  „.  „p|,r,m,.|,  ol  clvlll,,,,,!,,,',,  whh  n„l  .„„^..,m,l  l»  I ..  ,      T|,, y  L  0^^^^^^^^^^        lUu  a'  u  i^- 
Oiwr,  aaU  »uugla  it  aui.U  the  IwunOlew  towui  wtUch  tUm  covirud  thai  Leaulu'dVai/" 

17 


;  I 


^\ 


180 


DELAWARE  COUNTY. 


KoRTRiGHT,  organized  as  part  of  Otsego  county  in  1793 ;  from  Al- 
bany 68  miles.  Bloomville,  7  miles  NE.,  and  Kortright  14  miles  from 
Delhi,  are  small  villages.  South  Kortright  and  North  Kortright  are 
names  of  post-offices.     Pop.  2,442. 

Masonville,  taken  from  Sidney  in  1811 ;  from  Albany  105,  and 
from  Delhi  NW.  centrally  distant  24  miles.  Pop.  1,420.  This  town 
contains  great  quantities  of  pine,  and  lumbering  is  the  principal  oc- 
cupation of  its  inhabitants. 

Meredith,  taken  from  Franklin  and  Kortright  in  1800;  from  Al- 
bany 77,  and  from  Delhi  centrally  situated  N.  8  miles.  Meredith 
and  West  Meredith  are  small  settlements.  Pop.  1,640.  Dr.  D wight, 
in  his  journey  to  the  Niagara  Falls  in  1804,  passed  through  this  town. 
He  says :  "  Meredith  is  in  the  fullest  sense  a  new  settlement.  In  the 
year  1800  it  contained  only  213  inhabitants,  and  in  the  year  1810, 
726.  Peculiar  efforts  have  been  made  by  Mr.  Law  to  introduce  into 
this  township  sober,  industrious,  virtuous  settlers.  In  this  manner  he 
has  probably  s'-.^red  its  prosperity,  both  moral  and  physical,  for  a 
century.     Since  the  date  of  my  journal,  the  inhabitants  have  built  an 

academy,  in  which  they  assemble  for  public  worship From 

the  house  of  Mr.  Law,  a  handsome  mansion  in  the  centre  of  the  town, 
the  prospect  stretches  to  the  south,  over  a  valley  ultimately  bounded 
by  mountains  at  the  distance  of  thirty  miles;  and  to  the  north,  over 
another  valley  whicn  extends  ten  miles.  The  hill  which  limits  the 
northern  prospect  is  covered  with  a  magnificent  growth  of  white 
pines  ;  one  of  which  having  fallen  down  was  measured  by  Mr.  Law, 

and  was  found  to  be  two  hundred  and  forty-seven  feet  in  length 

It  is  not  improbable  that  the  next  generation  may  never  see  a  white 
pine  of  the  full  size,  and  may  regard  an  exact  account  of  this  noble 
vegetable  production  as  a  mere  fable." — Dwight's  Travels,  vol.  4. 

MiDDLETowN,  taken  from  Rochester  and  Woodstock  as  part  of  Ul- 
ster county,  in  1789  ;  area  since  much  reduced  ;  settled  by  emigrants 
from  New  England,  and  by  Scotch,  Dutch,  Irish,  and  German  emi- 
grants ;  from  Albany  79,  from  Delhi  centrally  situated  SE.  20  miles. 
Middletown,  Ashville,  Colesville,  and  Halcottsville,  are  post-ofTices. 
Pop.  2,608. 

RoxBURV,  taken  from  Stamford  in  1799;  area  since  altered;  per- 
manently settled  by  New  England  emigrants  in  1790;  from  Al- 
bany 63  miles.  Roxbury,  formerly  called  Beaver  Dam  village,  and 
Mooresville,  28  miles  E.  of  Delhi,  are  small  villages.     Pop.  3,004. 

Sidney,  taken  from  Franklin  in  1-801  ;  from  Albany  100,  and  fron^ 
Delhi,  NW.,  24  miles.  Sidney  Plains,  Sidney,  and  New  Road,  are 
post-offices.  Near  here  is  a  locality  colled  "  the  Beaverdam,"  where 
there  are  the  timbers  remaining  of  a  dam  constructed  by  the  beavers 
which  flooded  30  or  40  acres  of  land.     Pop.  1,720. 

One  of  the  first  settlers  of  this  town  was  Timothy  Beach,  originally 
from  Fairfield  county,  Connecticut.  At  the  close  of  the  revolutionary 
war,  Mr,  Beach,  with  his  son,  a  lad  of  about  12  years,  proceeded  up 
the  Hudson  river  to  Cattskill,  and  from  thence  struck  across  the  wil- 
(]f>^rif>eu   ffi  Wattlo's   I'crrv.  a  distance  of  ubout  aiic  hundred   mileSi 


DELAWARE    COUNTY. 


181 


J ;  from  Al- 
4  miles  from 
ortright  are 

ny  105,  and 

This  town 

Drincipal  oc- 

0 ;  from  Al- 
.  Meredith 
Dr.  Dwight, 
;h  this  town, 
lent.  In  the 
e  year  1810, 
itroduce  into 
s  manner  he 
lysical,  for  a 
lave  built  an 
....  From 
of  the  town, 
tely  bounded 
3  north,  over 
ch  Hmits  the 
/th  of  white 
by  Mr.  Law, 

length 

r  see  a  white 
of  this  noble 
lis,  vol.  4. 
IS  part  of  Ul- 
by  emigrants 
German  e)ni- 
5E.  20  miles. 
!  post-offices. 

altered ;  per- 
10;  from  Al- 
1  village,  and 
^p.  3,004. 
00,  and  frorr> 
w  Road,  are 
•dam,"  where 
Y  the  beavers 

ch,  originally 
revolutionary 
proceeded  up 
c^ross  the  wil- 
mdrud  miles^ 


Being  considered  dangerous  to  penetrate  that  distance  without  a 
guide,  they  procured  the  services  of  an  Indian  conductor.  Mr. 
Beach  selected  his  farm  near  Wattle's  ferry,  on  the  Susquehannah, 
then  in  a  wilderness  state,  since  known  as  the  Ketchum  farm.  He 
then  returned  through  the  sanie  woods,  carrying  his  boy  on  his  horse 
behind  him,  till  he  arrived  in  Connecticut.  On  November  Uth,  1784. 
Mr.  Beach  with  his  family  went  up  to  Albany,  and  from  thence  con- 
tinued their  journey  till  they  arrived  at  Otsego  lake,  the  head  waters 
of  the  Susquehannah.  Here  they  left  their  teams,  as  the  road  pro- 
ceeded no  further,  put  their  effects  on  board  of  a  batteau,  and  glided 
gently  down  the  lake,  a  distance  of  nine  miles  to  its  outlet,  where  they 
encamped  in  the  open  air,  on  the  spot  where  the  village  of  Coopers- 
town  is  now  built.  On  the  third  day  after  leaving  this  place,  Mr. 
Beach  arrived  at  his  farm,  on  which  was  a  small  clearing,  having  a 
log  house  in  a  ruinous  state,  in  the  centre.  It  appears  that  the  place 
had  belonged  to  a  Scotchman  who  was  killed  by  the  Indians  in  the 
revolutionary  war. 

"  The  shortness  of  time,"  says  Mr.  Priest,  (in  a  pamphlet  giving  an  account  of  the  adven- 
tures of  this  family,)  "  between  their  arrival  here  and  the  setting  in  of  winter,  prevented  the 
building  a  larger  and  a  better  log  house.  During  this  winter  they  became  experimentally 
acquainted  with  cold,  hunger,  and  a  variety  of  sorrows,  known  only  to  the  pioneers  of  an 
entire  new  country.  Money  was  of  but  little  use,  as  food  was  not  to  be  bought  where 
there  was  none  for  sale,  as  scarcely  any  as  yet  had  been  produced.  There  were  but  five 
families  in  the  whole  community,  who  having  come  in  die  spring  of  the  same  season,  had 
not  therefore  had  time  to  raise  but  little,  consequently  food  of  any  kind  was  scarcely  to  be 
found  among  them.  To  procure  it  from  a  distance  was  also  extremely  difficult,  there  being 
no  settlement  where  it  could  be  had,  nearer  than  old  Schoharie,  a  distance  of  about  seventy 
miles,  to  which  plnce  at  that  time  the  road  was  not  much  better  than  none  at  all. 

"  This  dreadful  winter  at  length  passed  away,  and  with  it,  in  a  measure,  their  sufferings; 
as  by  this  time  they  had  learned  of  the  Indians  how  to  catch  fish,  which  abounded  in  the 
river,  coves,  and  creeks  of  the  country.  Without  this  relief  they  must  have  finally  perished. 
But  now  a  new  scene  of  things,  such  as  they  had  never  before  witnessed,  says  Mrs.  Priest, 
were  about  to  captivate  their  attention.  March  had  begun  to  yield  its  rains ;  the  snow  lo 
feel  its  dissolving  power ;  every  rill  and  creek  of  the  mountains  to  swell  and  roar,  plunging 
forward  over  crag  and  cliff  to  the  vales  below.  The  devious  Susquehannah  began  to  out 
on  majesty,  drinking  largely  of  its  annual  libation  from  earth  and  sky,  swelling  the  heaalong 
waters,  which  as  they  rose  lifted  and  tore  away  the  ic*  from  the  shores  and  promontories. 
Loud  sounds  were  heard  to  moan  along  the  thick-ribbed  ice,  the  covering  of  the  waters 
bursting  in  ten  thousand  places  with  the  noise  of  tempests.  But  now  commenced  a  more 
ainazing  display  of  the  power  of  the  waters.  Already  its  banks  were  overflown,  and  the 
distant  forests  of  the  flats  along  the  river,  inundated  with  the  sweeping  flood  to  the  very 
base  of  the  hills.  The  broken  ice  began  to  move,  large  islands  of  it  to  rush  upon  each 
other,  still  breaking  more  and  more,  urging  its  way  forward  with  resistless  fury.  Now  the 
roar  increases,  large  fields  of  ice  plunge  into  the  woods  on  either  shore  ;  the  trees  bending, 
groan  and  snap  asunder  beneath  the  overwhelming  load,  still  passing  on  till  thrown  in  huge 
heaps  along  the  shores  and  in  the  adjacent  woods.  Still  the  main  channel  pursues  its  way, 
every  moment  adds  to  the  enormous  weight  it  bears.  As  far  as  the  eye  can  view  from 
the  tops  of  commanding  eminences,  above,  below,  all  its  commotion,  plunging  onward 
with  a  loud  and  steady  roar  till  stayed  on  some  long  level  in  the  river.  Here  it  makes  a 
stand,  or  but  slowly  moves  j  as  a  vast  army  on  the  verge  of  battle,  which  halts  to  adjust 
its  prowess,  then  to  move  again.  So  the  river  in  its  grandeur  resumed  its  course  a  mo. 
ment,  while  from  shore  to  shore  the  ice  stood  piled  in  pyramids,  chafing  up  and  down  as  if 
in  anger.  But  now  the  level  narrows  to  a  defile  between  the  mountains,  when  all  at  once 
the  mass  for  many  miles  above,  with  whirling  eddies,  stood  at  (jay.  So  halts  the  embattled 
host,  whose  scouts  descry  the  foe  ;  the  council,  cool  in  war,  debate  the  safest  mode  to  bring 
their  legions  fiercely  to  tlie  fight.  Now  suddenly  the  waters  rise  and  boil  and  foam  through 
all  its  heaps  and  ranks  of  massive  ice ;  as  generals  do,  inspiring  courage  in  the  soldier's 
brrss*.    The  upper  floods  having  gathered  head,  urge  on  with  auginented  power  its  eourac ; 


'  1 


^ 


\i 


4. 


tS2 


DUTCHESS    COUNTY. 


expectation  stands  aghast ;  the  lowing  herds  with  stupid  gaze  wonder  at  the  noise,  deer 
from  their  coverts  scamper  to  the  hills,  dogs  howl  from  fear  at  the  dismal  sounds,  horses 
snort,  bounding  with  staring  eyeballs  both  right  and  left;  when  all  at  once  the  frozen  duni 
gives  way  and  rushes  on  with  sound  of  thunder.  Fury  and  desolation  mark  its  progress, 
trees  torn  from  their  roots  plunge  here  and  there,  old  timber  with  fences  swept  from  the 
fields  and  woods,  mingle  in  the  ruin  ;  onward  roars  the  unconquered  deluge,  till  from  Otsego 
lake  to  where  tlio  frightful  Caughnawaga  dashes  to  foam  the  descending  river  with  the  sub. 
dued  and  shivered  ice :  which  ends  the  scene. 

Stamford,  taken  from  Woodstock,  and  organized  as  part  of  Ulster 
CO.  in  1792;  from  Albany  58,  from  Delhi,  centrally  distant  NE.,  16 
miles.  Pop.  1,081.  Hobart,  upon  the  Delaware  river,  is  a  village 
containing  about  80  dwellings.  Stamford  is  a  small  village  near  the 
head  of  the  river. 

Tompkins,  originally  named  Pinefield,  and  taken  from  Walton  in 
1808 ;  it  has  a  inountainous  surface.  Pop.  2,032.  Deposit  village, 
upon  the  Delaware,  and  partly  in  Broome  co.,  116  miles  from  Albany, 
40  SW.  from  Delhi,  and  on  the  Erie  railroad,  has  about  70  dwellings. 
Cannonsville  and  Barbersville  are  small  settlements. 

Walton,  taken  from  Franklin  in  1797;  from  Albany  94,  from 
Delhi,  centrally  situated  SW.,  17  miles.  Walton  village,  on  the 
Delaware,  has  about  70  dwellings,  within  the  area  of  a  mile.  Pop. 
1,844. 


DUTCHESS  COUNTY. 

Dutchess  county  was  organized  in  1683.  It  is  on  the  E.  side  of 
the  Hudson  river,  75  miles  S.  of  Albany,  and  74  N.  of  New  York. 
Greatest  length  N.  and  S.  38,  greatest  breadth  E.  and  W.  26  miles. 
This  county  is  one  of  the  most  opulent  in  the  state,  though  its  area 
has  been  reduced  by  the  erection  of  the  small  county  of  Putnam  from 
its  southern  end.  Along  the  eastern  border  towns  there  are  ranges 
of  hills  called  the  Fishkill  or  Matteawan  mountains.  Along  the  west- 
ern borders  of  these,  the  surface  is  tossed  into  ridges  and  valleys, 
knolls  and  dales,  f^incifully  diversified,  producing  a  great  variety  of 
position,  of  soil  and  aspect,  and  a  multitude  of  brooks  and  springs. 
In  the  southern  part  are  some  of  the  highest  peaks  of  the  Highlands. 
That  called  the  Old  Beacon,  two  miles  from  Matteawan  village,  and 
three  from  Fishkill  Landing,  raises  its  crest  1,471  feet,  and  the  New 
Beacon  or  Grand  Sachem,  naif  a  mile  southward,  towers  1,685  above 
tide.  Their  names  are  derived  from  the  Beacons  placed  on  their 
summits  during  the  revolution.  From  the  top  of  the  latter,  the  view 
on  the  S.  embraces  the  country  upon  the  Hudson,  for  25  miles  to 
Tappan  bay ;  on  the  SE.  includes  Long  Island  and  the  sound ;  and 
upon  the  NE.  and  W.  comprehends,  in  the  diameter  of  a  circle  50 
miles  in  extent,  scenery  of  every  diversity,  blending  the  beauties  of 
cultivation  with  the  stern  and  unchangeable  features  of  nature.  The 
principal  streams  are  the  Hudson  river  on  its  western  boundary,  Ten 


^i^E' 


DUTCHESS    COUNTY. 


133 


the  noise,  deer 
1  sounds,  horses 

the  frozen  duni 
ark  its  progress, 

swept  from  the 

till  from  Otsego 
er  with  the  sub- 

irt  of  Ulster 
int  NE.,  16 
is  a  village 
,ge  near  the 

Walton  in 
josit  villaQfe, 
rom  Albany, 
0  dwellings. 

ly  94,  from 
age,  on  the 
mile.     Pop. 


le  E.  side  of 
New  York. 
W.  26  miles. 
»ugh  its  area 
i'utnam  from 
e  are  ranges 
ng  the  west- 

and  valleys, 
it  variety  of 
and  springs. 
3  Highlands. 

village,  and 
md  the  New 

1,685  above 
ced  on  their 
ter,  the  view 

25  miles  to 
I  sound ;  and 
)f  a  circle  50 
}  beauties  of 
lature.  The 
(undary,  I'en 


&A 


Mile,  Fishkill,  and  Wappinger's  creeks.  As  a  whole,  the  county  is 
highly  fertile,  producing  abundantly  wheat,  rye,  corn,  oats,  and  grass, 
and  an  immense  amount  of  produce  is  annually  exported  to  New 
York.     This  county  is  divided  into  18  towns.     Pop.  50,926. 

Amenia,  from  Albany  75,  and  from  New  York  95  miles.  Pop. 
2,179.  Until  1761,  Amenia  was  part  of  the  Crom  Elbow  precinct, 
when  it  was  erected  into  a  separate  one,  and  in  1788,  into  a  town- 
ship with  its  present  name.  Ameniaville,  24  miles  E.  of  Poughkeep- 
sie,  is  a  small  village.  The  Amenia  Seminary,  in  Ameniaville,  has 
been  in  operation  about  5  years,  and  is  in  a  flourishing  condition. 
The  village  of  Hitchcock's  Corners,  29  miles  from  Poughkeepsie,  lies 
partly  in  this  town,  and  partly  in  Sharon,  in  the  state  of  Connecticut. 
It  is  pleasantly  situated  in  a  beautiful  and  populous  valley,  rich  in  the 
resources  of  agricultural  wealth.  The  township  comprises  the  width 
of  the  oblong  tract,  and  the  E.  tier  of  lots,  in  the  Great  Nine  Part- 
ners,—a  large  tract  from  the  Hudson  to  the  W.  line  of  Connecticut, 
granted  to  nine  proprietors  or  partners.  It  is  stated  in  Spafford's 
Gazetteer,  that  "in  1711,  Richard  Sackett  and  family  lived  on  this 
tract,  and  continued  the  only  white  family  until  1724,  when  Ulric  or 
Oliver  Winegar  removed  thither  from  the  German  Camp  in  Livings- 
ton manor,  with  a  few  other  families.  But  the  improvements  were 
very  small  until  1741,  when  several  families  emigrated  here  from 
Connecticut." 

Beekman,  organized  in  1788;  from  New  York.  NE.,  87,  from  Al- 
bany, S.,  90  miles.  Pop.  1,400.  The  Clove  vale  in  this  town,  which 
was  early  settled  by  the  Dutch,  is  extremely  fertile.  "  On  the  Sprout 
creek,  which  rises  in  this  town,  a  great  quantity  of  human  bones  have 
accidentally  been  discovered,  lying  promiscuously,  as  if  a  vast  pile 
of  human  bodies  had  here  been  made,  and  left  to  rot.  No  tradition 
has  been  preserved  of  this  event,  but  it  is  supposed  the  spot  was  once 
the  scene  ot  a  bloody  Indian  battle,  and  that  the  slain  were  hastily 
thrown  together,  probably  friends  and  foes,  and  left  to  the  raven,  the 
fox,  and  the  worm."  Beekmanville,  on  the  Fishkill,  16  miles  E., 
Greenhaven,  18,  and  Poughquake,  18  E.  of  Poughkeepsie,  are  small 
settlements.  At  the  Beekman  furnace  1,000  tons  of  pig  iron  are  an- 
nually manufactured. 

Clinton,  organized  in  1788;  NE.  from  New  York  90,  from  Al- 
bany, SE^  70,  and  from  Poughkeepsie,  NE.,  16  miles.  Clinton ville, 
J^leasant  Plains,  Clinton  Hollow,  and  Schultz  Corners,  are  small  set- 
tlements.     Pop.  1,830. 

Dover,  taken  from  Pawling  in  1807  ;  from  New  York,  N.,  80.  and 
gom  Albany,  S.,  90  miles.  This  town  was  early  settled  by  the  Dutch 
Pop.  1,999.  Dover,  South  Dover,  24  E,.  from  Poughkeepsie,  and 
GhestnutRidge,  2  miles  S.  from  Dover  village,  are  small  settlements. 
i\ear  Dover  village  is  a  remarkable  cavern,  which,  from  the  re- 
semblance  of  the  entrance  to  the  pointed  Gothic  arch,  is  called  the 
&tone  Church.  The  following  description  is  from  the  pen  of  a  late 
visiter : —  ^ 

"  The  Stone  Church  consists  of  a  fissure  in  the  rock  on  a  declivity 


134 


DUTCH KSS    COUNTY. 


Dover  Stone  Church. 


of  the  mountain,  and  near  its 
base,  through  which  passes  a 
ripi)Ung  streamlet,  which,  inits 
passage  down  until  it  reaches 
the  ground- work  or  floor  of  the 
church,  forms  numerous  and 
extensive    cascades,  some  of 
thirty  feet  in  height,  and  from 
ten  to  fifteen  in  breadth.  This 
current  has  been  looked  upon 
as  the  great  architect  of  the 
work.     The  opening,  though 
so  narrow  at  the  top  as  to  ap- 
pear almost  closed,  gradually 
widens  to  its  base,  so  that  it 
forms  a  vast  arch  of  very  con- 
^     siderable  regularity,   of  per- 
haps twenty  feet  span  and  up- 
wards.     Its  greatest  depth  is 
probably   two   hundred  feet ; 
and    the   inner    or   principal 
apartment,   (it  being  divided   into    two   spacious   halls,)    is   about 
seventy  feet  in  length,  and  is  well  lighted  and  aired  from  above.  The 
ante-chamber,  as  it  may  be  termed,  or  hall  of  entrance,  is  separated 
from  the  church  by  a  huge  mass  of  rock,  which  has  detached  itself 
from  the  side  or  roof,  and  is  aptly  styled  the  pulpit.     The  view  is 
well  fitted  to  inspire  feelings  of  devotion.     The  heart,  touched  by 
the  religious  gloom  and  solemnity  of  the  place,  acknowledges  the 
power  of  the  Creator,  and  rises  in  admiration  of  his  works." 

FisHKiLL  was  organized  in  1788.  Pop.  10,436.  This  town  was 
settled  by  the  Dutch,  previous  to  any  other  in  the  county.  Its  early 
inhabitants  called  it  Vis-kill,  that  is,  fish  creek ;  kill  being  the  Dutch 
for  creek, — hence  its  present  name.  Matteawan  is  a  beautiful  manufac- 
turing village  upon  the  Fishkill  creek,  about  a  mile  from  the  landing, 
at  the  foot  of  the  Matteawan  mountain.  It  was  founded  in  1814,  by 
Messrs.  Schcnck  and  Leonard,  about  which  time  the  Matteawan  com- 
pany was  formed.  There  are  here  several  large  cotton  mills,  and 
factories  of  various  descriptions.  There  are  about  2,000  persons 
connected  with  and  employed  in  the  works.  S.  Grosvenor  &  Com- 
pany, arc  the  agents  of  the  company  in  Now  York.  There  are  many 
neat  dwellings,  and  two  beautiful  churches,  one  Presbyterian  and  one 
Episcopalian,  at  whose  sabbath  schools  250  children  attend.  No 
intoxicating  liquors  are  permitted  to  be  sold,  and  almost  the  whole 
population  have  pledged  themselves  to  abstain  from  their  use.  "  The 
deep  valley,  with  its  cascades  and  rapids ;  the  village,  with  its  neat 
white  dwellings,  magnificent  factories,  and  ornamental  churches, 
overhung  by  the  stupendous  mountain,  render  this  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  scenes  in  the  state,  where  enlightened,  cheerful,  and  perse- 


i 


I 

i4 


DUTCHESS    COUNTY. 


135 


and  near  its 
ich  passes  a 
,  which,  in  its 
til  it  reaches 
)r  floor  of  the 
nnerous  and 
es,  some  of 
;ht,  and  from 
readth.  This 
looked  upon 
hitect  of  the 
aing,  though 
top  as  to  ap- 
sd,  gradually 
e,  so  that  it 
of  very  con- 
•ity,   of  per- 
span  and  up- 
itest  depth  is 
undred  feet ; 
or   principal 
s,)   is   about 
I  above.  The 
is  separated 
jtached  itself 
The  viev^^  is 
,  touched  by 
>wledges  the 
rks." 

is  tou'n  was 
ty.  Its  early 
ng  the  Dutch 
tiful  manufac- 
1  the  landing, 
d  in  1814,  by 
tteawan  corn- 
on  mills,  and 
1,000  persons 
enor  &  Com- 
lere  are  many 
srian  and  one 
attend.  No 
3st  the  whole 
r  use.  "  The 
,  with  its  neat 
tal  churches, 
3  of  the  most 
ji,  and  perse- 


i 


Factory  Buildings  in  Matteawan,  Fishkill. 


yering  industry  is  reaping  its  due  reward.     It  attracts  much  atten- 
tion, and  is  greatly  resorted  to  in  the  summer  season." 

Glenham,  Franklinville,  and  Rocky  Glen,  are  small  manufacturinfr 
villages.     Fishkill  Landing,  Hopewell,  New  Hackcnsack,  Carthatre, 
Upper  Landing,  Johnsonville,  Hughsonville,  Stormville.  Shenandoah, 
Cackemeyer's  Mills,  Gayhead,  and  Peckville,  are  small  villao-cs  or 
liamlets.     Fishkill  village,  on  the  creek,  5  miles  from  the  lludson 
river,  and  16  from  Poughkeepsie,  is  situated  upon  a  beautiful  plain,  in 
a  fertile  country,  and  has  about  eighty  dwellings,  an  academy,  one 
Episcopal,  and  one  Dutch  church.     A  portion  of  the  American  armv 
were  located  here  in  the  revolutionary  war.      Their  barracks  were 
about  half  a  mile  south  of  the  village.     The  head-quarters  of  the 
officers  was  the  dwelling  now  occupied  by  Isaac  Van  Wyck.  Esq 
generally  known  by  the  name  of  the  "  Wharton  House."*     The  bar' 
racks  commenced  about  30  rods  north  of  this  dwelling,  from  the  resi- 
dence of  the  widow,  Mrs.  Cornelius  Van  Wyck,  and  extended  south- 
wardly near  the  line  of  the  road  to  the  foot  of  the  mountain.      The 
soldiers'  graveyard  was  situated  r.ear  the  base  of  the  mountain,  where 
a  road  turns  off  from  the  turnpike  to  the  east.     While  the  army  was 
here,  the  tory  and  other  prisoners  were  confined  in  the  old  Dutch 
stone  church,  represented  in  the  following  engraving.  In  this  church  it 
IS  said  that  Enoch  Crosby  was  confined,  and  escaped  in  an  apparentlv 
miraculous  manner.  ^ 

The  following  is  an  inscription  on  a  uionument  in  the  eravevard 
adjoining  the  church :  *        -^      ' 


*  Tins  dwelling  nnd  its  vicinity  is  the  scene  of  "  The  Spy,"  by  J.  Frnniniore  Coooer 
Some  years  smce  a  work  was  published,  entitled  "  Enoch  Crn  by,  or  the  t^Tvln^v^kel" 
Which  attempted  to  identi  y  the  hero  of  Cooper's  novel  with  a  person  the^^iv  ng  This 
p  oduction  IS  generally  believed  to  have  but  slight  foundation  in  truth.  It  is  not  h^weve  ! 
ETrfbrn^y^'v"''  ^"^r",''  ^^  ^^-^r  "^^■""^'^  CrosI,y,and  that  some  of  t'he  adven! 


iit',  . 


136 


DUTCHESS    COUNTY. 


"  Glory  to  God  alone  !  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  the  Reverend  Nicholas  Van  Vrnncken, 
minister  of  Jehovah  Jesus,  and  Pastor  of  the  D  Uc'i  Reformed  Congregations  of  Fishkill, 
Hopewell,  and  New  Hackensuck.  This  excelleit  man  lived  tenderly  beloved,  and  died 
deeply  lamented,  by  the  people  of  his  charge.  He  was  born  the  24th  of  May,  17G2,  and 
departed  in  peace  and  rested  in  hope,  the  20th  of  May,  1804,  aged  41  years,  11  monthi 
and  19  days.  The  Lord  gave,  and  the  LorJ  lakeih  away ;  blessed  be  the  name  of  the 
Lord." 


Old  Dutch  Stone  Church,  Fishkill. 


The  following  extracts  are  from  newspapers  published  at  the  time 
to  which  they  refer  :— 

"  July  12«A,  1765. — We  hear  from  the  Fishkills,  that  for  a  week  or  two  past,  a  tigpr  or 
panther  has  been  seen  in  the  woods  in  that  neighborhood,  not  far  from  Mr.  Depeyster'a 
house.  It  had  killed  several  dogs,  torn  a  cow  so  that  she  died  the  same  day,  and  carried 
off  the  calf;  it  likewise  carried  off  a  colt  of  about  a  week  old.  Eight  men  with  their 
guns  went  in  search  of  it,  and  started  it  at  a  distance  ;  it  fled  with  great  swiftness,  and  has 
been  since  seen  at  the  Fishkills." 

"  August  28«A,  1776. — A  few  days  since  about  100  women,  inhabitants  of  Dutchess 
county,  went  to  the  house  of  Colonel  Brinkerhoff,  at  Fishkill,  and  insisted  upon  having  tea 
at  the  lawful  price  of  six  shillings  per  pound,  and  obliged  that  gentleman  to  accommodate 
them  with  one  chest  from  his  store  for  that  purpose.  Shortly  after  he  sold  his  cargo  to 
some  Yorkers,  who,  for  fear  of  another  female  attack,  forwarded  the  nefarious  stuff  to  the 
North  river  precipitately,  where  it  is  now  afloat,  but  the  women  have  placed  their  guard  on 
each  side." 

"  Forty  Dollars  Reward  will  be  paid  by  the  subscriber,  besides  all  reasonable  expences, 
for  detecting  and  bringing  to  justice,  one  or  more  of  a  gang  of  villains,  eight  or  ten  in  num. 
ber,  who,  on  the  night  of  the  17th  of  August  last,  armed  with  guns,  bayonets,  and  swords, 
surrounded  the  house  of  Mrs.  Phebe  Thomas,  on  Quaker  Hill,  in  Dutchess  county,  which 
some  of  their  number  forcibly  entered,  and  after  many  threatening  expressions,  robbed  the 
subscriber  of  the  following  articles,  viz.  180  silver  dollars,  28  guineas,  9  half  Johanneses, 
1  green  silk  purse,  opening  with  a  spring  with  a  large  silver  hook,  and  containing  between 
jE4  and  £5  in  small  silver,  with  one  guinea ;  two  pairs  of  silver  shoe  buckles ;  1  silver 
table-spoon,  marked  with  the  letters  R.  M.,  with  a  T  at  top  between  them ;  1  small  silver 
snuff-box,  marked  A.  S,;  1  large  paper  snuff-box  ;  one  silver  thimble ;  two  penknives,  (one 
with  a  mother-of-pearl  handle,)  in  cases ;  one  carved  ivory  tooth-pick  case  ;  one  lawn  hand. 
kerchief;  one  red  and  white  linen  do.;  three  cotton  stockings,  and  one  pair  of  white  yam 
knit  garters.  One  pair  of  buckles  has  been  found  upon  a  fellow,  who  went  by  the  name 
of  Williams,  who  formerly  used  to  profess  himself  a  painter  in  New  York ;  was  lately 
taken  up  on  a  charge  of  some  other  felonies,  i>nd  imprisoned  at  Kingston,  in  Ulster  county, 


DUTCHESS    COUNTY. 


137 


Van  Vrnncken, 
iona  of  Fishkill, 
loved,  nnd  died 
May,  1762,  and 
urs,  11  montha 
le  name  of  the 


.  at  the  time 


past,  a  tigpr  or 
Mr.  Depeyster'a 
day,  and  carried 
men  with  their 
.riftness,  and  haa 

ints  of  Dutchess 
upon  having  tea 
o  accommodate 
lid  his  cargo  to 
ious  stuff  to  the 
d  their  guard  on 

nable  expences, 
it  or  ten  in  num. 
3ts,  and  swords, 
3  county,  which 
ions,  robbed  the 
lalf  Johanneses, 
;aining  between 
Lickles;  1  silver 
;  1  small  silver 
penknives,  (one 
one  lawn  hand* 
r  of  white  yam 
It  by  the  name 
Drk;  was  lately 
n  Ulster  county, 


from  whence,  on  the  approach  of  the  British  incendiaries,  he  was  removed  (with  the  other 
prisoners,)  into  the  state  of  Cunnecticut,  where  he  is  now  confined. 
"  Quaker  Hill,  Nov.  5.  1777.  MARY  FERRARI." 

"  Fishkill,  February  7th,  1783. — It  is  with  pain  and  regret,  that  we  mention  the  death 
of  Lieutenant.Colonel  Barber,  who  was  unfortunately  killed  at  camp  the  lltli  ult.  The 
circumstniicra  which  led  to  this  unhappy  catastrophe,  we  are  told,  are  as  follows  :  Two 
soldiers  were  cutting  down  a  tree  ;  at  the  instant  he  came  riding  by  it  was  failinif,  which 
he  did  not  observe,  till  they  desired  him  to  take  care  ;  but  the  surprise  was  so  sudden,  and 
eiiibarrassed  his  ideas  so  much,  that  he  reined  his  horse  to  the  unfortunate  spot  where  the  tree 
fell,  which  tore  his  body  in  a  shocking  manner,  and  put  an  immediate  period  to  his  existence." 

Hyde-park,  SO  called  from  the  cou  itry  seat  of  the  late  Dr.  S.  Bard; 
taken  from  Clmton  in  1821 ;  from  New  York,  N.,  81,  and  from  Albar 
ny,  S.,  68  miles.  Pop.  2,364.  Hyde  Park  village  and  landing  are 
about  7  miles  N.  from  Poughkeepsie.  The  village  has  several  church- 
es, about  80  dwellings,  a  distinguished  female  seminary  and  a  classi- 
cal school  for  boys.  The  magnificent  seat  of  the  late  Dr.  Hosack  is 
here.     Staatsburg  is  a  post-office,  2  miles  N.  of  Hyde  Park. 

La  Grange,  originally  named  Freedom,  and  taken  from  Beekman 
and  Fishkill  in  1821  ;  from  Albany,  S.,  77,  and  from  Poughkeepsie, 
SE.,  8  miles.  Freedom  Plains.  Spouts  Creek,  and  Arthursburg,  are 
names  of  post-offices.     Pop.  1.N51. 

Milan,  taken  from  North  East  in  1818  ;  from  Albany  63  miles.  Mi- 
lan, Shookville,  25  N.,  and  Lafayette  Corners  and  Rock  City,  each 
24  miles  from  Poughkeepsie,  are  small  villages.     Pop.  1,726. 

North  East,  organized  in  1788.  The  sui'face  of  thi.s  township 
is  covered  with  portions  of  the  Taghkanic  and  Matteawan  mountains. 
The  western  mountains  are  cultivated  to  their  summits,  and  have 
excellent  lands  for  sheep  pasturage.  Spencer's  Corners,  31  NE., 
North  Amcnia,  28  NE.,  and  Federal  Store,  25  miles  NE.  from  Pough- 
keepsie, are  small  villages.  The  form  of  this  town  is  nearly  that  of 
a  boot,  10  miles  long  E.  and  W.,  5  wide  at  the  top  or  W.  end,  3 
across  the  ancle,  and  with  a  foot  7  miles  in  length.     Pop.  1,381. 

Pawling,  organized  .  in  1 788  ;  from  Poughkeepsie,  SE.,  22  miles. 
Pop.  1,571.  Pawlingville  and  Quaker  Hill  are  small  post  villages; 
the  latter  was  first  settled  by  Friends  in  1740. 

Pine  Plains,  taken  from  North  East  in  1823;  from  Albany  72 
miles.  Pine  Plains,  28  miles  NE.  from  Poughkeepsie,  has  about  40 
dwellings.  Hammertown  and  Pulver's  Corners  are  small  settlements. 
The  western  part  of  this  township  is  mountamous.  In  the  north- 
eastern part  there  was  formerly  an  extensive  plain  covered  with 
pines, — hence  the  name  of  the  town.     Pop.  1 ,324. 

Pleasant  Valley,  taken  from  Clinton  in  1821  ;  from  New  York 
84,  and  from  Albany  82  miles.  Pleasant  Valley  is  a  manufacturing 
village,  7  miles  NE.  from  Poughkeepsie,  beautifully  situated  upon  the 
right  bank  of  Wappinger's  creek,  and  has  1  Presbyterian,  1  Metho- 
dist, 1  Friends,  and  1  Episcopal  church,  and  about  100  dwellings. 
Salt  Point,  12  miles  NE.  from  Poughkeepsie,  and  Washington  Hol- 
low, are  small  vill^es.     Pop.  2,219. 

Poughkeepsie  was  organized  in  1788:  its  name  is  said  to  have 
been  derived  frorr  the  Indian  word  Apokeepsins",  .siffnifvinc  safe  kar- 

18 


J  38 


DUTCHESS    COUNTY. 


yitii 


hor.  The  face  of  the  country  along  the  Hudson  river  is  somewhat 
broken,  but  the  general  surlace  is  but  moderately  uneven.  Pop. 
10,006.  The  village  of  Poughkeepsie,  one  of  the  most  thriving  and 
substantial  places  in  the  state,  was  tirst  tbunded  by  a  number  of 
Dutch  familes  somewhere  about  the  year  1700.  Being  situated 
about  half-way  between  New  York  and  Albany,  it  occasionally  be- 
came, in  early  periodsof  its  history, the  placeof  legislative  deliberations. 
The  convention  which  met  to  deliberate  on  the  Federal  Constitution, 
and  voted  for  its  adoption,  met  in  this  place  in  1 788.  The  annexed 
engraving,  taken  from  one  published  in  the  Family  Magazine,  Dec. 
1838,  is  a  representation  of  the  first  house  erected  in  this  place.     It 


Van  Kleek  House. 

was  built  in  the  year  1702,  by  Myndert  Van  Kleek,  one  of  the  earliest 
settlers  of  Dutchess  county.  The  house  and  grounds  attached  are 
still  in  possession  of  his  descendants.  It  belonged  to  Matthew  Vas- 
sar,  Esq.,  in  1835,  the  year  in  which  this  house  was  demolished. — 
The  distant  buildinjg  seen  on  the  left,  is  that  of  the  old  brewery,  this 
ancieiit  edifice  exhibited  its  port-holes,  a  feature  so  common  in  the 
buildings  of  the  early  s(!ttlers,  they  being  necessary  for  defence  against 
th(!  original  possessors  of  the  soil.  In  1787,  this  building,  then  a 
public  liouse  of  some  note,  was  used  as  a  starlt-house ;  the  eleventh 
session  of  the  legislature  of  ibis  state  was  held  therein,  (jeorge 
Clinton  was  Itien  j^overnor  of  the  state,  and  Pierre  Van  CortlanS't, 
afterward  mayor  ol  New  York,  lieutenant-governor. 

Poughkeepsie  is  bv  the  river,  70  miles  from  Allwmy,  and  75  from 
New  York,  18  from  Kingston,  14  irom  Newburg,  and' -12  from  Hud- 
son. Population  of  the  village  in  1840,  was  7,710.  The  central  part 
of  the  village  is  nearly  a  mile  from  the  landing  place  on  the  Hudson, 
standing  on  an  elevated  plain  about  200  feet  irom  the  river.  Several 
roads  conveniently  graded,  and  the  principal  f»ne  paved,  lead  from 
the  shore  to  the  plain  above,  which  on  tli(>  north  is  overlooked  by  a 
beautiful  slate  hill,  from  which  is  n  commnnding^osi)ect  of  the  adja- 
cent country.  The  Fall  creek  or  kill  meimders  through  the  plain  on 
which  the  village  is  built,  and  firudly  pusses  into  the  Hudson  by  a 


I 


^^- 


DUTCHE33    COUNTY. 


130 


somewhat 
ven.  Pop. 
iriving  and 

number  of 
ig  situated 
5ionally  be- 
liberaticns, 
onstitution, 
lie  annexed 
azine,  Dee. 
5  place.     It 


the  earliest 
ttached  are 
tthow  Vas- 
nolisiied.  — 
ewery,  this 
non  in  the 
nee  against 
ing,  tlu-n  a 
be  eleventh 
II.  George 
I  Cortlandt, 

nd  75  from 
from  llud- 
:cntral  part 
lie  Hudson, 
I".  Several 
,  lead  from 
ooked  by  a 
L»f  the  adja- 
he  plain  on 
ud«on  by  a 


I 


\ 


succession  of  cataracts  and  cascades,  -which  together  fall  more  than 
160  feet,  affording  water-i)ower  for  a  number  of  mills  and  factories. 
There  are  11  churches,  viz :  2  Presbyterian,  2  Episcopal,  2  Meth- 
odist, 2  Friends,  1  Baptist,  1  Catholic,  and  1  African ;  there  is  also 
a  Uni\ersalist  society.  There  are  3  banks,  having  an  aggregate 
capital  of  8850,000,  3  nev^'spape'r  offices,  and  a  variety  of  manu- 
facturing establishments.  Within  the  limits  of  the  village  are  twelve 
male  and  female  schools,  all  of  which  are  of  a  superior  order. 


Poughkeepsie  Collegiate  School. 

The  above  is  a  representation  of  the  Poughkeepsie  Collegiate 
School,  erected  on  the  summit  of  an  elevated  hill  about  a  mile  from 
the  Hudson,  and  half  a  mile  northward  from  the  business  part  of  the 
village.  This  structure  is  modelled  after  the  Parthenon  at  Athens, 
and  is  35  by  115  feet  in  size,  exclusive  of  the  colonnade;  inclusive, 
77  by  137  leet.  It  cost,  exclusive  of  the  groun  1,  about  forty  thousand 
dollars.  This  institution  was  opened  for  the  reception  of  pupils  in 
Nov.,  183t),  under  the  superintendence  of  Mr.  Charles  Bartlett,  as- 
sisted by  eight  competent  teachers.  During  the  first  term,  there 
were  50  pupils;  the  second,  84;  the  thiid,  94  ;  and  the  fourth  term, 
108.  "Its  situation  is  truly  a  noble  one ;  standing  on  an  eminence 
commanding  an  extensive  view  of  almost  every  variety  of  feature 
necessary  to  the  perfection  of  a  beautiful  landscape.  From  the  col- 
onnade, which  entirely  surrounds  it,  the  eye  of  the  spectator  can 
compass  a  circuit  of  nearly  fifty  miles  :  on  the  south,  at  a  distance  of 
twenty  miles,  the  Highlands  terminate  the  view,  within  which  an 
apparent  plain  stretches  to  their  base,  covered  with  highly  cultivated 
farms,  neat  mansions,  and  thriving'  villages.  Similar  scenery  meets 
the  eye  on  the  east,  but  more  undulating.  On  the  west  and  north, 
the  Hudson  rolls  on  in  its  pride  and  beauty,  dotted  with  the  sails  of 
inland  commerce  and  numerous  steamboats,  all  laden  with  products 
of  industry  and  busy  men.  In  the  dim  distance,  the  azure  summits 
of  the  Cattskill,  ri>arcd  to  the  clouds,  stretch  away  to  the  north,  a  dis- 
tance of  forty  miles,  where  the  far-famed  '  Mountain  House'  is  dis- 
tmctly  seen,  like  a  pearl,  in  its  mountain  crest,  at  an  elevation  of 
nearly  three  thousand  leet  above  the  river.  At  our  feet,  like  a  beau- 
tiful panorama,  lies  the  village  of  Poughkeepsie,  with  its  churches,  its 
literary  institutions,  and  various  improvements  in  view,  indicating  the 
existence  of  a  liberal  spirit  of  welU'^ircctcd,  enterprise."     The  IhUch' 


!^i 


s 


md 


140 


DUTCHESS    COUNTY. 


ess  County  Academy  was  erected  in  1836,  in  the  southeast  part  of 
the  village,  at  an  expense  of  about  $14,000.  The  average  number 
of  its  pupils  is  about  one  hundred.  "  The  objects  of  this  institution 
are  to  prepare  young  men  for  college,  for  teachers  of  common  schools, 
for  the  counting-house,  or  any  of  the  active  pursuits  of  life." 

The  following  is  copied  from  the  ancient  records  in  Poughkeepsie, 
and  will  serve  to  show  one  form  of  a  legal  instrument  in  olden  times. 


Dutchess  County 


Thomas  Sanders  Esqr.  Justice  of  the  peace 

***         for  said  County  Assigned. 

To  all  Constables  and  other  officers  as  well  within  the 

[L.  S.]         said  County  as  Elsewhere  within  the  Collony  of  New 

York  to  whom  the   Execution  hereof  doth  or   may 

Concern  Greeting 

WHEREAS  I  have  Received  Information  and  Charge  against  one 
James  Jones  Lately  Come  from  Lebanon  In  ye  County  of  Windham 
In  ye  Collony  of  Conecticut  and  Liveing  in  Dutchess  County  at  the 
house  of  one  Ellexander  Griggs  Calls  him  self  a  Weaver  a  Lusty 
Well  Sott  Likely  man  full  faced  Brown  Complextioned  and  wares  a 
Black  Wigg  Irishman ;  by  birth  by  the  brogue  on  his  Spcach  Who 
is  Charged  before  me  to  be  a  Dangerous  person  and  is  suspected  to 
have  Stolen  a  Silver  Spoon  or  the  Digest  part  of  a  Silver  Spoon  ;  as 
by  a  Warrant  Produced  ;  and  the  Complaint  of  William  Derddy  of 
Lebanon  in  County  aforcs**  Some  time  in  the  month  of  this  Present 
November. 

Notwithstanding  Seavvrall  Endeavours  for  apprehensions  of  him 
he  hath  not  as  yett  been  apprehended  but  hath  withdrawn  himself 
and  fled — Lately  from  Lebanon  in  ye  County  of  Windham  In  ye 
Colloney  of  Conecticut  and  is  Come  to  our  County  of  Dutchess  These 
are  therefore  in  his  majesties  name  to  Command  you  and  Every  of 
You  to  make  diligent  Search  within  your  Several!  Precincts  and 
Districts  for  said  James  Jones  and  to  make  hue  and  Cry  after  him 
from  Town  to  Town  and  from  County  to  County  and  that  as  well 
by  horsemen  as  footmen  according  to  Law  and  if  you  shall  fmd  the 
said  James  Jones  that  then  you  do  Carry  him  before  some  one  of  his 
majesties  Justice  of  the  Peace  Within  the  County  or  place  Wha-e  he 
shall  be  takim  to  be  Dealth  withall  according  to  Law  Hereof  fails 

not  at  your  perrills Given  Under  my  Hand  In  Dutchess 

County  this  Seventeenth  Day  of  Novert\ber  In  the  fourth  year  of  our 

Reaign  And  lu  the  Year  of  our  Lord  God  Everlasting  An"   1730 

To  Franc  Cooll  High  Constapel     _,.  'Si' , 

In  Dufhcss  County  mirsue  After     ^  "*^  "^^^^  '^^  f 

the  Person  In  this  Hue  and  Cry  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


The  mark  of  X   Thomas  Sanders 


Red  Hook,  taken  from  Rhinebeck  in  1812;  from  Albany  55,  and 
from  New  York  96  miles.  Pop.  2,833.  Red  Hook  is  a  sma'll  village, 
25  miles  N.  from  Poughkeepsie.  Upper  Red  Hook,  Barrytown,  and 
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DUTCHE3S    COUNTY. 


141 


Rhinebeck,  organized  in  178.8,  is  centrally  distant  from  Poueh- 
keepsie  17,  from  Albany  57,  and  from  N.  York  91  miles.  Pop.  2,749. 
The  surface  of  the  township  in  the  eastern  part  is  rollinw,  in  the 
western  it  is  level.  The  Rhinebeck  flats,  near  the  centre,  aTe  noted 
for  easy  culture  and  fertility :  the  Wirtemburg  tract,  in  the  SE.  part 
of  the  town,  has  a  light  soil,  which  has  been  rendered  productive  by 
the  use  of  plaster.  This  town  was  settled  at  an  early  period,  by 
some  German  families,  and  derives  its  name  from  the  river  Rhine  in 
Germany,  and  Beekman,  an  original  proprietor.  Much  of  the  land 
was  formerly  holden  in  large  tracts,  and  leased  out  to  tenants  in  small 
farms.  The  village  of  Rhinebeck  Flats  was  incorporated  in  1834, 
and  IS  3  miles  E.  from  the  Hudson.  It  contains  a  Dutch  Reformed 
and  a  Methodist  church,  an  Academy,  with  upwards  of  100  houses 
J!l  ^Kr^^^.'^^^J"'  J^'^i^^beck  Landing',  on  the  river,  is  90  miles  from 
New  York  and  55  from  Albany. 


Methodist  Church  and  Academy,  at  Rhinebeck. 

The  above  is  an  eastern  view  of  the  Methodist  church  and  the 
Academy  m  the  central  part  of  the  village.     The  Methodist  church, 
a  plam  but  substantial  stone  structure,  is  seen  on  the  left,  and  the 
Academy  on  the  right.     The  church  was  erected  in  1822 ;  the  Rev 
l-reeborn  Garrettson,  a  resident  of  this  town,  contributed  laftely  to 
Its  erection.     Mr.  Garrettson  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  Meth- 
odist  denomination  in  this  part  of  the  state,  and  on  account  of  his 
labors  to  promote  the  cause  of  Christianity,  and  of  his  exemplary  lifa. 
his  memory  is  deservedly  cherished  with  respect  and  affection.     Mr. 
G.  was  born  m  Maryland  in  1752.     His  parents  were  members  of 
kI     .!u     I  ^"g.'^n'^'i^nd  educated  their  children  in  the  same  faith. 
M  ?u^    f  beginning  of  the  American  revolution,  some  of  the  tirst 
Methodist  preachers  who  came  over  to  America  labored  in  the  vi- 
cinity  of  his  ti^her  s  residence.     He  joined  the  Methodist  society,  and 
soon  after  became  a  travelling  preacher.     He  was  remarkably  con- 
Bcientious  in  the  performance  of  whatever  he  considered  his  duty. 
Being  convinced  that  slaveholding  was  wrong,  he  gave  his  slaves  their 
Ireedom.  telling  them,  that  they  did  not  belong  to  him,  and  he  did  not 
desire  their  services,  without  n.nLiii.T  tho.r,  « .« .:,._      u-...- 


)ljl 


142 


ERIE    COUNTY. 


conscientious  scruples  which  deterred  him  from  taking  the  prescribed 
state  oath,  during  the  revolutionary  period,  he  suffered  some  persecu- 
tions on  this  account.  In  one  instance,  he  was  seized  by  a  mob,  who 
took  him  to  a  magistrate,  by  whom  he  was  ordered  to  prison.  While 
part  of  the  mob  were  taking  him  thither,  they  were  dispersed  by  a 
remarkable  flash  of  hghtning,  and  he  was  left  unmolested.  In  1788, 
Mr.  Garrettson  was  appointed  presiding  elder  for  the  district  north 
of  New  York,  then  including  all  the  circuits  from  New  Rochelle  to 
Lake  Champlain.  In  1793,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Livingston, 
daughter  of  .ludge  Livingston,  of  Clermont,  in  the  manor  of  Livings- 
ton. In  1799,  a  mansion-house  was. erected  on  the  bank  of  the 
Hudson,  in  Rhinebcck,  where  his  family  were  settled  during  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  inscription  on 
his  monument,  in  the  graveyard  attached  to  the  church  represented 
in  the  engraving. 

"  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  the  Rev.  Freeborn  Garrettson,  an  itinerant  minister  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  commenced  his  itinerant  ministry  in  the  year  1775.  In 
this  work  he  continued  until  his  death,  laboring  with  great  diligence  and  success  in  various 
parts  of  the  United  States  and  of  Nova  Scotia.  He  died  in  peace,  in  the  city  of  New 
York,  September  27th,  1827,  in  the  76!h  year  of  his  age,  and  52d  of  his  minis'rv.— '  Mark 
the  perfect  man,  and  behold  the  upright,  for  the  end  of  that  man  is  pence,'  ?saliu  xxxvi. 

37.—'  I  have  fought  the  good  fight,  I  have  finished  my  course,  I  have  kept  the  faith  : 

Henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  of  righteousness,  which  the  Lord,  the  righteous 
judge  Bhall  give  me  at  that  day,  and  not  to  me  only,  but  all  them  also  that  love  his  appear- 
ing,' 11  Tim.  iv.7,  8." 

Stanford,  taken  from  Washington  in  1788;  from  New  York  110, 
and  from  Albany  78  miles.  Pop.  2,278.  Stanford,  with  Clinton  ana 
Washington,  comprised  Charlotte  precinct  before  the  revolution. 
This  precinct  has  been  settled  about  100  years.  Bangall,  20  miles 
NE.  from  Poughkeepsie,  Attlebury,  Old  Attlebury,  Separate,  Hull's 
Mills,  Stewart's  Corners,  and  Bare  Market,  are  small  settlements. 

Union  Vale,  taken  from  Beekman  and  La  Grange  in  1827;  from 
New  York  75,  from  Albany  90,  and  from  Poughkeepsie,  E.,  15  miles. 
Pop.  1,499.     Verbank  and  Clove  are  post-offices. 

Washington,  organized  in  1788  ;  from  Poughkeepsie,  E.,  16  miles. 
Pop.  ^833.  The  principal  portion  of  the  early  settlers  were  Friends 
or  Qimkers,  from  Long  Island  and  the  eastern  states.  Mechanics- 
ville,  15  miles  E.  of  Poughkeepsie,  and  Hartsville,  are  small  villages. 
At  the  former  place  is  the  Nine  Partners  Orthodox  Friends  school 
which  was  established  in  1797,  and  is  now  flourishing. 


ERIE  COUNTY.  ^ 

Erie  county  was  taken  from  Niagara  county  in  1821.  Greatest 
length  N.  and  S.  44,  and  greatett  breadth  E.  and  W.  30  miles. 
Centrally  distant  from  New  York  857,  from  Albany,  W.,  298  miles. 
Xiake  Erie  and  the  Niacara  river  form  ita  waatom  K.>i,n/4artr    <u.> 


^  prescribed 
ne  persecu- 
i  mob,  who 
on.  While 
)ersed  by  a 
.  In  1788, 
strict  north 
Rochelle  to 
Livingston, 
of  Livings- 
anli  of  the 
"ing  the  re- 
cription  on 
represented 

minister  of  the 
year  1775.  In 
cess  in  various 
e  city  of  New 
iii.s»r7. — '  Mark 
'  Fsaliii  xxxvi. 
pt  the  faith  : — 
1,  the  righteous 
3ve  his  appear. 

York  110, 
Clinton  ana 
revolution, 
ill,  20  miles 
rate,  Hull's 
ements. 
1827;  from 
1.,  15  miles. 

u,  16  miles. 
?re  Friends 
Mechanics- 
ill  villages, 
ids  school 


Greatest 

30  milei. 

298  miles. 


KKIE    COUNTY. 


143 


\ 


\Aiii 


I 


Tonawanta  creek  its  northern,  and  the  Cattaraugus  its  southern. 
The  many  streams  which  empty  into  Lake  Eric  furnish  fine  mill  sites. 
The  Erie  canal  enters  the  Tonawanta  creek  on  the  northern  border  ; 
from  which  a  towing  path  has  been  constructed  along  the  bank  of 
the  creek,  which  is  used  as  a  canal  12  miles  to  the  Tonawanda  vil- 
lage, a  short  distance  above  its  junction  with  Niagara  river,  near 
Grand  Island.  A  railroad  connects  Buffalo  with  the  village  at  Niag- 
ara Falls,  and  one  with  the  Black  Rock  ferry.  The  surface  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  county  is  level  or  gently  undulating ;  the  southern 
is  more  diversified,  but  no  part  is  hilly.  Generally  the  soil  is  good ; 
consisting  in  the  northern  half,  of  warm,  sandy,  and  gravelly  loam, 
occasionally  mixed  with  clay,  and  adapted  to  wheat ;  in  the  southern, 
clay  prevails,  and  is  productive  of  grass.  Both  portions  yield  excel- 
lent and  various  fruits.  About  one  third  of  the  land  is  under  im- 
provement. The  whole  county  was  within  the  Holland  Land  Com- 
pany's purchase,  excepting  a  strip  a  mile  wide  on  the  Niagara  river. 
The  county  has  21  towns.     Pop.  62,251. 

Alden,  taken  from  Clarence  in  1823;  from  Albany  272  miles. 
Pop.  1,984.     Alden,  20  miles  E.  of  Buffalo,  is  a  small  village. 

Amherst,  taken  from  Buffalo  in  1818;  from  Albany  283  miles. 
Pop.  2,440.  Williamsville,  10  miles  NE.  from  Buffalo,  is  a  thriving 
village  containing  about  50  dwellings. 

Aurora  was  erected  in  1818,  when  the  former  town  of  Willink 
was  divided  into  3  towns,  Aurora,  Wales,  and  Holland,  abolishing 
the  name  of  Willink,  which  had  been  given  in  honor  of  one  of  the 
principal  proprietors  of  the  Holland  Land  Company.  It  has  an  un- 
dulating surl'ace,  soil  clay  and  gravelly  loam.  Pop.  2,909.  Aurora 
village  is  15  miles  SE.  from  Buffalo  ;  it  contains  about  700  inhabit- 
ants, 1  Presbyterian  and  1  Methodist  church,  and  150  dwellings. 
The  Baptists  are  the  most  numerous  denomination  in  the  village,  and 
occupy  the  Presbyterian  church  one  half  of  the  time.  The  hydraulic 
privileges  within  one  fourth  of  a  mile  from  the  village  are  very  great, 
and  can  be  used  to  almost  any  extent.  Griffin's  Mills  is  a  small  set- 
tlement 3  miles  SW.  from  Aurora.  The  Aurora  Seminary  was 
incorporated  in  1833. 

Boston,  taken  from  Eden  in  1817  ;  from  Albany  289,  from  Buffalo, 
SE.,  18  miles.  The  land  is  elevated,  the  soil  a  moist  or  wet  loam, 
and  adapted  for  grass.  Boston,  Boston  Centre,  and  North  Boston,  are 
small  settlements.     Pop.  1,746. 

Black  Rock,  recently  organized,  comprises  what  was  formerly  the 
southern  part  of  tiie  town  of  Buffalo,  The  village  of  Black  Rock  is 
in  two  divisions,  the  upper  and  lower.  The  post-office,  which  is  in 
the  south  part,  is  3  miles  from  Buffalo,  opposite  the  village  of  Water- 
loo on  the  Canada  side. 

The  following  is  a  distant  northern  viewof  part  of  the  village  of  Black 
Rock ;  the  Canada  side,  on  which  is  the  village  of  Waterloo,  is  seen 
on  the  right  and  Lake  Eric  in  the  extreme  distance.  A  ferry  bout 
nlies  between  Waterloo  and  the  south  part  of  Black  Rock  village. 
Niagara  river  at  this  point  is  three  fourths  nf  a  ivMo  wide,  20  loot 


'MM 


144 


ERIE   COUNTY. 


Distant  view  of  Black  Rock  and  vicinity. 

deep,  and  runs  with  a  current  of  6  miles  an  hour.  The  harbor  of 
Black  Rock  is  4,505  yards  long  from  N.  to  S.,  and  from  88  to  220 
yards  broad,  containing  an  area  of  136  acres.  It  begins  in  the  lake 
opposite  Buffalo,  at  Bird  island,  and  is  continued,  by  a  mole  of  double 
wooden  cribs  filled  in  with  stone  18  feet  wide  and  2,915  yards  long, 
to  Squaw  island,  and  is  raised  from  1  to  4  feet  above  the  surface  of  the 
river,  rising  gradually  towards  the  north.  A  dam  at  the  end  of  Squaw 
island,  connecting  it  with  the  main  land,  raises  the  water  about  4|  feet 
to  the  level  of  the  lake.  The  average  depth  of  the  water  in  this  harbor 
is  15  feet.  By  means  of  the  dam,  great  water-power  is  obtained,  and 
mills  of  various  kinds  are  established  at  the  lower  village.  The  vil- 
lage of  Black  Rock  contains  about  350  dwellings,  and  2,000  inhabit- 
ants. 

Black  Rock,  in  common  with  other  places  on  the  Niagara  fron- 
tier, was  ravaged  and  burnt  by  the  enemy  in  December,  1813.  On 
the  11th  of  July  previous,  the  British  made  an  attack  on  the  place. 
The  following  particulars  of  this  event  are  compiled  from  the  Buffalo 
Gazette. 

"  The  British  troops  which  crossed  over  at  Black  Rock  on  the  10th  inst,  were  commanded 
by  Cols.  Bishop  and  Warren.  They  crossed  the  Niagara  below  Squaw  island,  and  marched 
far  above  the  iiiivy  yard  before  any  alarm  was  given.  The  detached  militia  being  surprised, 
retreated  up  the  beach,  and  left  the  enemy  in  quiet  possession  of  the  village,  who  proceeded 
to  burn  the  sailors'  barracks  and  block-houses  at  the  great  battery.  They  then  proceeded 
to  the  batteries,  dismounted  and  spiked  three  12  pounders,  and  took  away  3  field-piecea 
and  one  12  pounder;  they  took  from  a  storehouse  a  quantity  of  whiskey,  salt,  flour,  pork, 
&.C.,  which,  with  four  citizens,  they  took  across  the  river.  At  the  first  moment  of  the  alann, 
Gen.  Porter  left  Black  Rock  for  Buffalo,  at  which  place  he  assembled  a  body  of  volunteer* 
and  a  few  regulars,  which,  with  100  militia  and  25  Indians,  formed  a  junction  about  a  mile 
from  the  enemy.  After  being  formed,  with  the  mililia  and  Indians  on  the  flanks  and  the 
volunteers  and  the  regulars  in  the  centre,  they  attacked,  and  the  enemy,  after  a  contest  of 
20  minutes,  retreated  in  the  utmost  confusion  to  the  beach,  embarked  in  several  of  our 
boats,  and  pulled  for  the  opposite  shore  ;  all  the  boats  got  off"  without  ir\jury,  except  the  last, 
which  suffered  severely  from  our  fire,  and  from  appearance  neatly  all  the  men  in  her  were 
killed  or  wounded.  The  British  lost  8  killed  on  the  field,  besides  those  killed  and  wounded 
in  the  boats.  We  took  15  prisoners,  who  were  sent  to  Batavia.  Capt.  Saunders,  of  the 
British  4i)th,  was  wounded  while  stepping  into  his  boat ;  he  was  conveyed  to  Gen.  Porter's 
house.  He  states  that  Col.  Bishop  was  badly  wounded  and  carried  into  the  boat,  and  says 
also,  thatNevernl  killed  and  woimded  were  carried  into  the  boats.  On  our  side.  Sergeant 
Hartinan,  .Fouailian  Thcuiipson,  and  Joseph  Wright  were  killed,  and  5  wounded,  2  of  whom 
vero  Indians.    The  Indiana  behaved  well  and  eonimitted  no  act  of  cpjeltv.    They  fought 


ERIE    COUNTY. 


145 


;  harbor  of 
n  88  to  220 

in  the  lake 
e  of  double 
yards  long, 
irface  of  the 
id  of  Squaw 
bout  4 1  feet 

this  harbor 
•tained,  and 
.  The  vil. 
)00  inhabit- 

agara  fron- 

1813.     On 

the  place. 

the  Buffalo 


re  commanded 
I,  and  marched 
ieing  surprised, 
ivho  proceeded 
hen  proceeded 
r  3  field-pieces 
lit,  flour,  pork, 
It  of  the  alarm, 
■  of  volunteers 
n  about  a  mile 
flanks  and  the 
sr  a  contest  of 
several  of  our 
xcept  the  last, 
in  in  her  were 
I  and  wounded 
mders,  of  the 

Gen.  Porter's 
boat,  and  says 
side.  Sergeant 
sd,  2  of  whom 

They  fought 


! 


\ 


because  they  were  friendly  to  the  United  States,  and  because  their  own  possessions,  which 
are  very  valuable,  were  in  danger  of  invasion.  Tlipy  are  opposed  to  ('ros.=iii!f  the  river 
to  fight,  but  are  ready  to  meet  the  enemy  at  the  threshold  in  defence  of  the  country  whieh 
protects  them.  Maj.  King  was  at  Black  Rock  overnight,  and  was  present  and  assisted  in 
the  action.  Two  hundred  regulars  have  arrived  from  Erie  at  Black  Rock,  where  they  are 
to  be  stationed." 

Fort  Erie,  about  a  mile  S.  from  the  ferry  at  Waterloo  on  the  Can- 
ada side,  was  a  post  of  much  importance  during  the  last  war.  After 
the  battle  at  Niagara,  the  Americans  fell  back  to  Fort  Erie,  of  which 
they  had  previously  taken  possession.  This  fortress  is  situated  on 
the  margin  of  the'  lake,  at  its  outlet  into  the  Niagara  river ;  being 
nearly  a  horizontal  plain  15  feet  above  the  level  of  the  water,  it  pos- 
sesses no  natural  advantage's.  On  the  13th  of  Aug.,  1814,  the  British 
troops,  having  invested  the  fort,  opened  a  brisk  cannonade,  which  was 
returned  from  the  American  batteries.  At  sunset  on  the  14th,  one 
of  their  shells  lodged  in  a  small  magazine,  which  blew  up  without  any 
injurious  effects.  The  following  account  of  the  assault  which  took 
place  a  few  hours  afterward,  is  taken  from  "  Perkins'  History  of  the 
Late  War" 

"  Gen.  Gaines,  expecting  an  assault  in  the  course  of  the  night,  kept  his  men  constantly 
at  their  posts.  The  night  was  dark,  and  the  eariy  part  of  it  rainy ;  at  2  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  the  British  columns,  enveloped  in  darkness,  were  distinctly  heard  approaching  the 
American  lines.  The  infantry  under  Maj.  Wood,  .ind  Captain  Towson's  artillery,  opened 
a  brisk  fire  upon  them.  The  sheet  of  fire  from  this  corps,  enabled  Gen.  Gaines  lo  discover 
this  column  of  the  British,  Ij.'iOO  strong,  approacliing  the  American  left.  The  infantry  were 
protected  by  a  hue  of  loose  brush  representing  an  abattis  bordering  on  the  river.  The 
British,  in  attempting  to  pass  round  this,  plunged  into  the  water  breast  high.  The  com- 
manding general  was  about  to  order  a  detachment  of  riflemen  to  supp(jrt  ^laj.  Wood,  but 
was  assured  by  him  that  he  could  maintain  his  position  withou*  a  reinforcement.  Tho 
British  columns  were  twice  repulsed,  and  soon  afterward  fled  in  confusion.  On  the  right, 
the  lines  were  lighted  by  a  brilliant  discharge  of  musketry  and  cannon,  which  announced 
the  approach  of  the  centre  and  left  columns  of  the  enemy.  The  latter  met  the  veteran  9th 
regiment,  and  Burton's  and  Harding's  companies  of  volunteers,  aided  by  a  6  pounder,  and 
were  repulsed.  The  centre  column,  under  Col.  Drurnmond,  approached  at  the  same  time 
the  most  assailable  points  of  the  fort,  and  with  scaling  ladders  ascended  the  parapet,  but 
were  driven  back  with  great  carnage.  The  assault  was  twice  repeated,  and  as  often  check- 
ed ;  this  column,  concealed  by  the  darkness  of  the  night  and  the  clouds  of  snujke  which 
rolled  from  the  cannon  and  musketry,  then  passed  round  the  ditch,  repeated  their  charge, 
reascended  their  ladders,  and  with  their  pikes,  bayonets,  and  spears,  fell  upon  the  artillerists. 
Most  of  the  oflicers,  and  many  of  the  men,  received  deadly  wounds.  Lieut.  McUonough 
being  severely  wounded,  and  in  the  power  of  the  enemy,  surrendered  and  demanded  ipiar- 
ter;  Col.  Drunmiond,  refusing  it,  drew  a  pisto!  and  shot  him  dead.  In  a  moment  after- 
ward, as  he  was  repeating  the  order  to  give  no  quarters.  Col.  Druminond  was  shot  through 
the  heart.  The  bastion  was  now  in  the  possession  of  the  British.  The  battle  raged  with 
increased  fury  on  the  right;  reinforcements  were  ordered  and  promp'ly  furnished  from  Maj. 
Wood's  corps  on  the  left.  Cai)t.  Fanning  kept  up  a  spirited  and  destructive  fire  from  hi.i 
artillery  on  the  enemy  as  they  were  approaching  the  fort.  Majs.  Hindman  and  Trimble, 
failing  to  drive  tho  British  from  the  bastion,  with  the  remaining  artillerists  and  iiitluitiy, 
and  Capt.  Birdsall's  detachment  of  riflemen,  rushed  in  through  the  gateway,  to  ilie  assist. 
ance  of  the  right  wing,  and  made  a  resolute  charge.  A  detachment,  under  Maj.  Hall,  was 
introduced  ever  the  interior  of  the  bastion,  for  the  purpose  of  chara-ing  the  Bri'ish,  who  siill 
held  possession,  but  the  narrowness  of  the  passage,  admitting  only  2  or  3  abreast,  prevented 
its  accomplishment,  and  they  were  obliged  to  retire.  At  this  nu)inent,  every  opt  ration  was 
arrested  by  tho  explosion  of  the  principal  macazine,  containing  a  large  quantity  nC  ctiriiidges 
and  powder,  in  the  end  of  a  stone  building  adjoining  the  contested  bastion.  VVlie  her  this 
was  the  eflect  of  accident  or  design,  was  not  known.  The  explosion  was  tremenduiis,  and 
its  efl'ecta  decisive.  Tho  British  in  possession  of  the  bastion  were  destroyed  in  a  nioiiieiit. 
As  soon  as  the  tunmlt  occasioned  by  that  event  htid  subsided,  Capt.  BiddiC  i)iisti  d  ;r  li(  Id. 
piece,  so  as lu  enfilade  the  exterior  plain,  and  the  salient  glacis.    I'anmng's  battery  ni  the 

19 


m. 


146 


ERIE    COUNTY. 


same  time  opened  on  the  British  who  were  now  returning.  In  a  few  minutes  they  were  all 
driven  from  the  works,  leaving  222  killed,  174  wounded  on  the  field,  nnd  186  prisoners. 
To  tiiese  losses  are  to  be  added,  those  killed  on  the  left  flank  by  Maj.  Wood's  infantry  and 
Towson's  artillery,  and  floated  down  the  Niagara,  estimated  in  the  official  reports  at  200. 
The  American  loss  during  the  bombardment  of  the  13ih  anil  14lh,  was  9  killed,  and  36 
wounded,  and  in  the  assault  of  the  night  of  the  14th,  17  killed,  56  wounded,  and  11  mis.sing." 

The  British  troops  still  continuing  their  investment  of  Fort  Erie, 
on  the  17th  of  September  a  part  of  the  American  garrison  made  a 
sortie,  and  took  the  British  works  about  500  yards  in  front  of  their 
line.  The  British  had  two  batteries  on  their  left,  which  annoyed  the 
fort,  and  were  about  opening  a  third.  Their  camp  was  about  2  miles 
distant,  sheltered  by  a  wood  ;  their  works  were  garrisoned  with  one 
third  of  their  infantry,  from  1,200  to  1,500  men,  and  a  detachment  of 
artillery. 

"  Early  on  the  morning  of  the  17th,  General  Porter,  with  a  large  detachment,  was  order- 
ed to  penetrate  through  the  woods  by  a  circuitous  route,  and  get  between  the  British  main 
body  and  their  batteries;  while  General  Miller  was  directed  to  take  a  position  in  the  ravine, 
between  the  American  lines  and  the  baticries,  nnd  attack  them  in  front.  The  advance  of 
Gen.  Porter's  connnand  consisted  of  two  hundred  riflemen,  under  Colonel  (Jibson.  The 
right  cohnnn,  of  400  infantry,  commanded  by  Col.  Wood  ;  the  left,  under  Gen.  Davis,  of 
500  militia,  designed  to  act  as  a  reserve,  and  to  hold  in  cheek  any  reinforcements  from 
the  British  main  body.  Gen.  Porter's  corps  carried  the  blockhouse  in  the  rear  of  the  third 
battery  by  storm,  the  magazine  was  blown  up,  and  the  garrison  made  prisoners.  The 
leaders  of  the  3  divisions  under  Gen.  Porter,  all  fell  nearly  at  the  same  time ;  Col.  Gib- 
son, at  the  head  of  the  riflemen,  at  the  second  battery,  and  Gen.  Davis  and  Col.  Wood  in 
an  assault  upon  the  first.  While  these  transactions  were  taking  place  in  the  rear  of  the 
enemy's  works.  General  Miller  in  front  penetrated  between  the  first  and  second  batteries, 
and  aided  by  the  operations  of  Gen.  Porter  in  the  rear,  succeeded  in  carrying  them.  With- 
in  30  minutes  from  the  commencement  of  the  action,  2  batteries,  2  blockhouses,  and  the 
whole  line  of  entrenchments  were  in  possession  of  the  Americans ;  and  immediately  after- 
ward, the  other  battery  was  abandoned  by  the  British.  Gen.  Ripley  was  now  ordered  up 
with  the  reserve,  and  at  the  close  of  the  action,  was  dangerously  wounded  in  the  neck. 
Strong  reinfurcements  from  the  British  main  body  arrived  while  the  Americans  were  en- 
gaged in  destroying  the  works,  and  took  part  in  the  action.  The  object  of  the  sortie  being 
fully  accomplished,  the  American  troops  were  ordered  to  return  to  the  fort.  During  the 
action.  Gen.  Porter,  in  pa.ssing  from  the  right  to  the  left  column  of  his  detachment,  accom- 
panied  with  only  2  or  3  officers,  suddenly  found  himself  within  a  few  yards  of  a  body  of 
60  British  soldiers,  who  had  just  emerged  from  a  ravine,  and  were  hesitating  which  way  to 
go.  The  general  immediately  advanced,  and  ordered  them  to  surrender;  approaching" the 
first  man  on  the  left,  he  took  his  musket,  and  pushed  him  towards  the  American  lines :  in 
this  way  he  proceeded  nearly  through  the  whole  company,  most  of  the  men  voluntarily 
throwing  down  their  arms,  and  retiring  towards  the  fort :  when  on  a  .sudden,  a  soldier, 
whose  musket  the  general  was  about  to  seize,  presented  the  bayonet  to  his  breast,  and  de- 
manded uis  .surrender.  Gen.  Porter  seized  the  mui-ket,  and  was  about  wrenching  it  from 
him,  when  he  was  seized  by  a  British  officer,  and  3  or  4  men  who  stood  in  the  ranks,  and 
thrown  on  the  ground.  He  succeeded  in  gaining  his  feet,  when  he  found  himself  sur- 
rounded by  15  or  20  men,  with  their  guns  presented  at  him,  demanding  his  surrender.  By 
this  time,  several  American  officers  with  a  number  of  men  weie  advancing  to  the  scene  of 
action.  Gen.  Porter,  now  assuming  an  air  of  composure  and  decision,  told  them  they 
were  now  surrounded  and  prisoners,  and  if  they  fired  a  gun  they  should  all  be  put  to  the 
sword.  By  this  time  a  company  of  Cayuga  riflemen  had  arrived,  and  after  a  momentary 
scene  of  confusion  and  carnage,  the  whole  British  party  were  killed,  or  made  prisoners." 

The  American  loss  was  79  killed,  432  wounded  and  missing.  The 
British  loss,  as  estimated  by  the  American  commander,  was  500  in 
killed  and  wounded :  385  prisoners  were  taken,  and  their  advance 
works  were  destroyed.  On  the  night  of  the  21st,  Gen.  Drummond, 
after  an  investment  of  50  days,  broke  up  his  camp,  and  retired  to  his 
intrenchments  behind  Chippewa  river. 


they  were  all 
186  prisoners. 
3  infnntry  and 
ports  at  200. 
killed,  and  36 
1  11  missing," 

Fort  Erie, 
on  made  a 
it  of  their 
inoyed  the 
•ut  2  miles 
1  with  one 
chment  of 


It,  was  order. 
British  main 
in  ilif  ravine, 
c  advance  of 
Jibson.  The 
en.  Davis,  of 
'cnients  from 
r  of  the  third 
soners.  The 
le ;  Col.  Gib. 
'ol.  Wood  in 
B  rear  of  the 
)nd  batteries, 
liem.  With. 
uses,  and  the 
'diately  after. 
jv  ordered  up 
in  the  neck, 
ans  were  en. 
;  sortie  being 
During  the 
ncnt,  accom. 
of  a  body  of 
vhich  way  to 
iroaching  the 
:an  lines :  in 
1  voluntarily 
m,  a  soldier, 
east,  and  de- 
ching  it  from 
e  ranks,  and 
himself  sur. 
"render.  By 
the  scene  of 
i  them  they 
be  put  to  the 
I  momentary 
)risoner8." 

ng.  The 
as  500  in 
advance 
•ummond, 
red  to  his 


ERIE    COUNTY. 


147 


Immediately  after  the  unfortunate  termination  of  the  battle  of 
Queenstown,  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  resigned  the  command  to  Gen. 
Smyth,  and  retired  from  the  service.  Upon  taking  the  command, 
Gen.  Smyth  issued  two  proclamations  to  the  citizens  of  New  York, 
one  of  which  was  an  appeal  to  their  patriotism,  and  calling  upon  them 
to  join  him  in  an  expedition  to  conquer  Canada  and  secure  peace  to 
the  American  frontier.  This  call  was  answered,  and  a  highly  re- 
spectable force  assembled  for  the  expedition.  The  result  of  this  en- 
terprise is  thus  given  in  Perkirs'  History  of  the  Late  War. 

"  On  the  27th  of  November,  1812,  the  military  force  collected  at  Black  Rock,  under  Gen. 
Smyth,  prepared  for  the  invasion  of  Canada,  amounted  to  4,500  effective  men,  consisting 
of  New  York  voluMtccrs  under  Gen.  Porter,  and  regulars  and  volunteers  from  Pennsylvania 
and  Baltimore :  85  boats  were  prepared  for  crossing  the  river,  capable  of  transporting  at 
once  the  necessary  artillery  and  3,500  men.  On  the  night  of  the  27th,  two  parties  were 
sent  over,  one  under  Colonel  Boerlster,  and  the  other  under  Capt.  King,  assisted  by  a  com- 
pany  of  marines,  under  Lieut.  Angus,  to  destroy  the  British  batteries.  They  effectually  ac- 
coiniiiished  this  object,  routed  the  enemy,  spiked  their  guns,  and  drove  them  from  the 
shore.  Capt.  K'mtx,  in  attempting  to  return,  was  captured,  with  two  boats  belonging  to  his 
party.  Colonel  Winder,  with  a  party  of  250  men,  in  attempting  to  land  at  a  difficult  point 
on  the  river,  was  prevented  by  the  rapidity  of  the  current,  and  obliged  to  return  to  the 
American  side.  The  general  embarkation  commenced  in  the  morning  of  the  28th,  but 
was  not  completed  until  afternoon.  They  then  moved  up  the  stream  from  the  navy  yard 
to  Black  Rock,  and  were  ordered  by  Gen.  Smyth  to  disembark  and  dine.  After  dinner, 
the  expedition  was  postponed  to  a  future  day.  This  attempt  gave  the  enemy  full  notice  of 
the  plans  of  the  American  general.  The  two  following  days  were  employed  in  preparations 
for  a  second  attempt.  At  3  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  1st  of  December,  the  embarka. 
tion  commenced  a  second  lime  ;  the  regulars  on  the  right.  Gen.  Tanehills's  brigade  in  the 
centre,  and  the  New  York  volunteers  on  the  left.  Gen.  Porter,  accompanied  by  Majs. 
Chapin  and  Macomb,  Capt.  Mills  of  the  cavalry,  and  Adj.  Chace,  with  two  pilots,  took  hia 
station  in  the  front  boat,  hoisted  his  flag,  and  advanced  to  the  head  of  the  line  to  lead  the 
expedition. 

"  The  troops,  in  fine  spirits  and  in  eager  expectation,  awaited  their  orders  from  Gen. 
Smyth,  when,  after  considerable  delay,  they  were  given,  not  to  proceed  to  the  Canada 
shure,  but  to  disembark  and  go  into  winter  quarters.  Nothing  could  exceed  the  chagrin 
and  disappointment  of  the  troops  upon  this  occasion  ;  disorder  and  insubordination  ensued  ; 
Gen.  Smyth's  life  was  threatened,  and  in  imminent  danger;  the  militia  disbanded  and  sent 
home  ;  and  Gen.  Smyth,  finding  the  Canadas  were  not  to  be  taken  by  proclamation,  and 
being  disinclined  to  make  use  of  more  powerful  means,  retired  from  the  service." 

Buffalo  city  is  situated  at  the  outlet  of  Lake  Erie,  a.\  he  head  of 
Niagara  river,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Buffalo  creek,  and  at  the  western 
extremity  of  the  Erie  canal :  Lat.  42°  53'  N.,  long.  2°  west  from 
Washington.  Distant  from  Albany  by  the  great  western  road  298 
miles  ;  by  the  Erie  canal,  364  ;  from  New  York,  by  Albany  and  Utica, 
445  ;  by  Morristown,  N.  J.,  Owego,  and  Ithaca,  357  ;  from  Rochester, 
73  ;  from  Niagara  Falls,  22  ;  from  Erie,  Penn.,  90  ;  from  Cleveland, 
Ohio,  103  ;  from  Detroit,  Mich.,  290  ;  from  Toronto,  U.  C,  72  ;  from 
Montreal,  L.  C,  427 ;  and  from  Washington  City,  376  miles.  Buffalo  is 
the  port  of  entry  for  the  Niagara  district,  including  Silver  Creek, 
Dunkirk,  and  Portland,  and  all  above  the  falls.  It  is  an  entrepot  for 
the  great  and  growing  trade  between  New  York  and  a  large  portion 
of  Upper  Canada  and  the  great  west. 

Buffalo  was  originally  laid  out  in  1801,  by  the  Holland  Land  Compa- 
ny, on  a  bluffer  terrace  rising  50  feet  above  the  water,  and  partly  on 
the  low  and  marshy  ground  extending  from  the  terrace  to  the  creek 
and  lake.     This  marsh  has  been  drained,  and  a  large  purliou  of  the 


li 


i 


148 


ERIE    COUNTY. 


business  part  of  the  city  lies  upon  it.  The  Erie  canal  from  Tone- 
wandu  village  is  continued  along  the  margin  of  Niagara  river  and 
the  shore  of  the  lake  to  the  city.  A  mole  or  pier  of  wood  and  stone, 
1,500  feet  long,  extends  from  the  south  side  of  the  mouth  of  the  creek, 
forming  a  partial  breakwater  to  protect  the  shipping  from  the  gales 
which  are  felt  here.  For  the  better  accommodation  of  trade,  a  ship 
canal,  80  feet  wide  and  13  deep,  was  completed  in  1833,  across  the 
harbor  near  the  mouth  of  the  creek,  a  distance  of  700  yards.  A  light- 
house built  of  limestone  stands  on  the  end  of  the  pier,  46  feet  in 
height. 

From  the  time  of  the  foundation  of  this  place  to  1812,  it  increased 
slowly.  In  that  year  it  became  a  military  post,  and  in  December, 
1813,  every  building  in  it  was  burnt  save  two,  by  the  British  and  In- 
dians. Many  of  the  inhabitants  were  taken  prisoners  to  Montreal. 
The  place  was  soon  rebuilt,  and  by  1817,  it  contained  100  houses, 
some  of  which  were  large  and  elegant.  It  was  incorporated  as  a 
village  in  1822,  and,  in  1823,  had  the  courthouse  and  jail,  and  upwards 
of  300  buildings.  It  had  then  felt  in  advance  the  influence  of  the 
Eric  canal,  and  much  improvement  was  made  in  anticipation  of  the 
completion  of  that  great  work.  In  1829,  it  had  400  houses  and  more 
than  2,000  inhabitants.  It  was  incorporated  as  a  city  in  1832,  and 
contains  at  this  time  about  2,000  houses,  and  18,041  inhabitants. 
There  are  13  churches,  viz  :  1  Presbyterian,  1  Episcopal,  1  Free 
Congregational,  1  German  Lutheran,  1  Unitarian,  1  Methodist  Epis- 
copal, 1  Methodist  Reformed,  1  Baptist,  1  Universalist,  2  Catholic,  1 
German  Evangelical,  and  1  Bethel,  a  literary  and  scientific  academy, 
incorporated  in  1827,  3  banks,  5  weekly  and  2  daily  newspapers, 
and  many  hotels  and  taverns  required  for  the  great  concourse  of 
strangers  here.  The  buildings,  public  and  private,  are  generally  good, 
many  of  them  four  stories  high,  among  which  are  fine  specimens 
of  architecture.  An  enterprising  citizen,  Mr.  Rathbun,  during  the 
year  1835,  erected  99  buildings,  at  an  aggregate  cost  of  about 
$500,000 ;  of  these,  52  were  stores  of  the  first  class,  32  dwellings,  a 
theatre,  &c." 

The  followiing  is  a  western  view  of  the  Seneca  Mission  church,  on 
the  Indian  reservation,  four  miles  from  the  main  street  in  Buffalo.  The 
church  is  somewhat  on  the  congregational  plan.  This  building  was 
erected  in  1829,  almost  wholly  at  the  expense  of  the  Indians.  The 
Rev.  Asher  Wright  is  their  minister,  and  resides  a  short  distance  from 
the  church.  In  order  to  render  himself  more  useful  to  them,  he  has 
acquired  their  language,  as  they  are  but  partially  acquainted  with 
the  English.  They  seem  to  be  much  attached  to  him.  The  Indian 
burying  ground  is  about  25  rods  north  of  the  church.  This  spot  is 
the  site  of  an  Indian  fort,  on  which  some  vestiges  of  the  wall  are  still 
remaining.  The  Senecas  have  a  tradition  that  there  was  a  great  battle 
fought  here  against  a  hostile  tribe  ;  that  the  bodies  of  the  slain  were 
collected,  and  burnt-sacrifices  were  offered,  &c.  This  is  strongly 
corroborated  by  the  fact  of  human  bones,  those  of  animals,  and  com 
in  a  uurnt  state,  having  oeen  dug  up  on  iltls  spot.    Four  or  five  graven 


rom  Tone- 
L  river  and 
and  stone, 
the  creek, 
1  the  gales 
ide,  a  ship 
across  the 
.  A  Hght- 
46  feet  in 

increased 
December, 
sh  and  In- 

Montreal. 
00  houses, 
irated  as  a 
d  upwards 
ace  of  the 
ion  of  the 

and  more 

1832,  and 
ihabitants. 
il,  1  Free 
^dist  Epis- 
^athoUc,  1 

academy, 
!wspapers, 
icoarse  of 
•ally  good, 
specimens 
luring  the 
of  about 
tvellings,  a 

church, on 
alo.  The 
ilding  was 
ans.  The 
tance  from 
3m,  he  has 
inted  with 
rhe  Indian 
his  spot  is 
ill  are  still 
reat  battle 
slain  were 
3  strongly 
,  and  com 


ive  graves 


I 

«^ 
ft 
< 

S' 

t 

n 

a 

o 
p 

Oq 

n 

B 

S* 

n 


O 

pi 
H 


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to 

3  i 

Oq    5       _ 
!^S       2 

n      (> 
5     P 


S! 


5 
S. 

a 
S 


t^ 
p 


w 

S' 
S' 

(1 

n 

s 

o 
o 

tr 
a 


onl 

tW( 

cor 

tt 

thei 
It 

and 

ken 

dian 

plocc 

she  c 

hope 

1 

vati 
eca! 
four 
war 
Nat 
sons 
2,40 
and 
trea 
vicir 
fraiii 
orde 
kn()^ 
are  ' 
spec 

8UCC 

Tl 
the( 
sion 
fair 
Jone 


y)^'-ii^filurjt.'S.z: 


EBIE   COUNTY. 


149 


Seneca  Mission  House,  Buffalo  Reservation. 

only  have  monuments.  The  following  inscriptions  were  copied  from 
two  ot  them.  Red  Jacket's  monument  was  erected  by  some  persons 
connected  with  the  theatre  in  ButJUlo :  P^isous 

,J?"'7^'''f^"*'  ^''^P^'  ^^''^''^  ^"^  ■^<"^^<^*!  "^hief  of  the  Wolf  Tribe  of  the  SenecM 
the  fn,  nd  and  pro.rr.or  of  his  people.    Died  Jan.  20.  1832,  aged  78  yel    Erected  S-"' 

In  memory  of  The  White  Woman,-  Mary  .le.nison,  daughter  of  Thomas  Jemison 
and  Jane  Irwm  born  on  the  ocean  between  Ireland  end  Philadelphia  in  1742  or '43  t^ 

^SS^^r^^rP"^  '''''  --•''^  '•-"  >he0^io:;iSnlfn'lt 
P ioce  in    811    „nH  L  ^'""''T  T''\  ^"^  "«turalized  in  1817,  removed  to  this 

«he  di  d  Sen  '  Vhh  ?H1-f  ?"7"f  '^vo  husbands  and  five  children,  leaving  throe  still  alive! 
11  f  hept.  l.Hli,  1833,  aged  about  91  years,  having  a  few  weeks  before  exoressed  a 
hope  of  pardon  through  Jesus  Christ.     The  council  of  the  Lord  shall  etand."  '^ 

There  are  about  nine  iiundred  Indians  on  the  Buffalo  creek  reser- 
vation ;  ot  this  number  about  six  hundred  and  seventv-five  are  Sen- 
ecas,  the  rest  Onondagas,  Oneidas,  Tuscaroras,  a  few  Mohawks,  and 
iour  or  five  Stockbridge  Indians.     They  have  eight  peace  and  two 
war  chiefs,  who  have  a  seat  in  the  council  of  the  confederated  Six 
i\ations      There  are  about  ninety  chiefs  in  the  Seneca  nation,  per- 
sons  authorized  to  sign  treaties.  &c.     These  chiefs  preside  over  about 
2,400  Indians,  who  hve  on  the  Buffalo  creek,  Tonewnda,  Alieffanv. 
and  Cattaraugus  reservations.     Many  attempts  have   jeen  made,  by 
treaty  and  otherwise,  to  get  possession  <,f  the  Indian  lands  in  the 
vicnity  ot  Buffalo.     It  ,s  believed  that  the  full  extent  of  the  bribery, 
fraud,  and  yillany  which  has  been  practist'd  t.pon  the  Indians,  iri 
order  to  make  them  sign  treaties  for  their  lan.ls;  will  never  be  fully 
known      At  present,  only  about  one  fourteenth  part  of  the  Indians 
are  willing  to  remove     Whether  the  recent  attempts  o    the  land 
speculators  to  get  the  Indian  territory  into  their  possession  will  prove 
successful,  remains  to  be  seen.  ^ 

The  following  is  an  enstern  view  of  the  house  of  William  Jones,  and 
the  cabin  of  Ret  Jacket,  both  situated  about  80  rods  from  the  Mis- 
sion  church.  The  house  of  Jones,  which  is  seen  on  the  right,  is  a 
fair  specimen  of  the  better  sort  of  Indian  houses.  It  is  said  that 
Jones  was  offered  ten  thousand  dollars  bv  the  land  speculators,  if  he 


1 


1 


>•■■ 


150 


ERIE   COUNTT. 


House  of  Red  Jacket,  on  the  Buffalo  Reservation. 

would  sign  his  name  to  the  treaty,  conveying  away  the  Indian  lands. 
Although  as  anxious  and  diligent  as  most  white  men  in  the  pursuit  of 
wealth,  yet  considering  it  would  be  injurious  to  his  Indian  brethren, 
he  refused  the  bribe.  The  cabin  seen  on  the  left,  is  constructed  of 
hewed  logs,  and  was  the  residence  of  the  celebrated  chief  Red 
Jacket,  during  the  latter  period  of  his  life.  It  stands  back  a  few  rods 
from  the  road,  and  is  quite  humble  in  its  appearance. 

The  following  biographical  sketch  of  Red  Jacket  is  taken  princi- 
pally from  the  14th  vol.  of  the  New  York  Mirror,  and  partly  from 
persons  on  the  reservation,  who  were  acquainted  with  the  subject  of  it. 

Red  Jacket  was  born  in  1756.  His  birlhplncc  is  supposed  to  have  been  nt  n  place  for- 
merly called  "Old  Caste,"  about  3  miles  west  of  Geneva,  in  the  present  limits  of  the  town 
of  Seneca.  His  Indian  name  was  Sa.go-yoii.tpnt.lia,  a  word  signifying  one  who  keeps 
awake  by  inagicul  influence.  During  the  revolution,  the  Senecas  fought  under  the  British 
standard,  Although  quite  young,  his  activity  and  intelligence  uiiracled  the  attention  of  tho 
Biilish  officers.  By  them  he  was  presented  with  a  richly  embroidered  scarlet  jacket.  This 
he  wore  on  all  occasions,  and  from  this  circumstance  arose  the  name  by  which  he  is  known 
among  the  whites.  During  the  revolution  he  took  little  or  no  part  as  a  warrior,  but  his 
personal  activity  and  transcendent  tnlenls  won  the  esteem  of  his  tribe.  A  gentleman  who 
knew  him  intimately  for  more  than  30  years  in  peace  and  in  war,  speaks  of  iiiui  in  the  fol- 
lowing  terms.  "  Red  Jacket  vviu*  a  perfect  Indiim  in  every  respect,  in  c.>siume,  in  his 
contempt  of  the  dress  of  the  white  men,  in  his  haired  and  opposition  to  the  missionaries, 
and  in  his  attachment  to,  and  vcneriition  for  the  aiu'ient  customs  and  traditions  ,)f  his  tribe. 
He  had  a  contempt  for  tile  Knglish  lunguage,  and  disdained  to  use  any  other  than  his  own. 
He  was  the  finest  specimen  of  the  Indian  character  that  1  ever  knew,  and  susnined  it  with 
more  dignity  than  any  other  chief.  He  was  second  to  none  in  authority  in  his  tribe.  As 
nn  orator  he  was  unequalled  i)y  any  Indian  I  ever  saw.  His  language  was  beautiful  and 
figurative,  as  the  Iiulian  Innguage  always  is,  and  delivered  with  the  greatest  ease  and 
fluency.  His  gesticuliition  was  easy,  graceful,  and  mitural.  His  voice  was  distinct  and 
clear,  and  he  always  spoke  with  great  aninuition.  His  memory  was  very  strong.  I  have 
acted  as  interpreter  to  most  of  his  speeches,  to  which  no  translation  could  do  adequate  jus. 
ticp." 

The  following  interesting  anecdotes  are  illustrative  of  his  peculiar  points  of  choraclcr,  aa 
■well  as  of  his  ready  elocpu  nee.  At  a  council  held  with  the  Senecas,  a  dispute  arose  between 
CJov.  Tompkins  and  Red  Jacket,  eoimecie<l  with  a  treaty  of  some  years  standing.  Tho 
governor  staled  one  thing,  and  the  Indian  chief  insisled  that  the  reverne  was  true.  Hut,  il  wa« 
rejoined,  "  you  have  forgotten — wi^  bave  il  wriiten  down  on  paper."  "  The  paper  then 
tells  a  lie,"  was  the  conlident  answer ;  "  I  have  it  writieii  here,"  continued  the  chief,  placing 
hia  hand  with  great  dignity  upon  his  brow.  "  You  Yuiiki  I's  are  born  with  a  feather  be. 
tween  your  fingers;  but  your  paper  does  not  speak  the  truth.    The  Indian  keeps  bis 


ERIE    COUNTY. 


151 


knowledfje  here — this  is  the  book  the  Great  Spirit  gave  us — it  does  not  lie  !"  A  reference 
was  immediately  made  to  the  treaty  in  question,  when,  to  the  astonishment  of  all  present, 
and  to  the  triumph  of  the  tawny  statesman,  the  document  confirmed  every  word  that  he 
had  uttered. 

It  happened  during  the  revolution  that  a  treaty  was  held  with  the  Indians  at  which  La. 
fayctte  was  present,  the  object  of  which  was  to  unite  the  various  trihes  in  amity  with 
America.  The  majority  of  the  chiefs  were  friendly,  but  there  was  much  opposition  made 
to  it,  especialjv  b>  u  young  warrior,  who  declared  that  when  an  alliance  was  entered  into 
with  Aivierica,  he  should  consider  tha'  the  sun  of  his  country  had  set  forever.  In  his  travels 
tlr.oiigh  the  Indian  country,  when  last  in  America,  it  happened  at  a  large  assemblage  of 
chiefs,  that  Lafayette  referred  to  the  trcity  in  question,  and  turning  to  Red  .lacket,  said, 
"  Pray  tell  me,  if  you  can,  what  has  became  of  that  daring  youth  who  so  decidedly  opposed 
all  propositions  for  peace  and  amity  ?"  "  I  myself  am  the  man,"  replied  Red  Jacket ; 
"  the  decided  enemy  of  the  Americans,  so  long  as  the  hope  of  successfully  opposing  them 
remained,  but  now  their  true  and  faithful  ally  until  death." 

During  the  late  war,  Red  Jacket  with  his  tribe  enlisted  on  the  American  side.  He  fought 
through  the  whole  war,  and  displayed  the  most  undaunted  intrepidity;  while  in  no  instance 
did  he  exhibit  the  ferocity  of  the  savage,  or  disgrace  himself  by  any  act  of  inhumanity. 

Red  Jacket  was  the  foe  of  the  white  man.  His  nation  was  his  god  ;  her  honor,  preser- 
vation,  and  liberty,  his  religion.  He  hated  the  missionary  of  the  cross,  because  he  feared 
some  secret  design  upon  the  lands,  the  peace,  or  the  independence  of  the  Senecas.  He 
never  understood  Christianity.  Its  sublime  disinterestedness  exceeded  his  conceptions. 
He  was  a  keen  observer  nf  human  nature  ;  and  saw  that  among  white  and  red  men,  sordid 
interest  was  equally  the  spring  of  action.  He  therefore  naturally  enough  suspected  every 
stranger  who  came  to  his  tribe,  of  some  design  on  their  little  and  dearly  prized  domains. 
His  tribe  was  divided  into  two  factions,  one  of  which,  from  being  in  favor  of  the  missionaries, 
was  called  the  Christian,  and  the  other,  from  their  opposition,  the  pagan  party.  His  wife, 
who  would  attend  the  religious  meetings  of  the  Christian  party,  received  much  persecution 
from  him  on  this  arcoinit.  During  his  last  sickness  there  seemed  to  be  quite  a  change  in 
regard  to  his  fcelinirs  respecting  Christianity.  He  repeatedly  remarked  to  his  wife,  that  he 
was  sorry  thai  he  litid  persecuted  her, — that  she  was  right  and  he  wrong,  and  as  his  dying 
advice,  told  her,  "  Femevcre  in  your  religion,  it  is  the  right  way .'" 

A  fi'W  days  Ixfore  his  decease,  he  sent  for  Mr.  Hnrri>^,  the  inissioiuiry  ;  but  he  was  at. 
tending  an  ecclesiastical  council,  and  did  not  receive  the  message  until  after  the  death  of  the 
chief.  In  his  last  wandering  moments  it  is  said  that  he  directed  that  a  vial  of  cold  water 
shoidd  be  placed  in  his  coffin,  so  that  he  might  have  something  with  which  to  fight  the  evil 
spirit.  A  considerable  number  of  people  from  Buffalo  attended  his  funeral,  some  of  whom 
wished  him  buried  in  the  ancient  or  pagan  style.  He  was,  however,  interred  in  the  Christian 
manner,  in  accordance  with  the  wishes  of  his  relatives.  He  left  two  wives,  but  none  of 
his  children  survived  him.  Two  of  his  sons  are  supposed  to  have  died  Christians.  Rev. 
Jabez  B.  Hyde,  a  teacher  to  the  Seneras  before  the  war  of  1812,  states  that  one  of  the  sons 
of  Red  Jacket  was  the  first  convert  to  Christianity  from  this  tribe. 

For  some  months  previous  to  his  death,  tiiTie  had  made  such  ravages  on  his  constitution 
as  to  render  him  fully  sensible  of  his  approaching  dissolution.  To  that  event  he  often  ad. 
verted,  and  always  in  the  language  of  philosophic  calmness.  He  visited  successively  all  his 
most  intimate  friends  at  their  cabins,  anil  conversed  with  them  upon  the  condition  of  the 
nation  in  the  most  afVecting  and  impressive  manner.  He  told  liu-m  that  he  was  passing 
away,  and  his  counsels  would  soon  be  heard  no  more.  He  ran  over  the  history  of  his  peo. 
pie  from  the  most  remote  period  lo  which  his  knowledge  extended,  and  pointed  out,  as  few 
could,  the  wrongs,  the  privations,  and  the  loss  of  character,  which  almost  of  themselves 
constituted  (hat  history.  "  I  nni  about  to  leave  you,"  said  he,  "  and  when  I  am  gone,  and 
my  warning  shall  no  longer  be  heard  or  regarded,  the  craft  and  the  avarice  of  the  white 
man  will  prevail.  Many  winters  have  I  breasted  tuc  storm,  but  I  am  an  aged  tree,  and  can 
stand  no  longer.  My  leaves  are  fallen,  my  branches  are  withered,  and  I  am  shaken  by 
every  breeze.  Soon  my  aged  trunk  will  bo  prostrate,  and  the  foot  of  the  exulting  foe  of 
the  Indian  may  be  placed  upon  it  in  safely ;  for  I  leave  none  who  will  be  enabled  to  avenge 
such  an  indignity.  Think  not  I  mourn  for  myself.  I  go  to  join  the  spirits  of  my  fathers, 
where  iige  cannot  come  ;  but  my  heart  fails  when  I  think  of  my  people,  who  are  soon  to 
be  scattered  ond  forgotten." 

At  the  time  of  the  burning  of  Buffalo  in  the  last  war,  most  of  the 
reguhir  American  troops  were  removed  from  the  Niagara  frontier. 
Gov.  Tompkins,  on  bcinc  informed  of  this,  ordered  out  the  militia  tor 


\i 


152 


ERIE   COUNTY. 


"iti*-, 


its  defence.  On  the  25th  December,  1813,  Gen.  Hall  had  assembled 
at  Black  Rock  and  Bufialo  2,000  men.  On  the  night  of  the  29th, 
the  enemy  were  discovered  approaching  the  American  shore  in  great 
force.  The  militia  were  ordered  to  oppose  their  landing,  but  the 
main  body  tied  on  the  approach  of  the  enemy.  Coi.  Blakesley's  regi- 
ment, with  other  detached  corps,  amounting  in  the  whole  to  about 
600  men,  formed  in  a  line,  and  poured  a  destructive  fire  on  the  enemy 
as  they  approached  the  shore.  They  were,  however,  overpowered 
by  numbers,  and  forced  to  retire.  Gen.  Hall  retired  with  the  remains 
of  the  dispersed  militia  to  Eleven  Mile  creek,  where  he  was  able  to 
collect  only  about  300  men  to  cover  the  flying  inhabitnnts.  The 
frontier  presented  one  scene  of  universal  desolation.  "  The  misera- 
ble inhabitants  who  escaped  the  Indian  tomahawk,  fled  into  the  in- 
terior, without  shelter  or  means  of  support,  in  the  depth  of  winter, 
and  subsisted  on  tl-  -  charity  of  their  friends."  The  following,  relative 
to  these  events,  is  extracted  from  an  oflicial  letter  to  Gov.  Tompkins : 

"  On  my  arrival  at  Batavia,  I  found  that  the  inliabitants  of  that  place,  and  the  country 
west,  as  fur  as  Buffalo  on  the  main  road,  had,  on  receiving  infurrnation  of  the  landing  of 
the  enemy,  fled  niid  left  their  homes,  but  were  generally  returning.  I  proceeded  to  Buffalo, 
and  found  that  flourishing  village  totally  destroyed.  The  only  buildings  remaining  in  it  are 
a  jail,  which  ia  built  of  stone,  a  small  frame  house,  and  an  armorer's  shop.  All  the  houses 
east  of  Burt'ulo  on  the  Batuvia  road,  for  two  miles,  excepting  log-houses,  are  also  destroyed, 
and  almost  every  building  l)elwccn  Buffalo  and  Niagara  along  the  river,  had,  I  was  informed, 
shared  the  snin  fate.  The  enemy  had  with  him  at  Black  Rock  and  Buffalo,  a  number  of 
Indians,  (the  general  opinion  in  that  country  is  about  two  hundred,)  who  pursued  their  ac. 
customed  niotlc  of  horrid  warfare,  by  tomahawking,  scalping,  and  otherwise  mutilating  the 
persons  who  fell  into  their  hands.  Among  the  victims  of  their  savage  barbarity,  was  a  Mrs. 
Lovejoy,  of  Buffalo,  who  was  tomahawked  and  afterward  burnt  in  her  own  house.  The 
conduct  of  these  savages  has  struck  the  minds  of  the  people  on  the  Niagara  frontier  with 
such  horror,  as  to  make  it  absolutely  necessary  that  a  more  efficient  force  than  the  ordinary 
militia  of  the  country  should  be  employed  for  its  protection,  to  prevent  its  becoming  en- 
tirely depopulated.  There  was,  when  I  left  Batavia,  between  five  and  six  hundred  militia  at 
Williamsville  and  in  ita  vicinity,  imder  the  command  of  Gen.  Hopkins,  and  about  the  sama 
number  on  the  ridge  road  near  the  arsenal,  under  the  command  of  Col.  Hopkins.  It  was 
the  intention  of  Gen.  Hall,  who  was  at  Batavia,  to  make  up  the  number  at  each  of  these 
stations  to  1,000  men.  There  was  also  at  Batavia  about  100  regulars,  under  the  command 
of  Major  Riddle,  who  had  received  orders  to  march  to  Williamsville." 

Brant,  recently  formed  from  Collins,  is  situated  in  the  southwestern 
corner  of  the  county,  bounded  partly  on  the  S.  by  Cattaraugus  creek ; 
centrally  distant  from  Bufl'alo  2(5  miles.     Pop.  1,008. 

CiiEEKTowA(JA,  recently  erected  from  the  southern  portion  of  Am- 
herst ;  from  Bufllilo,  W.,  7  miles.  Th<!  line  of  the  Buffalo  and  Bata- 
via railroad  passes  centrally  through  the  town.     Pop.  1,137. 

Clarenck,  organized  in  1808  ;  bounds  since  altered  ;  from  Albany 
265  miles.  Clarence,  18  miles  NE.  from  Buffalo,  has  about  50 
dwellings.     Pop.  2,271. 

Coi.DEN,  taken  from  Holland  in  1827;  from  Albany  287,  from 
Buffalo.  SE.,  21  miles.     Pop.  1,085. 

CoLMNH,  taken  from  Concord  in  1821  ;  from  Buffalo,  S.,  30  miles. 
Lodi  village  is  partly  in  this  town  and  partly  in  Cattaraugus  co. 
(See  Persia,  Cattaraugus  co.)  A  largo  portion  of  this  town  was  set- 
tled by  Friends.  Pop.  4,227.  Collins  Centre  and  Carr's  Corners  are 
aniull  viliagoH. 


ERIE    COUNTY. 


Concord,  taken  from  Willink  in  1812;  from  Albany  282  miles. 
Sprin'^vilie  village,  incorporated  in  1834, 28  miles  SE.  from  Buffalo,  has 
1  Baptist,  1  Methodist,  and  1  Presbyterian  church,  a  flourishing 
Academy,  110  dwellings,  7  mercantile  stores,  a  large  flouring  mill, 
erected  at  the  expense  of  #20,000,  two  woollen  factories,  &c.,  and 
about  700  inhabitants.  Concord  Centre  and  Waterville  Corners  are 
small  villages.     Pop.  3,004.  t>  n- 1      o 

Eden,  organized  in  1812 ;  centrally  distant  from  Buttalo,  b.,  16 
miles.  Eden  and  Eden  Valley  are  small  villages.  Many  German 
and  Swiss  emigrants  have  settled  in  this  town.     Pop.  2,172. 

Evans,  taken  from  Eden  in  1821  ;  from  Albany  293,  from  Buffalo, 
SW.,  19  miles.     Jerusalem  Corners  and  Evans  are  small  villages. 

Pop.  1,822. 

Hamburg,  taken  from  Willink  in  1812 ;  from  Buffalo  centrally  dis- 
tant, SE.,  10  miles.  Hamburg,  E.  Hamburg,  Water  Valley,  Whites 
Corners,  and  Hamburg  on  the  lake,  are  small  settlements.     Pop.  3,734, 

Holland,  taken  from  Aurora  in  1818  ;  bounds  since  altered  ;  from 
Buffalo,  SE.,  24  miles.     Holland  is  a  small  village.     Pop.  1,242. 

Lancaster,  taken  from  Clarence  in  1833  ;  from  Albany  280  miles. 
Lancaster,  10  miles  E.  of  Buffalo,  is  a  small  village.  Town  Line,  on 
the  Lancaster  and  Alden  line,  is  a  post-office.     Pop.  2,083. 

Newstead,  originally  organized  by  the  name  of  Erie,  as  part  of 
Genesee  county,  and  taken  from  Batavia  in  1804 ;  from  Albany  260 
miles.  Akron,  24  miles  NE.  from  Buffalo,  and  Fisher's  Falls,  are 
small  villages.     Newstead  is  a  post-office.     Pop.  2,653. 

Sardinia,  taken  from  Concord  in  1821  ;  from  Albany  273  miles. 
Sardinia  on  the  Cattaraugus  creek,  34  miles  SE.  from  Buffalo,  has 
about  50  dwellings.     Pop.  1,741. 

Tonewanda  was  recently  taken  from  Buffalo.  It  comprises  Grand 
Island,  in  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  a  small  tract  of  the  adjoining  main- 
land. Pop.  1,250.  Tonewanda  village  lies  at  the  mouth  and  on 
both  sides  of  Tonewanda  creek,  the  portion  lying  on  the  north  side 
of  the  creek  being  in  Wheatfield,  Niagara  co.  It  is  16  miles  SW. 
from  Lockport,  11  N.  from  Buffalo,  on  the  lines  of  the  Buflalo  and 
Niagara  railroad  and  the  Erie  canal,  which  latter  here  runs  in  the 
Tonewanda  creek.  Grand  Island,  called  by  the  Indians  Owanungah, 
in  the  Niagara  river,  commences  about  5  miles  below  the  termina- 
tion of  Lake  Erie,  runs  down  8  miles,  and  ends  within  3  of  Nia- 
gara Falls.  Its  breadth  varies  from  3  to  0  miles.  Originally  this 
with  the  small  islands  of  Strawberry,  Snake,  Squaw,  and  Bird,  be- 
longed to  the  Senecas,  and  were  purchased  of  them  by  the  state  for 
01.000,  and  an  annuity  of  #500.  "  The  state,  in  1833,  sold  Grand 
Island  to  the  East  Boston  Co.,  who  have  erected  upon  it,  on  the  site 
of  the  proposed  Jewish  city  of  Ararat,  opposite  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Tonewanda  creek,  the  village  of  White  Haven,  (named  after  Mr. 
Stephen  White,  who  resides  upon  Tonewanda  island  nearly  opposite,^ 
where  they  have  a  steam  grist-mill  and  saw-mill  150  feet  scjuare,  with 
room  for  15  gangs  of  saws,  said  to  be  the  largest  in  the  world,  several 

flurrillinrra.  n    DUildi"2    USed    ^O'*  a  Scl'ool    nnA    nhuroh.    n    cO»""i"d'f^U« 

20 


.in   HMIJUJIIIJIli^y^l  ]i 


^%r 


y^i^'*M-^-ws?»=, 


':^. 


i4l 


■ 

r 


154 


ESSEX    COUNTr. 


wharf,  several  hundred  feet  long,  and  a  spacious  dock  of  piles  for 
storing  and  securing  floating  timber.  The  principal  object  ot  the 
company  is  to  prepare  timber  for  vessels  on  the  lakes  and  the  ocean, 
fitting  the  frames  to  the  models  given ;  in  which  they  avail  them- 
selves, not  only  of  their  special  resources  on  the  island,  but  ot  all 
which  the  vast  region  around  the  upper  lakes  aflords.  Ihe  oper- 
tions  of  this  company  are  at  present  suspended. 

"  In  1816  and  '17,  a  number  of  persons  from  the  United  States  and  Canada  went  on  this 
island  Thev  marked  out  the  boundaries  of  their  different  possessions ;  elected  magistrates 
and  oJher  officers  from  an:,  .g  themselves ;  and  gave  out  that  they  were  amenable  to  neither 
government,  but  an  independent  community.  After  the  question  of  boundary  was  se  led 
The  state  of  New  York  passed  a  law  to  drive  them  ofl ;  but  that  was  not  effected  till  the 
severe  measure  was  resorted  to  of  destroying  their  houses  which  was  done  by  the  shenff 
and  posse  of  Erie  county.  'G..  ..i  Island  was  selected  by  Major  Noah,  (now  of '!>«  "V 
of  New  York,)  on  which  to  build  a  city,  and  establish  a  colony  of  Jews,  with  the  view  of 
making  it  the  Ararat,  or  resting-place  of  that  dispersed  people.  There  it  was  anticipated 
that  their  government  would  be  organized,  and  thence  the  laws  would  emanate  which 
airain  were  to  bring  together  the  children  of  Israel,  and  reestablish  them  as  a  nation  upon 
the  earth  The  European  Rabbi  did  not  sanction  the  scheme,  and  it  vanished  as  a  day- 
dream  of  the  learned  and  worthy  projector."— S<ee/e'«  Book  of  Niagara  Falls. 

The  monument  erected  by  Major  Noah  is  now  standing.  It  is 
about  14  feet  in  height.  The  lower  part  is  built  of  brick,— the  upper 
or  pyramidal  portion  is  of  wood,  and  the  whole  painted  white.  The 
following  is  inscribed  upon  the  tablet,  which  faces  the  east. 


ARARAT, 

A  CITY  Ot  REV08E  FOR  THB  JIWS, 

Pounded  by  Mordecai  M.     HokU,  in  the  Month  Timi,  5586, 

September,  1825,  and  in  the  50th  year  of  American 
Independence. 


Wales,  taken  from  Willink  in  1818  ;  from  Buffalo,  SE.,  -la  miles. 
Wales,  i3.  Wales,  and  Wales  Centre,  are  villages.    Pop.  2,4  iL 


l^"-  Wi  "- 


ESSEX  COUNTY. 

EsBRX  COUNTY,  formed  from  Clinton  in  1799,  was  originr  'y  ^^ttled 
from  New  England.  Its  greatest  length  N.  and  S.  43,  greatest 
breadth  E.  and  W.  41  miles ;  centrally  distant  from  New  York  271, 


7¥ins 


j._"  H?ar,  <^  hne\,  the  Lord  our  God  is  one  Lora."— Deut.  vi.  4. 


ESSEX   COUNTY. 


155 


'  piles  for 
3ct  of  the 
ihe  ocean, 
^ai)  them- 
but  of  all 
The  oper- 

went  on  this 
d  magislratea 
ble  to  neither 
!  was  settled, 
reeled  till  the 
jy  the  sheriff 
)w  of  the  city 
b  the  view  of 
Ei8  anticipated 
nanate  which 
1  nation  upon 
hed  as  a  day- 

ing.  It  is 
-the  upper 
hite.    The 


1.,  £0  miles. 

8,44  L 


r"y  settled 
13,  greatest 
V  York  271, 

It.  vi.  4. 


and  from  Albany  126  miles.    Pop.  23,620.     The  county  is  divided 
Lto  15  towns.    "  The  surface  of  this  county  is  decidedly  mountam- 
ous.  in  which  respect  it  bears  a  striking  contrast  to  the  St.  Lawrence. 
In  Addition  to  this,  it  may  be  remarked,  that  the  hills,  as  well  as  the 
mountains,  are  steep  and  abrupt,  and  almost  uniformly  present,  on 
Ze  side,  a  precipice  nearly  perpendicular.     In  this  county  there  are 
no  lone,  and  gradual  slopes,  or  gentle  risings  towards  the  moun- 
Sin  summit,  but  they  are  always  bold  and  dit^cult  of  ascent.     A  sur- 
face  of  country  thus  characterized,  combined  also  with  great  height, 
both  of  the  general  surface  and  especially  of  numerous  peaks,  alters 
to  a  very  gieat  extent  its  agricultural  character.     By  this  combina. 
tion,  the  mean  temperature  of  the  county  is  reduced  so  low,  that  the 
cultivation  of  some  of  the  most  useful  vegetables  is  prevented,  or  they 
are  crops  so  uncertain,  on  account  of  late  springs  and  early  autumnal 
frosts,  that  little  inducement  is  held  out  for  trying  them  even  as  matters 
of  experiment.     There  are,  however,  some  bright  and  favored  places 
where  most  of  the  essential  vegetable  productions  are  raised,  and  even 
grow  luxuriantly,  as  along  the  shores  of  Lake  Champlain  and  the 
valleys  of  the  upper  Hudson."     But  the  agricultural  poverty  of  this 
county  is  amply  compensated  by  her  immense  mineral  resources. 
"  Manv  years  must  elapse  before  a  correct  estimate  can  be  tormea 
in  regard  to  their  real  extent  and  value.     To  say  that  there  are  here 
numerous  beds  of  magnetic  iron  ore,  would  scarcely  convey  a  true 
idea  of  the  enormous  deposits  of  that  mineral  which  are  lomid  m 
various  parts  of  the  county.     The  ore  is  everywhere  of  sufficient 
purity  for  the  manufacturer,  and  if  only  a  small  portion  of  it  can  be 
wrought,  Essex  must  become  one  of  the  most  thriving  counties  m  the 
state." — State  Geol.  Rep.  .  _        „  ^^„ 

Chesterfield,  taken  from  Willsborough  m  1802.  Pop.  2,697. 
Port  Kent,  a  small  village  25  miles  from  Elizabethtown,  upon  the 
lake,  is  the  stopping  place  for  the  steamboats.  Port  Douglass,  a  so 
upon  the  lake,  is  the  shipping  place  for  the  ClintonyiUe  iron  works. 
Port  Randall  is  a  village  in  the  SE.  part.  Keeseville  is  a  flourishing 
manufacturing  village  on  the  Au  Sable  river,  which  forms  here  the 
boundary  line  between  the  counties  of  Clinton  and  Essex,  it  is  21 
miles  from  Elizabethtown,  and  16  from  Plattsburg.  There  are  1 
Presbyterian,^  Baptist,  and  1  Catholic  church,  an  Academy,  10  mer- 
cantile stores,  225  dwellings,  the  Essex  County  Bank,  and  1,800  inhabit- 
ants This  place  is  now  the  centre  of  business  for  the  great  iron 
and  lumber  district  of  the  Au  Sable  valley.  A  railroad  ^  miles  m 
length  connects  it  with  Port  Kent.  Keeseville  was  originally  named 
"  Anderson's  Falls,"  from  a  Mr.  John  W.  Anderson,  who  settled  here 
about  the  year  1813.  At  this  time  he  was  almost  the  only  inhabitant 
in  the  place.  In  1819,  a  post-office  was  established,  and  the  present 
name  was  given  to  the  village  in  honor  of  Mr.  Richard  Keese,  a 
partner  of  Anderson's.  The  first  clergyman  was  the  Rev.  Elijah 
Crane,  a  pious  and  devoted  minister  of  the'  Methodist  p<  uasion,  who 
located  himself  here  in  1825,  and  was  very  efficient  in  leforming  the 
morals  of  the  place.    Near  here  is  the  High  Bridge  of  Keeseville,  on 


%i. 


•u. 


;l'' 


156 


ESSEX    COUNTY. 


the  Au  Sable  river,  which  is  one  of  the  greatest  natural  curiosities  in 

the  state.  ,„  ,„.      ., 

Crown  Point,  organized  in  1780;  from  Albany  100  miles ;  cen- 
trally distant  SE.  from  Elizabeth  20  miles.    Pop.  2,212.    Crown  1  oint, 
whence  the  name  of  the  town  and  ancient  lort  are  derived,  is  sit- 
uated at  the  NE.  extremity,  and  is  formed  by  an  extensive  deep  bay 
on  the  west,  skirted  by  a  steep  mountain,  and  on  the  north  and  east 
by  the  body  of  the  lake.     Fort  Frederick,  at  this  place,  was  built  by 
the  French'in  1731.     This  fortress  was  a  star  work,  being  in  the  torm 
of  a  pentagon,  with  bastions  at  the  angles,  and  surrounded  by  a  ditch 
walled  in  with  stone.     This  post  secured  the  command  ot  Lake 
Champlain,  and  guarded  the  passage  into  Canada.     It  was  through 
this  lake,  by  the  route  of  Crown  Point,  that  the  parties  of  French  and 
Indians  made  their  bloody  incursions  upon  the  frontiers  of  ^ew  Eng- 
land and  New  York.     This  fort  was  subsequently  blown  up ;  and  its 
site  is  now  marked  bv  a  heap  of  ruins.     This  place  being  abandoned 
by  the  French,  in  1759,  to  Gen.  Amherst,  fort  Crown  Point  was  alter- 
ward  erected,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  shore,  and  has  at  a 
distance  something  the  appearance  of  Ticonderoga.     The  walls  were 
of  wood  and  earth,  16  feet  high,  22  thick,  enclosmg  an  area  ot  1,500 
yards  square,  surrounded  by  a  deep4)road  ditch  cut  into  granite.   1  here 
were  here  a  double  row  of  stone  barracks,  and  on  the  north,  a  gate 
with  a  drawbridge  and  covered  way  leading  to  the  lake.     These 
works  and  those  adjoining,  which  were  extensive,  are  now  mostly 
heaps  of  rubbish.    Crown  Point  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Americans 
at  the  time  of  the  capture  of  Ticonderoga,  iu  May,  1775,  but  was 
evacuated  the  next  year.     The  disastrous  expedition  against  Canada 
was  terminated  near  this  place,  by  the  destruction  of  the  lake  fleet 
under  the  command  of  Gen.  Arnold,  Oct.  13th,  1776.     Arnold,  on  his 
retreat  from  Canada,  on  board  his  fleet,  was  pursued  by  the  enemy 
so  closely,  that  he  was  obliged  to  run  his  vessel  on  shore  and  blow 
up  five  gondolas.     The  British  soon  established  themselves,  with  their 
army  and  fleet,  at  Crown  Point,  and  strengthened  the  fortifications ; 
but  ere  long  they  abandoned  the  station  and  retired  to  Canada. 

Elizabethtown.  settled  in  1785,  and  organized  in  1798;  from  Al- 
bany 126,  from  Lake  Champlain,  W.,  8  miles.  Pop.  1,061.  Eliza- 
beth, the  county  seat,  is  a  small  village  of  30  or  40  dwellings.  About 
a  mile  SW.  of  the  village  is  a  detached  mountain  called  the  Giant 
of  the  valley,  the  summit  of  which  is  elevated  1,200  feet  abov^the 
plain,  and  commands  a  very  extensive  prospect  to  the  eastward. 
It  embraces  a  view  of  the  whole  valley  of  Lake  Champlain,  compris- 
ing Plattsburg,  Burlington,  Vergennes,  Middlebury,  and  many  other 

"Villi  JTO^ 

Essex,  taken  from  Willsborough  in  1805;  from  Albany  133  miles. 
Pop.  1,681.  Essex  village,  handsomely  situated  upon  Lake  Cham- 
plain, has  about  40  or  50  dwellings.  About  12  miles  NE.  of  Eliza- 
beth is  the  noted  Split  Rock.  This  curiosity  is  part  of  a  rocky  pro- 
montory projecting  into  the  lake  about  150  feet,  and  elevated  40 
above  the  water.    The  part  broken  off  contains  half  an  acre  covered 


I 


ESSEX   COUNTY. 


157 


■iosities  in 

iles;  cen- 
iwu  Point, 
ed,  is  sit- 
deep  bay 
and  east 
ls  built  by 
1  the  form 
3y  a  ditch 
[  of  Lake 
LS  through 
rench  and 
Sew  Eng- 
p ;  and  its 
ibandoned 
was  after- 
id  has  at  a 
ivalls  were 
!a  of  1,500 
ite.  There 
rth,  a  gate 
:e.    These 
ow  mostly 
Americans 
5,  but  was 
ist  Canada 
e lake  fleet 
lold,  on  his 
the  enemy 
!  and  blow 
,  with  their 
'tifications ; 
nada. 

I ;  from  Al- 
61.  Eliza- 
gs.  About 
I  the  Giant 
i  abov%the 
>  eastward, 
in,  compris- 
many  other 

^133  miles, 
jake  Cham* 
E.  of  Eliza- 
i  rocky  pro- 
eleyated  40 
icre  covered 


with  trees,  and  is  separated  about  20  feet  from  the  main  rock.  The 
opposing  sides  fit  the  prominences  of  the  one,  corresponding  with  the 
cavities  of  the  other.  Through  this  fissure  a  line  has  been  let  down 
to  the  depth  of  500  feet  without  reaching  the  bottom.  There  is  a 
third  post-office  called  Wessex. 

Jay,  settled  in  1790,  by  emigrants  from  New  England.  "The 
Forks,"  Upper  Village,  and  Jayville,  are  manufacturing  villages  ;  the 
latter  is  20  miles  NW.  of  Elizabeth,  the  county  seat.  There  is  a 
large  quantity  of  iron  annually  manufactured  in  this  town.    Pop.  2,260. 

Keene,  taken  from  Elizabeth  and  Jay  in  1808 ;  from  Albany  138, 
from  Elizabeth,  W.,  12  miles.  The  settlements  at  the  "  Flats"  were 
commenced  in  1797.  and  those  at  the  "Great  Plains,"  in  1804. 
Pop.  730. 


Adirondack  Mountains. 

The  Adirondack  mountains,  which  are  partially  in  this  town,  were 
comparatively  but  little  known  until  explored  by  the  state  geologists. 
They  named  them  from  the  Adirondack  Indians,  who  formerly  dwelt 
in  this  region.  The  group,  as  a  whole,  is  more  lofty  than  the  White 
Hills  of  New  Hampshire,  though  the  main  summit,  Mount  Washing- 
ton, exceeds  the  highest  by  767  feet.  Mount  Marcy  (named  in  honor 
of  ex-governor  Marcy)  is  the  most  lofty,  being  5,33?  feet,  or  57 
feet  over  a  mile  in  height.  Large  banks  of  snow  have  been  observed 
on  this  peak  as  late  as  the  middle  of  July  ;  and  there  is  reason  to  be- 
lieve that  ice  is  formed  there  every  night  in  summer. 

Lewis,  settled  about  1800,  and  taken  from  Willsborough  in  1805. 
This  township  has  its  surface  much  broken  by  high  mountains.  Iron 
ore  is  abundant.  Lewis,  5  miles  N.  from  Elizabeth,  is  the  post  vil- 
lage.    Pop.  1,500. 

Minerva,  taken  from  Schroon  in  1804.     Minerva  Four  Comers,  in 
the  SE.,  02  miles  NE.  from  Albany,  40  SW.  from  Elizabethtown,  i»g 
the  post  village.    Pop.  456.  ' 


.j... . 


159 


E39EX    COUNTY. 


Mo.,.„,  on  Lake  Cha-nplab  taken  ftom  Cro.^  Pmn^ -^^^^^^^^ 
KS  Eir  &«^^^^^^^^  Hon.,  a„a  Mn>.oo. 

Sr  l^f  a^S^Asr^^^^^^^^    30  „ne,  S. 
JrE;:Se\tpa'Si;r;HoCa„",  a.  s»aU  postvmages.    Pop. 

1,660. 


iluins  of  Fort  Ticonderoga. 


T.nnvn.BorA  *  taken  from  Crown  Point  in  1804 ;  from  Albany  196, 

%fabove  Is  a  representation  of  the  ruins  of  Fort  Ticonderoga, 
Jfort:,^   celeUed  in  eolonial  „f   '^^^^  JJ^'S 

feantt,  JatXTe:Sr!nVr  1  '{TJ'^ 
by  Z^t  M"nce  ol  the  south  side  of  the  ereek  or  outlet,  which, 

probably  in  aEuiiou  to  me  wus  ou  the  outlet  oJ  -an.-  i^aor,.. 


ESSEX    COUNTY. 


159 


nd  Eliza- 
centrally 
ads  here. 
William 
dillbrook, 

,  from  Al- 
ias. Pop. 
n,  Mount 
nd  Keene. 

0  miles  S. 
ges.    Pop. 


Albany  196, 
ra  are  thriv- 
irge,  and  the 
!  mile  apart. 

'iconderoga, 
iry  history, 
res,  elevated 
uth  of  Lake 
'  the  French 
ace  of  much 
y  water,  and 
ly  approach- 
commanded 
mtlet,  which, 

signifying  nouy. 


B 


towers  750  feet  above  the  lake.  It  was  on  the  summit  of  this  moun- 
tain that  Gen.  Burgoyne's  troops  showed  themselves  on  the  morning 
of  July  4th,  1777,  with  a  battery  of  heavy  cannon,  which  they  had 
drawn  up  along  the  ridge  during  the  night.  The  distance  from  the 
summit  to  the  ibrt,  in  a  straight  line,  is  about  a  mile.  The  position  was 
so  commanding  that  they  could  count  all  the  men  in  the  fort,  and 
fully  justified  Gen.  St,  Clair  in  ordering  an  immediate  retreat  of  the 
garrison.  Mount  Independence,  connected  in  history  with  Ticonde- 
roga,  lies  in  Vermont,  one  mile  from  the  fort  on  the  east  side  of  the 
lake.     There  are  here  also  remains  of  military  works. 

The  following  account  of  the  defeat  of  Gen.  Abercrombie  before 
Ticonderoga,  July  8,  1758,  is  from  the  3d  volume  of  Macauley's  His- 
tory of  New  York : 

"  The  expedition  against  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point  was  conducted  by  Abercrombie 
in  person.  In  the  beginning  of  July  he  embarked  his  forces,  amounting  to  nearly  seven 
thousand  regulars  and  ten  thousand  provincials,  on  Lake  George,  on  bobrd  of  nine  hundred 
batteaux,  and  one  hundred  and  thirty.five  whale  boats,  with  provisions,  artillery,  and  ammu- 
nition. Several  pieces  of  cannon  were  mounted  on  rafts,  to  cover  the  proposed  landing  at 
the  outlet  of  the  lake.  Early  the  next  morning  he  reached  the  landing  place,  which  was 
in  a  cove  on  the  west  side  of  the  lake  near  its  issue,  leading  to  the  advanced  guard  of  the 
enemy,  composed  of  one  bat  alion,  in  a  logged  camp.  He  immediately  debarked  his 
forces,  and  after  having  formed  them  into  three  columns,  marched  to  the  enemy's  advanced 
post,  which  was  abandoned  with  precipitation.  He  continued  his  march  with  the  army  to. 
wards  Ticotideroga,  with  the  intention  of  investing  it ;  but  the  route  lying  through  a  thick 
wood  that  did  not  admit  of  any  regular  progression,  and  the  guides  proving  extremely  ig. 
norant,  the  troops  were  bewildered,  and  the  columns  broken  by  falling  in  one  on  another. 
Lord  Howe  being  advanced  at  the  head  of  the  right  centre  column,  encountered  a  French 
detachment,  that  had  likewise  lost  its  way  in  the  retreat  from  the  advanced  post,  and  a 
warm  skirmish  ensuing,  the  enemy  were  routed  with  considerable  loss ;  and  one  hundred 
and  forty.eight  were  taken  prisoners.  This  advantage  was  purchased  at  a  dear  rate.  Lord 
Howe,  and  one  other  officer,  besides  privates,  were  killed.  The  former  is  spoken  of  in 
very  high  terms  for  his  bravery.*  Abercrombie  perceiving  the  troops  were  greatly  fatigued 
and  disordered,  deemed  it  advisable  to  fall  back  to  the  landing  place.  Then  he  detached 
Lieutenunt-colonel  Bradstreet,  with  a  detachment,  to  take  possesaion  of  a  saw-mill  in  the 
vicinity  of  Ticonderoga,  which  the  enemy  had  abandoned.  This  post  being  secured, 
Abercrombie  advanced  again  towards  Ticonderoga,  where,  he  understood  from  the  prisoners, 
the  enemy  had  assembled  eight  battalions,  with  a  body  of  Canadians  and  Indians,  amount- 
ing  in  all  to  six  thousand  men.  The  actual  number,  however,  was  considerably  less,  not 
exceeding  four  thousand  men,  as  was  afterward  ascertained.  These,  they  said,  being  en- 
camped before  the  fort,  were  employed  in  making  a  formidable  intrenchment,  where  they 
mtended  to  wait  for  a  reinforcement  of  three  thousand  men,  who  had  been  detached,  under 
the  command  of  M.  de  Levi,  to  make  a  diversion  on  the  side  of  the  Mohawk ;  but  upon 
intelligence  of  Abercrombie's  approach.were  now  recalled  for  the  defence  of  Ticonderoga. 
This  mformation  induced  Abercrombie  to  strike,  if  possible,  some  decisive  blow  before  Uie 
luiictioii  3ould  be  effected.  He  therefore  eariy  next  morning  sent  his  engineer  to  recon. 
noitre  the  enemy's  intrenchmcnts ;  and  he,  upon  his  return,  reported  that  the  works  being 
still  unfinished,  might  be  attempted  with  good  prospect  of  success.  A  disposition  was 
made  accordingly  for  the  attack,  and  after  proper  guards  had  been  left  at  the  saw-mill  and 
the  landing  place,  the  whole  army  was  put  in  motion.  The  troops  advanced  with  great  alacrity 
towards  the  mtrenchments,  which,  however,  they  found  altogether  impracticable.  The 
breastwork  was  raised  eight  feet  high,  and  the  ground  before  it  covered  with  an  abattis. 


hlm»e7f  inri  hu'r^?m!,t'^".h*^Jl"'.."'^"'*  *™y',  '^"""'"'  «"« arrival  In  America,  he  had  accommodated 
n^.f  to  f,  Mow  .S?i?.    n^  "'?,P«f.""|''  "«'«';«  of  lh«  wrvice.    He  cut  hb  hair  riiort,  and  i.Klueed  the  r«gl- 

^hh2^fim7Z.fn^ll?!  'JT'""""'  ",■*?»««•    When  ..ear  Ticonderoea,  m^or,  afterword  Ge...  Putnam, 

K  cl,l^l^r7K.  r^h  "'^^^n'P»iy'n8  him,  saying,  '  My  Lord,  (f  1  am  killed  tlie  Inm  of  my  life  will  t«;  of 
WM  ^pSr™.fr  1  f?f»?f!f7'  '""  °^  »'°"?  ''.  "^  '"•*•"'«  ''nP»"'""^e  to  liiis  army.'  The  only  answer 
fl«k  of  u?«  «n' Jni..  ill"  "  '*^"  •"J""'.*'  "''»«  '*  «o  I'e :  I  am  determined  to  go.'  -They  soon  met  the  ieit 
nank  of  the  enemy  a  advance,  by  whom  first  fire  hi«  lordiliip  fell."-//«m»Ar*»'*  lAfe  of  Putnam. 


111; 

< 

Ik-  • 
i'l 
h 


II II  Jill  I  n  "I      III  mil  mill 


X*|W 


I 


160 


B88EX   COUNTY. 


J  -„J  nrnipctina  in  such  a  manner  aa  to 
„r  felled  trees,  with  their  boughs  Pointi"8°%"t;itoandn7  these  discouraging  difficnl 
rInHpr  thelntienchment  almost  inaccessible.  .  NotwUhsmnQi  g  .^^^  ^^j  ^^^gt^ined  a 

fes  tU  troops  marched  up  to  the  assault  ^.nth^a^^^ 

•ui    fi!o     Thpv  endeavored  to  force  their  way  "''""«  ^  covered,  and  defended 

mmmmmmi 

„  Jt:  Xf  Sfari^ttr^hlS^Ty  H.Lay.  .  hi,  his.,, 

of  the  American  Revolution :  ^^„„„,„  i„„e.„  ore., 

..  u  e„l,  o^-md  ,o  m.ny,  *..  if  .he  -fj'^'t  1^123  to  4.  »c»Uy 

Thev  contended  who  should  go  in  nrsi,  ""^  '       ,  .     r   ^    j  j^g  dawning  of  day.    A  stniry 
W^  together     They  advanced  abreast  and  entered  the  ion  ai  ^^^^^^  ^^^  ^^  ^    p 

foSeM '     No  resistance  was  made  and  tl'e/'"^^.^;'^^  had  been  sent  back  for  the  re- 

Se  attention  of  the  Americans,  was  to  "^  «in  ^h^'^^^^on  of  a  sloop  of  war,  lying  at  St 
?ompS  his.  it  was  necessary  for  them  to  get  po^jsion  ^^  ^  ^^,^  j        » 

Johns  at  the  northern  extremity  of  the  «ke.  ™  "^  ^^j  ,hat  Arnold  should  com- 
tag  ^eed  to  man  and  arm  a  schooner  lying  at  ^^^^]^^  ^^e  same  expedition.  A  fa- 
mKer,  and  that  Allen  should  command  some  batte^ux  ^^^^y  g,,^  dw 

vomble  wind  carried  the  schooner  <»h«ad  of  the^aue^'^;^-n  ^^^  h« '^^^-^^^J^^^ 

out  any  loss,  by  a  few  determined  men. 


ESSEX    COUNTY. 


161 


a  manner  aa  to 
uraging  diSicnl 

and  sustained  a 
ments,  and  some 
id,  and  defended 
lumbers,  that  no 
sailants  began  to 

Abercrombie  by 
revent  a  total  de- 
very  corps  of  the 
greatest  loss  bus. 

Ethan  Allen, 
in  his  history 


sy  between  Great 
tial  to  the  security 
B  waters  of  Lake 
en  New  York  and 
nnecticut,  planned 
sdaloan  of  1,800 
id  ball,  they  set  off 
;e.    Two  hundred 
ed  green  mountain 
ace  of  rendezvous. 
It,  was  prosecuting 
a  captain  of  a  vol. 
iided.     As  soon  aa 
company  for  the  vi- 
lays.    Immediately 
and  informed  them, 
luantity  of  valuable 
y  by  about  40  men. 
len,  and  to  take  Ti- 
led at  Castleton,  ad- 
Allen  should  be  the 
M  be  his  assistant, 
ilain,  opposite  to  Ti- 
ed  near  the  garriuon. 
they  should  both  go 
ngofday.    A  sentry 
vered  way  to  the  pa- 
imander,  surpriaed  iii 
authority?    Colonel 
id  of  the  continental 
stores  and  forty-eight 
sent  back  for  the  re- 
,    Colonel  Seth  War- 
ere  a  sergeant  and  12 
i«xt  object,  calling  for 
Champlain,  but  to  ac 
ip  of  war,  lying  at  St 
capturing  this  sloop  it 
It  Arnold  should  com- 
me  expedition.    A  fa- 
b1  Arnold  got  immedi- 
him,  he  retamed  with 
)n  went  home,  and  the 
In  this  rapid  manner 
a  were  obtained,  with- 


The  following  account  of  the  evacuation  of  Ticonderoga  by  Gen- 
eral St.  Clair,  on  July  6,  1777,  and  some  of  the  events  which  follow- 
ed, is  from  the  3d  volume  of  Macauley's  History  of  New  York : 

"  From  Crown  Point,  the  British  army  advanced  on  both  sides  of  the  lake ;  the  naval 
force  keeping  iis  station  in  tlie  centre  ;  the  frigate  and  gun-boats  cast  anchor  just  out  of 
cannon-shot  from  the  American  works.  On  the  near  approach  of  the  right  wing,  which 
advancp:]  y.r.  >hp  '.Vc=i  slu.-  of  the  lake,  on  the  second  of  .luly,  the  Americans  abandoned 
and  sei  fire  to  their  works,  bloCK-h'^uses  and  saw.mills,  towards  Lake  George  ;  and  with- 
out  attempting  any  serious  opposition,  8uf!"'-pd  General  Phillips  to  take  possession  of  Mount 
Hope.  This  post  commanded  tlie  American  hnes  in  a  great  degree,  and  cut  off  their  com- 
rnunication  with  Lake  George.  The  enemy  charged  the  Americans,  on  this  occasion,  with 
Bupineness  and  want  of  vigor;  but  this  charge  seems  not  well-founded  ;  they  had  not  men 
enough  to  make  any  effectual  opposition  to  the  powerful  force  which  threatened  to  enclose 
them. 

"  In  the  mean  time,  the  British  army  proceeded  with  such  expedition  in  the  construction 
of  their  works,  the  bringing  up  of  their  artillery,  stores,  and  provisions,  and  the  establish, 
ment  of  posts  and  communications,  that  by  the  fifth,  matters  were  so  far  advanced  as  to 
require  but  one  or  two  days  more  to  completely  invest  the  posts  on  both  sides  of  the  lake. 
Motmt  Defiance  had  also  been  examined,  and  the  advantages  which  it  presented  were  s(» 
important,  that  it  had  been  determined  to  take  possession,  and  erect  a  battery  there.  This 
work,  though  attended  with  extreme  difficulty  and  labor,  had  been  carried  on  by  General 
Phillips  with  much  expedition  and  success.  A  road  had  been  made  over  very  rough 
ground,  to  the  top  of  the  mount ;  and  the  enemy  were  at  work  in  constructing  a  level  for  a 
battery,  and  transporting  their  cannpji.  As  soon  as  this  battery  should  be  ready  to  play, 
the  American  works  would  have  been  completely  invested  on  ail  sides, 

"  The  situation  of  General  St.  Clair  was  now  very  critical.  He  called  a  council  of  war, 
to  deliberate  on  measures  to  be  taken.  He  informed  them  that  their  whole  effective  num- 
ber was  not  sufficient  to  man  one  half  of  the  works ;  that  as  the  whole  must  be  constantly 
on  duty,  it  would  be  impossible  for  them  to  endure  the  fatigue  for  any  considerable  length 
of  time  ;  that  General  Schuyler,  who  was  then  at  Fort  Edward,  had  not  sufficient  forces  to 
relieve  them ;  and  that,  as  the  enemy's  batteries  were  nearly  ready  to  open  upon  them,  and 
the  place  would  be  completely  invested  in  twenty.four  hours,  nothing  could  save  the  troops 
but  an  immediate  evacuation  of  the  posts. 

"  It  was  proposed  that  the  baggage  of  the  army,  with  such  artillery  stores  and  provisions 
as  the  necessity  of  the  occasion  would  admit,  should  be  embarked  with  a  strong  detach- 
,  ment  on  board  of  two  hundred  batteaux,  and  despatched  under  convoy  of  five  armed  gal- 
leys,  up  the  lake  to  Skeensborough,  (Whitehall,)  and  that  the  main  body  of  the  army  should 
proceed  by  land,  taking  its  route  on  the  road  to  CaptletoUv  which  was  about  thirty  miles 
southeast  of  Ticonderoga,  and  join  the  boats  and  galleys  at  Skeensborough.  It  was  thought 
necessary  to  keep  the  matter  a  secret  till  the  time  should  come,  when  it  was  to  be  ex. 
ecuted.  Hence,  the  necessary  preparations  could  not  be  made,  and  it  was  not  possible  to 
prevent  irregularity  and  disorder,  in  the  different  embarkations  and  movements  of  the 
troops. 

"  About  two  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  July  the  sixth.  General  St.  Clair  left  Ticonderoga, 
and  about  three,  the  troops  at  Mount  Independence  were  put  in  motion.  The  house  which 
had  been  occupied  by  General  de  Fermoy  was,  contrary  to  orders,  set  on  fire.  This  afforded 
complete  information  to  the  enemy  of  what  was  going  forward,  and  enabled  them  to  see 
every  movement  of  the  Americans — at  the  same  time,  if  impressed  the  latter  with  such  an 
idea  of  discovery  and  danger,  as  precipitated  them  into  great  disorder.  About  four  o'clock. 
Colonel  Francis  brought  off  the  rear-guard,  and  Qonducted  their  retreat  in  a  regular  man. 
ner  ;  and  soon  after,  some  of  the  regiments,  through  the  exertions  of  their  ofHcers,  rccov. 
ered  from  their  confusion.  When  the  troops  arrived  at  Hubbardton  they  were  halted  for 
nearly  two  hours,  and  the  rear.guard  was  increased  by  many  who  did  not  at  first  belong  to 
it,  but  were  picked  up  oi!  the  road,  having  been  unable  to  keep  up  with  their  regiments. 
The  rear-guard  was  here  put  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Seth  Warner,  with  orders  to 
follow  the  army,  as  soon  aa  the  whole  came  up,  and  to  halt  about  a  mile  and  a  half  short 
of  the  mam  body.  The  army  then  proceeded  to  Castleton,  about  six  miles  further— Colonel 
Warner,  with  the  rear-guard  and  stragglers,  remaining  at  Hubbardton. 

"  The  retreat  of  the  Americans  from  Ticonderoga  and  Mount  Independence,  was  no 
sooner  perceived  by  the  British,  than  General  Frazer  began  an  eager  pursuit  with  his  bri- 
gade.  Major-general  Reidesei  was  ordered  to  join  in  the  pursuit  with  the  greater  part  of  his 
Germans.    General  Frazer  continued  the  pursuit  through  the  day,  and  having  received  in- 

21 


im 


'iiSli 


'' '. 


I' 


m 


111 


'liK^f 


JQ2  FRANKLIN    COUNTY. 

telligence  that  the  rear  of  the  Arnerican  arn,y  -- »»  ^  ^^-L^Sn^^'fe^l'l^r 
ie  that  night  upon  their  anna.    On  July  seventh,  at  fivt  n  'J^  m^^^'^'/'  ,^^^  ^^^^^\^  ,^6 
Colonel  Warner,  who  had  about  one  !^>°"^«"d  ".en      1  he  bnt.sl  adva  ^^^  ^^ 

attack,  and  the  two  bod.es  formed  w.thm  ^ly ^y^.^'/^.^fj^^^U  fighting  with  great 
fierce  and  bloody.     Colonel  Francs  f«l  J'  '^e  head  o    m.  r  ,  ^^s  ^^^^.^^^^^  ^^^^^ 

gallantry.    W.rner  was  so  well  supported  by  h.s  office^ ^  ,         ^^^^^^^  ,„:^„,nna 

and  gave  way.    They  soon    however,  recovered  trom  ,^^        .^^^  ^.^^^^^^. 

charied  the  A-ericans  wuh  the  bayo^  ;J^  .^^^^  ;^  ^^^^  P^^,^  ,  du- 

these,  however,  rallied  ''"^_'^'''"7,''° '°.','i  Reared  with  the  advance  pa.ty  of  his  Ger. 
bious.  At  that  moment,  General  l^«'<^^^f' 3°^  j^g  fortune  of  the  dav,  and  the  Amcr- 
mans.  These  being  led  mto  ««."'^"' . «°°".  *'„*=^^7,eVy  con  "derable  on  the  American  side. 
leans  had  to  retreat.  The  loss  m  'h'^^^.f';;^  J"'/ which  consisted  of  militia,  into  action, 
Colonel  Hale,  who  had  not  brought  h.s  egtiyent  ^y  flth,!  fell  in  with  an  inconsiderable 
although  ordered  so  to  do,  m  """^r  «■  ;*;  Jf^^^d  a  nSb'er  of  his  n>en,  prisoners.  In 
party  of  the  enemy,  and  -;-"3[f^„f;™'  ^in  L  act.on  three  hundred  and  twenty. 
til^eTal^trtXrhurdr^rd  eigh.y-.hree  in  U.lled  and  wounded." 

WeJtport,  taken  from  Eli^abethtown  in  1815      I^^n  .orcabounds 
Por^  1932      Wcstport,  a  thriving  village  at  the  head  ot  ^W.  bay  of 
[akeSmplain!  8^.nii;s  east  of  Elizabethtown,  contams  about  sixty 
dweHing       Wadhams  Mills,  on  tlie  Boquet,  .s  a  «;!^a».  ullage. 

Wn  ..BOROUGH,  originally  organized  as  part  ot  Clinton  county  in 
17^  s^"e  mod  i-red  Pop.  1,667.  WiUsborough,  2  miles  horn  the 
nth  nffhe  Roauet  river,  N.  from  Albany  138,  and  Irom  Elizabeth 
r  13  miles  fs  a'  manufocturing  village,  and  has  about  50  dwellings. 
^•Wn.::::r:i  taken  from  Ja/in  1821 ;  name  and  boui^dar.es  since 
altered-  from  Albany  148,  from  Elizabeth  NW.  20  miles.  ine 
Who  FarMountain^ere  commandsaviewot  more  t^^^^^^^^^^ 
in  extent,  including  Montreal,  Ogdensburg,  and  Lak.  Ontario.  Pop- 
928. 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 

Frankun  county,  taken  from  Clinton  in  1808,  is  centrally  dislnnt 
from  New  York  287,  from  Albany  NW.  142  miles.     Oreatescleng  h 
enroatest  breadth  SO  miles.     The  hiL^h  northern  latitude  sufficiently 
indicate   the  rigors  of  the  climate.     The  forests  are  very  dense,  con- 
It inf of   ree^of  immense  size.     In  the  southwestern  part  are  some 
Xfidges  oi  moumains,  but  of  all  the  rest  a  large  portion  is  rather 
evel  than  hilly.     The  settlements  are  almost  wholly  m  the  northern 
mrt  extending  about  15  miles  S.  from  the  N.  line,  and  even  here  are 
Jmrse    mS  the  larger  portion  of  the  county  being  as  yet  covered 
Tth   he  pi  mitive  fo?ests^     The  soil  is  u  sandy  loam,  occasionally 
mixed  with  clay,  stony,  and  the  fields  commonly  among  thnlty  farm- 
"rs  are  fcnce.^^ith  sLes  gathered  from  the  surluce      So-e  -'..at 
is  raised  but  it  is  an  uncertain  crop,  whilst  grass,  oats,  barley,  corn, 
&c    genVraiv  are  very  nroduCive."^  No  portion  of  the  s tatt.  .s  per- 
haniCur  ^Inpted  to  tlie  sugar-beet.     Grazing  and  lumlH-rmg  are 
the  chief  pursuit  of  the  inhubitaati..  who  find  their  market  upon  the 


i» 


FRANKLIN    COUNTY. 


163 


red  his  men  to 
came  up  with 
d  boldly  to  the 
le  conflict  was 
ting  with  great 
issailants  broke 
ned  Bgiiin,  and 
t  into  disorder; 
Ltle  became  du. 
iity  of  his  Ger. 
and  the  Amcr. 
American  side. 
itia,  into  action, 
1  inconsiderable 
,  prisoners.     In 
red  and  twenty- 
ied." 

)re  abounds. 
N  W.  bay  of 
i  about  sixty 
llage. 

jw  county  in 
lies  irorr  tlie 
)m  Eliz'ibcth 
jO  dwellings, 
ndaries  since 
miles.  The 
lan  100  miles 
(itario.     Pop. 


[itrally  dislnnt 
reate'st  length 
dc  fufficiently 
ry  dense,  con- 
pa  it  are  some 
rtion  is  rather 
n  the  northern 
even  here  are 
IS  yet  covered 
fi,  occasionally 
g  thrifty  farm- 
Some  wheat 
3,  barley,  corn, 
he  state  is  per- 
lumbering  are 
lurket  upon  the 


St.  Lawrence  river.  Pop.  16,450.  The  county  is  divided  into  18 
towns. 

Bangoh,  taken  from  Dickenson  in  1812  ;  distant  NW.  from  Albany 
221  miles.  Pop.  1,218.  Bangor,  5  miles  W.  of  Malone,  and  W.  Ban- 
gor, are  post  villages.  The  population  is  principally  distributed  along 
two  roads  about  3  miles  asunder,  known  as  the  North  and  South  streets. 

Belmont,  taken  from  Chatcaugua,  in  1833  ;  N  W.  from  Albany  185. 
Pop.  470.     Belmont  is  a  small  village,  12  miles  SE.  of  Malone. 

Bombay,  taken  from  Fort  Covington  in  1833  ;  NW.  from  Malone  20 
miles.  Pop.  1,446.  The  Indian  village  of  St.  Regis  lies  on  the  left  bank 
of  the  St.  Regis  river,  upon  the  northern  boundary.  The  reservation 
of  this  tribe  lies  partly  in  this  town  and  partly  in  Fort  Covington, 
extending  3  by  1 1  miles.  Hogansburg  and  Bombay  Four  Corners 
are  villages.  The  present  or  late  chief  of  the  St.  Regis  Indians,  is  or 
was  a  descendant  of  the  daughter  of  the  Rev.  John  Williams  the 
minister  of  Deerfield,  Mass.,  who  was  with  most  of  his  family  and 
neighbors  taken  prisoners  to  Canada  in  1704.  Mr.  Williams  was 
carried  to  Lake  Champlain,  and  from  thence  to  Montreal  and  Quebec. 
In  1706,  a  flag-ship  was  despatched  to  the  latter  place,  and  Mr. 
Williams  and  57  other  captives  were  redeemed  and  sent  to  Boston: 
all  his  children  returned  with  the  exception  of  his  daughter  Eunice, 
who,  at  the  age  of  10  years,  was  left  behind.  She  adopted  tiie  manners 
of  the  Indians,  to  one  of  whom  she  was  married,  and  became  converted 
to  the  Catholic  faith.  Some  time  after  the  war,  she,  with  her  husband, 
visited  her  relations  at  Deerfield,  dressed  in  the  Indian  costurae;  and 
though  every  persuasive  w.is  in  vain  tried  to  induce  her  to  abandon 
him  and  remain  among  her  connections,  she  still  persisted  in  wearing 
hei  blanket  and  counting  her  beads,  and  returned  to  Canada,  where 
she  ended  her  days.  Her  descendants  still  continue  to  visit  their 
relatives  in  New  England,  by  whom  they  are  nospitably  received. 
One  of  them,  by  the  name  of  Elenzer  Williams,  has  been  educated  by 
his  friends  in  New  England  and  employed  as  a  missionary  to  the 
Indians  at  Green  Bay.  Mr.  Williams  some  years  since,  when  on  a 
visit  to  Canada,  found  the  Bible  of  his  great-grandfather,  the  Rev.  John 
Williams,  with  his  name  in  it.  '!e  states,  that  when  Deerfield  was 
destroyed,  the  Indians  took  a  small  church  bell,  which  is  now  hang- 
ing in  th(!  Indian  church  at  St.  Regis.  It  was  conveyed  on  a  sledge 
as  far  as  Lake  Champlain  and  buried,  and  was  afterward  taken  up 
and  conveyed  to  Canada. 

The  first  standard  captured  from  the  enemy  in  the  late  war  was 
taken  at  this  place  by  Maj.  Guilford  Dudley  Young,  on  the  22d  of 
Oct.,  1812.  The  following  account  of  tliis  event  is  extracted  from 
newspapers  published  at  the  time. 

"  Mnjor  Young,  of  the  Troy  militia,  conimandnnt  of  a  detachment  stationed  at  French 
Mill»,  on  the  Si.  Regis  river,  having  received  information  that  a  party  of  the  enemy  had 
arrived  at  the  vilhifje  of  St.  Regis,  and  that  more  were  shortly  expected,  formed  a  reaolution 
to  take  them  before  lliey  were  reinforced.  For  this  purpose,  he  marched  l.  detachment,  at 
II  o'clock  on  ihe  night  of  the  3Ial  of  October,  crowed  the  river  at  Gray's  Mills  about  3, 
and  at  5  in  the  morning  arrived  within  half  a  mile  of  the  village  unexpected  by  the  enemy. 
Here  the  major  made  such  a  judicious  disposition  of  his  men,  that  the  anemy  war*  ontiraljf 


1^1 


ill 

.'1 1* 


I 


,  r 


11 


wM 


l.t!     ' 


I:-  ' 


164 


FRANKLIN    COUNTY. 


surrounded,  and  after  a^few  di-hargcs.  ..rend.^  ^--J-  Pj— , -j?;! 

5  killed.     The  result  of  th,8  affmr  was  the  capture  "J  {U  f  ^s  .  ^^^  ^^^^^ 

ment..  &c.,  one  stand  of  '=«l°'-^^"'l,7'',.'^fr"i;  „"      The  prisoners  were  s.nt  otF  to 

JSe^VafYourh^aft^  ^'^  '^'  ^'^^^^  '""^  ''"  '"'■ 

my  in  the  present  war." 

Prom  tAe  ^i6any  Gazette  of  January,  1813. 
..  On  Thursday,  the  5th  inst    at  1  oVlock   a  d.achtn^.nt  ot  '  e  vol"nte„  ^ 

entered  this  city,  with  the  f ''if 'rt^.^'^^/ie  rear?  paraded  to  the  music  of  Yankee 
eagles  in  the  centre,  and  the  British  '=">°'^,« '"  •'\" g'.^^'^^'  ^^  ,e,„  ,„  the  capitol,  the  officers 
Do'odle  and  York  F"-le"f  •  Z  ^f  .„lf;/ ^e  vS  il^Ca^^^^^  grand 'staircase  leading 
and  colors  in  the  centre.      The  f^"  «'"^"  "'  ^„j  assembly  chamhrrs,  were  crowded 

to  the  hall  of  justice,  and  the  ga»f> '^^  "J '^f^  from  it.  being  absent,  h..  aids.  Cols.  Lamb 
with  spectators.     Hisexcellency  the  governor,  from  il^css^  ^^.^^^  ^^.^ 

and  lAish,  advanced  from  the  couiici  ^«,''»"^^" '"{^^^'^^^p'ropHate  address,  presented  it  to 
Young,  in  a  truly  military  and  g;'.'l""' ^^.^^^'Xon  L  pan  of  the  state,  replied  in  a  highly 
the  pelple  of  New  Y-j  to  winch  CK^^^^^^^  ^^„„,,  ;^,^,^       id  ,he  loud 

Z£7SZ:n!:i:^^^^^-  St^bseVently  to  this  achievement.  Ma,  Youngt 
wai  appointed  a  colonel  in  the  U.  S.  army. 

R„.MK,N  taken  from  Bangor  in  1828  ;  centrally  distant  S\\    Irom 
MatnrsO  mUes      The  settllrnents  are  in  the  north  part  of  the  town. 

Pop.  560.  Plnttsburff  and  Cham  plain  as  part  of 

,he  turnpike  t»  Hamburg,  .  a  ..aU  v.Uag  .  West  Chateau,.a  .  ^^ 
Si^ifua  ^!i  ot  »0  Ve  JJc;-;ndicular.  over  granite  rock.    Cha- 

A  Bkirmish  took  place  in  this  vicinity  during  the  late  war,  between 
the  Br  S     md  a^rtion  of  the  American  army  ""der  General 
Samptof  w^    wa's  designed  for  tl-^--op-Uon^^on^^^^^^^^^ 
The  following  account  of  this  affair  is  taken  Irom    Fe^kins  History 
of  the  Late  War" 


•  Thr  MBntlard  Ik  «l  prewnt  rfmali.l.w  '",''''*=»'  '^ft,lA"i'wH,  I..'  •'nH'fd  H'o  patriot  i*rvlce under 0«n. 
Minn,  an.l  l..»l  I.I-  lilV  In  .lMM..r»B»l.'  <"' M«;«  <r'  1"    'S  fo  .'...f  D.SIU  men.    Tl.«  «.|.|.l.-i  <••  l'7>^"'"° 


„,a..y  of  «!.«  «-l<li-r"  J-*'""'.  •>"  '"V  .■»"  .""Tu,  S  ,.  Id  Ih  u  to  e  a»t.  All.r  I.HMnK  brnv.ly  d«f-«nd 
knowing  lb..  ,KTB.Iy  o.  .1,..  .....ny,  "'^^1' ^''.h  .  ft  I  by    ..n^  '--"■  Y»un«  w««  klll.-.l  by  «  -a""""  •'". 

the my  In  a  niiintwr  ol  .nil.i.voiH  lo  ''"y'^',, '""?,',!:.  "r,.,ii,  the  i-olom'l.ankl.iiiH  lo  ob^'rveall  lli.'lr 

Con.  the  [..Itery  rn,««U  «u..ln«l ;  «>  <..«.  •  ^' '  «  X"  X,'„t'  ! '/,  ,^  „  ,h.i  ra,n,,..rt.;  nn-l  w hU.- coven. .« 
,„„v...nent,,  lenH-My  ..«ik.«.1  hi.  P'™'"'  V  ^v'  'anV.m  lT-l."l«..llv  .-o-mI""  "f  >'•"  """'"y-  ""•'"•  » '"i 
will.  Dr.  Ile.,n..««y  on  tl..'  mnciw...  ..(  •'"•  "/l  »"  ""-,  Ymn  g  « ...  .m  ..iII.-.t,  whom,  "•■«•  I"  "'"."!  '"' 
thai  wan  Hr.'d  from  Ih.ir  l.aii.'ry  nirrl.sl  off  M*  "'^\  ,.,  rJ*r    nn.l  aUinlr.'.    In  ev.Ty  :.cll.>n  h.'  Iih.1  l.<'<'n 

American  part  of  the  .llvUlon  had  h-r'  'Jf^";;^\2f.M«-.TCl..u  . l^         '"<•'■  in  him.    In  the  h.M.r  of 

<«nfH)lc..on«  for  hlndar .,«  rc.rage  and  .k  1 1.     M    »   "l>.*-'l  '^'    '  ,   .^..^^  j  ,„  „„,  hoi..*  of  the 

danger  he  wan  roll.H-l..l,  gave  hl«  order,  wl  h  I"*''  '•'""> ''7*^'^'' ,''",'  („'  ,h,.  .•^•..■nie,  an.l  en.;ureu  prlv«- 
?.'mb«t.  H.«.or  «.Hl  «..nn..*  marked  all  h  ,  "^ ";-'"••»:  ^ '  f  "  div ' 'inn.  He  ha.  been  In  .he  IJ.  9^ 
tlon.  with  a  .•lieer(nln.».  Htjierlor  to  thai  <>l  .-in)  """  ,,  ,  'i\,  o,.,^  Inlerii-il  b^■  the  few  Am.-rK.ii.«  who 
S^"  r.ri.Yleu..  Col.  nf  the  ;kh  "■•"""•'"■•!';;"'"''';,. .     .  ;;      r^iM .    a, .  .Ik.  i'-.-ral  gl^om  which  p^ 


li  i 


FRANKLIN    COUNTY. 


165 


ith  the  loss  of 
ir  arms,  equip, 
irty  being  hurt. 
vcre  sont  olF  to 
1  from  tl.s  ene. 


irilitin  of  Troy 
:,  with  2  superb 
isic  of  Yankee 
Xo\,  the  officers 
luircape  leading 
,  were  crowded 
lids,  Cols.  Lamb 
pun  which  Mnj. 
,  presented  it  to 
ilicd  in  a  highly 
1,  amid  the  loud 
It,  Maj.  Youngt 

It  SW.  from 
of  the  town. 

as  part  of 
(n  Malone  on 
iteaugua  is  a 
cade  on  the 
rock.  Cha- 
3,  from  Man- 
than  Beman, 
n  conducting 
ment  of  this 
unty,  exccpt- 

9n. 

war,  between 
ider  General 
on  Montreal. 
kins'  History 


)t  iervtce  under  0«n. 
,  ^m  In  niinibrr,  litil 
mi|iiilii'«  or  pn)vl»mn 
■t  Iwcainc  inioli'rable; 
01.  YoiihU,  howfyor. 
vinil  iKBvi'ly  tlcfi-Bli-d 
t'illiy  «  iniiiK'n  »ti<)l, 
)UK  li>  cibwrvf  nil  lln'lr 
ntKlwhlli-coiiveri'lng 
II  t'lieniy,  llK'  !»»•  •''"' 
(Mil,  m'Xi  til  Minn,  the 
■ry  r\(llim  l»'  IikiI  l»'i'n 
hlin.    Ill  tl"*  iK'iir  of 
ya  111  lliii  hdiiiiit  of  lh« 
If,  mill  eiHUircij  prlvt- 
!•  hiM  befii  In  the  U.  8. 
•  iVw  Anii^rtcniii  wba 
icrul  gloom  whicli  p«r- 
iivoi  to  Uiu  uienwry  of 


"  On  the  morning  of  the  2l8t  of  October,  1813,  the  ntmy  commenced  n  movement  down 
the  Chateaugay.  An  extensive  wood  of  10  or  12  miles  in  front,  blocked  up  with  felled 
timber,  and  covered  by  the  Indians  and  Brili^h  light  troops,  impeded  the  progress  of  the 
army.  Gen.  Izard  was  detached  with  the  light  troops  and  one  regiment  of  the  line  to  turn 
these  impediments  in  flank,  and  seize  on  the  open  country  below,  while  the  army,  preceded 
by  a  working  party,  advanced  in  a  more  circuitous,  but  practicable  route.  The  measure  sue- 
ceeded,  and  the  main  body  reached  the  advanced  position  on  the  Chateaugny,  on  Hit:  uveiiiiig 
of  the22d.  The  2.'JJ  and  24ih  were  employed  in  getting  up  ilie  iiriillery  and  stores.  There 
was  now  in  front  of  the  army  7  miles  of  open  country,  at  ihe  end  of  which  commenced  a  wood 
of  some  miles  in  extent,  which  had  been  formed  into  an  entire  aliatlis,  filled  with  a  succession 
of  wooden  breastworks,  the  rearmost  of  which  wa:^  supplied  with  ordnance.  Tlie  Indians 
and  hght  troops  were  placed  in  front,  and  a  heavy  force  in  the  rear.  On  the  evenmg  of 
the  2.1th,  Col.  Purdy,  with  the  light  troops,  was  detached  to  gain  the  rear  of  this  position, 
while  Gen.  Izard  made  a  simultaneous  attack  in  front.  Col.  Purdy  was  misled  by  his  guides, 
the  attempt  failed,  and  the  advanced  corps  retired,  with  a  loss  of  .50  killed,  wounded,  and 
missing,  to  a  position  3  miles  in  the  rear.  On  the  28th,  Gen.  Hampton,  under  an  impression 
that  Sir  George  Prevost  might  be  in  the  way  of  his  further  advance,  fell  back  to  his  tormer 
position  at  the  Chateaugay  Four  Corners,"  and  immediately  conducted  his  army  back  to 
Plattsburg  for  winter  quarters. 

Constable,  taken  from  Harrison  as  part  of  Clinton  county  in  1807  ; 
bounds  since  altered.  Pop.  1,121.  Constable  is  a  small  village  7 
miles  N.  of  Malone.     East  Constable  is  a  post-ollice. 

Dickenson,  taken  from  Harrison  (original  name  of  Malone)  in 
1808  ;  from  Malone  centrally  distant  SVV.  30  miles.  Pop.  1,005. 
This  town  is  about  50  miles  long,  N.  and  S.,  and  G  broad.  The  set- 
tlements are  in  the  northern  part. 

DuANE,  taken  from  Malone  in  1828;  centrally  distant  S.  of  Ma- 
lone 20  miles.  The  post  village  lies  in  the  N.  part  of  the  town,  where 
there  is  a  considerable  quantity  of  iron  and  steel  manufactured  from 
ore  in  the  vicinity.     Pop.  324. 

Fort  Covington,  named  after  Gen.  Covington,  who  was  slain  at 
the  battle  of  Williamsburg  in  Canada,  November  11,  1813;  taken 
from  Constable  in  1817;  from  Malone  N.  7  miles.  In  the  Fork,  5 
miles  S.  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  is  the  post  village  of  Fort  Covington, 
formerly  called  "  French  Mills,"  which  contains  about  150  H  .ellmgs. 
Fort  Covington  of  the  late  war  was  in  this  township,  A  large  lum- 
ber business  is  here  conductc  d  by  the  way  of  the  St.  Lawrence. 
Pop.  2,098. 

Franklin,  recently  formed  from  Belmont;  centrally  distant  28 
miles  SE.  from  Malone.     The  post-office  is  at  Mcrritsville.     Pop.  102. 

Malone,  taken  from  Harrison,  and  organized  an  part  of  Clinton 
county  in  1805;  from  Albany  212  miles,  from  Plattsburg  W.  51,  and 
from  Ogdensburg  E.  70  miles.  Po|).  3,220.  Malone  village,  the 
county  seat,  is  situated  upon  both  sides  of  the  Salmon  river.  This 
stream  is  here  crossed  by  a  stone  bridge,  having  an  arch  of  97  feet 
siian  and  a  roadway  of  70  feet  above  the  original  bed  of  the  stream. 
This  town  was  first  settled  by  Nathan  Wood,  an  emigrant  from 
Vermont,  who  located  himself  about  a  mile  north  of  the  village.  The 
following  view  was  taken  near  Hosford's  tavern,  and  shows  the  prin- 
cipal  part  of  the  village.  The  public  building  on  the  extreme  left  is 
the  academy,  the  one  adjacent,  the  Baptist  church  ;  the  strrplo  of  a 
large  cotton  factory  is  seen  near  the  centre  of  the  engraving,  at  the 
toot  of  the  hill,  and  the  courthouse  on  the  right ;  the  Presbytcriaa 


^  ->l 


5:i 


.M 


I 


'\>         V. 


r^    i 


FOLTON  COHNTY 


View  of  Malone. 


church  a  large  and  substantial  stone  structure,  is  not  brought  into 

'?^-  tirk  wTr  iSTlsllr  t  al'S  or  British  ntade  an 
During  the  late  war,  ^i  t,u.,  loi  ,;  rhateaugua  Four 

incursion^mothis^paceondp^^^^^^^^^ 

Corners.     1  hey  were  Luiiima.  j  inHudi-i"  in^nv  Indians. 

regiment,  and  numbered  about  2,300  mn  'n-ta--^     ^■„^„,,,|  ■, 

bou?sll^:f%^n::^ardtalf  Xrlfre:;a;;e7at  the  eiosJot- the 
Ta^td  £  upwards  o;  200  men  V  'le-;J;f-^„„„,  225,  centrally 

Pop.  1,033. 


*-v. 


FULTON  COUNTY. 

Fulton  county  was  taken  from  the  northern  f^^^  of JMontgonr.ery 

fULTON  rouN  Albany  40  miles;  length  E.  and  W.  3i 

county  m  1838  ;  INW.  »rom  aiu  u  y  the  northern  part  of 

;;r;<:s^;^I;l"sle^^q2~^^^^^ 
5^^un!r'::s;^?;it=';'3iLp.i^T;. 

county  i8  well  watered  and  contains  several  sniail  lu-ra,     it  is  aivia 
ed  into  9  towns.     Pop.  18,038. 


'-'vAj  -# 


f^^vu 


\M 


FULTOK  COUNTY, 


167 


brought  into 

ritish  made  an 
leaugua  Four 
3  load  British 
Yinnv  Indians. 
:y  retreate  1  in 
ridges  in  their 
reat  by  a  tre- 
le  close  of  the 

225,  centrally 
I  small  village, 
bany  233.  from 
i  small  village. 


if  Montgomery 
I  E.  and  W.  32 
orthcrn  part  of 
nous  character, 
county  on  the 
[lampton.  The 
( 3o    It  is  divid- 


^ 


:eker,  taken  from  Johnstown  in  1831  ;  from  Albany  53  miles^ 
-v^.ii  Johstown  N.  13.  There  are^hree  inconsiderable  settlements  in 
the  town.  The  soil  is  quite  poor  and  covered  with  small  evergreens. 
Pop.  346. 

Broadalbin,  taken  from  Caughnawaga  in  1793;  from  Albany  47 
miles,  from  Johnstown  NE.  10.  A  settlement  was  made  in  this  town 
ui  1770,  by  Daniel  Mclntyre,  and  a  few  other  emigrants  from  Scot- 
land ;  but  it  was  broken  up  during  the  revolutionary  war.  Fonda's 
Bush  or  Rawsonville,  10  miles  from  Johnstown,  incorporated  in 
1815,  has  about  800  inhabitants.  West  Galway  and  Union  Mills 
are  small  post  villages.     Pop.  2,728, 

Ephrata,  taken  from  Palatine  in  1827;  from  Albany  58  miles, 
from  Johnstown  centrally  distant  W.  10.  This  town  was  settled  in 
1724,  by  Germans.  Pop.  2,009.  Pleasant  Valley,  Ephrata,  and 
Lasselsville,  are  small  villages. 


Southern  view  of  Johnstown. 

Johnstown,  originally  named  Caughnawaga,  was  founded  about  the 
year  1770,  by  Sir  William  Johnson,  who  resided  here  during  the  lat- 
ter period  of  his  life,  es.*.-i.  ally  in  the  rank,  and  with  much  of  the 
splendor  of  a  noblemun.  Sir  William  and  his  family,  by  various 
nieans,  became  posser-.>d  >!"  vast  tracts  of  valuable  land  in  this  section 
of  the  country,  and  hud  many  tenants  and  retainers  under  them. 
1  hen  great  possessions,  however,  were  confiscated  during  the  revo- 
lufK.nary  war,  -n  account  of  their  adherence  to  the  British  cause. 
Iho  villfigP  of  Johnstown  is  about  4  miles  N.  of  Fonda,  the  seat  of 
justice  for  Montgomery  county,  and  44  from  Albany.  The  accom- 
panying  engraving  shows  the  appearance  of  the  village  as  viewed 
Irom  the  hrst  elevation  south,  on  the  road  to  Caughnawaga  or  Fonda 
v.liage.  The  courthouse  is  the  first  building  seen  on  the  left  with  a 
spire ;  Mayfield  mountains  appear  in  the  extreme  distance.  The  vil- 
lage contains  a  bank,  an  academy,  4  churcho!4_i  Presbyterian,  1 
iipiscopal,   1    Dutch  Keformed,  and   1   Melho  list— and  about  250 


«     A 


Ir4.=- 


-'■J 


168 


FUt.TON    COUNTY. 


dwellin-s.     It  is  situated  on  a  handsome  plain,  skirted  on  the  N. 
a^d  W"by  Cayadutta  creek,  and^on  the  S.  bv  \hill  of  moderate  ele- 
vation    U  wal  regularly  laid  out  by  Henry  Oothoudt,  Jeremiah  Van 
Rer;iacr,  and  c'hnsto'pher  P.  Yates  state  cp--one^^^^^^^ 
and  was  incorporated  in  1807.     The  village  of  Kmgsboro  is  4  mUes 
NE  Tom  Johnstown ;  it  has  a  Presbyterian  church,  an  academy, 
and  aboS  40  or  50  dwellings.     This  village  has  acquired  «ome  ce  eb- 
?ity,  as  being  the  place  wh'ere  great  quantities  of  dressed  deer-  km 
1  ,-^o  nnri  mittptis  have  been  manufactured.     Ihe  town  oi  joiins- 
fown  was   S^ly  organized  by  the  name  of  Caughnawaga  in 
179S;^ts  terXial  limits   have  since  been  much  reduced.     Pop. 
5,408. 


Johnson  Hall,  in  Johnstown. 

The  above  is  a  southeastern  view  of  the  mansion-house  built  by 

Sir  William  Johnson,  called  ^^  Johnson  Halir     This  hou«e  «ow  oc- 

cupied  by  Mr.  Wells,  is  situated  about  three  fourths  of  a  mile  N W. 

of  the  courthouse,  on  ground  gently  e  eyated  above  the  village      The 

hall  itself  is  built  of  wood,  but  the  bui  dmgs  or  ^^mgs  on  each  s^e 

are  of  stone,  pierced  with  loop-holes  for  musketry.     ^  en  S  r  Wii- 

liam  occajied  these  buildings,  he  had  ^hem  «urroimded  b^ -^  strnie 

breastworl.     While  in  possession  ot  the  Johnson  ^^"1'^'.  fth^Mo 

place  ot  r(>sort  for  the  sachems  of  the  Six  Nations,  and  all  the  Mo- 

Kawks  repaired  thither  to  receive  their  presents  from  the  British  gov- 

^''^Wilham  Johnson  was  born  in  Ireland  about  the  year  1714;  he 

was  a  nephew  of  Sir  Peter  Warren,  the  "'^^^l  ^T^  ^  r'plAav' 
tinguished  himself  at  the  siege  of  Lou.sburg  m  1745.  Sir  Pester  hav- 
ing married  a  sister  of  Chief-  ustice  De  Lancey  of  New  York,  pur- 
chased  a  large  tract  of  land  on  the  Mohawk,  and  about  the  v^^r 
1734,  sent  for  his  nephew  to  come  to  America  and  f^F^ntcnd  \hi9 
estote  Young  Johnson  first  established  himself  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Schoharie,  afterward  erected  a  house  in  the  town  of  Amsterdam, 
and  subsequently  the  hall  at  Johnstown.  ^  To  fulfil  the  duties  of  hs 
scunn..ission,  he  learned  the  language  ol  the  Indians,  studied  their 


FULTON    COUNTY. 


160 


;d  on  the  N. 
moderate  ele- 
feremiah  Van 
iners,  in  1784, 
loro  is  4  miles 
an  academy, 
;d  some  celeb- 
3sed  deer-skill 
)wn  of  Jolms- 
jghnawaga  in 
educed.     Pop. 


i-house  built  by 

house,  now  oc- 

of  a  mile  NW. 

le  village.     The 

'S  on  each  side 

'  When  Sir  Wil- 

nded  by  a  stone 

imily,  this  was  a 

and  all  the  Mo- 

the  British  gov- 

I  year  1714;  he 

mander  who  dis- 

Sir  Peter  hav- 

New  York,  pur- 

about  the  year 

superintend  this 

the  mouth  of  the 

1  of  Amsterdam, 

the  duties  of  bis 

ins,  studied  their 


manners  and  cultivated  their  acquaintance.  His  situation  between 
Albany  and  Oswego  presented  a  tine  opportunity  for  trade,  and  he 
carried  on  a  large  traffic  with  them,  supplying  them  with  goods,  and 
receiving  in  return  beaver  and  other  skins.  By  a  course  ot  sagacious 
measures  he  obtained  an  influence  over  the  Indians  greater  than  was 
ever  possessed  by  any  other  white  man. 

In  1757,  Johnson  was  intrusted  with  the  command  of  the  provincial 
troops  of  New  York,  whom  he  led  to  Lake  George,  where  was 
achieved  the  first  victory  gained  on  the  British  side,  in  the  war  com- 
mencing at  that  period.  For  this  victory,  towards  which  he  did  but 
little  nioi-e  than  barely  hold  the  place  of  commander-in-chief,  he  re- 
ceived tj-om  the  house  of  commons  £5,000  sterling ;  and  from  the 
king,  tiie  title  of  baronet,  and  the  office  of  superintendent  of  Indian 
affairs.  In  1759,  being  at  the  head  of  the  provincial  troops  employed 
under  Gen.  Prideaux  to  besiege  Fort  Niagara,  he  became,  when  that 
officer  was  killed,  the  commander-in-chief:  by  his  activity  and  skill 
he  defeated  the  enemy  and  obtained  possession  of  the  fort  and  garri- 
son. In  17<')(),  when  Gen.  Amherst  embarked  at  Oswego  on  his  ex- 
pedition to  Canada,  Sir  VViliiam  brought  to  him  at  that  place  1,000 
Indians  of  the  Iroquois  or  kSix  Nations,  which  was  the  largest  number 
that  had  ever  been  seen  in  arms  at  one  time  in  the  cause  of  England. 
'•  !Sir  William  Johnson  possessed  considerable  talents  as  an  orator, 
and  his  influence  over  the  Indians  was  not  a  little  owing  to  the  im- 
pression made  upon  ihem  by  means  of  his  elocution He  had 

wives  and  concubines,  sons  and  daughters,  of  different  colors."  By 
Lady  Johnson  he  had  3  children — 1  son  and  2  daughters.  His  son, 
Sir  Jijhn  Johnson,  took  side  with  the  British,  in  the  revolutionary 
war,  and  bei-ame  the  scourge  of  the  Mohawk  valley.  One  of  the 
daughters  married  Col.  Clans,  and  the  other  Sir  Guy  Johnson.  Sir 
William  (lied  suddenly,  at  Johnson  Hall,  July  11th,  1774,  aged  60 
years ;  and  was  succeeded  by  his  son  in  his  title,  and  also  to  his  post 
as  major-general  of  the  militia. 

The  follov/ing  ant-cdote  respecting  Sir  William,  seems  to  evince, 
that  in  his  dealings  with  the  Indians,  who  have  a  good  reputation  for 
cunning,  he  was  not  outwitted.  Hendrick,  the  chief  of  the  Mohawks, 
was  at  the  house  of  Sir  William  when  he  received  several  rich  suits 
of  laced  rlothes.  Soon  after,  the  ciiief  came  to  him  and  said,  "  I 
dream."  "  Well !  what  did  you  dream  ?"  "  I  dream  you  give  me 
one  suit  of  clothes."  This  hint  could  not  be  mistaken  or  well  avoided, 
and  accordingly  Hendrick  received  a  suit.  Some  time  afterward 
Sir  William  meeting  Hendrick,  said  to  him,  "  I  dreamed  last  night." 
Did  you  !  What  did  you  dream  ?"  "  I  dreamed  you  gave  me  a  tract 
of  land,"  describing  it.  Hendrick  at  first  paused  at  the  enormity  of 
the  demand,  but  at  length  said,  "  You  may  have  the  land  ;  but  we  no 
dream  ocrain,  you  dream  too  hard  for  me."  The  tract  of  land  thus 
obtained,  is  stated  to  have  been  12  miles  square,  in  the  present  county 
of  Herkimer  ;  the  title  to  it  was  confirmed  by  the  king,  and  was  called 
the  "  Royal  Grant." 

The  power  which  Sir  William  Johnson  acquired  over  the  Indians 

23 


fr-t 


4 

i 

1 

1 

If! 

i 


170 


FULTON    COUNTY. 


descended  to  his  son  and  to  his  nephew,  Col.  Guy  Johnson,  who  sue 
ceeded  him  in  the  agency  of  Indian  atiairs.  As  the  tamily  had  de- 
rivPdmosTof  their  wealth  and  consideration  irom  the  crown,  hey 
were,  aTmight  be  supposed,  devoted  loyalists.  In  1775,  Gen.  Schuy- 
kr  p  evS  upon  the  Indians  to  agree  to  be  neutral  in  the  commg 
conrt  ct  It  appeared,  however,  that  the  influence  ot  the  Johnson 
family  prevailed  with  the  Indians,  and  induced  them  to  join  the 
bS  cause.  It  also  appeared  that  Sir  John  was  fortitj-ing  his 
houe  and  arming  the  Scotch  Highlanders,  his  tenants  and  adherents 
Conares  having  heard  of  these  movements,  sent  Gen  Schuyler  to 
dSm  these  perlons,  and  take  other  measures  to  secure  the  tranqui llity 
SrT^on  ccZt^^^^^^  set  out  on  this  mission  with  700  md.tia, 

but  before  he  reached  Caughnawaga  his  force  had  increased  to  three 
thousand  At  Schenectady  a  deputation  of  xMohawks  under  the  in- 
fluence of  the  Johnsons,  met  him,  and  with  much  -^^^-^^^^^ 
vored  to  dissuade  him  from  advancing.  On  the  Ibth  ol  January, 
n76  Gen.  Schuyler  despatched  a  letter  to  Sir  John,  requesting  him 
to  meet  him  on  the  morrow  ;  they  accordingly  met,  and  alter  some 
subsequent  delav,  he  and  the  Scotch  gentlemen  agi-eed  to  make  a 
deHve%  of  the  a;ms  of  the  inhabitants.  Sir  John  likewise  agreed 
that  he  would  not  go  westward  of  German  Flats  and  Kinsland  dis- 
trict, and  that  six  Scotch  inhabitants  might  be  taken  as  hostages.  On 
the  9th,  Schuyler  marched  into  Johnstown  and  drew  up  his  men  in 
a  line ;  the  Highlanders  were  drawn  up  facing  them,  and  grounded 
theTr  arms.  The  military  stores  were  surrendered  :  and  this  service 
beingTrformed,  Schuyler  and  the  militia  returned.  It  was  iound 
afteTward  that  Ihe  Highlanders  had  not  delivered  up  their  broad- 

^^G^n!  HeSer" w^'left  by  Gen.  Schuyler  to  complete  the  disarm- 
ing of  the  hostile  inhabitants.     Sir  John,  notwithstandmg  his  word  ot 
ho^no  ,  continued  his  hostile  intrigues  with  the  Indians,  and  otherwi  e 
forfeited  his  promises.     It  was  found  necessary  to  secure  him,  and  in 
May,  1776,  Col.  Dayton  was  sent  on  this  duty.     The  tones  m  Al- 
bany gave  notice  to  Sir  John  of  his  approach,  and  the  kmght  and  h.s 
followers  fled  to  the  woods,  and  escaped  to  Canada,  arrivmg  at  Mon- 
treal  after  nineteen  days  of  suflfering  and  f  ovation.     He  left  hs  re- 
sidence in  much  haste  :  an  iron  chest  with  the  family  Bible  and  papers 
were  buried  in  the  garden.     On  arriving  m  Canada,  the  barone.  was 
commissioned  a  British  colonel,  and  raised  the  regiment  of  tones  ca  led 
the  Royal  Greens.     By  his  adherence  to  the  British,  his  immense  esta  e 
was  forfeited,  and  this  appears  to  have  inspired  h.m  with  implacable 
Tevenge.     On  Sunday,  the  21st  of  May,  1780,  at  dead  of  night,  bir 
John  Johnson,  with  a  force  of  about  500  men  part  of  whom  were 
Indians,  made  an  incursion  into  Johnstown.     He  had  penctrate^d  the 
country  by  way  of  Lake  Champlain  to  Crown  Point,  and  thence 
through  the  woods  to  the  Sacondaga  river.     The  following  account 
of  this  incursion  is  from  a  newspaper  published  June  15th,  17»0. 

"Rvih«  latest  intclliecncc  from  Schenectady,  we  are  iiifonnod  tlint  Sir  John  Johiisoii, 
(^hJ'^ityrJhinicTf  lL  colonel  commanding  .ho  King's  Royul  Yorker.,  .n  the  parcel. 


I    I 


k 


FULTON    COUNTY. 


171 


)n,  who  suc- 
nily  had  de- 
crown, they 
Gen.  Schuy- 

the  comhig 
Lhe  Johnson 

to  join  the 
ortiiying  his 
d  adherents. 
Schuyler  to 
e  tranquillity 
1  700  militia, 
ased  to  three 
jnder  the  in- 
alness  endea- 

oi'  January, 
:|ue  sting  him 
d  alter  some 
d  to  make  a 
;wise  agreed 
Kinsland  dis- 
lostages.  On 
ap  his  men  in 
ind  grounded 
d  this  service 
It  was  found 
)  their  broad- 

te  the  disarm- 
g  his  word  of 
find  otherwise 
re  him,  and  in 
tories  in  Al- 
knight  and  his 
iving  at  Mon- 
He  left  his  re- 
bleand  papers 
e  baroneL  was 
of  tories  called 
mmense  estate 
ith  implacable 
d  of  night,  Sir 
f  whom  were 
penetrated  the 
at,  and  thence 
owing  account 
5th,  1780. 

Sir  John  Johnson, 
rkefK,  in  the  parcel* 


given  to  some  of  the  prisoners,)  on  Lord's  day  evening,  the  21st  ult.,  made  his  first  appearance 
at  Johnson  Hall,  undiscovered  by  any  but  his  friends,  who  no  doubt  were  in  the  secret. 
On  Monday,  about  daybreak,  they  began  to  burn  all  the  houses  except  those  of  the  tories, 
beginning  at  Aaron  Putnam's,  below  Tripe's  Hill,  and  continued  burning  to  Anthony's 
Nose,  or  Acker's  house,  excep'  a  few  which  by  the  vigilance  of  the  people  were  put  out 
after  the  enemy  had  set  them  on  fire.  There  have  been  burnt  33  houses  and  out-houses 
and  a  mill ;  many  cattle  were  killed  in  the  field,  and  60  or  70  sheep  burnt  in  a  ham. 
Eleven  persons  were  killed.  Col.  Fisher  [Visscher]  and  his  two  brothers  fought  with  great 
bravery,  when  the  two  brothers  were  killed  and  scalped  ;  the  colonel  went  up  stairs  and  there 
defended  liimself,  but  being  overpowered,  was  knocked  down  and  scalped,  on  which  they 
plundered  the  house,  set  it  on  fire,  and  then  went  off.  The  colonel  recovering  a  httle,  tliough 
he  was  left  by  the  enemy  for  dead,  he  pulled  one  of  his  dead  brothers  out  of  the  house  then 
in  flames;  the  other  was  consumed  in  the  house.  It  is  said  that  the  doctors  have  hopes 
that  Col.  Fisher  will  recover.  His  mother  had  a  narrow  escape  for  her  life,  being  knocked 
on  her  head  by  an  Indian ;  but  siie  is  like  to  do  well.  Capt.  Hansen  was  killed  by  an  In- 
dian,  who  had  formerly  been  used  by  him  with  kindness,  and  professed  much  gratitude. 
Old  Mr.  Fonda  was  cut  in  several  parts  of  his  head  with  a  tomahawk.  Had  it  not  been 
for  the  alertness  of  Mr.  Van  Vrank,  probably  more  would  have  been  butchered  by  their 
savage  hands ;  he  alarmed  the  people  along  the  way  to  Caughnawaga,  who  by  crossing 
the  river  saved  their  lives.  Having  done  all  the  mischief  to  the  distressed  inhabitants  they 
possibly  could,  they  returned  to  Johnson  Hall  in  the  afternoon ;  when  Johnson  dug  up  h'S 
plate,  and  about  sundown  marched  for  the  Scotch  Bush,  about  four  miles,  thai  evening.  He 
has  1,')  or  20  of  his  negroes  who  jjad  been  sold  ;  several  of  his  tenants  and  others  have  gone 
with  him.  He  has  permitted  some  of  his  prisoners  to  return  on  parole.  His  whole  force 
when  he  landed  at  Crown  Point,  is  said  to  be  about  500  men,  200  of  them  British,  part  of 
his  own  regiment,  and  Indians.  Capt.  Putnam  and  four  men  followed  them  in  their  retreat 
four  days,  on  their  way  to  Lake  Churnplain.  He  saw  him  24  miles  from  Johnson  Hall. 
Some  think  they  will  take  their  route  to  Oswagatchie ;  but  this  seems  improbable,  as  they 
have  not  provisions  sufficient  with  them.  His  excellency  the  governor  has  collected  a 
body  of  militia  to  intercept  their  way  to  Lake  Champlain ;  a  number  have  also  marched 
from  the  New  Hampshire  grants  for  the  same  purpose  :  Col.  Van  Schaick,  with  800  men, 
is  in  pursuit  of  him  by  the  way  of  Johnstown.  We  hear  that  the  enemy  had  their  feet 
much  swelled  by  their  long  march ;  and  being  greatly  fatigued,  it  is  hoped  our  people  may 
come  up  with  and  give  a  good  account  of  the  Lieut,  colonel  and  his  murdering  banditti," 

In  this  incursion,  Mr.  Sampson  Sammons  and  his  three  sons,  all 
stanch  whigs,  residing  in  Jonustown,  were  captured  by  the  enemy 
and  their  dwelling  laid  in  ashes.  The  elder  Mr.  Sammons  and  his 
youngest  son,  a  youth  of  eighteen,  were  released  by  Sir  John,  but 
Jacob  and  Frederick,  the  other  sons,  were  taken  to  Canada  and  con- 
fined in  the  fortress  of  Chaniblee.  From  this  place  they  made  their 
escape,  and  after  a  series  of  dreadful  suffering,  in  their  flight  through 
the  wilderness,  arrived  in  safety  among  their  friends.  A  long  and 
interesting  account  of  thsir  adventures  is  given  in  Col.  Stone's  Lite 
of  Brant. 

"  A  singular  but  well-attested  occurrence,"  saya  Col.  Stone,  "  closes  this  interesting  per. 
sonal  narrative  The  family  of  th.;  elder  Sammons  had  long  given  up  Frederick  as  lost. 
On  the  morning  after  his  arrival  at  Schenectady,  he  despatched  a  letter  to  his  father,  by  the 
hand  of  an  officer  on  his  way  to  Philadelphia,  who  left  it  at  the  house  of  a  Mr.  Levi  De 
Witt,  five  miles  distant  from  the  residence  of  the  old  gentleman.  The  same  night  on 
which  the  letter  was  thus  left,  Jacob  dreamed  that  his  brother  Frederick  was  living,  and 
that  there  was  a  letter  from  him  et  De  Witt's  announcing  the  joyful  tidings.  The  dream 
was  repeated  twice,  and  the  co  itents  of  the  letter  were  so  strongly  impressed  upon  his 

mind,  that  he  repeated  what  he  lelieved  was  the  very  language,  on  the  ensuing  morning 

insisting  that  such  a  letter  was  r,t  the  place  mentioned.  The  family,  his  father  in  particu. 
lar,  laughed  at  him  fjr  his  credulity.  Strong,  however,  in  the  belief  that  there  was  such  a 
communication,  he  repaired  to  the  place  designated,  and  asked  for  the  letter.  Mr.  De  Witt 
looked  for  it,  but  replied  there  was  none.  Jacob  requested  a  more  thorough  search,  and 
behold  the  letter  was  found  behind  a  barrel,  where  it  had  fallen.  Jacob  then  requested 
Mr.  De  Witt  to  open  the  letter,  and  examine  while  he  recited  its  contents.  He  did  so,  and 
the  dreamer  repeated  it  word  for  word." 


' 


n 


11 


!        1^^  i! 


m 


jiy2  FULTON    COUNTY. 

In  the  summer  of  1781,  another  expedition  was  sent  against  Johns- 
town.    This  was  condueted  with  so  much  secrecy,  that  on  the  24th 
of  Oct.,  the  enemy,  about  one  thousand  in  number  under  Majors  Koss 
and  Butler,  were  upon  the  settlement  at  Warrensbush  before  their 
approach  ^as  suspected.     Col.  Willet  who  was  at  Fort  Rensse  aer 
about  twenty  miles  distant,  on  hearing  the  news,  unmediately  marched 
for  Fort  Hunter,  which  he  -cached  early  on  the  tollowmg  morning 
with  all  the  forces  he  could  muster,  being  but  4  6  men  in  all.     When 
he  arrived  here,  he  learned  that  Ross  and  Butler  had  the  preceding 
day  crossed  the  river  some  distance  below  Tripe  s  Hill,  and  arrived 
at  Johnstown  about  the  middle  of  the  day,  killing  and  taking  the  peo- 
pie  prisoners,  destroying  buildings  and  cattle  on  their  way.     Havmg 
Effected  the  passage  of  the  river.  Col.  Willet  pushed  on  m  pursuit  ot 
the  enemy      Having  ascertained  their  position,  he  detached  Major 
Rowley,  of  Massachusetts,  with  part  of  his  force,  by  a  circuitous 
march' to  fall  upon  the  rear  of  the  enemy  while  he  attacked  them  in 
front  a  short  distance  above  the  Hall.     The  battle  became  spirited 
and  ieneral,  but  the  militia  under  Col.  Willet  gave  way,  and  ran  in 
the  utmost  confusion  to  the  stone  church  in  the  village.     Here  the 
colonel  succeeded  in  bringing  them  to  a  halt.     But  the  defeat  would 
have  been  complete,  had  not  Major  Rowley,  at  this  period  ot  the  ac- 
tion, emerged  from  the  woods  and  fell  upon  the  enemy  s  rear  in  the 
very  moment  of  their  exultation  at  their  easy  victory.     1  he  hght 
was  now  maintained  on  both  sides  with  obstinacy  till  near  sunset, 
when  Willet  was  enabled  to  collect  a  respectable  force,  with  which 
he  returned  to  the  field,  and  again  mingled  in  the  fight.     The  battle 
was  kept  up  till  dark,  when  the  enemy,  pressed  on  all  sides,  tied  m 
disorder  to  the  woods— nor  stopped  short  of  a  mountain  six  miles 
distant      The  loss  of  the  Americans  in  this  conflict  was  about  iorty. 
The  eiiemy  lost  about  the  same  number  killed,  and  about  fitty  pri- 
soners. 

"  Major  Ross  retreated  up  the  north  side  of  the  Mohawk,  inarching  all  night,  after  the 
batil™    In  the  morning  he  was  pursued  by  Col.  Willet,  but  was  not  overtaken     The  re. 
SL  of  country  over  which  Ross  retreated,  after  he  had  passed  the  settlements,  hes  twenty 
It  thirty  miles  norih  of  Fort  Schuyler,  and  at  that  time  was  ""™l"^;*''^'l  ^^^^  desolate     H.8 
amysufieredmuchfrom  hungcr.-It  was  on  this  retreat  '^at  Walter  Butler  was  killed : 
he  was  purbund  by  a  small  party  of  Oneida  Indians;  when  he  arrived  at  West  C.nada 
creek,  about  15  miles  above  Herkimer,  he  swam  his  horse  across  the  stream  and  then  turn. 
Zg  riund,  defi.d  his  pursuers,  who  were  on  the  opposite  side.    An  Oneida  innne'.iaiely 
difcharged  his  rifle  and  wounded  him ;  he  fell.     Throwing  down  his  nfle  and  his  blanket 
the  Indian  plunged  into  the  creek  and  swam  across ;  as  soon  as  he  had  gained  the  opposite 
bank?  he  raised  his  toiuHhawk,  and  with  a  yell,  sprang  like  a  tiger  upon  his  fallen  foe 
Butler  supplicated,  thouch  in  vain,  for  mercy;  the  Oneida  with  his  uplifted  axe,  shouted  m 
his  broken  English,-' .SAm-y  Valley  I  rememher  Sherry  Valley."  and  then  buried  it  in  his 
h-ains:  he  tore  the  scalp  from  the  head  of  his  victim  still  quivrnng  in  the  agonies  of  death, 
and  ere  the  remainder  of  thoOneidas  had  joined  him,  the  spint  of  W  alter  Butler  had  gone 
to  give  up  its  account.    The  place  where  he  crossed  is  called  Butler's  Ford  to  this  day.  — 
CampbeWi  Annals  of  Tryon  County. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  a  kind  of  diploma,  in  possession  of  the 
New  York  Historical  Society,  which  it  would  seeni  the  Johnson 
family  were  in  the  habit  of  giving  to  those  Indians  in  whom  thev 
confided.    In  the  vignette,  a  British  officer  is  seen  presenting  a  medal, 


ITLTilN    COINTY. 


173 


ainst  Johns- 
on t!ie  24th 
Majors  Ross 
bctbre  their 
t  Rensselaer 
ely  inarched 
ing  morning 
I  all.     When 
tie  preceding 
,  and  arrived 
king  the  peo- 
ay.     Having^ 
in  pursuit  of 
ached  Major 

a  circuitous 
eked  them  in 
zame  spirited 
y,  and  ran  in 
;e.  Here  the 
defeat  would 
iod  of  the  ac- 
''s  rear  in  the 
f.     The  fight 

near  sunset, 
e,  with  which 
t.  The  battle 
I  sides,  fled  in 
tain  six  miles 
iS  about  forty, 
ibout  fifty  pri- 

all  night,  after  the 
vcrtaken.  The  re- 
emtnts,  lies  twenty 
I  and  desolate.   Hia 

Butler  was  killed : 
i  at  West  C.nada 
c-ini,  and  then  turn- 
)neida  immediately 
fle  and  his  blanket, 
gained  the  opposite 
pon  his  fallen  foe. 
fted  axe,  shouted  in 

then  buried  it  in  his 
he  agonies  of  death, 
Iter  Butler  had  gone 
Ford  to  this  day." — 

issession  of  the 
m  the  Johnson 
I  in  whom  they 
senting  a  medal, 


or  something  resembling  it,  to  an  Indian  dressed  in  the  aboriginal 
style,— the  council  fire,  the  pipe  of  peace,  the  chain  of  friendship,  &c., 
are  all  represented. 


f.nA^V^f^T'^l^a-  ^''  ,W"'f'"  Johnson,  Bart.,  His  Majesty's  sole  Agent  and  Superin- 
tendant  of  Indian  Aflairs  for  the  Northern  Department  of  North  America,  Colonel  of  the 
Six  United  Nations,  their  Allies  and  Dependants,  &c.  &c. 

D  ■!'^'''  ii»  •  ,  T  Whe'^'^as,  I  have  received  repeated  proofs  of  your  attachment  to  his 
Britanmc  Majesty's  Interests  and  Zeal  for  his  service  upon  sundry  oJcasions,  more  panicu! 
if  Mo  M„-    .  .    P  .  do  therefore  give  you  this  public  Testimonial  thereof,  as  a  proof 

of  his  Majesty's  Esteem  and  Approbation,  Declaring  you,  the  said  to  be  a 

hes^'to  Trent  .n/f  """'"""^^"ding  it  to  all  his  Majesty's  Subjects  and  faithful  Indian  Ai. 
lies  to  Treat  and  Consider  you  upon  all  occasions  agreeable  to  your  character  Station  and 

'Trnn,  "''-1  "r  «"  r  ''?";'  ''"''  '''^ ""'  ^™«  ^'  •f''^"^""  Hall  the        Jay  T     j^""^ 
By  Command  of  Sir  W  :  Johnson.  "»/ ui        a« 


The  following  inscriptions  are  copied  from  monuments  in  the  grave- 
yard  m  the  vdlage  of  Johnstown :  ^ 

"  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  the  Rev.  Simon  Ilosack,  D.D.,  minister  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  Johnstown,  who  died  May  19,  1833,  in  the  79th  y;ar  o  ts  age  Hrwlf bor^ 
in  Rosshire,  in  the  north  of  Scoilaiul.  in  March    A  D    17'-.'-.      h1  \     a   ■  T  j     ■ 

No  private  interest  did  his  soul  invade, 
No  f.ie  he  injured,  no  kind  friend  betrayed : 
He  followed  virtue  as  his  surest  guide. 
Lived  like  a  Christian,  like  a  Christian  died." 

iquVr"  gTrn7in°'",ht  s:rS?:?h!^''r''r^f  ^  ''""t'^^'  ^°™"'>'  '^  -P^"'""  *"  '^e  Martin. 
yea«  pTsTa  citizen  of  ho  UnL^^rT.  ^V^'T  ^"Jf^^'  L""'«  "'•-  ^VI.,  and  for  thirty 
7l8t  year  of  liJ  ^e  "  ®'""''  ''''"  ''"P""'''  '^^  ^^'  ^th  January,  1811,  in  the 


'  y 


j ' ' 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-S) 


1.0    ^ 


I.I 


1^ 
^  m 

us 

u 
I.    ^ 


IM 


2.5 


2.2 


12.0 


1.8 


- 

1.25 

M 

1.6 

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► 

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Photograpnic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


33  WIST  MAIN  STRUT 

WISSTGR.N.y.  M!eO 

(716)  a72-4503 


'^ 


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C/ji 


174 


GENESEE    COUNTY. 


Mayfield,  taken  from  Caughnawaga  in   1793 ;  \o"i^Albany  40 

and  from  Johnstown,  NE.,  8  miles.    Cranberry  Creek,  Mayfield.  and 

Ricefield,  are  post-offices.     Pop.  2,61  o.  At  the  confluence 

Northampton,  taken  from  Broadalbin  m  1801.     At  tne  connuv^nce 

of  the  ScardTa  river  and  the  Mayfield  creek  lies  the  small  village 

f  l^fh  Hn,  ?P"  where  Sir  William  Johnson  had  his spoi ung lodge, 

NE.  from  Johnstown,  is  a  small  ^['"^f "    .^^O    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
bridge  across  the  river,  costing  about  860,000      JNorthvUle  ana  us 
hori?s  Bridtre  are  small  settlements,     rop.  i,{>-:o.  ^o  a.^,« 

OrPENHKm,  taken  from  Palatine  in  ^^^^ '  [T-^lbany  63.  f^om 
Johnstown,  W.,  18  miles.  This  town  was  settled  in  1724,  by  C^er- 
mans  Its  present  inhabitants  are  characterized  by  the  hardy  m- 
Ey  and  Frugality  of  that  nation.    Oppenheim  and  feracket  s  Bridge 

%LtH;feremly'ilen' from  Amsterdam,  of  Montgomery  county ; 
it  is  To  miles  E.  of  Johnstown,  and  is  the  smallest  town  m  the  county. 

^XJfJ^oRD,  taken  from  Palatine  in  1805 ;  from  Albany  63  miles 
Nicholsville  is  a  small  settlement,  23  miles  NW.  from  Johnstown,  on 
the  west  line  of  the  county.    Pop.  500. 


M  ) 


II  1 


GENESEE  COUNTY. 

Genebee  county  was  taken  from  Ontario  in  1802,  and  has  since 
been  much  reduced  by  the  formation  of  several  counties  from.t; 
centraTy  dis  ant  from  Jew  York  321,  from  Albany  258  miles  This 
countv  pertains  to  the  great  plain  of  the  west,  and  forms  with  Wyo- 
Tn^e  hghest  portion  of  it.  Upon  the  west,  the  streams  run  to 
Se  Erie,  and  on  the  east  to  the  Genesee  river:  as  m  limestone 
countries  generallv,  the  streams  are  subject  to  much  fluctuation 
The  oi  is  generally  highly  fertile,  and  produces  as  fee  crops  of 
whea  as  any  part  of  the^st^Ue.  By  the  recent  erection  ot  Wyoming 
bounty  froTtL  southern  portion,  this  county  is  reduced  to  twelve 
towns,  and  a  population  of  about  30,000. 

"The  following  is  a  list  of  articles  and  rates  of  wages,  taken  from 
a  history  of  Genesee  county,  published  in  1804.  by  Robert  Munroe: 

"Wheat  from  62  cenU  to  81  P"  bushel;  corn,  irom  30  to  50  cent-  a  »>u.heli  hay, 
from  «6  ?o  K  a  ton ;  butte"nn,l  .hcese,  from  10  to  16  conti,  b  poun.l ;  a  yoke  of  oxen 
fromr50to8H0;n.ikcow.    816.o«j25;apairo^^ 

I        '  is  w,'  »\0     JhiBkev  60   o  75  ccnu  a  gallon ;  aall,  $1  a  bu.hel,  we.«h.ng  5fi  Ibe. . 
&h?»  i.f9c;nJ^at'^^^^^^^  be  manufactured  i"«"  •  «""  "^  P"'. " 

Sri  a.he.  which  hM  »'een  aold  at  market  at  81.25  to  81.50;  and  some  pe,tH,n.  by  «.v»« 
Si  i:  or  by  m«.ufucturi.«  them,  have  nearly  cleared  the  coet  of  unprovmg  1«k[. 


GENESEE    COUNTY. 


175 


I  Albany  40, 
Mayfield.  and 

be  confluence 
small  village 
DOi  ung  lodge, 
iage,  17  miles 
;re  a  splendid 
iville  and  Os- 

bany  63,  from 
1724,  by  Ger- 
the  hardy  in- 
acket's  Bridge 

mery  county ; 
in  the  county. 

jany  63  miles. 
Johnstown,  on 


,  and  has  since 
unties  from  it ; 
}8  miles.  This 
-ms  with  Wyo- 
streams  run  to 
IS  in  limestone 
ich  fluctuation. 
s  fine  crops  of 
Dn  of  Wyoming 
iuced  to  twelve 

ges,  taken  from 
lobert  Munroe : 

ents  •  bushel;  hay, 
nd  J  a  yoke  of  oxen, 
jug  homes,  $100  to 
I  a  100  lb.— salted  in 
el,  weighing  5'i  lbs-  > 
into  a  ton  of  pot  or 
ime  persons  by  saving 
It  of  improving  laad. 


The  wages  of  a  laborer,  $10  to  $15  a  month  and  board ;  a  suit  of  clothes,  made  from  $4 
to  $5;  a  pair  of  shoes,  $1.75  to  $2.50.  Store  goods  are  sold  at  very  moderate  prices  the 
expense  of  carriage  from  New  York  to  Albany  being  about  $2  a  hundred  weight." 

Alabama,  taken  from  Pembroke  and  Shelby  in  1826  ;  from  Albany 
257  miles.  The  greater  part  of  the  town  was  in  the  Tonawanta 
Indian  reservation,  part  of  which  was  sold  in  1827-8.  The  Indi- 
ans have  yet  here,  and  in  Niagara  and  Erie  counties,  a  tract  of 
12,000  acres.  Their  village,  containing  about  300  inhabitants,  is  sit- 
uated in  this  town.  Alabama  post-oflice  is  12  miles  NVV.  from  Ba- 
tavia.     Pop.  1,798. 

Alexander,  taken  from  Sheldon  in  1812  ;  from  Albany  247  miles  ; 
drained  NE.  by  the  Tonawanta  creek.  Alexander,  on  the  Tona- 
wanta railroad,  incorporated  in  1834,  has  about  seventy  dwellings. 
Brookville  is  a  small  settlement,  6  miles  south  of  Batavia.  The 
Alexander  classical  school,  in  this  town,  was  incorporated  in  1834. 
Pop.  2,241.  ^ 

Batavia  was  organized  in  1802;  it  has  a  level  surface  and  is  drain- 
ed by  the  Tonawanta  creek.  Batavia,  the  shire  village,  incorporated 
in  1823,  IS  laii  out  upon  a  plat  about  2  miles  square.  The  village  is 
principally  built  on  a  single  street  upwards  of  a  mile  long,  on  the 
eastern  side  of  Tonawanta  creek,  distant  from  Albany  244  miles, 
Buffhlo  40,  Rochester  34,  Canandaigua  49,  Genesee  29,  Lockport  32 
miles.  Population  of  the  town,  4,219.  A  railroad  connects  Batavia 
with  Rochester. 


Westfim  view  of  the  central  part  of  Batavia. 


The  above  18  a  western  view  of  the  central  part  of  Batavia,  as 
seen  from  the  bridge  over  the  Tonawanta  creek,  about  40  rods  NW 
from  the  courthouse  seen  in  the  central  part  of  tlie  engravinxr.     The 
village  consists  of  about  300  dwellings,  many  of  which  are  finely 

on'tt'tft  t.  ^'''^'  Pi'  T'  "'^  ^''«  Presbyterian  church  is  seen 
on  the  eft,  the  tower  of  the  Episcopal  on  the  riuht.  The  state  arse- 
nal IS  about  a  mile  NW.  of  the  courthouse.     Th?re  are  i^he  viUage; 


I 


176 


GENESEE    COUNTY. 


1  bank  and  2  printing  offices,  and  the  office  of  the  Holland  Land  Com. 
LnT  Dr  DSight,  who  on  his  visit  to  Niagara  Falls  passed  through 
Ctavia  in  Oct.,  1804,  states  that  at  that  time  it  contained  from  20 
fo  30  houses  a  considerable  number  of  them  built  of  logs ;  he  rest 
to  30  f^o"ses  ,  a  con  courthouse,  a  well-lookmg 

ri"  has   hre'e  st^^^^^^^  the  county  jail." 

He  a  so  says  "in  the  season  when  we  were  on  the  ground  so  many 
™  Se  ill  of  the  diseases  common  to  this  region,  that  those  who 
remained  well,  were  scarcely  able  to  nurse  the  sick. 


I 


m 


Office  of  the  Holland  Land  Company. 

The  above  is  an  eastern  view  of  the  office  of  the  Holland  Land 
CoinJanv  in  Batavia,  about  80  rods  northward  from  the  courthouse. 
TheS  of  New  York,  in  1786,  granted  the  stat.  of  Massachu^^^^^ 
more  than  six  million  acres  of  her  western  territory,  [se^  page  40,] 
whch  that  ^ate  sold  to  Oliver  Phelps  and  Nathaniel  Gorham,  or  one 
mn  on  of  dollars.     These  gentlemen  soon  alter  extinguished  the  In- 
dian  title  to  a  part  of  this  territory ;  they  surveyed  it    n^^^^ 
denominated  ranges  and  townships,  and  sold  /arge  parcels  to  specu 
lators  and  actual  settlers.     In  1790,  they  sold  nearly  the  whole  ot 
he  residue  of  the  survey,  1,204,000  acres,  ^^  ^f  ^^'^^^orr  ,  o^^^^^ 
delnhia  for  eicht  pence  the  acre,  who  resold  it  to  Sir  William  1*1111. 
ne/     Phelps  and^Gorham  being  unable  to  fulfil  their  contract  m  ful 
with  Massachusetts,  compromised  and  surrendered  that  part  of  the 
land  to  which  the  Indian  title  was  unextinguished;  in  consideration 
of  which,  the  state  relinquished  two  thirds  ot  the  contract  pr  ce^In 
1796,  Robert  Morris  purchased  from  the  state  this  portion  also-ex- 
tinguished the  Indian  title-sold  otf  several  large  tracts  upon  the  eas^ 
Bide,  and  along  the  Genesee,  and  mortgaged  tfie  ^es-due  to  Wilhem 
WiUink,  of  Amsterdam,  and  1 1  associates,  called  the  "  Holland  Land 
Conwanur     This  company,  by  the  foreclosure  of  the  mortgage,  ac- 
quired full  title  to  the  land,  surveyed  it,  and  opened  their  first  land- 
office  in  Batavia  in  1801.     "Having  sold  a  large  proportion  of  the 
country,  they,  in  1805,  conveyed  the  residue  o    the  wild  lands  to 
I  ^..►Yj^nnipo  who  have  undertaken  to  retail  them. 


I 


GENESEE    COUNTY. 


177 


ind  Land  Com- 
jassed  through 
lined  "  from  20 
logs ;  the  rest 
a  well-looking 
je  county  jail." 
round,  so  many 
that  those  who 


;  Holland  Land 
I  the  courthouse. 
)f  Massachusetts 
:,  [see  page  40,] 

Gorham,  for  one 
inguished  the  In- 
id  it  into  tracts, 
parcels  to  specu- 
rly  the  whole  of 

Morris,  of  Phila- 
Sir  William  Pult- 
ir  contract  in  full 

that  part  of  the 

in  consideration 
mtract  price.  In 
portion  also — ex- 
icts  upon  the  east 
sidue  to  Wilhem 
e  "  Holland  Land 
the  mortgage,  ac- 
d  their  first  land- 
proportion  of  the 
tlie  wild  lands  to 
hem." 


"  The  Holland  purchase  was  bounded  on  the  east  by  a  transit 
meridian  line  due  north  from  latitude  42°,  embracing  the  two  west- 
ern ranges  of  the  county  of  Allegany,  and  with  an  offset,  west,  of 
two  and  a  quarter  miles,  extending  north  to  Lake  Ontario,  on  the 
west  line  of  Murraytown,  Orleans  county — two  fifths  of  Allegany 
county,  the  greater  portion  of  Genesee  and  Orleans  counties,  and 
all  of  Niagara,  Erie,  Chatauque  and  Cattaraugus,"  with  the  exception 
of  some  small  Indian  reservations, 

Batavia  has  acquired  celebrity  from  its  being  the  place  from  which 
William  Morgan  was  abducted  in  1826,  for  attempting  to  reveal  the 
secrets  of  free  masonry.  Morgan,  it  appears,  was  born  in  1774,  in 
Culpepper  county,  Va.  His  occupation  was  originally  that  of  a 
bricklayer  and  stone  mason.  He  removed  from  Virginia  in  1821, 
and  went  to  York,  U.  C. ;  from  thence  he  removed  to  Rochester. 
From  various  misfortunes,  he  became  quite  reduced  in  hi<«  riroum- 
stances.  and  in  the  summer  of  1826  he  resided  in  the  villag*  j{  Bata- 
via. While  here,  he  became  connected  with  D.  C.  Miller,  a  printer, 
for  the  purpose  of  publishing  a  work  disclosing  masonic  obligations, 
secret  signs,  &c.  Morgan,  it  appears,  was  a  royal  arch  mason  ;  and 
when  the  fact  became  known  that  he  was  j  /eparing  a  work  to  reveal 
the  secrets  of  masonry,  many  of  the  masonic  fraternity  became  much 
excited,  and  appeared  determined  to  put  an  end  to  his  disclosures. 
For  this  purpose,  his  character  was  assailed  in  the  public  prints.  In 
July,  1826,  Moi^an  was  arrested  on  a  civil  suit  at  Batavia,  and  gave 
bail ;  he  was  afterward  arrested  and  hurried  to  jail,  without  time 
bemg  given  him  to  procure  bail,  and  search  was  made  at  his  lodgings 
for  his  papers  on  some  pretended  process,  the  sheriff  in  the  mean 
time  absenting  himself.  An  attempt  was  afterward  made  to  burn 
down  Miller's  printing  office,  where  "Morgan's  Book"  was  print- 
ing. 

On  Sunday,  Sept.  10th,  application  was  made  to  J.  Chipman,  Esq., 
a  magistrate  of  Canandaigua,  for  a  warrant  to  apprehend  Morgan  for 
stealing  a  shirt  and  cravat,  which  it  appeared  afterward  he  had  only 
borrowed.  The  warrant  being  issued,  the  constable  at  Canandaigua, 
attended  by  five  other  persons  from  that  place,  immediately  set  out 
for  Batavia,  where  they  arrived  in  the  evening.  Early  the  next 
morning,  (Monday,)  Morgan  was  arrested  and  taken  to  the  public 
house  where  the  party  had  slept ;  an  extra  stage-coach  was  procured, 

J  tP^'^^^  '^^^  Batavia  for  Canandaigua,  with  Morgan  in  their  cus- 
tody.  Miller  attempted  to  procure  the  release  of  Morgan  just  as  the 
carriage  was  starting,  but  he  was  pushed  aside,  and  the  driver  was 
urg:ed  to  drive  fast  till  he  should  get  out  of  the  county.  Having 
arrived  m  Canandaigua,  Morgan  in  the  evening  was  taken  before  the 
magistrate  who  had  issued  the  warrant,  and  was  by  him  examined 
and  discharged.  One  of  the  party  then  immediately  applied  to  the 
same  nriagistrate  for  a  warrant  against  Morgan  for  a  debt  of  about 
»2,  which  he  said  had  been  assigned  to  him  by  a  tavern  keeper. 
Judgment  was  entered  against  IVlorgan  for  «2.69,  debt  and  costs, 
and  an  execution  immediately  issued.     Morgan  took  off  his  coat,  and 

23 


178 


GENESEE    COUNTT. 


offered  it  to  the  constable  to  levy  upon  for  the  debt.  The  constable 
declined  receiving  it,  and  Morgan  was  committed  to  the  Canandaigua 
jShe  saTevening,  where  he  remained  till  the  evenmg  of  the  next 

^%n  the  12th  of  Sept.,  about  9  o'clock  in  the  evening,  the  wife  of  the 
iailer  at  the  request  of  the  plaintiff  in  the  execution,  consented  to  let 
Sorgan  out  of  V  prison.     As  he  was  leaving  the  jad  steps,  he  was 
vSently  seized  by  two  persons ;  he  struggled,  and  cried    murder, 
rnumber  of  timel     Two  other  persons  now  came  up  one  of  whom 
stopped  Morgan's  outcry  by  thrusting  a  handkerchief,  or  something 
s  mTr,  into  his  mouth.     At  a  signal  given  by  one  of  the  party,  a  two- 
hore  carriage  now  drove  up  ;  two  of  the  party  thrust  Morgan  into 
the  carrTageTand  then  got  in  themselves.     This  carriage  arrived  m 
Roches ter^'bout  dayJawn  the  next  mornmg.     Another  carriage 
was  procured,  and  relays  of  horses  were  obtained.     When  the  party 
Arrived  at  New  Fane,  about  3  miles  from  Lockport,  thev  sent  to  the 
sheriff  of  Niagara  county,  to  assist  them  in  gett;ng  Morgan  into 
Canada.     The  sheriff  accordingly  left  Lockport,  attended  the  party, 
and  assisted  them  in  procuring  horses,  &c.     They  arrived  at  Lewis- 
ton  about  midnight ;  here  another  carriage  was  procured,  and  the 
party  was  driven  to  the  burying  ground  near  Fort  Niagara.     He  e 
fhev  left  the  carriage  and  proceeded  with  Morgan  in  their  custody  to 
he  ferry,  and  crossid  over  to  the  Canada  side.   After  conternng  with 
a  numbe;  of  persons  in  Niagara  village,  Morgan  was  brought  back 
as  arrangements  had  not  been  completed  for  his  reception.    This 
event  it  appears  had  been  anticipated.     Morgan  was  taken  to   hp 
magazine  of  Fort  Niagara,  and  locked  m  before  day-dawn,  on  the 
morning  of  the  14th  of  September.  . 

On  the  day  that  Morgan  was  put  into  the  magazine,  a  royal  aich 
chapter  was  installed  at  Lewiston,  which  event  called  together  a 
considerable  assemblage  of  masons  from  the  yicmity.       In  the  even- 
ing,20  or  30  persons  came  to  the  fort  irom  Lewiston.    About  mid- 
night,  7  persons,  stated  to  be  royal  arch  masons,  held  a  consultation 
on  the  plain  near  the  graveyard,  as  to  the  manner  m  which  Morgan 
should  be  disposed  of.     The  prevailing  opinion  among  them  appeared 
to  be,  that  Morgan  had  forfeited  his  life  for  a  breach  of  his  masonic 
obligations,  and  that  they  ought  to  see  the  penalty  executed  by 
drowning  him  in  the  river ;  some  of  the  company  discovering  a  re- 
luctance to  go  to  such  lengths,  the  project  was  abandoned  at  that  time. 
On  the  night  of  the  15th,  a  similar  consultation  was  held  between 
four  persons,  but  nothing  was  decided  on.    "  As  to  the  disposition  of 
Morgan,  after  the  evening  of  the  14th  of  September,  nothing  has  yet 
been  known  judicially,  but  circumstances  are  strong,  to  induce  the 
belief  that  he  was  put  to  death  on  the  night  of  the  19th  ot  hept., 
1826,  by  being  cast  into  the  depths  of  Niagara  river. 
Bergen,  taken  from  Murray  in  1818 ;  bounds  smce  altered.    Ber- 


•  Report  oi  Mr.  Whittleiey  and  other*,  at  the  United  States  anti.mwwnio  convention, 
held  at  Philadelphia,  Sept.  lltb,  1830. 


GEXESEE  COUNTT. 


179 


rhe  constable 

Canandaigua 

ig  of  the  next 

he  wife  of  the 
)nsented  to  let 
steps,  he  was 
ied  "  murder," 
one  of  whom 

or  something 
3  party,  a  two- 
t  Morgan  into 
ige  arrived  in 
jther  carriage 
fhen  the  party 
ley  sent  to  the 

JVIorgan  into 
ided  the  party, 
ived  at  Lewis- 
cured,  and  the 
liagara.  Here 
heir  custody  to 
conferring  with 
5  brought  back, 
;ception.  This 
IS  taken  to  thp 
y-dawn,  on  the 

le,  a  royal  arch 
lied  together  a 
♦*  In  tne  even- 
1.  About  mid- 
[  a  consultation 
which  Morgan 
r  them  appeared 
of  his  masonic 
y  executed  by 
iscovering  a  re- 
red  at  that  time, 
s  held  between 
le  disposition  of 
nothing  has  yet 
g,  to  induce  the 
i  19th  of  Sept., 

e  altered.    Ber- 

•mBSonic  convantion. 


gen  is  a  small  village,  16  miles  NE.  from  Batavia.  North  Bergen 
and  Stone  Church  are  post-offices.     Pop.  1,835. 

Bethany,  taken  from  Batavia  in  1812 ;  from  Albany  241  miles. 
Bethany,  8  miles  SE.,  Linden  10  miles  S.  from  Batavia,  Bennet's 
Settlement,  and  East  Bethany,  are  small  villages.  Pop.  2,288.  The 
Genesee  Manual  Labor  Seminary,  in  this  town,  was  incorporated  in 
1832 — capital  $20,000,  with  a  farm  annexed. 

Byron,  taken  from  Bergen  in  1820;  from  Albany  247,  from  Ba- 
tavia, NE,,  10  miles.  Byron  and  South  Byron  are  small  villages, — 
the  latter  of  which  is  on  the  line  of  the  Batavia  and  Rochester  rail- 
road. Pop.  1,908.  In  the  SW.  part  of  the  town,  sulphuric  ncid  is 
produced  in  great  quantities  in  a  diluted  and  concentrated  state,  in  a 
hillock  230  feet  long  and  100  broad,  elevated  5  feet  above  the  plain. 

Darien,  taken  from  Pembroke  in  1832 ;  from  Albany  255  miles. 
Darien,  13  miles  SW.  from  Batavia,  and  Darien  Centre,  are  small 
villages.     Pop.  2,406. 

Elba,  taken  from  Batavia  in  1820  ;  from  Albany  250  miles.  Pine 
Hill,  6  miles  N.  from  Batavia,  Oakfield,  and  Careysville,  are  small 
villages.     Pop.  3,161. 


Eastern  view  of  Le  Roy  Village. 

Le  Roy,  named  after  Mr.  Jacob  Le  Roy,  a  French  gentleman  from 
Paris,  who  was  a  large  proprietor,  was  taken  from  Caledonia  in  1812, 
and  organized  by  the  name  of  Bellona  ;  from  Albany  234  miles.  Le 
Roy  village  was  founded  in  1810,  by  Mr.  Le  Roy,  and  incorporated 
in  1834.  It  contains  1  Episcopal.  1  Baptist,  1  Methodist,  and  1  Pres- 
byterian church,  and  about  260  dwellings,  surrounded  by  ample  lots 
and  of  very  neat  appearance.  The  annexed  view  was  taken  on  the 
eastern  bank  of  Allen's  creek,  near  the  Baptist  church.  The  fall  in 
the  creek  here,  and  in  the  vicinity,  is  considerable.  At  the  village  it 
is  kS  feet ;  within  a  mile  is  another  fall  of  27,  and  within  2  miles  a 


180 


GENESEE  COUNTY. 


i    'U 


third  of  80  feet.    South  Le  Roy  is  a  small  settlement,  12  miles  from 

^Tx^toN^iTrgtS  in  1841.  This  township  comprises  the  north- 
ern  part  of  the  original  town  of  Covington  now  m  Wyommg  county. 
Pavilion  is  a  small  village,  11  miles  SE.  from  Batayia. 

Pembroke  tXn  from  Batavia  in  1812;  bounds  since  altered; 
from  Xny  257^  miles.  Fichville,  14  miles  W.  rom  Batav.a,  and 
Pnrfn  are  small  villages.     East  Pembroke  i^a  post-office.     Pop. 

DrDwiX!  who  travelled  through  this  town  in  Oct.,  1804  notices 
the  circumstance  of  his  passing,  when  in  this  part  of  the  state,  through 
oak  SoTcienm^..  Thefe  grounds  are  described  as  having  a 
Wd  surfaceTan^^^  a  great  de|ree  destitute  of  forests,  but  covered 
w'  h  g  as  w;eds,  and  Ihrubs  o?  various  kinds:  he  supposes  these 
ZZSll  to  have  been  caused  by  the  Indians  burning  them  over  o 
pKe  pasture  for  deer.  The  following  is  extracted  from  the  4th 
vol.  of  his  Travels. 

»  Wh.n  nnP  of  these  plc-ins  is  seen  at  a  little  distance,  a  traveller  emerging  from  the  forest 

Lhtfven  suspected  E  will  be  forced  upon  him  while  he  is  roving  over  one  of  these 
ieaurstered  reSs  No  passage  out  of  them  is  presented  to  h.s  eye.  Yet  though  he 
3tToundhfm"8  seemingly  bounded  everywhere,  the  boundary  is  ^^'^rywhere  obscure ; 

HaTc^f  he  expltn  SpreadrnTbeyond  the  reach'of  his  eye     At  every  litt  e  distance 
esneli  V  on  thrhigher  grounds,  the  view  is  widely,  though  indefinitely  extended  along  the 
See -and  8  little  above  wher'a  he  looks  through  the  stems  of  the  trees,  «  boundedon  y 
bv  the  horizon.     On  every  side  a  multitude  of  chasms  conduct  his  eye  beyond  the  labynnth 
bv  which  he  "s  surrounded;  and  present  an  imaginary  passage  back  into  *«  worid,  from 
whi^h  lie  is  withdrawn ;  bewildering  him  with  expectation,  conUnually  awakened  to  be 
TontoaUv  diZpoTnted     Thus  in  a  kind  of  wild,  romantic  rapture,  he  wanders  over  these 
XinrwUh  Sons  similar  to  those  with  which,  when  a  child,  he  roamed  through  the 
wSTm  created  "n  San  tales,  or  the  imaginary  regions  spread  before  h.m  m  a  dream. 
HeisrofonTyTparated  from  all  human  beings,  but  is  every  moment  conscious  of  this 
BeoaraUon     Whenever  he  ascends  one  of  the  superior  elevations  he  seems  to  stand  above 
the  re  t  of  the  globe.    On  every  side  he  looks  downward;  and  b^^oWs  "  prospec  with 
m'nv4°L  opening  ndeed  around  him,  but  conducting  his  eye  to  no  definite  object,  and 
S^t  i^'  confusion  and  obscurity.     His  view  is  confined  by  neither  forests  nor  moun- 
t^ins    whUe  yef  ™in  a  thin  dispemon  partly  interrupt  it ;  but  at  the  same  t.rrie  discover, 
SrouBhthe'rvar^us  openings,  that  it  has  no  other  limitation  than  the  skirts  of  the  heav. 
ens-wSe  he  wnde^s  on  through  this  bewildering  scenery  he  cannot  fail  to  remember 
Z[  on  tieBeplaTns  Indians  have  lived,  and  roved.  «"d  bunted  and  fought,  ever  «nce  the^ 
first  arrival  from  the  shores  of  Asia.    Here,  unless  they  moles  ed  each  other,  there  was 
nothin^to  mXt  them.    They  were  the  sole  lords,  the  undisturbed  posse^om  of   he 
co?nt"y.    HTre,  the  e?o^  .  he  will  call  up  before  his  imagination  the  secret  wmdin^  of  the 
^out    die  burst  of  the  ww-hoop;  the  fiiry  of  an  Indian  onset;  the  triumphant  d«play  ot 
«S-  and  the  horrors  of  the  war-dance  before  the  tortured  and  expiring  captive.    Whether 
S«  thoihrwiU  be  excited  in  the  mind  of  any  future  traveller,  I  know  not :  in  my  own 
they  sprang  up  instinctively." 

Stafford,  taken  from  Batavia  and  Le  Roy  in  1820 ;  from  Albany 
238  miles.  Stafford  Centre,  6  miles  E.  from  Batavia,  Morgansville 
7i  and  Roanoke  9  miles,  are  small  villages.    Pop.  2,560. 


GREENE    COUNTY. 


181 


12  miles  from 

ises  the  north- 
Dming  county. 

since  altered ; 
I  Batavia,  and 
ice.  Pop. 
,  1804,  notices 
!  state,  through 
d  as  having  a 
ts,  but  covered 
supposes  these 
them  over,  to 
I  from  the  4th 

rging  from  the  forest 
and  as  he  advances 
e  of  which  it  is  the 
If:  for  the  thought, 
;oiiviction  that  he  is 
lillness  and  solitude, 
ting  than  any  which 
ig  over  one  of  these 
e.    Yet  though  the 
iverywhere  obscure; 
at  such  distances,  as 
ather  to  border  dim, 
I  the  hmit  to  be  un- 
nunlly  expect  to  find 
every  little  distance, 
Y  extended  along  the 
ees,  is  bounded  only 
beyond  the  labyrinth 
into  the  world,  from 
illy  awakened  to  be 
a  wanders  over  these 
roamed  through  the 
efore  him  in  a  dream, 
ent  congciouB  of  this 
seems  to  stand  above 
holds  a  prospect  with 
o  definite  object,  and 
ler  forests  nor  moun- 
«  same  time  discover, 
le  skirts  of  the  heav- 
not  fail  to  remember, 
lught,  ever  since  their 
sach  other,  there  was 
bed  possessors  of  the 
secret  windings  of  the 
triumphant  display  of 
ng  captive.     Whether 
.now  not :  in  my  own 

50 ;  from  Albaay 
^ia,  Morgansville 
,560. 


GREENE  COUNTY. 

Gbeene  county,  on  the  west  side  of  the  Hudson  river,  was  taken 
from  Ulster  and  Albany  counties  in  1800  ;  greatest  length  42  miles  ; 
greatest  breadth  on  the  Hudson  28  miles  ;  centrally  distant  from 
New  York  130,  and  from  Albany  35  miles.  The  surface  is  every- 
where hilly,  and  the  larger  portion  mountainous.  The  Cattskill 
mountains,  after  following  the  southern  boundary  of  the  county  in  an 
easterly  direction  to  the  southeast  angle,  turn  north  and  northwest, 
and  pass  nearly  through  the  centre  of  the  county  into  Schoharie. 
The  general  elevation  of  this  range  is  from  2,000  to  2,500  feet  above 
the  adjacent  country ;  while  many  of  the  peaks  are  elevated  from 
3,000  to  3,800  feet  above  the  level  of  the  Hudson.  Hound  Top  has 
an  elevation  of  3,718  feet.  High  Peak  3,804,  and  Pine  Orchard  3,000 
feet.  The  whole  southwestern  part  of  the  county  is  hilly  and  moun- 
tainous, yet  it  affords  a  fine  soil  for  pastures,  with  some  arable  land. 
The  northeastern  and  eastern  parts  of  the  county  are  less  hilly,  and 
have  many  valleys,  rich  and  extensive.  Much  attention  is  paid  to 
agriculture,  and  more  leather  is  manufactured  in  this  than  in  any  other 
county  in  the  state.  The  county  was  originally  settled  by  the  Dutch. 
A  laicge  proportion,  however,  of  the  present  inhabitants  are  of  New 
England  descent,  and  are  noted  for  morality  and  industry.  Pop. 
30,446.     The  county  is  divided  into  eleven  towns. 

Athens  was  taken  from  Cattskill  and  Coxsackie  in  1815,  Athens 
village  was  incorporated  in  1805.  It  lies  on  the  west  bank  of  the 
Hudson,  opposite  the  city  of  Hudson  ;  from  New  York  116,  from 
Albany  29  miles.  It  is  beautifully  situated,  extending  along  the  shore 
about  a  mile  and  a  half,  and  is  viewed  advantageously  from  the  city 
of  Hudson,  [^ee  view  of  Hudson.]  The  northern  section  of  the 
village  was  laid  out  about  1790,  by  Edward  Livingston,  Brockholst 
Livingston,  Elihu  Chauncey  Goodrich,  and  associates  ;  the  southern 
in  1801,  by  Isaac  Northrop,  Alexander  Alexander,  Patrick  Hamilton, 
and  others.  The  village  now  contains  several  churches,  and  about 
150  dwellings.  It  is  a  place  of  much  business,  and  its  natural  ad- 
vantages are  such,  that  in  time  it  must  be  one  of  considerable  im- 
portance, A  ferry  plies  constantly  between  it  and  Hudson.  Pop. 
8,387. 

The  following  account  of  the  murder  of  Miss  Hamilton,  in  1813, 
is  taken  from  a  newspaper  published  at  the  time : 

"  A  most  daring  atrocity.— Hudson,  August  1,  1813.— On  Saturday  afternoon  last,  the 
body  of  Miss  Sally  Hamilton,  the  daughter  of  Samuel  Hamilton,  Esq.,  of  Athens,  (on  the 
opposite  bank  of  the  North  river,)  was  found  in  the  creek  which  empties  itself  into  the 
river,  about  one  hundred  rods  north  of  the  upper  settlement  of  that  village.  The  circum- 
stances  attending  the  daring  deed  which  produced  this  young  lady's  death,  are  most  agoni. 
zing,  and  such  as  at  once  exhibit  a  most  wretched  deterioration  in  the  morals  of  society, 
The  facta  as  we  have  been  able  to  collect  them  are  as  follows : 

"  On  Wednesday  evening  last,  about  8  o'clock,  Miss  Hamilton  left  the  house  of  her 
sister,  m  the  lower  settlement  of  the  village  of  Athens,  where  she  had  been  visiting,  to  re, 
turn  to  her  father's  house  in  the  upper  settlement,  'the  two  settlements  are  towards  half  % 


.•tk 


Hin 


182 


GREENE    COUNTY. 


! 


I       '''!!I|l!i 


mile  apart,)  accompanied  by  several  of  her  acquaintances.  On  reaching  the  upper  settle, 
ment,  part  of  her  company  stopped  at  a  store  tomukesome  purchases,  and  on  being  desired 
to  go  in,  she  also  stopped  at  the  door,  but  excused  herself,  urging  that  she  had  been  from 
home  all  day  and  was  anxious  to  return.  When  she  left  this  store  it  was  precisely  half- 
past  8  o'clock.  From  here  she  was  accompanied  by  two  elderly  ladies,  and  when  she 
parted  from  them,  was  within  twenty  rods  of  her  father's  house.  After  she  parted  from 
tliese  ladies  no  positive  account  of  her  can  be  traced,  although  the  twenty  rods  she  had  to 
walk  to  reach  her  father's  house  is  nearly  as  thickly  settled  as  any  part  of  the  city  ol  Hud 
son  ;  and  it  waa  not  until  the  next  afternoon  that  her  absence  was  discovered,  when  hei 
sister,  at  whose  house  she  had  been  the  preceding  day,  visited  her  father's,  and  both  parties 
missing  the  favorite  of  the  family,  mutual  inquiries  of  her  were  made,  which,  on  turiher  in- 
quiry  among  the  neighbors,  resulted  in  the  distressing  eclaircissement  embraced  by  tlie  pre 
ceding  detail.     The  alarm  was  instantly  given,  and  search  made  for  her  m  every  direction 

without  eftect.  ,    ,       .  j   .  .      ,      j  •    u 

"  The  only  intelligence  that  could  be  obtained  that  m  any  way  tended  to  elucidate  her 
fate  was,  that  between  8  and  9  o'clock  in  the  evening  in  which  she  disappeared,  a  woman 
who  was  in  the  back  part  of  the  house  at  the  opposite  corner  of  the  street  to  that  to  which 
she  had  to  turn  to  go  to  her  father's,  came  into  the  front  part  of  the  house,  and  inquired 
with  some  agitation  if  they  had  just  then  heard  the  stifled  cries  of  a  woman  in  distress. 
The  reply  being  given  in  the  negative,  the  inquiry  was  dropped.    This  corner  of  the  street 
is  within  a  stone's  throw  of  the  water  side,  and  turning  which,  from  the  street  she  was  last 
parted  with  in,  to  go  to  her  father's  house,  she  would  leave  the  road  that  led  direct  to  the 
creek  beyond  the  village.    About  9  o'clock,  also,  or  a  little  after,  the  cries  of  a  female  in 
distress  were  heard  by  the  people  of  a  house  about  80  rods  beyond  lh«  creek  ;  they  were 
heard  twice  or  thrice  very  distinctly,  and  afterward  rather  faintly ;  but  imagining  that  they 
must  be  deceived,  and  that  it  was  the  noise  of  the  boys  in  the  village,  they  thought  but  little 
of  it  until  the  next  day,  when  the  absence  of  Miss  Hamilton  was  ascertained ;  blood  was 
found  upon  the  timbers  of  the  bridge  that  crosses  the  creek,  where  two  of  the  plank  were 
missing.    The  creek  was  now  searched,  but  all  to  no  purpose ;  and,  in  this  state  of  painful 
incertitude,  the  search  was  renewed  on  Saturday,  the  third  day  of  her  absence,  when  the 
body  was  found  about  half  a  mile  up  the  creek  beyond  the  bridge,  neariy  as  far  as  a  boat 
could  be  pushed.     The  body  was  afterward  placed  in  the  charge  of  a  jury  summoned  for 
the  purpose,  (on  which  were  two  physicians,)  who  conveyed  it  to  her  father's  house  ;  and 
after  an  examination  of  evidence,  &c.,  they  were  unanimously  of  opinion  that  the  young 
lady  had  been  wilfully  murdered  by  some  person  or  persons  unknown.    From  the  coroner  and 
several  of  the  jury,  we  understand  that  the  skull  above  the  left  eye  was  fractured,  that  the 
upper  part  of  the  cheek  bone  under  the  left  eye  was  broken,  that  the  hands  were  much 
lacerated,  each  arm  near  the  shoulder  bore  the  marks  of  having  been  seized  there  with 
violence,  and  on  her  breast  there  were  marks  of  blows— but  that  lower  down  ca  her  body 
there  were  no  signs  of  violence  having  been  offered  her. 

"  The  conclusion  drawn  from  all  these  circumstances  is,  that  at  the  time  of  her  passing 
the  corner  into  the  street  that  led  to  her  father's  house,  where  the  stifled  cries  of  a  woman 
were  heard,  she  was  forcibly  seized  'jy  ruflSans,  and  conveyed  by  land  or  water  to  some 
place  in  the  vicinity  of  the  creek  before  mentioned,  where  the  alternative  was  probably 
oflered  her,  of  submitting  to  the  hellish  embraces  of  these  murderers,  or  of  instant  death. 
At  this  lime  it  most  undoubtedly  was,  that  she  uttered  those  moving  shrieks  which  were 
heard  at  the  house  north  of  the  creek,  and  when,  to  stop  her  cries,  and  prevent,  as  they 
probably  conceived,  all  possibility  of  detection,  the  blows  were  inflicted  that  terminated  her 
existence.  After  this,  it  appeal^  probable  that  the  murderers  took  the  body  to  the  bridge, 
and  from  thence  plunged  it  into  the  water  and  it  drifted  up  the  creek ;  or  else  that  it  was 
lowered  down  from  the  bridge  into  a  boat,  and  conveyed  to  near  the  place  where  it  waa 
found;  one  of  the  planks  of  the  bridge  being  found  near  the  body,  is  in  support  of  the 
former  position,  but  the  circumstance  of  there  being  little  or  no  current  in  the  creek  from 
the  tide,  argues  that  the  latter  mode  was  adopted. 

"  Miss  Hamilton  was  about  20  years  of  age,  of  a  very  respectable  family,  and  possessed 
to  the  full  an  equal  share  of  the  attractions  and  accomplishments  of  her  sex  ;  superadded 
to  which,  she  enjoyed  a  most  irreproachable  character.  Her  funeral  was  attended  on 
Sunday,  by  a  large  concouree  of  citizens  from  this  city,  as  well  as  from  the  village  of 
Ath-jns ;  and  no  occurrence  has  ever  taken  place  in  his  vicinity,  that  has  ever  excited  to 
an  equal  degree  the  sensibility  of  the  community.  Suspicion  rests  upon  no  person  re- 
siding in  this  neighborhood  j  but  to  be  more  particular  on  this  head  at  the  present  moment, 
might  jeopardize  the  prospect  there  is  of  apprehending  the  perpetrators  of  this  atrocious  act, 
for  we  are  not  without  the  strongest  hope  of  Boon  being  able  to  announce  to  the  public 
tluit  the  villiana  have  been  detected." 


GREENE  COUNTY. 


183 


the  upper  settle. 

on  being  desired 
le  had  been  from 
ioa  precisely  half. 
38,  and  when  she 
r  she  parted  from 
y  rods  she  had  to 

the  city  of  Hud 
overed,  when  hei 
1,  and  both  parties 
ich,  on  further  in- 
araced  by  the  pre 
in  every  direction 

d  to  elucidate  her 
)peared,  a  woman 
t  to  that  to  which 
Duse,  and  inquired 
voman  in  distress, 
orner  of  the  street 
street  she  was  last 
It  led  direct  to  the 
ries  of  a  female  in 
creek ;  they  were 
nagining  that  they 
y  thought  but  little 
tained ;  blood  was 
of  the  plank  were 
Jiis  state  of  painful 
absence,  when  the 
rly  as  far  as  a  boat 
ury  summoned  for 
uher's  house ;  and 
ion  that  the  young 
om  the  coroner  and 
fractured,  that  the 
hands  were  much 
1  seized  there  with 
down  on  her  body 

ime  of  her  passing 
I  cries  of  a  woman 
1  or  water  to  some 
ative  was  probably 
)r  of  instant  death, 
ihrieks  which  were 
nd  prevent,  as  they 
that  terminated  her 
body  to  the  bridge, 
or  else  that  it  was 
place  where  it  was 
is  in  support  of  the 
t  in  the  creek  from 

nily,  and  possessed 
iT  sex ;  superadded 
1  was  attended  on 
from  the  village  of 
has  ever  excited  to 
pon  no  person  re. 
be  present  moment, 
>f  this  atrocious  act, 
ounce  to  the  public 


^4 


In  1815,  Patrick  Cavanagh  confessed  himself  the  murderer,  and  re 
lated  in  detail  the  manner  in  which  it  was  committed  ;  but  on  his  trial 
it  was  ascertained  that  he  was  insane,  and  he  was  accordingly 
acquitted.  Some  time  after,  Lent,  a  soldier  in  the  U.  S.  army,  com- 
plained of  a  comrade  by  the  name  of  Sickler,  as  being  the  author  of 
the  crime.  At  the  trial.  Lent  testified  that  he  was  with  Sickler  at  the 
time,  and  stood  silently  by  and  witnessed,  although  he  did  not  partici- 
pate in  the  transaction ;  and  that  previous  to  the  murder,  Sickler 
committed  an  outrage  upon  her  person.  In  the  course  of  the  trial 
it  became  evident  that  the  whole  story  was  a  fabrication  on  the  part 
of  Lent,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  the  offered  reward.  Sickler 
was  acquitted,  and  Lent  arrested,  tried,  and  condemned  to  the  state 
prison  for  perjury,  where  he  died  some  years  since. 

Nearly  thirty  years  have  elapsed  since  the  murder,  and  as  yet  the 
transaction  remains  a  mystery.  The  following  inscription  is  from 
the  monument  in  one  of  the  burying  grounds  at  Athens  : 

"  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Sally  Hamilton,  who  was  murdered  by  unknown  hands  in 
the  evening  of  the  25th  of  August,  A.D.,  1813,  in  the  20th  year  of  her  age.  Parental 
affection  erects  this  monument. 

"  Does  youth,  does  beauty  lead  this  line  ? 
Do  sympathetic  tears  their  breast  alarm  ? 
Speak,  Heavenly  Spirit !  breathe  a  strain  divine, — 
Ee'n  from  the  grave  thou  shall  have  power  to  charm ; 
Tell  them  them  that  tho'  it  is  an  awful  thing  to  die,— 
'Twas  e'en  in  thee,— yet  the  dread  path  once  trod. 
Heaven  lifts  its  everlasting  portals  high, 
And  bids  the  pure  in  heart  behold  their  God." 

Cairo,  originally  named  Canton,  was  taken  from  Catskill,  Cox- 
sackie,  and  Freehold,  (now  Durham  and  Greenville,)  in  1803.  The 
surface  of  the  town  is  mountainous  and  hilly.  Pop.  2,862.  Cairo, 
upon  the  Susquehannah  turnpike,  10  miles  NW.  of  Catskill,  has  1 
Presbyterian,  1  Episcopal,  1  Baptist,  and  1  Methodist  church,  and 
400  inhabitants.  Acra,  14  miles  NW.  from  Catskill,  is  a  small  settle- 
ment. 

Catskill  was  organized  in  1788  as  part  of  Albany  county;  since 
modified.  The  town  had  a  small  annexation  from  Saugerties  in 
1822.  The  surface  and  soil  are  quite  diversified.  On  the  west  are  the 
Kaatsbergs,  of  a  lofty  mountain  character,  bordered  by  many  hills 
of  no  inferior  magnitude ;  and  the  intervening  plain  that  extends 
towards  the  Hudson  has  a  broken  surface,  especially  in  the  southern 
part,  whilst  the  northern  has  a  high  level  plain  of  sand  and  clay. 
The  Catskill  creek  runs  through  the  northern  part  of  the  town,  re- 
ceivmg  in  its  course  a  number  of  fine  mill  streams,  which,  with  the 
Catskill,  are  bordered  with  rich  tracts  of  alluvial  land.  Pop.  5,339. 
Leeds  and  Jefferson  are  small  villages. 

The  village  of  Catskill  was  incorporated  in  1806,  and  is  the  seat 
of  justice  for  the  county.  The  village  is  principally  built  in  the  deep 
valley  of  the  Catskill,  between  which  and  the  Hudson  is  a  bluff  150 
feet  m  height.  The  annexed  engraving  is  a  NW.  view  of  the  village, 
as  seen  from  an  elevation  called  Ashley  Hill,  at  its  northern  extremi- 
ty.   The  drawbridge  over  the  Catskill  is  seen  on  the  right,  and  will 


I 


1  t 


'::;il 


184 


GREENE   COUNTY. 


Northwestern  view  of  Catskill. 


admit  the  passage  of  sloops  some  distance  above  it.  The  mouth  of 
the  creek  makes  a  good  harbor  for  sloops;  and  a  long  and  broad 
dyke,  walled  with  stone,  connects  the  shore  with  an  island  m  the 
river,  affording  a  place  for  buildings,  and  a  commodious  landing  tor 
steamboats.  The  principal  street  in  the  village  is  about  halt  a  mile 
in  extent,  having  quite  a  business-like  appearance.  The  steamboat 
landing  is  about  1  mile  distant.  There  are  in  the  village  1  Dutch  Re- 
formed, 1  Episcopal,  1  Presbyterian,  1  Baptist,  and  1  Methodist 
church.  There  are  2  banks,  2  newspaper  establishments,  and  about 
300  dwellings.    Distant  6  miles  from  Hudson,  111  from  New  York, 

and  33  from  Albany.  , 

"  Although  not  in  the  town,  yet  as  connected  by  name  and  many 
relations  with  Catskill,  we  may  describe  here  the  Pine  Orchard  and 
Mountain  House,  noted  attractions  to  tourists.     They  are  in  Hunter, 
near  its  eastern  boundary,  12  miles  west  from  Catskill  village.     1  he 
road  from  the  village  to  the  foot  of  the  mountam,  9  miles,  has  little 
of  interest.     The  ascent  of  the  mountain  is  by  a  good  though  circui- 
tous road  of  3  miles,  but  which,  often  running  upon  the  brink  ot  a 
deep  ravine,  or  beneath  frowning  precipice^  excites  an  unwelcome 
degVee  of  terror.     The  hotel,  erected  by  '  The  Kaatskill  Mountam 
Association,'  at  the  cost  of  $22,000,  is  on  a  circular  platform  of  rock, 
of  uneven  surface,  having  an  area  of  about  6  acres.     The  buildmg  is 
140  feet  by  24,  4  stories  high,  with  piazzas  in  front,  and  a  wing  tor 
lodging  rooms,  and  is  duly  fitted  and  furnished  for  the  accommodation 
of  its  numerous  gu'sts.  .  ...        .^   , 

"The  prospect  irom  this  rock  is  more  extensive  and  diversified 
than,  perhaps,  from  any  other  point  in  the  United  States,  fetty 
inequalities  disappear,  and  the  whole  surrounding  country  is  spread 
out  as  a  plain.  The  eye  roves,  in  endless  gratification,  over  larms, 
villages,  towns,  and  cities,  stretching  between  the  Green  mountains 
of  vimont  on  the  north  and  the  Highlands.    The  Hudson  river,  with 


GREENE    COUNTY. 


185 


rhe  mouth  of 
ng  and  broad 
island  in  the 
us  landing  for 
)ut  half  a  mile 
rhe  steamboat 
e  1  Dutch  Re- 
l  1  Methodist 
;nts,  and  about 
)m  New  York, 

ime  and  many 
le  Orchard  and 
are  in  Hunter, 
1  village.  The 
miles,  has  little 
though  circui- 
the  brink  of  a 
an  unwelcome 
tskill  Mountain 
iatform  of  rock, 
The  building  is 
and  a  wing  for 
accommodation 

and  diversified 
States.  Petty 
)untry  is  spread 
ion,  over  farms, 
l^reen  mountains 
idson  river,  with 


Catskill  Mountain  House. 

its  green  isles  and  thousand  sheets  of  white  canvass,  becomes  visible 
for  60  miles  in  a  clear  atmosphere.  ,A.t  times,  a  thick  curtain  of 
clouds  of  ever-changing  form,  veils  the  region  of  lower  earth  from 
sight ;  and  in  their  respective  seasons,  storms  of  rain  and  snow  spend 
their  force  in  mid  air,  beneath  the  rays  of  a  bright  sun  which  gilds 
the  mountain  above  them.  The  scene,  when  gradually  unfolded  with 
the  day,  is  most  enchanting. 

"  A  few  years  since  this  delightful  position  was  almost  unknown 
and  rarely  visited ;  but  the  reports  of  the  extent,  beauty,  and  gran- 
deur of  its  prospects,  and  the  salubrity  of  its  atmosphere,  at  length 
fixed  public  attention.  The  number  of  visiters  at  each  successive 
season  increased,  until  the  temporary  buildings  at  first  erected  gave 
place  to  the  edifice  we  have  described.  The  following  heights  on 
the  mountain  have  been  given  by  Capt.  Partridge :  Mountain  house, 
2,212  feet  above  the  Hudson;  1,882  feet  above  Lawrence's  tav- 
ern; 1,547  feet  above  the  turnpike  gate,  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain, 
and  947  above  Green's  bridge. 

"  Two  miles  from  the  hotel  are  the  Kaaterskill  Falls,  upon  a  stream 
flowing  from  two  lakes,  each  about  a  mile  and  a  half  in  circumfer- 
ence, and  about  a  half  mile  in  the  rear  of  the  house.  After  a  west 
course  of  a  mile  and  a  half,  the  waters  fall  perpendicularly  175  feet, 
and  pausing,  momentarily,  upon  the  ledge  of  a  rock,  precipitate  them- 
selves 85  leet  more,  making  the  whole  descent  of  the  cataract  260 
feet.  Below  this  point,  the  current  is  lost  in  the  dark  ravine  or  clove 
through  which  it  seeks  the  valley  of  the  Catskill.  The  water-fall, 
with  all  its  boldness,  forms,  however,  but  ope  of  the  interesting  fea- 
tures of  this  scene.    From  the  edge  of  the  first  falls  is  beheld  a  dreary 

24 


r;:' 


l!  P 


18ft 


GBEENE   COUNTY. 


ill 


v:. 


chasm,  whose  steep  sides,  covered  with  dark  ivy  and  thick  summer 
fohaTe  seem  Uke  a  green  bed  prepared  for  the  waters  Makmg  a 
circuit  from  this  spotfand  descending  about  midway  oi  the  first  fall, 
r  spectator  enters  an  immense  natural  amphitheatre  behmd  the 
ascaSe,  roofed  by  a  magnificent  ceiling  of  rock,  havmg  m  front  the 
fding  torrent,  and  beyond  it  the  wild  mountam  dell,  over  which  the 
c  ear  blue  sky  is  visible.  The  falls  on  the  west  branch  of  Kaaterskdl 
have  a  perpendicular  descent  of  more  than  120  feet,  and  the  stream 
descen/s  in  rapids  and  cascades  400  feet  in  100  rods.  The  Kaaters- 
kU  has  a  deviois  and  very  rapid  course  of  about  8  miles  to  the  Cats- 
k  near  the  viSage.  The  falls  are  best  seen  from  below ;  and  the 
view  from  the  Pin^e  Orchard  is  better  between  3  o'clock.  P.  M.  and 
a  sunset  than  in  the  middle  of  the  d^y."-GordorCsGaz 

The  follo^ng  description  of  this  view  from  the  Catsk.U  mountam 
house  is  given  by  Miss  Martineau: 

lay  at  my  feet  one  Sunday  moaning.     ^^™  ?        ^^    .    ,      ,  ^jj^  my  eyes,  as  it  op. 

right  extremity  sparkleii  the  Atlanlic.     Beneain  lies  "'"  '"^      .    .       .  .  ^.        f  ^  „, 
their  flocks  on  yonder  meadows,  gives  him  a  taste  of  the  Bonie  P"/ *"'^''",      t 


GREENE   COUNTY. 


187 


thick  summer 
rs.  Making  a 
f  the  first  fiill, 
re  behind  the 
ig  in  front  the 
iver  which  the 

of  Kaaterskill 
nd  the  stream 

The  Kaaters- 
;s,  to  the  Cats- 
elow ;  and  the 
ock,  P.  M.  and 
az. 
tskill  mountain 

ig  been  warned  not 
forest  bebw.  I  sat 
rs  were  bright  over- 
ently  desired,  a  fine 
ed,  heaped  together, 
be  stretched  below, 
poured  out  from  the 
river,  in  all  its  wind- 

like  a  flash  of  light- 
le  principal  features 
lurous  light ;  but  my 
of  the  darkness  like 
ne  only  for  a  short 

of  vast  reality  and 
seek  the  candlelight 

dred,  how  the  world 
ibroad  from  my  win- 
th  my  eyes,  as  it  ap. 
whiuh  the  stars  had 
ivian  spectator  would 
i-ever,  through  which 
■ches,  and  clusters  of 
\y  the  river,  with  its 
melted,  or  parted  off 
o  brood  brightly  oyer 
)po8e  this  its  peculiar 
mind.    To  an  infant, 
gay  carpet.    To  the 
hilosopher,  what  is  it 
i,  its  secluded  homes, 
9f  life ;  an  epitome  of 
hich  he  has  sought  in 
r  Vermont,  and  «t  the 
re  the  deer  me  hiding 
le  rich  iitains  of  Con- 
hills,  are  the  churches 
rhich  he  is  too  high  to 
10  more  truly  property 
me  below  are  hunying 
ther  «ieW,  or  multiply 
which  Jvsus  felt  in  his 
>c  greatOTt.    It  seems 
r  wbiob  is  in  him,  and 


which  can  create  somewhat  more  vajit  and  beautifiil  than  all  that  this  horizon  encloses. 
Here  he  gains  the  conviction,  to  be  never  again  shaken,  that  all  that  is  real  is  ideal ;  that 
the  joys  and  sorrows  of  men  do  not  spring  up  out  of  the  ground,  or  fly  abroad  on  the  wings 
of  the  wind,  or  come  showered  down  from  the  sky  ;  that  good  cannot  be  hedged  in,  not 
evil  barred  out ;  even  that  light  does  not  reach  the  spirit  through  the  eye  alone,  nor  wisdom 
through  the  medium  of  sound  or  silence  only.  He  becomes  of  one  mind  with  the  spiritual 
Berkeley,  that  the  face  of  nature  itself,  the  vei^  picture  of  woods,  and  streams,  and  mead, 
ows,  is  a  hieroglyphic  writing  in  the  spirit  itself,  of  which  the  retina  is  no  interpreter.  The 
proof  is  just  below  him,  (at  least  it  came  under  my  eye,)  in  the  lady,  (not  American,)  who, 
after  glancing  over  the  landscape,  brings  her  chair  into  the  piazza,  and,  turning  her  back  to 
the  champaign,  and  her  face  to  the  wooden  walls  of  the  hotel,  begins  the  study,  this  Sun- 
day morning,  of  her  lapful  of  newspapers.  What  a  sermon  is  thus  preached  to  him  at  this 
moment  from  a  very  hackneyed  text !  To  him  that  hath  much,  that  hath  the  eye,  and  ear, 
and  wealth  of  the  spirit,  shall  more  be  given,  even  a  replenishing  of  this  spiritual  life  from 
that  which  to  others  is  formless  and  dumb ;  while  from  him  that  hath  little,  who  trusts  in 
that  which  lies  about  him  rather  than  in  that  which  lives  within  him,  shall  be  taken  away, 
by  natural  decline,  the  power  of  perceiving  and  enjoying  what  is  within  his  own  domain. 
To  him  who  is  already  enriched  with  large  divine  and  human  revelations  this  scene  is,  for 
all  its  stillness,  musical  with  divine  and  human  speech  ;  while  one  who  has  been  deafened 
by  tJie  din  of  woridly  affairs  can  hear  nothing  in  this  movmtain  soUtude." 

The  annexed  anecdotes,  extracted  from  the  New  York  Commer- 
cial Advertiser,  are  from  the  well-known  pen  of  the  editor. 

"  Passing  through  the  little  village  of  Jefferson,  we  arrived  at  the  still  larger  and  mora 

bustling  one  of  Madison,  4  miles  from  Cattskill The  principal  house  at  this  place, 

is  an  ancient  stone  edifice,  and  for  a  generation  past  occupied  as  a  store  and  as  a  tavern. 
Its  builder  and  late  proprietor  was  the  late  M — ^g  S — n,  Esq.,  an  ancient  and  somewhat 
eccentric  Dutch  denizen,  who  stood  six  feet  six  in  his  shoes,  weighed  15  stone,  and  was  in 
a  way  somewhat  of  a  wag  withal. — The  valley  of  the  Kaat»kill  was  chiefly  settled  by  the 
Dutch ;  and  the  house  of  mynheer  was  the  principal  place  of  resort  for  the  Van  BokkeUna, 
Van  Ordens,  and  Van  Der  Speigles  of  the  neighborhood  to  smoke  their  pipes,  and  crack 
their  jokes  of  long  winter  evenings,  before  their  peaceful  country  was  overrun  by  the  Yan. 
kees,  who  have  swarmed  over  this  once  happy  region  like  the  locusts  of  Egypt,  equally 
hungry  and  destructive.  It  was  the  worthy  host  of  huge  dimensions  whom  we  have  de- 
scribed, who  was  so  grievously  taken  in,  once  on  a  time,  in  an  encounter  of  wit*  with  one 
of  those  keen-eyed,  cunning  Yankees,  who  prowl  over  the  country,  seated  on  tin  carta, 
with  bags  of  feathers,  or  some  other  "  notion"  for  their  cushions.  After  some  sporting  and 
bantering  between  mynheer  and  Jonathan,  who  had  shown  off"  some  common  slight  of  hand 
tricks,  with  cards,  to  the  great  astonishment  of  the  "  »poon»"  who  were  looking  on,  he,  that 
is,  the  said  Jonathan,  declared  that  he  could  swallow  his  robustuous  host !  Notwithstanding 
that  Jonathan  had  already  played  off*  several  of  his  Yankee  tricks  which  puzzled  the  good 
people  exceedingly,  yet  this  assertion  was  too  great  a  mouthful  for  them  to  swallow,  if  the 
pedicr  could.  A  bet  sufliicicnt  to  moisten  the  throats  of  the  whole  compsny  was  the  conse- 
quence between  the  principal  parties,  though  the  landlord  in  proposing  it  had  no  idea  that 
his  customer  would  accept,  when,  as  he  supposed,  he  must  be  certain  of  losing.  Jonathan 
then  directed  that  mynheer  should  be  divested  of  his  coat  and  boots,  and  be  stretched  longi- 
tudinally upon  the  old  oaken  table  which  had  stood  in  the  bar-room  for  half  a  century. 
These  arrangements  having  been  made,  Jonathan  /oraciously  seized  upon  the  honest  land- 
lord's great  toe,  which  he  pressed  rather  violently  between  his  teeth,  giving  the  good  man  a 
twinge  which  caused  a  writhing  movement  and  a  groan.  '  Dunder  and  blixem,'  exclaimed 
Mynheer :  '  Vat  de  teinl  do  ye  pile  me  sho  vor !'  '  Why  you  darned  great  fool,'  said  Jona. 
than, '  you  didn't  think  I  was  going  to  twallovo  you  whole,  did  you  7'  A  burst  of  laughter 
proclaimed  Jonathan  victor,  and  mynheer  had  to  pay  the  toast  and  toddy. 

"  .  .  .  .  Before  reaching  Cairo,  an  ancient  and  spacious  stone  house  was  pointer'  out 
t0  us  bearing  date  of  1705,  in  large  iron  iigures.  This  venerable  mansion  stands  in  the 
■iidst  of  an  extensive  farm  of  about  1,000  acres,  well  cultivated,  and  presenting  a  scene 
which,  for  a  single  farm,  is  hardly  anywhere  to  be  equalled  for  the  rich,  picturesque,  and 
btiautiful.  The  cultivation  denotes  the  hand  of  industry  rather  than  taste.  The  practised 
horticulturist  had  not  been  there  ;  but  rank  pastures,  heavy  waving  flelda,  and  luxuriant 
meadows,  indicated  rich  returns  to  the  husbandman.  The  small  clumps  of  trees  leA  here 
and  there  in  the  fields  to  afford  fuel  in  the  winter,  and  lend  a  grateful  shade  in  summer, 
divenifled  the  scene  and  rendered  it  still  more  delightful.  We  linger  longer  at  this  spot 
than  our  wonted  manner  is,  in  consequence  of  an  interesting  tale  connected  with  it,  whicli 


188 


GREENE    COUNTY. 


is  no  fiction.     During  a  part  of  the  17tli  and  nearly  the  whole  of  the  18th  century,  it  be. 
longed  to  a  single  owner!     When  young  he  was  a  man  ot  violent  passions.     A  servant 
girl  having  once  run  away,  he  pursued  and  overtook  her,  and,  in  his  exasperation,  tied  her 
to  his  horse's  tail  to  lead  her  home.     By  a  fright,  or  some  other  cause,  the  horse  ran  oft, 
and  the  unfortunate  girl  was  dashed  to  pieces  against  some  rocks  and  stones.    J  '^  unhappy 
mister  was  arrested,  tried,  and  convicted  of  murder !  He  was  rich,  of  a  poweriul  family  for 
the  times,  and  through  the  combined  mean*.f  wealth  and  family  influence,  it  being  on  al 
hands  allowed  to  be  a  hard  case,  he  was  sentenced  to  be  executed  at  mmtyMine  years  old. 
He  lived  on ;  and  generations  passed  away-and  yet  he  In^d  !     Death  seemed  to  have  no 
arrow  barbed  for  him.    At  length  the  time  approached.    Ninety,  mnety-five,  nmety-eigli 
vears  had  rolled  away  since  his  birth.     The  ninety.ninth  came  on,  and  yet  he  lived       But 
generations  had  risen  up  and  gone  down  to  the  tomb  since  ^'^  ^ff''"^^-    Nay.  ''«   «•«  h^d 
Almost  become  a  forgotten  tradition,  although  many  years  before  the  keen  eyes  of  super. 
8  ition  had  seen,  and  her  tremulous  tongue  related,  many  tales  of  startling  terror  concerning 
the  appearances  at  the  fatal  spot,  pointed  out  to  this  day,  where  the  poor  girl  had  lost  her 
Ufe     The  hopeless  swain,  who,  in  returning  from  visiting  his  rustic  mistress,  was  so  un- 
lucky  as  to  have  been  detained  in  the  Ir.P  of  bliss  to  the  solemn  hour  of  midnight,  was  sure 
to  encounter  a  nocturnal  appearance  of  some  sort.    Sometimes  sighs  and  lamentations  were 
heard  in  the  air,  like  the  plamtiveness  of  the  soft  whistling  wind.     At  others,  a  white  cow, 
which  was  said  to  have  been  a  favorite  when  the  deceased  was  alive,  would  stand  lowing 
among  the  rocks,  while  again  at  others,  a  shagged  white  dog  would  stand  pointing  and 
howling  towards  the  mansion.    But  they  always  vanished  on  approaching  them,  though 
nerhaps  it  would  be  difficult  to  prove  that  the  spectators  approached  very  near,     A  while 
horse  of  gigantic  size,  with  fiery  eyeballs  and  distended  nostrils,  was  olten  seen  to  run 
uast  the  fatal  spot,  with  the  fleetness  of  wind,  dragging  a  female  behind,  with  tattered  gar. 
ment  and  streaming  hair,  screaming  for  help.    At  other  times  the  horse  would  appear  to 
drag  a  hideous  skeleton,  clattering  after  him,  half  enveloped  in  a  winding  sheet,  with  cries 
and  dismal  howHngs;  while  again  a  female  figure  would  at  times  appear  sitting  upon  a 
huge  fragment  of  rock,  with  a  lighted  candle  upon  each  finger,  singmg  wildly,  or  uttenng 
a  piercing  cry,  or  an  hysterical  laugh.     People,  too,  began  to  wonder  that  the  murderer  did 
not  die,  while  many  shook  their  heads  and  indicated  that  he  could  not,— that  his  soul  was 
bound  to  earth  till  the  time  should  come.     But  these  things,  too,  passed  away.    And  now 
the  revolution  had  intervened,— a  new  government  bore  rule ;  and  the  old  man  was  not 
molested.    For  75  years  he  had  led  a  quiet  and  inoffensive  lite,  and  w.io  won  d  rudely 
break  in  upon  his  repose  1     He  died  tranquilly  at  more  tiian  a  hundred  years  old.    Peace 
be  to  his  ashes !    Tradition  has  added  to  his  sentence  that  he  was  to  wear  a  cord  contin. 
ually  upon  his  neck ;  and  a  few  years  ago,  there  were  those   livnig,  who  pretended  that 
they  had  wen  a  neat  silken  string  worn  in  compliance  to  the  sentence,  but  to  appearance 
B8  an  ornament." 

CoxsACKiE  was  originally  settled  by  the  Dutch ;  it  was  a  part  of 
Albany  county,  and  organized  in  1788.  Pop.  3,539.  It  derives  its 
name  from  an  Indian  word,  r  waning  "  hooting  of  owls."  Coxsackie  vil- 
lage and  landing,  on  the  Hudson,  lies  124  miles  Irom  New  \ork,  20 
from  Albany,  and  \\\  N.  of  CattskiU.  The  village  is  over  a  mile  W. 
of  the  landing,  and  has  about  100  dwellings.  At  the  landing  there  is 
a  .»ai?.«;  village,  where  there  is  a  good  deal  of  business  transacted 
connected  with  the  river. 

Durham  was  originally  named  Freehold,  and  taken  from  Coxsackie 
in  17»0;  from  CattskiU,  NW.,  24,  from  Albany,  SW.,  30,  and  from 
New  \ork  134  miles.  Durham,  South  Durham,  Corn  walls  ville,  Wi- 
nansvillc,  and  Oak  Hill,  are  small  settlements.     Pop.  2,813. 

Greenville,  taken  from  ('oxsackie  and  Freehold,  and  organized  in 
1803  by  the  name  of  Greenfield,  afterward  changed  to  Freehold,  and 
finally  to  its  present  name;  from  New  York  130  miles,  and  from  Al- 
bany, S.,  25  miles.  Freehold,  15  miles  NW.,  Greenville  10,  Newry 
18,  Gayhead  13  miles  from  CattskiU,  are  small  villages.  Pop.  2,338. 
Hunter  was  taken  from  Windham  in  1H13,  by  the  nameof  Green- 
'    hansed  to  its  nresent  c-ie  in  1814:  from  New  York  130, 


\ 


HAMILTON    COUNTY. 


189 


3th  century,  it  be. 
?ions.  A  servant 
speration,  tied  her 

the  horse  ran  oft", 
L'S.  The  unhappy 
owerful  family  for 
i;e,  it  being  on  all 
Hy-nine  years  old. 
eemed  to  have  no 
^five,  ninety-eight 
I'et  he  lived  !     But 

Nay,  the  lale  had 
3en  eyes  of  super. 
:  terror  concerning 

girl  had  lost  her 
stress,  was  so  un- 
[nidnight,  was  sure 

lamentations  were 
hers,  a  white  cow, 
jiild  stand  lowing 
land  pointing  and 
:hing  them,  though 
^ry  near.  A  while 
often  seen  to  run 

with  tattered  gar- 
se  would  appear  to 
ig  sheet,  with  cries 
pear  sitting  upon  a 
:  wildly,  or  uttering 
It  the  murderer  did 
— that  his  soul  was 
1  away.     And  now 

old  man  was  not 

who  would  rudely 
1  years  old.  Peace 
wear  a  cord  conlin. 
vho  pretended  that 
:,  but  to  appearance 

was  a  part  of 
It  derives  its 
Coxsackie  vil- 
New  Yorit,  20 
:)ver  a  mile  W. 
landing  there  is 
less  transacted 

from  Coxsackie 
.,  30,  and  from 
awallsville,  Wi- 
2,813. 

nd  organized  in 
o  Freehold,  and 
!s,  and  from  Al- 
k'ille  10,  Newry 
3S.  Pop.  2,338. 
name  of  Green- 
New  York  130, 


and  from  Albany  58  miles.  Pop.  2,019.  Tannersville  is  a  small 
village  in  the  central  part  of  the  town,  upon  the  main  branch  of 
Schoharie  kill,  22  miles  from  Catskill.  The  surface  of  this  town  is 
mountainous,  having  on  the  north  the  main  ridge  of  the  Kaatsbergs. 
The  Mountain  House,  on  the  Catskill  mountains,  so  noted  among 
tourists,  is  within  the  limits  of  this  town.     (See  Catskill.) 

Lexington,  taken  from  Windham  in  1813.  Lexington  Heights, 
30  miles  W.  from  Catskill,  and  Lexington  34,  are  small  settlements. 
E.  Lexington  and  Westville  are  post-otfices.     Pop.  2,813. 

New  Baltimore,  organized  in  1811.  Pop.  2,300.  New  Baltimore, 
upon  the  Hudson,  15  miles  below  Albany,  and  19  N.  of  Catskill,  has 
about  50  dwellings,  and  is  a  place  of  considerable  trade.  Four  Cor- 
ners, 10  miles  from  Catskill,  and  Stanton  Hill,  are  small  settlements. 

Prattsville,  taken  from  Windham  in  1833;  from  Albany,  SW., 
50  miles,  from  Catskill,  NW.,  36.  Pop.  1,613.  The  town  lies  be- 
tween two  great  ridges  of  the  Kaatsbergs.  Prattsville,  on  the  Scho- 
harie kill,  is  a  small  village. 

Windham,  taken  from  Woodstock  in  1798  ;  from  Albany  39  miles, 
from  Catskill  centrally  distant  W.  26.  Pop.  2,417.  Windham, 
Osborneville,  and  Scienceville,  are  small  villages.  Union  Society 
and  Big  Hollow  are  post-offices. 


k 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 

Hamilton  county  was  provisionally  erected,  in  1816,  from  the  N. 
end  of  Montgomery  county,  but  not  organized.  It  remained  attached 
to  Montgomery  county  until  1838  ;  when,  by  the  division  of  Mont- 
gomery, it  became  attached  to  Fulton  county.  It  is  not  yet  separately 
organized  ;  though  probably  from  its  flourishing  condition  it  will  soon 
become  detached  from  Fulton.  It  is  62  miles  long  N.  and  S.,  and 
with  an  average  breadth,  E.  and  W.,  of  30  miles ;  centrally  distant 
from  New  York  250,  and  from  Albany,  westerly,  105  miles.  This 
county  contains  7  towns.     Pop.  1,907. 

The  following  remarks  respecting  this  county,  which  is  yet  a  wil- 
derness and  comparatively  unknown,  are  extracted  from  the  report 
of  E.  Emmons,  Esq.,  one  of  the  geologists  employed  by  the  state. 
"  Contrary  to  the  published  accounts,  and  to  common  opinions,  which 
are  of  course  formed  principally  from  those  accounts,  especially  from 
Burr's  and  Gordon's  statistics  of  this  county,  I  have  the  pleasure  of 
stating  that  it  is  far  from  being  the  wet,  cold,  swn^rpy,  and  barren  dis- 
trict which  it  has  been  represented  to  be.  'VUv,  soil  is  generally 
strong  and  productive ;  the  mountains  are  not  so  elevated  and  steep 
but  that  the  soil  is  preserved  of  sufficient  thickness  to  their  tops  to 
secure  their  cultivation,  and  most  of  the  marshy  lands  may  be  re- 
claimed by  ditching ;  by  this  means  they  will  become  more  valuable 


H  A 


V    I 


I  Hi* 


i!hli 


190 


HAMILTON    COUNTY. 


than  the  uplands  for  producing  hay.  In  fine  it  will  be  found  an  ex- 
cellent  countrv  for  grazing,  raising  stock,  and  producing  butter  and 
cheese.  The'strength  of  the  soil  is  sufficiently  tested  by  the  heavy 
growth  of  timber,  which  is  principally  of  hard  wood,  as  beach,  maple, 
fellow  birch,  butternut,  and  elm.  The  evergreens  or  pines  are  con- 
fined mostly  to  the  lower  ranges  of  mountams  Some  of  them  are 
of  the  largest  growth  of  any  in  the  state,  and  are  suitable  for  the 
main  shaft!  of  the  largest  of  the  cotton  mills.  In  the  mam,  the  county 
"  Ut  the  mountfinous  districts  of  New  England,  and  like  these 
produces  the  same  intermixture  of  forest  trees,  and  has  about  the 
same  adaptations  for  the  production  of  the  different  kinds  ot  grain  as 
wheat  rve,  oats,  peas,  barley,  together  with  fine  crops  of  potatoes. 

"The  fece  of  the  country  vaHes  from  hilly  to  mountainous^  A 
low  range  of  mountains  cross  the  county  between  the  town  of  Wells 
an^  Lake  Pleasant ;  the  whole  width  is  not  far  from  six  miles. 
This  ranee,  in  its  progress  northeastwardly,  increases  in  elevation 
until  it  constitutes  the  highest  mountain  group  in  the  state,  m  the 
townsofMoriahandKeene,  in  Essex  county.  . 

«  The  most  interesting  physical  features  m  this  county  arise  from 
the  number  and  beautv  of  the  lakes  which  are  sprinkled  liberally  and 
rJctuirquely  over  its  surface.    Much  has  been  said  of  the  clearness 
Sf  the  waters  of  Lake  George,  and  not  without  reason ;  if,  however, 
the  traveller  will  extend  his  wanderings  to  Lake  Pleasant,  Round, 
Piseco,  and  Racket  lakes,  he  will  find  them  its  equals,  if  not  its  rivals. 
The  clearness  of  the  waters  in  all  these  lakes  is  owmg  to  the  primi- 
live  charpcter  of  the  region  in  which  they  occur.     The  lakes  ot 
Hamilton  form  a  beautiful  addition  to  the  scenery  of  our  coun  ry. 
Although  the  mountains  are  not  so  high  as  those  of  Scotland,  stUi  it 
will  be  a  matter  which  will  occasion  no  surprise,  (when  Americans 
shall  have  acquired  sufficient  independence  to  admire  a  thing  that  is 
American,)  if  these  lakes  do  not  become  objects  of  admiration,  and 
fhTube  considered  as  vieing  with  those  of  Scotland      Settlements 
are  now  forming  on  the  margin  of  those  beautiful  sheets  of  wate  , 
and  were  buildings  erected  suitable  for  the  accommodation  of  travel- 
lers,  in  some  central  place  among  these  lakes,  (which  we  doubt  not 
will  be  the  case  in  a  short  time,)  our  pleasure-seeking  community,  ot 
whatever  cast,  could  spend  a  few  days  or  weeks  with  as  much  zest 
as  is  afforded  by  any  of  the  places  of  public  resort  which  are  so 
thronged  during  the  heat  of  summer.     As  I  have  already  mtimated, 
the  axe  has  been  laid  at  the  root  of  the  tree,  and  ere  long  where 
nought  now  greets  the  eye  but  a  dense,  and  to  all  appearance  impas- 
sable  forest,  will  be  seen  the  golden  grain  waving  with  the  gentle 
breeze,  the  sleek  cattle  browsing  on  the  rich  pastures,  and  the  farmer 
with  well-stored  granaries  enjoying  the  domestic  hearth.       While 
thousands  are  annually  emigrating  to  the  unsettled  regions  ot  the 
«  far  west,"  it  should  be  remembered  that  here  is  a  tract  which  per- 
haps offers  as  strong  inducements  as  the  former,  with  the  additional 
advantages  of  a  near  market,  and  of  becoming  ere  long  possessed  ot 


HEBKIMEE   COUNTY. 


191 


5  found  an  ex- 
ig  butter  and 
by  the  heavy 
beach,  maple, 
lines,  are  con- 
e  of  them  are 
aitable  for  the 
ain,  the  county 
and  hke  these 
has  about  the 
ids  of  grain,  as 
of  potatoes, 
•untainous.    A 
town  of  Wells 
•om  six  miles. 
es  in  elevation 
le  state,  in  the 

mty  arise  from 
id  liberally  and 
f  the  clearness 
n ;  if,  however, 
easant.  Round, 
if  not  its  rivals, 
ig  to  the  primi- 
The  lakes  of 
)f  our  country. 
Scotland,  still  it 
hen  Americans 
;  a  thing  that  is 
admiration,  and 
i.    Settlements 
heets  of  water, 
lation  of  travel- 
;h  we  doubt  not 
;  community,  of 
:h  as  much  zest 
t  which  are  so 
ready  intimated, 
ere  long  where 
pcarance  impas- 
with  the  gentle 
,  and  the  farmer 
learth."     While 
I  regions  of  the 
ract  which  per- 
h  the  additional 
)ug  possessed  of 


Arietta  was  erected  'n  1836,  from  Lake  Pleasant.  It  is  about  55 
miles  long,  with  an  average  breadth  of  6^.  Pop.  209.  The  site 
designated  for  the  county  seat  is  at  Piseco,  in  this  town,  a  flourish- 
ing village  on  the  Piseco  lake. 

Oilman  was  erected  in  1839,  from  Wells.  It  is  about  37  miles 
long,  N.  and  S.,  and  5  broad,  E.  and  W.    Pop.  98. 

Hope,  the  SE.  corner  town,  was  taken  from  Wells  in  1818.     It  is 

about  10  miles  long,  E.  and  W.,  and  7^  broad,  N.  and  S.     Hope, 

*  Hope  Centre,  and  Benson,  are  post-offices.     Pop.  711. 

I|#  Lake  Pleasant,  taken  from  Johnstown  in  1812;  centrally  distant 

"  "^  from  New  York  255,  from  Albany  120,  and  from  Johnstown  43 

miles.     It  is  about  50  miles  long,  N.  and  S.,  and  7  broad,  E.  and  W. 

Pop.  296.     Lake  Pleasant  is  a  small  village,  about  10  miles  N.  of 

Fulton  county  line. 

Long  Lake  is  E.  and  W.  28  miles  long,  by  about  12  broad,  and 
occupies  the  whole  breadth  of  the  northern  portion  of  the  county.  It 
was  erected  in  1838,  from  Wells,  Lake  Pleasant,  Arietta,  and  More- 
house.    Pop.  59. 

MoREHorsE,  the  westernmost  town  of  the  county,  was  taken  from 
Lake  Pleasant  in  1835.  It  is  about  40  miles  long,  N.  and  S.,  by 
about  6i  broad,  E.  and  W.  Pop.  169.  Morehouseville  is  a  small 
village,  in  the  southern  part. 

Wells,  the  easternmost  town  of  the  county,  is  about  40  miles  long, 
N.  and  S.,  with  an  average  breadth,  E.  and  W.,  of  about  5  miles. 
Wells  post-oflUce  is  in  the  S.  part.    Pop.  365. 


HERKIMER  COUNTY. 

Herkimer  county  was  originally  constituted  in  1791.  Greatest 
length  N.  and  S.  90,  greatest  breadth  E.  and  W.  23  miles.  Cen- 
trally distant  from  New  York  260,  from  Albany  115  miles.  This 
county  has  a  broken  and  diversified  aspect.  South  of  the  Mohawk, 
within  this  county,  is  the  great  dividing  ridge  separating  the  waters 
of  the  Mohawk  from  those  of  the  Susquehannah.  A  high  range  of 
hills  extend  across  the  valley  of  the  Mohawk  at  the  Little  Falls,  and 
the  whole  county  north  of  the  Mohawk  is  of  a  mountainous  charac- 
ter. Most  of  the  county  south  of  the  Mohawk,  and  for  many  miles 
north  of  it,  is  under  cultivation,  which  the  greater  portion  of  the  hills 
will  admit  of  to  their  summits.  There  is  a  variety  of  soil,  but  the 
greater  part  of  the  county  is  better  adapted  for  grass  than  grain. 
The  extensive  alluvial  valley  of  the  Mohawk,  and  those  of  some  of 
the  smaller  streams,  are  among  the  finest  grain  lands  in  the  state. 
The  northern  part  of  the  county  is  elevated,  and  covered  with  exten- 
sive forests  of  evergreens  and  marshes,  and  is  of  a  cold  and  sterile 
soil.     The  Mohawk  river  runs  across  its  whole  width.     The  East 


;| 


192 


HERKIMER   COUNTY. 


'Mi  nil 


and  West  Canada  creeks,  (large  branches  of  the  Mohawk,)  form  the 
former  part  of  the  eastern,  and  the  latter  part  of  the  western  bounda- 
rv  of  the  county.     Black  river  of  Lake  Ontario,  has  its  sources  in  the 
northern  part,  and  also  some  of  the  branches  of  the  Oswegatchie 
river.     Several  small  streams  running  into  the  Mohawk,  and  some  of 
the  sources  of  the  Susquehannah,  have  their  rise  in  the  southern  par  . 
The  Erie  canal  and  Utica  railroad  cross  the  county  m  the  Mohawk 
vallev      The  long  level  of  the  canal,  69^  miles,  extends  from  Syra- 
cuse, Onondaga  c^ounty,  to  Frankfort,  near  the  western  t)oundary  of 
this  county.     From  thence  across  the  county  the  canal  has  a  descent 
of  97  feet  by  12  locks;  5  of  which  are  at  the  Little  Falls,  at  which 
nlace  there  is  an  aqueduct  over  the  Mohawk,  built  of  3  arches,  one 
of  700,  two  of  50  feet  each.     The  lands  of  this  county  were  origina  ly 
granted  in  large  tracts;  such  were  the  "Royal  Grant,   to  Sir  Wil- 
liam  Johnson,  embracing  the  country  between  the  East  and  West 
Canada  creeks ;  the  »  Jerserfield  patent,"  covering  a  larger  portion 
of  the  northern  part  of  the  county,  made  in  1770;  the  "German 
Flats  patent."  granted  in  1725,  and  others.    The  county  has  19  towns. 

To^umbia',  taken  from  Warren  in  1812;  from  Albany  75.  from 
Herkimer  S.  10  miles.  Pop.  2,130.  This  town  was  settled  previous 
to  the  revolution,  by  some  Germans.  Columbia  and  South  Columbia 
are  post-offices.  «„  r 

Danube  was  taken  from  Minden  in  1817  ;  from  Albany  76,  from 
Herkimer  SE.  10  miles.  Pop.  1,907.  Near  the  mouth  of  the  Nowa- 
daga,  a  small  stream  in  this  town,  formerly  stood  a  Mohawk  castle 
with  a  church  and  bell. 


General  Herkimer  house,  Danube. 

The  above  is  an  eastern  view  of  the  Gen.  Herkimer  houae,  in  Dan- 
ube now  owned  by  Mr.  Connor.  This  house  is  built  of  brick,  and  i9 
upwards  of  2  miles  eastward  of  the  village  of  Little  Falls,  just  below 
the  rocky  pass  of  the  Mohawk.  It  is  situated  but  a  few  rods  south 
from  the  Eric  canal,  fronting  the  beautiful  interval  of  the  Mohawk, 
Qi  ihia  nlar,R.     This  house  was  built  by  the  general,  who,  after  being 


i 


i 


HKRKIMER    COUNTY. 


193 


.wk,)  form  the 
istern  bounda- 
sources  in  the 
Oswegatchie 
i,  and  some  of 
southern  part. 
1  the  Mohawk 
ds  from  Syra- 
n  j:)oundary  of 
has  a  descent 
Falls,  at  which 
■  3  arches,  one 
were  originally 
It,"  to  Sir  Wil. 
last  and  West 
larger  portion 
the  "  German 
yr  has  19  towns. 

bany  75,  from 
settled  previous 
Jouth  Columbia 

ilbany  76,  from 
h  of  the  Nowa- 
Mohawk  castle 


r  house,  in  Dan- 
t  of  brick,  and  i* 
Falls,  just  below 
a  few  rods  south 
of  the  Mohawk, 
who,  after  being 


wounded  at  the  battle  of  Oriskany,  was  brought  here,  where  he  died. 
He  was  buried  on  a  little  knoll,  a  few  rods  in  a  southerly  direction 
from  his  house,  in  the  family  burying  ground,  without  a  monument  to 
tell  where  he  lies. 

The  battle  of  Oriskany  was  fought  on  the  6th  of  Aug.,  1777 ;  and 
Gen.  Herkimer  did  not  long  survive  his  wound.  The  following  ac- 
count of  his  last  moments,  and  his  character,  is  taken  from  Col. 
Stone's  interesting  account  in  his  Life  of  Brant,  vol.  I. 

^  "  He  wns  conveyed  to  his  own  house  near  the  Mohawk  river,  a  few  miles  below  the 

Little  Falls;  where  his  leg,  which  had  been  shattered  5  or  6  inches  below  the  knee,  was 
amputated  about  10  days  after  the  battle,  by  a  young  French  surgeon  in  the  army  of  Gen. 
Arnold,  and  contrary  to  the  advice  of  the  general's  own  medical  adviser,  the  late  Dr.  Pe. 
trie.  But  the  operation  was  unskilfully  performed,  and  it  was  found  impossible  by  his 
attendants  to  stanch  the  blood.  Col.  Willet  called  to  see  the  general  soon  after  the  opera, 
tion.  He  was  sitting  up  in  his  bed,  with  a  pipe  in  his  mouth,  smoking,  and  talking  in  ex- 
cellent spirits.  He  died  the  night  following  that  visit.  His  friend.  Col.  John  Rofl",  was 
present  at  the  amputation,  and  affirmed  that  he  bore  the  operation  with  uncommon  fortitude. 
He  was  likewise  with  him  at  the  time  of  his  death.  The  blood  continuing  to  flow — there 
being  no  physician  in  immediate  attendance — and  being  himself  satisfied  that  the  time  of 
his  departure  was  nigh,  the  vttoraii  directed  the  Holy  Bible  to  be  brought  to  him.  He  then 
opened  it  and  read,  in  the  presence  of  those  who  surrounded  his  bed,  with  all  the  composure 
which  it  was  possible  fjr  any  man  to  exhibit,  the  38th  psalm — applying  it  to  his  own  situa- 
tion. He  soon  afterward  expired ;  and  it  may  well  be  questioned  whether  the  annals  of 
man  furnish  a  more  striking  example  of  Christian  heroism — calm,  delibernic,  and  firm  in 
the  hour  of  death — than  is  presented  in  this  remarkable  instance.  Of  the  eariy  history  of 
(Jen.  Herkimer,  but  little  is  known.  It  has  been  already  stated  that  his  family  was  one  of 
the  first  of  the  Germans  who  planted  themselves  in  the  Mohawk  valley.  And  the  massive 
stone  mansion,  yet  standing  at  German  Flatta,  bespeaks  its  eariy  opulence.  He  was  an 
uneducated  man — with,  if  possible,  less  skill  in  letters,  even  than  Gen.  Putnam,  which  is 
saying  much.  But  he  was,  nevertheless,  a  man  of  strong  and  vigorous  understanding — 
destitute  of  some  of  the  essential  requisites  of  generalship,  but  of  the  njost  cool  and  daimtless 
courage.  These  traits  were  all  strikingly  disclosed  in  the  brief  and  bloody  expedition  to 
Oriskany.  But  he  must  have  been  well  acquainted  with  that  most  important  of  all  books — 
The  Bibi-e.  Nor  could  the  most  letirned  biblical  scholar,  lay  or  clerical,  have  selected  a 
jjortion  of  the  Sacred  Scriptures  more  exactly  appropriate  to  the  situation  of  the  dying  sol. 
(lier,  than  that  to  which  he  himself  spontaneously  turned.  If  Socrates  died  like  a  phdoso. 
pher,  and  Rousseau  like  an  unbelieving  sentimentalist.  Gen.  Herkimer  died  like  a  Chris. 
TUN  Hero.  Congress  passed  a  resolution  requesting  the  governor  and  countul  of  New 
York  to  erect  a  monument,  at  the  expense  of  the  United  States,  to  the  memory  of  this 
brave  man,  of  the  value  of  five  himdred  dollars. 

"  Sixty  years  have  since  rolled  away,  and  the  journal  of  Congress  is  the  only  monument, 
iind  the  resolution  itself  the  only  inscription,  which  as  yet  testify  the  gratitude  of  the  repub- 
lic to  General  Nicholas  Herkimer." 

Fairfield,  taken  from  Norway  in  1796;  from  Albany  76,  from 
Herkimer  NE.  10  miles.  Pop.  1,836.  The  village  of  Fairfield  is 
centrally  situated,  and  contams  1  Methodist,  1  Episcopal,  and  1  Pres- 
byterian church,  iwd  about  50  dwellings. 

The  college  of  physicians  and  surgeons  of  the  western  district  ia 
located  in  this  village,  and  numbers  6  professors  and  105  students; 
also,  a  flourishing  academy,  under  the  charge  of  the  Rev.  Henry 
Bannister,  and  numljering  150  pupils,  including  males  and  females. 
In  the  following  view,  the  two  buildings  shown  on  the  right  are  the 
medical  colleges,  the  structure  with  a  steeple  is  the  acadrmy  chapel, 
and  the  building  partially  seen  on  the  left  is  the  one  appropriated  for 
the  male  department  of  the  academy.  These  buildings  are  favorably 
located  on  a  filil  green.     The  building  for  the  females  is  not  shown 


Ifc 


Medical  College,  and  Academy,  at  Fairfield. 

in  this  view.     Middleville,  on  West  Canada  creek,  on  the  west  line 
of  the  town,  and  partly  in  Newport,  has  1  church  and  about  50 

%'l^NKFORT  was  taken  from  German  Flats  in  1796;  from  Albany 
86  miles.     Frankfort,  a  manutacturing  village  upon  the  canal  4  miles 
N  W.  of  Herkimer,  has  about  60  dwellings.     Frankfort  Hill  is  a  post- 
office.     Pop.  3,090.  ^^  ^        .         ,  ,    .,_ 
German  Flats  was  organized  in  1788.     Its  surface  is  undulating, 
rising  from  the  Mohawk  river  on  the  northern  boundary.     Ihe  ex- 
tensive alluvial  flats  in  this  town,  as  well  as  those  in  Herkimer,  were 
settled  at  an  early  period  by  German  families,  and  have  now  been 
known  as  the  German  Flats  for  more  than  a  century.     The  soil  ot 
the  township  is  uncommonly  good,  particularly  the  flats  on  the  Mo- 
hawk, which  are  proverbially  fertile.     Centrally  distant  from  Herki- 
mer 5,  and  from  Albany  75  miles.     Pop.  3,245. 

Mohawk,  a  small  post  village  on  the  Mohawk  river  and  Erie  canal, 
is  nearly  2  miles  from  Herkimer,  the  county  seat ;  contains  an  ancient 
stone  church,  the  westernmost  of  the  line  of  those  structures  built  un- 
der the  auspices  of  Sir  William  Johnson.  A  short  distance  E.  ot  the 
church  stood  the  large  and  massive-built  mansion  of  the  Herkimer 
family,  which,  hke  the  church  itself,  was  used  as  a  fort.  Hence  it 
was  called  Fort  Herkimer.  "  It  was  at  this  place,  says  Col.  Stone, 
"that  the  first  liberty  pole  in  the  valley  was  reared  m  the  spring  ot 
1775."  White,  the  sheriflT  of  Tryon  county  at  that  time,  canie  up 
the  flats  with  a  large  body  of  militia  from  Johnstown,  and  cut  it  down. 
When  the  Mohawk  valley  was  ravaged  in  ^'^^  ^y  the  tories  and 
Indians,  there  were  34  dwellings  on  the  south  side  of  the  Mohawk 

laid  in  ashes.  r  .u     *         u- 

Herkimer  was  organized  in  1788.  The  surface  of  the  township 
on  the  north  is  hilly ;  on  the  south,  along  the  banks  ot  the  Mohawk, 
which  forms  its  southern  boundary,  are  the  German  flats,  so  noted  tor 
their  fertility.  This  place  was  an  early  German  settlement, "  origin- 
allv  called  Burnetsfleld,  from  the  circumstance  that  the  patent  had 
been  granted  bv  Gov,  Burnet.     This  patent  extended  ^rer  the  richest 


i. 

the  west  line 
and  about  50 

from  Albany- 
canal  4  miles 
Hill  is  a  post- 
is  undulating, 
ary.  The  ex- 
erkimer,  were 
ave  now  been 
-.  The  soil  of 
ts  on  the  Mo- 
lt from  Herki- 

ind  Erie  canal, 
;ains  an  ancient 
3tures  built  un- 
tance  E.  of  the 
'  the  Herkimer 
brt.  Hence  it 
ays  Col.  Stone, 
n  the  spring  of 

time,  came  up 
ind  cut  it  down. 

the  tories  and 
)f  the  Mohawk 

•f  the  township 
)f  the  Mohawk, 
ats,  so  noted  for 
lement, "  origin- 
the  patent  had 
^er  the  richest 


HERKIMER    COUNTy. 


105 


and  most  beautiful  section  of  the  Mohawk  valley,  comprehending  the 
broad  alluvial  lands  directly  beyond  the  junction  of  the  West  Canada 
creek  and  river,  and  including  about  10  miles  of  the  valley  from  E. 
to  W."     Pop.  2,369. 


View  of  Herkimer,  from  the  Erie  canal. 

The  above  shows  the  appearance  of  the  village  as  seen  from  an 
elevation  rising  from  the  south  bank  of  the  Mohawk  and  the  Erie 
canal,  about  a  mile  distant.  The  village  was  incorporated  in  1807- 
1825,  and  is  built  on  a  gravelly  plain  elevated  some  10  or  15  feet 
above  the  surrounding  flats,  occupying  the  site  of  the  ancient  Fort 
Dayton.  The  village  consists  of  upwards  of  100  dwellings,  the 
county  buildings,  1  Dutch  Reformed  and  1  Methodist  church,  a  print- 
ing office,  &c.  The  principal  street  runs  N.  and  S.,  and  is  about  half 
a  mile  in  extent ;  the  railroad  passes  through  the  village  at  its  south- 
ern extremity. 

The  following  account  of  the  destruction  of  this  place  by  the  tories 
and  Indians  in  1778,  is  from  Stone's  Life  of  Brant. 

"  At  the  time  of  which  we  are  writing,  the  settlement  on  the  south  side  of  the  river 
numbered  34  dweUing.houses,  and  there  were  about  an  equal  number  upon  the  north  side, 
together  witii  as  many  barns  and  other  outbuildings,  and  several  mills.  The  population, 
for  the  number  of  houses,  was  numerous.  The  lands,  rich  by  nature,  and  well  cultivated, 
had  that  year  brought  forth  by  handfuls  ;  so  that  the  barns  were  amply  stored  with  their 
products. 

"  It  was  at  the  close  of  August,  or  early  in  the  month  of  September,  that  this  fine  district 
was  laid  waste  by  the  Indians  under  the  direction  of  Brant.  Most  providentially,  however, 
the  invasion  was  attended  with  the  loss  of  but  two  lives — one  man  g  killed  outright, 

and  another,  named  McGinnis,  perished  in  the  flames.  The  particuL.  .  this  hostile  irrup- 
tion  were  these : — Entertaining  some  suspicions  of  Brant,  who  was  at  Unadilla,  a  scout  of 
four  men  had  been  despatched  into  that  vicinity  for  observation.  Three  of  these  men  were 
killed  at  the  Edmeston  settlement.  The  fourth,  John  Helmer,  succeeding  in  making  his 
escape,  and  returned  to  the  Flats  at  half  an  hour  before  sun-down,  just  in  time  to  announce 
that  Brant,  with  a  large  body  of  Indians,  was  advancing,  and  would,  in  a  few  hours,  be  upon 
them.  All  was,  of  course,  terror  and  alarm  through  the  settlement ;  and  the  inhabitants- 
men,  women,  and  children — were  gathered  into  forts  Dayton  and  Herkimer  for  security, 
In  flying  to  those  defences,  they  gathered  up  the  moat  valuable  of  their  stufl;  and  by  meanf 


M 


?iP 


UliUKIMER    COUNTY. 

of  boats  and  canoes  upon  the  river,  succeeded,  in  the  course  of  the  evening,  in  collecting  a 
large  portion  of  their  best  articles  of  furniture.    But  they  had  no  tune  to  look  after  the.r 

^""Eariy  iSe"evening  Brant  arrived  at  the  edge  of  the  settlement,  but  as  the  night  came 
on  excessively  dark  and  rninv,  he  halted  with  his  forces  in  a  ravine,  near  the  house  of  his 
tory  iViend  Shoemaker,  where  the  younger  Butler  and  his  party  were  captured  the  preceding 
vear  Here  the  chieftain  lay  with  his  warriors  until  the  storm  broke  away  towards  mormng 
Hnconsc  01^  that  his  approach  had  been  notified  to  the  people  by  the  scoutm  season  to 
enable  them  to  escape  the  blow  of  his  uplifted  arm.  Before  the  dawn  he  was  on  foo  ,  and 
his  warriors  were  sweeping  through  the  settlement ;, so  that  the  torch  might  be  almo  t  sm- 
ultaneously  applied  to  every  builditig  it  contained.  Just  as  the  day  was  breakmg  m  t^ 
east  the  fires  were  kindled,  and  the  whole  section  of  the  valley  was  speedily  illuminated  by 
hietof  houses  and  'barns,  and  all  things  else  combustible.  The  yctacle  to  the 
people  in  the  forts,  was  one  of  melancholy  grandeur.  Every  family  saw  the  Affnes  and 
smoke  of  its  own  domicil  ascending  to  the  skies,  and  every  farmer  the  whole  product  of  his 
labor  for  the  season  dissolving  into  ashes.     „        ,      ^    ,.  . ,    ,  ,      „„„„„.;„„ 

"Havin-  no  fire-arms  larger  than  their  rifles,  the  Indians  avoided  even  a  demonstration 
against  the^forts,  notwithstanding  their  chagrin  that  neither  scalps  nor  prisoners  were  to  grace 
their  triumph.     But  as  the  light  of  day  advanced,  their  warriors  were  seen  singly,  or  in  smal 

groups  sZring  the  fields,  and  driving  away  a}V'^\'^«^r' !,''''''P' Tl'''''^^  ^  '  tS 
could  be  found  Nothing  upon  which  they  could  lay  their  hands  was  left :  and  the  settle, 
ment  which,  but  the  day  before,  for  ten  miles  had  smiled  in  plenty  and  in  beauty,  was  now 
houseless  and  destitute.  Happily,  however,  of  human  life  there  was  no  greater  sacrifice 
than  has  already  been  mentioned.  After  the  Indians  had  decamped  with  their  booty  a 
force  of  between  300  and  400  militia-men  collected,  and  went  m  pursuit— following  as  far 
as  Edmeston's  plantation  on  the  UnadiUa  river,  where  the  bodies  of  the  three  scouts  were 
found  and  buried.     But  no  other  results  attended  this  expedition." 

LiTciiFiKLD  was  taken  from  German  Flats  in  1796;  from  Albany 
88,  centrally  distant  from  Herkimer  and  Utica  11  miles.  CedarviUe, 
partly  in  the  towns  of  Wintield  and  Columbia,  has  about  40  dwellings. 
Litchfield  is  a  post-office.     Pop.  1,672.  ^  .  ^  ,.        ,  ^ 

Little  Falls  was  taken  from  Herkimer,  Fairfield,  and  German 
Flats,  in  1829.  It  has  a  hilly  and  broken  surface,  lying  on  both  sides 
of  the  Mohawk.  Pop.  3,881.  The  first  settlement  in  the  town  ap- 
pears to  have  been  made  at  the  falls  of  the  Mohawk,  by  or  under  the 
direction  of  Alexander  Ellis.  This  gentleman  was  a  Scotch  mer- 
chant,  who,  under  the  favor  of  Sir  William  Johnson,  had  obtained  a 
patent  of  the  wild  mountain  gorge,  through  which  the  Mohawk  leaps 
from  the  upper  into  the  lower  section  of  the  valley. 

The  encrraving  shows  a  southern  view  of  part  of  the  village  as 
seen  from '^a  point  about  20  rods  below  the  aqueduct  over  the  Mo- 
hawk. The  village  consists  of  upwards  of  300  dwellings,  5  churches— 
viz,  1  Presbyterian,  1  Baptist,  1  Episcopal,  1  Methodist,  and  1  Cath- 
olic—a bank,  an  academy,  2  newspaper  printing  offices,  and  various 
manufacturing  establishments.  The  village  is  supplied  with  water 
brought  from  a  spring  in  the  granite  mountain,  300  feet  above  the 
tops  of  the  houses.  The  singular  building  with  a  spire,  seen  in  the 
engraving  on  the  left,  on  elevated  ground,  is  the  oldest  church  m  the 
village,  formerly  used  by  the  Scotch  Presbyterians,  but  now  occupied 
by  the  Catholics.  . 

"  This  spot  is  remarkable  for  the  passage  of  the  Mohawk  river 
throucrh  the  mountain  barrier ;  for  its  wild  and  picturesque  scenery ; 
and  for  the  difficulties  which  have  been  overcome  in  constructing  the 
Erie  canal  through  the  pass.  It  receives  the  name  of  the  Little  Falls, 
in  cnntradiatinction  to  the  Great  Falls  at  Cahoes.    The  falls  extend 


!j,  in  collecting  a 
)  look  after  their 

s  the  night  came 
the  house  of  hi8 
•ed  the  preceding 
towards  morning 
icout  in  season  to 
was  on  foot,  and 
ht  be  almost  sim- 

breaking  in  the 
ily  illuminated  by 

spectacle,  to  the 
f  the  flames  and 
ole  product  of  his 

1  a  demonstration 
lers  were  to  grace 
singly,  or  in  small 
1  black  cattle  that 
rt ;  ,and  the  settle- 
beauty,  was  now 
3  greater  sacrifice 
ith  their  booty,  a 
— following  as  far 
three  scouts  were 


from  Albany 

I.     Cedarville, 

40  dwellings. 

,  and  German 
;  on  both  sides 
1  the  town  ap- 
y  or  under  the 
1  Scotch  mer- 
lad  obtained  a 
Mohawk  leaps 

the  village  as 
t  over  the  Mo- 
3, 5  churches — 
St,  and  1  Cath- 
2s,  and  various 
?d  with  water 
feet  above  the 
ire,  seen  in  the 
t  church  in  the 
,  now  occupied 

Mohawk  river 
esque  scenery ; 
onstructing  the 
:he  Little  Falls, 
'he  falls  extend 


HERKIMER    COUNTY. 


197 


Southern  view  of  part  of  the  Village  of  Little  Falls. 

upon  the  river  about  three  fourths  of  a  mile,  descending  in  that  dis- 
tance 42  feet,  and  consist  of  two  long  rapids,  separated  by  a  stretch 
of  deep  water,  occupying  each  about  the  fourth  of  a  mile.  The  up- 
per rapids  are  most  considerable.  Above  them,  a  dam  across  the 
stream  renders  it  placid,  over  which  the  waters,  separated  by  a  small 
island,  form  beautiful  Ipw  cascades,  falling  into  a  deep  pool  beneath, 
whence  the  current  rushes,  murmuring  and  foaming,  over  ridges  and 
amorphous  masses  of  granite  and  gneiss  rock,  flowing  with  compar- 
ative gentleness  beneath  the  overarching  bridge  and  aqueduct,  and 
thence  hurrying,  with  new  impetuosity,  over  the  stony  bed  below. 

"  This  waterfall  would  be  beautiful  anywhere ;  but  it  acquires 
grandeur  here,  from  the  high  hills  which  confine  it,  and  which  the 
slightest  observation  teaches  us  have  been  cut  down  by  its  ever  en- 
during and  irresistible  force.  The  defile  is  two  miles  long,  with  a 
medial  breadth  of  one  hundred  rods.  On  either  bank,  the  hill,  on 
which  deciduous  and  evergreen  trees  are  pleasingly  intermingled, 
rises  from  360  to  400  feet,  and  the  fall,  over  which  may  have  once 
poured  the  waters  of  Lake  Ontario,  may  have  had  a  very  little  infe- 
rior altitude.  A  mound,  raised  here  to  the  height  of  70  ft  .'t,  would 
now  cause  the  waters  to  overflow  the  Rome  summit,  and  send  them 
again  by  Wood  creek  and  the  Oneida  lake  to  Ontario. 

"  That  the  hill  has  been  so  abraded  is  incontestibly  demonstrated  by 
the  many  cavities,  basins,  and  channels,  worn  in  the  rock,  at  the  bot- 
tom and  sides  of  the  defile,  visible  throughout  its  extent,  and  at  an 
elevation  of  60  feet.  Below  the  Gulf  Bridge,  on  the  north  side  of  the 
road,  is  an  insulated  rock,  having  a  remarkable  water- worn  cavity  or 
funnel ;  its  top  is  between  30  and  40  feet  above  the  low-water  mark 
of  the  river,  and  the  rock  in  which  it  is  formed  is  16  feet  high.  The 
funnel,  2J  feet  diameter,  descends  perpendicularly  fromt  he  top  be- 
low the  exposed  part  of  the  base.  Near  the  base  it  is  broken  so 
that  the  sky  may  be  seen  as  through  a  chimney.     This  funnel  has 


!  l.i 


I     i 


i'i 


198 


HERKIMER    COUNTY. 


I 


doubtless  been  worn  by  the  violent  action  of  water  upon  loose  stones 
within  its  cavUy  Similar  indications  of  like  action  are  common  here, 
Tnd  some  have  lately  been  disclosed  by  removal  ot  the  soil  from  other 

^''"  At"'thf  Ibot^of  the  falls  the  river  expands  into  a  basin  more  than 
a  hundred  feet  deep,  into  which  the  high  cataract  once  poured  its 
floods  and  from  whose  depths  rocky  spires  nse  above  he  surface. 

"A  canal  ^h  5  locks,  was  constructed  here  by  the  Western  Inland 
NavtaUon  Company,  in  1802,  which  now  gives  a  valuable  hydraulic 
«ower  and  seizes  as  a  feeder  for  the  Erie  canal,  with  which  it  is 
SecteS  by  anoble  aqueduct  of  marble.  214  feet  long,.16  feet  wide, 
confined  by  walls  14  feet  high  and  4  feet  broad,  sustained  by  three 
arches  the  central  one  of  10,  and  the  outer  ones  each  of  50  feet  span. 
The  western  parapet,  guarded  with  an  iron  balustrade  iorms  an 
agreerble  promenade,  h'om  which  a  great  portion  of  this  varied 
scenery  is  visible.  This  beautiful  structure  is  best  seen  from  a  fine 
stone  bridge  immediately  above  it.  ,  •  r    •     * 

"This  defile  presented  an  obstacle  to  the  Erie  canal,  inferior  to  none 
save  the  deep  excavation  at  Lockport.  Here,  two  miles  ot  deep  rock 
cutting  were  necessary  ;  years  were  supposed  requisite  to  accomplish 
the  work ;  but  the  perseverance  and  skill  of  the  contractors  effected 
the  most  difficult  portion  in  less  than  90  days.  .,.,.,         ^r 

"  The  canal  descends  the  pass  by  5  locks,  40  feet  in  the  distance  of 
one  mile,  and  the  time  of  the  passage  permits  the  traveller  m  boats 
to  view,  leisurely,  the  natural  scenery  and  artificial  improvements. 

"This  place  has  much  attraction  for  the  student  of  natural  science. 
The  ceoloffist  will  find  the  various  formations  curiously  blended  in  its 
vicinitv  The  rocks,  immediately  at  the  falls,  are  granite,  gneiss,  and 
hornblende,  with  calciferous  sand  rock  overlaid  by  transition  lime- 
stone. Beautiful  quartz  crystals  of  unusual  size,  purity,  and  lustre, 
and  fine  specimens  of  tourmaline,  may  be  obtained.  -Gordon  s  Gaz. 

In  1780    a  party  of  tories  and  Indians  made  a  descent  upon  the  small  settlement  at 

LiSe  FalK  foMhe'purpose  of  destroying  the  mUls,  >vhich  ^^  f  J^J -P-"--   £ 

inhabitants  in  this  section.    This  was  easily  accomplished-      the  enemy  haMng  stolen 

upon  tt  segment  unaware,  nnd  the  flouring  mill  be  ng  .      '--J  ^y  not  more^^^^^^^^^ 

dozen  men     Only  a  few  shots  ve'  •  exchanged,  and  but  one    .an  was  killed— Uaniel  re. 

Se     As"he  Indians  entered  i  ,c.    -'1,  the  occupants  endeavored  to  escape  as  fast  as  they 

Suld-^ome  earg  from  th.  wir>  I    k  -ti  othe,^  endeavoring  to  conceal  themselves  be- 

bwTw^  night,  and  two  of  U..  number,  Cox  and  Skinner,  succeeded  m  ensconcing 

thrmselvesT the  race-way,  beneath  the  water-wheel-Skinner  having  previously  made 

thThTndto\  nd.andbee'n  wounded  by  a  cut  from  a  tomahawk.    Two  of  the.  corn- 

pfnions,  Christian  Edick  and  Frederick  Getman,  leaped  into  the  race-way  above  he  nn  , 

and  endeavored  to  conceal  themselves  by  keeping  as  much  under  water  as  po^.ble     But 

the  application  of  the  torch  to  the  mills  soon  revealed  the  aquatic  retreat,  and  Oiey  were 

taken     Not  so  with  Cox  and  Skinner,  who  survived  the  storm  of  battle,  and  the  mingled 

elements  of  fire  and  water ;  the  showers  of  coals  and  burning  brands  ^emg  at  once  e^tm 

guished  as  they  fell  around  them,  while  the  water-wheel  served  as  an  effectual  protec^  on 

Igainst  the  falling  timbers.    The  enemy  retired  after  accomphshmg  their  object,  carrymg 

away  five  or  six  prisoners."— ii/e  of  Brant. 

Manheim,  taken  from  Palatine  in  1797;  from  Albany  69  miles. 
Manheim,  on  the  Utica  turnpike  and  railroad,  14  miles  east  from  Her- 
itimer,  is  a  small  village.    Manheim  Centre  is  a  post-ofllice.    This 


HERKIMER    COUNTY. 


199 


)n  loose  stones 

common  here, 

soil  from  other 

isin  more  than 
tnce  poured  its 

the  surface. 
Vestern  Inland 
aable  hydraulic 
k^ith  which  it  is 
y,16  feet  wide, 
tained  by  three 
of  50  feet  span, 
rade,  forms  an 

of  this  varied 
een  from  a  fine 

inferior  to  none 
les  of  deep  rock 
e  to  accomplish 
ractors  effected 

the  distance  of 
aveller  in  boats 
nprovements. 
natural  science, 
sly  blended  in  its 
mite,  gneiss,  and 

transition  lime- 
irity,  and  lustre, 
—Gordon's  Gaz. 

e  small  settlement  at 
ach  importance  to  the 
jnemy  having  stolen 
i  by  not  more  than  a 
as  killed — Daniel  Pe- 
escape  as  fast  as  they 
Dnceal  themselves  be- 
;ceeded  in  ensconcing 
iving  previously  made 
.  Two  of  their  com- 
e-way above  the  mill, 
■ater  as  possible.  But 
retreat,  and  they  were 
attle,  and  the  mingled 
is  being  at  once  extin- 
an  effectual  protection 
;  their  object,  carrying 

Ubany  69  miles. 
3S  east  from  Her- 
post-office.    This 


town  was  settled  by  Germans  in  1770.     During  the  revolution  the 
inhabitants  were  driven  from  their  possessions.     Pop.  2,095. 

Newport,  takpn  from  Norway,  Fairfield,  and  Schuyler  in  1806; 
from  Albany  96,  from  Herkimer  N.  centrally  distant  13  miles.  Pop. 
2,020.  Newpon  village  has  about  100  dwellings.  Middleport  is  a 
small  villuj'p,  partly  in  the  town  of  Fairfield. 

NoRww,  laken  from  Herkimer  in  1792  ;  from  Albany  90,  from 
Herkimer  N.  centrally  distant  18  miles.  Pop.  1,046.  Norway  is 
a  small  village. 

Ohio,  erected  from  West  Brunswick  ;  from  Herkimer  centrally  dis- 
tant N.  22  miles.     Pop.  692.     West  Brunswick  is  the  post-office. 

Russia,  originally  named  Union,  and  taken  from  Norway  in  1806; 
from  Albany  94,  centrally  distant  NNW.  from  Herkimer  20  miles. 
Pop.  2,198.  Russia  and  Poland  are  small  villages  ;  Cold  Brook  and 
Portville,  post-offices. 

Salisbury,  taken  from  Palatine  in  1817  ;  from  Albany  76  miles. 
It  has  a  mountainous  surface,  with  broad  valleys  on  the  northeast. 
Salisbury  14  NE.,  Salisbury  Centre  17  miles,  and  Winton,  are  small 
villages.    Pop.  1,859. 

Schuyler,  taken  from  Herkimer  in  1792;  from  Albany  86,  cen- 
trally distant  from  Herkimer  8,  and  from  Utica  6  miles.  East  Schuy- 
ler and  West  Schuyler  are  post-offices.     Pop.  1,798. 

Stark,  taken  from  Danube  in  1828  ;  from  Albany  centrally  distant 
29,  from  Herkimer  SE.  16  miles.  Pop.  1,766.  Vanhornsville  is  a 
small  village,  and  Starkville  a  post-office.  "  The  Otsquake  creek  in 
this  town,  flowing  9  miles  to  the  Mohawk  river,  is  remarkable  for  the 
number  and  extent  of  the  calcareous  incrustations  and  petrifactions 
along  its  banks  and  tributaries  near  its  source.  A  fine  example  is  pre- 
sented of  the  former  about  half  a  mile  above  the  first  mill,  where  a  tu- 
faceous  r  j'',l  stretches  across  the  dell  from  60  to  70  yards,  with  a 
breadth  of  16,  and  a  height  of  2  yards,  enclosing  masses  of  petrified 
wood.  The  most  perfect  petrification,  in  a  ravine  of  a  small  stream  de- 
scending to  the  creek,  is  the  trunk  of  a  hemlock  tree,  2  feet  in  diameter, 
in  which  the  concentric  circles  and  color  of  the  wood  are  admirably 
preserved.  This  curious  laboratory  of  stone  is  still  in  action." — Gor- 
don's Gazeteer. 

Warren,  taken  from  German  Flats  in  1796 ;  from  Albany  68,  from 
Herkimer  centrally  distant  S.  10  miles.  Subterranean  streams  burst 
forth  here  in  large  volumes  sufficient  for  hydraulic  purposes.  Pages 
Comers  and  Grains  Corners  are  post-offices,  and  Little  Lakes  a  small 
village.     Pop.  2,003. 

Winfield,  taken  from  Richfield  and  Plainfield  of  Otsego  county, 
and  Litchfield  of  Herkimer  county,  in  1816;  from  Albany  75,  from 
Herkimer  SW.  15  miles.  Winfield  and  West  Winfield  are  small 
villages.     Pop.  1,652. 

WiLMURT  comprises  the  whole  northern  and  unsettled  section  of 
the  county:  in  length  about  60,  and  in  breadth  about  16  miles.  Pop.  60. 


il 


■1 


'fi» 


i  T 


'     k   . 


>»t 


iKh 


^4* 


2QQ  JEFFERSON    COUNTY. 


JEFFERSON  COUNTY. 

Jefferson  county,  taken  from  Oneida  in  1805,  is  situated  at  the 
Erndoink:  Ontario,  and  on  the  St.  L-J-- ™^^^^^^^ 
rhaiirnont  bay,  and  most  ot  the  islets  called  the     Ihousand  isles, 
and  i  Tternt?;'ry  having  as  -any  natural  advantages  as  any  por..^ 
of  the  interior  of  the  state.     It  is  centrally  distant  NW.  trom  i^ew 
Yo  i  30 i  a  d  from  Albany  160  miles.     Length  N.  and  S.  48  miles ; 
mentest  bre  dtli  E.  and  W.  30.     This  county  in  its  suriace  is  either 
S    eve    or  agrcoublv  diversified,  waving  in  gentle  undulations. 
Generalh'  the  soO  is  of  a  sandy  loam  of  a  superior  quality  with  some 
™^T  1  d  clay,  and  yields  abundant  crops.     The  natural  growth  ol 
fmbor  s  uxuriant.     Originally  it  was  covered  with  trees  ot  an  enor- 
mts  h    ' d  r  T  e  many  and  very  rapid  streams  of  this  county  furnish 
Ta bumhmce  of  hvdraulic  power.    The  cattle  sent  to  market  trom  this 
conn  V  eXl    m>0  head  per  annum.     Its  horses  are  equal  to  any 
'n   he^stTte!  ind   heir  sale  is'a  source  of  much  revenue.     The  raising 
of  lecris  a  -n-owing  business.     The  roads  in  the  county  are  numer- 
nL  .nd  i.od     amon<rwliichmavbe  noticed  a  turnpike  from  Brown- 
vil  e    o  fea^e  V  S,  21  miles,-the  St.  Lawrence  and  Ogdensburg 
n  rnnib-s  and  th(>  .n-eit  military  road  between  Sacketts  Harbor  and 
Sa  i  rg  on  Lake  (^hamplain!    About  one  half  of  the  exports  dc 
scend  to  Montreal.     It  is  divided  mto  19  towns.     Pop.  01,0iJ8. 


Southern  view  of  Adams,  Jefferson  County. 

AnAMH,  taken  from  Mexico,  1st  April,  18()2  ;  NW  from  Albany  149 
miles  It  was  originnllv  the  property  of  Mr.  Nicho  as  Low,  ot  iNew 
York  and  was  s.-tlled  in  IHOl,  bv  New  England  emigrants  Among 
the  eaHv  settlers  weir  David  Smith,  Elihu  Morton,  a  Mr.  Brown. 
1^^  t'"  «nli.hnrv  familv.     Here  have  been  found  many  of  those  an- 


■1  I 


JEFFERSON    COUNTY. 


201 


situated  at  the 
ver,  comprising 
rhousand  Isles," 
I  as  any  portion 
SW.  from  New 
nd  S.  48  miles ; 
surface  is  either 
itle  undulations, 
ality,  with  some 
turul  growth  ol 
rees  of  an  enor- 
is  county  furnish 
market  from  tliis 
ire  equal  to  any 
le.     The  raising 
lunty  are  numer- 
ike  from  Brown- 
md  Ogdensburg 
etts  Harbor  and 
f  the  exports  de- 
3p.  01,0ii8. 


inty. 

from  Albany  149 
•las  Low,  of  New 
ligrants.  Among 
)n,  a  Mr.  Brown, 
nany  of  those  an- 


cient works  so  common  in  the  western  country.  Pieces  of  coarse 
earthenware  and  pipes  have  frequently  been  met  with,  and  old  stone 
healths,  n^.iiny  feet  under  ground.  There  have  also  been  discovered 
seven  of  the  tumular  remains,  of  moderate  height,  with  the  ditch  en- 
circling them,  the  area  from  a  half  to  two  acres  each.  Adams  vil- 
lage, 14  miles  south  of  Watertown,  has  1  Presbyterian  and  1  Meth- 
odist church,  a  select  school,  a  seminary  for  young  ladies,  and  120 
dwellings. 

The  preceding  view  of  the  central  part  of  the  village  was  taken  a  few 
rods  south  of  the  bridge,  in  the  principal  street.  The  academy  stee- 
ple and  the  Presbyterian  church  are  seen  on  the  right,  and  the  biidge 
in  the  centre  of  the  engraving.  Adams  Centre  contains  a  church 
belonging  to  the  society  of  the  Seven-day  Baptists.  Appling  and 
Smithville  are  post  villages.     Pop.  f)f  the  town,  2,941. 

ALEx.wniuA,  settled  by  New  Englanders  in  1817;  taken  from 
Browuville  and  Le  R:iy  in  1821,  including  the  islands  in  the  St.  Law- 
rence river  fronting  the  town.  Pop.  3,472.  The  river,  from  two  to 
five  miles  in  width,  is  speckled  by  the  "  Thousnnd  Isles."  Indian 
river  flows  across  the  east  part  of  the  town,  having  falls  of  80  feet 
near  Theresa.  There  are  hin-e  many  useliil  mill-streams,  and  12 
small  lakes  well  stocked  with  fish.  Alexandria  village,  on  the  St.  Law- 
rence, 30  miles  above  Ogdensburg,  has  about  30  dwellings.  Theresa, 
2.5  miles  i'rom  Ogdensburg,  has  about  25  dwellings.  Plessis,  Milita- 
ry Road,  and  Redwood,  are  post-offic(;s. 

Antwerp,  taken  from  Le  Ray  in  1810.  Antwerp,  upon  Indian 
river,  164  i.iiles  from  Albany,  and  20  NE.  of  Watertown,  has  about 
40  or  50  dwellings.  Oxbow,  on  the  Oxbow  of  the  Oswegatehie  river, 
25  miles  NE.  from  Watertown,  has  about  30  dwellings.  One  mile 
west  of  the  village  is  a  ro«k  called  "  pulpit  rock,"  in  the  form  of  a 
pulpit,  where  public  worship  has  occasionally  been  perlbrmed.  Pop. 
3,108. 

Brownvii.le,  taken  from  Levden  in  1802;  surface  level ;  soil  mar- 
ley  loam  on  limestone,  of  excellent  cpiality,  and  highly  improved,  and 
producing  much  wheat.  The  town  h;is  its  name  from  Mr.  John 
brown,  an  early  settler,  and  lather  of  the  late  Gen.  Brown.  Browu- 
ville, on  the  right  bank  oi'  the  Black  river,  3  mile?!  from  its  m^uth, 
and  at  the  head  of  navigation,  4  miles  below  Watertown,  is  a  large 
manufacturing  village,  containing  about  100  dwellings,  and  1  Presby- 
terian, 1  Episcopal,  and  1  Methodist  church.  The  lall  of  the  river 
here  is  24  tcet.  Dexter  is  a  small  but  flourishing  village,  at  the  head 
of  navigation,  on  Black  river,  a  few  miles  below  Brownville.  Li- 
merick and  Perch  River  are  post-offices.     Pop.  3.972. 

Champion,  settled  principally  by  emigrants  from  Connecticut;  taken 
from  Mexico  in  1800  ;  from  Albany  148  miles,  from  Watertown  E. 
c-entrally  distant  12  miles,  and  drained  by  the  Black  river.  Cham- 
pion and  (Treat  Bend  are  small  post  villages.     Pop.  2,200. 

Ci-AVToN.  taken  from  Orleans  and  Lyme  in  1832;  from  Albany 
180  miles,  from  VViUertown  centrally  distant  N.  14  miles.  Depau- 
villc  and  French  Creek  are  small  villages.     Pop.  4,043. 


■t 


n 


i 


202 


JEFFERSON    COUNTY. 


Ell.sburo,  settled  in  1793,  by  Mr.  Lyman  EH'^' ^ndtak^n  ^^"^ 
Mexico  lu  1803;  Irom  Watertuwn  central  y  distant  bW.  17,  fiom 
Albany  109  miles.  Pop.  .5,356.  Bellville,  Woodvdle  Elhsburg,  and 
Manns^ville,  are  small  post  villages.  There  are  m  the  north  part  ot 
he  town  some  remains  of  ancient  fortiticationH,  consisting  of  seven 
mounds,  surrounded  by  ditches,  varying  irom  a  hall  to  two  ac  es- m 
ai-ea.  Stone  instruments,  as  axes,  wedges,  knives,  &c.,  are  ploughed 
up  Irom  time  to  time  in  the  adjacent  fields. 

^Henu.ubon,  taken  from  EUisburg  in  1800  ;  from  Albany  173  mdes 
Pop  2,478.  Henderson  is  a  post  village  and  port,  at  the  head  ot 
Hun-ry  bav,  where  vessels  of  100  tons  may  hnd  sa  e  harborage. 
At  the  dock  Jhere  are  about  15  or  20  dwellings.  At  the  village  on 
Stony  creek,  three  quarters  of  a  mile  from  the  dock,  there  are  about 
70  dwellings.  Smithville,  12  miles  SW.  from  Watertown,  and  5 
from  Sacketts  Harbor,  has  about  05  dwellings.  .     „  •    * 

The  followin-'  account  of  an  action  wliich  took  place  m  this  town 
during  the  late  war  with  Great  Britain,  is  from  a  newspaper  published 
at  that  time,  entitled  "  The  War." 

"  On  ilie  3Uth  ult.,  (:\Iay,  1814,)  a  nim.l.er  of  boats  coming  from  Oswego,  with  cannon 
and  Sgi""  for  ihe  n.w  v4ds,  put  into  Handy  Greek,  about    b  nt.lts  Irom  the  harbor,- 
Sm  wellmanned  with  sailors,  nfle.nen,  and  Indians,  ut.der  tlie  connnand  of  Capt.  Wool- 
Lvoftiienavy;  who,  on  entering  the  creek,  despatched  an  express  for  reinforcements, 
which  were  in.n.ediately  ordered  on,  but  they  did  not  arrive  until  the  business  was  over. 
The  captain  apprehending  an  attack,  placed  the  riflemen  and  Indians  in  the  woods  on  each 
side  of  tie  creek,  and  s.nt  a  few  raw  militia,  with  the  show  ot  opposing  the  enemy's  land, 
inc      T  e  plan  succeeded.     The  militia  retreafd  on  the  hrst  fire,  pursued  by  the  enemy ; 
but"  as  soon  as  they  hnd  pas^ed  the  Indians  and  riflemen,  who  were  in  ambush,  these  last 
BUacked     em  in  the  rear,  while  a  battery  of  four  tield-pieees  opened  upon  'hem  m  front 
Ss  cut  o.r  in  then-  retreat,  after  a  smart  action  of  ^0  minutes,  m  which  they  hml  20  kdled 
and  40    r  50  wounded,  the  whole  force  of  the  enemy,  137  m   t-umber,  surrendered  with 
their  gu    boats,  five  in  number.-One  of  these  boats  carru^d  a  b81b.  carronade  ;  one,  a  ong 
32     one   a  long  24;  one,  two  long   12s.;  and  one,  t>fo  brass   pieces ;  one  of  which  they 
flirew  overboard.     Not  a  man  escaped.     There  were  among  the  enemy's  killed,  one  Lieut, 
o    marine  ,  and  one  midshipman.     Among  the  prisoners  are  two  Post  Captains,  one  the 
cor^mrie    of  the  Wolf,  4  lieutenants,  and  4  midshipmen      Th..  British  tor.e  consisted  of 
8aik.rrd  tnarines.     Our  loss,  is  one   Indian  killed  and  three  wounded.     '1  he  prisoners 
werTcon  hu  ed   to  Sacketts  Harbor  by  the  militia.-A.iother  gun-boat   front  the  British 
fit",  with  36  men,  went  up  the  creek,  where  they  were  attacked  and  captured  alter  a  lew 
Bhots." 

HouNSFiELD,  taken  from  Watertown  in  1806;  drained  west  by 
Black  river  and  some  small  creeks.  This  town  was  settled  in  1801, 
by  Augustus  Sackett,  agent  for  the  owners.     Pop.  4,143. 

Sacketts  Harbor,  incorporated  in  1821,  on  the  SW.  side  of  Black 
river  bav,  on  Lake;  Ontario.  The  settlement  ot  this  town  was  com- 
menced'in  1802,  by  Augustus  Sackett,  Est].,  agent  for  the  owners, 
who  canu!  from  New  York  and  settled  at  the  harbor  which  derives 
its  name  from  him.  The  first  house  built  here,  erected  by  Judge 
Sackett,  is  now  standing  in  Baird-street,  ant'  '  occupied  by  JVIrs. 
McGwinn.  The  progress  of  the  settlemenv  wan  slow  until  1812. 
After  the  declaration  of  war  tlVw  spot  became  an  important  mili- 
tary and  naval  position.  The  harbor  is  the  best  on  the  lake  for 
shipbuilding  and  as  a  naval  depot.  The  following  view  was  taken 
frosn  the  military  hospital.     The  small  buildii 


ing  on  the  point  of  the 


t 


JEFFERSON    COUNTY. 


203 


I  taken  from 
W.  17,  from 
lllisburg,  and 
north  part  of 
ing  of  seven 
two  aci*es-in 
are  ploughed 

ny  173  miles, 
the  head  of 
e  harborage, 
le  village,  on 
ere  are  about 
•town,  and  5 

i  in  this  town 
per  published 

/ego,  with  cannon 
•om  the  harbor, — 
nd  of  Capt.  Wool- 
jr  reinforcements, 
)usinGS9  was  over, 
the  wooda  on  each 

tlie  enemy's  land- 
led  by  tiie  enemy  ; 
ambush,  these  lust 
ipon  them  in  front. 

they  liad  20  killed 
■,  surrendered  with 
onade  ;  one,  a  long 

one  of  which  they 
'h  killed,  one  Lieut. 
It  Captains,  one  the 
1  force  consisted  of 
cd.  The  prisotiera 
ni  from  the  BritiKh 
lapturcd  after  a  few 

lined  west  by 
settled  in  1801, 
143. 

^  side  of  Black 
town  was  com- 
(>r  the  owners, 
•  which  derives 
!cted  by  Judge 
i;upied  by  Mrs. 
ow  until  1812. 
important  mili- 
on  the  lake  for 
view  was  taken 
the  point  of  the 


Northern  view  of  Sacketts  Harbor,  N.  Y. 

harbor,  on  the  right  of  the  engraving,  is  the  old  blockhouse  which 
stands  near,  or  on  the  site  of  old  Fort  Tompkins.  The  large  build- 
intr  on  a  rocky  island  a  few  rods  from  the  shore,  is  a  ship-house, 
which  covers  the  frame  of  the  "New  Orleans,"  a  110  gun  ship  com- 
menced during  the  late  war.  The  steeple  on  the  left  is  that  of  the 
Presbyterian  church.  There  is  also  an  Episcopal  and  a  Methodist 
church  in  the  place,  and  about  1,800  inhabitants.  A  considerable 
trade  is  carried  on  here  bv  the  lake  and  St.  Lawrence  river,  and  by 
the  Oswego,  Erie,  and  VVelland  canals.  After  the  late  war,  business 
very  much  decreased,  but  it  has  since  grown  with  the  general  im- 
provement of  the  country. 

The  troops  destined  for  the  attack  upon  York,  (U.  C.)  embarked 
from  this  place.  The  following  account  of  the  expedition  is  from 
Thompson's  History  of  the  late  war : 

"On  the  22d  and  23d  of  April,  1813,  aptreeably  to  previous  arrangement  with  Commo. 
dore  Chnuncey,  who  had  the  command  of  the  fleet  on  Lake  Ontario,  General  Dearborn 
and  his  suite,  with  a  force  of  seventeen  hmidred  men,  embarked  on  ihis  expedition,  but  the 
prevalence  of  a  violent  storm  prevented  the  sailing  of  the  squadron,  utUil  the  2jth.  On 
thiit  day  it  moved  into  Lake  Ontario,  and  having  a  favorable  wind,  arrived  safely  at  7 
o'clock,  on  the  morning  of  the  27th,  about  one  mile  to  ihe  wcsiwiird  of  the  nuns  ol  fort 
Toronto,  and  two  and  a  half  from  the  town  of  York.  The  execution  of  that  part  o»  the 
plan  which  applied  immediately  to  the  attack  upon  York,  was  confided  to  Colonel  Pike,  of 
the  15th  regiment,  who  had  then  been  promoted  to  the  rank  of  a  brigadier-general,  and  the 
position  which  had  been  fixed  upon  for  Innding  the  troops,  was  the  site  of  the  oldfort. 
The  approach  of  the  fleet  being  discovered  from  the  enemy's  garrison.  General  Sheaffe,  the 
British  commandant,  hastily  collected  his  whole  lorce,  consisting  ol  upwards  of  seven 
hundred  and  fifty  regulars  and  mililin,  and  one  hundred  Indians,  and  disposed  iheni  in  the 
best  manner  to  resist  the  landing  of  the  American  force.  A  body  of  British  grenadiers 
were  paraded  on  the  shore,  and  the  Glengary  I'encibles,  a  corps  which  had  been  disciplined 
with  uncommon  pains  since  the  commencement  o(  the  war,  were  stationed  at  another 
point.  Bodies  of  Indians  were  observed  in  groups  in  different  directions,  in  and  about  the 
woods  below  the  site  of  the  fort,  and  numbers  of  horsemen  wore  stationed  in  the  clear 
ground  surrounding  it.  These  were  seen  moving  into  the  town,  where  strong  field  works 
had  been  thrown  up  to  oppose  the  assailants.  The  Indians  were  taking  post  ut  stations, 
which  were  pointed  out  to  tliciii  by  the  British  ofTicers  with  grent  skill,  from  which  they 
could  annoy  the  Ainericuns  at  the  point  where  the  water  and  the  weather  would  compel 
them  to  land.  Thus  posted,  they  were  to  act  as  lirrailleurs.  The  regulars  were  discov 
ered  to  be  moving  out  of  their  works  in  open  aolumiis  of  platoons,  and  marchiiitf  along  tht 
bank  in  that  order  into  tlto  wuudi. 


.M< 


u 


im 


ilf 


I 


JKFriiRriON    COUNTY. 

»  ^t  8  o'clocl;  the  dcbarka'ion  covun.L.i.ccd ;  at  ton  it  was  .•omplcte,!.  :\Injor  For^ythe 
and  hi  nfh  men  in  several  large  hatteaux,  were  in  the  advance.  Tluy  pwiied  v,,.,r„„sly 
f"r  the  d  "  ated  ground  at  the  .ilc,  b,.t  were  forced  l,y  a  strong  easterly  wnui  a  ens,,  . 
e  d  Ic  di.^ce  above.  The  et.emy  being  within  a  few  fee.  of  the  -f;';;'"! '';;;;  ''^''jjy 
n  a  ked  by  the  thickness  of  a  copse,  commenced  a  galling  fire  o  n,uske try  and  rtfle  To 
r;  fallen  A.rtKr  from  the  clear  ground  at  which  he  was  ftrst  ordered  to  land,  would  have 
ubiected  .KU  3'  his  own  corps,  but  the  whole  body  of  the  troops,  to  great  d.sadvantaijes  ; 
and  by  lau  1'  a  greater  distance  from  the  town,  the  olye.'  ot  the  expedition  might  he 
?  istraled  Ma  or  Forsythe  therefore  determined  upon  making  tnat  part  of  the  shore  on 
h  .h.  Pne,  v's  nrincinal  strength  was  stationed,  and  desired  his  men  to  rest  a  moment 
:,  their  arsuti  Ir X  i  n'hould  return  the  shot.  General  Pike  was  at  this  ...oment 
hastenin"  the  debarkation  of  the  infantry,  when,  as  he  was  standing  on  the  ship's  ded.  h. 
Ob  erve  ft  e  pa  use  of  the  boats  in  advance,  and  springing  nito  that  whic  ,  had  been  leserved 
observea  tne  pa  to  jump  into  the  boat  with  hnn,  ordered  Ma  or 

for  1>'"J^'  "  'J  7^,  ^'tu  e  w  o  lad  distinguished  himself  in  carrying  the  enemy;s  batteries 
King  of  the  loth  (  ''V^  '{^  ^^  ,  ■  ^^  ^,i,i,  three  companies  of  that  regiment,  and 
opposite  Black  Ro.k,;.o^^^^^^^  Imn    '.        ^  F.^sythe  had  landed  and  was  already 

pushed  or  the  ^^'"'^'''•'"J'  '"^^.  .fX  British  and  In  Hat,  force,  under  the  immediate  com- 
3^  •cS;;:i^h:r''ScLiidwl;h',hein  neany  half  an  hour.  The  in.i.iitry 
maul  ot  *;";'■  f';  '  ,  ji,  jp,.  ^i.,j^,r  Eustis,  the  volunteer  cori.s  commanded 

bv'Sl  ueUm-.  -J  a  :!u;;  lh!;'^.en,  whoiul  heen  selected  tVom  the  loth  a,  I^atts- 
by  Loioml  '|i^"  •  J  de=i>'ned  to  act  as  a  small  corps  of  observation,  nn.ler  Lieu- 

S:[:f;..'K:;idh.  "C  l  i;.l  m  ra  id-^iceessio,.,  and  formed  in  phitoons  Ge.ieral  Pike  took 
CO  •  n  of  'the  first,  and  ordering  the  whole  body  to  prepare  for  a  charge^  led  them  on  to 
r  n  n  i  .  K  ba  ik,  fr-ni  which  the  British  grenadi.rs  were  poaruig  dovv'n  a  volley  of 
the  suninnt  ..    i  u  .        ,  i^.^^^p  „j-  ,he  American  infantry  was  not  to  i)e  withstood, 

«;:;[  h'^;:^  S  ttled  .  einSu,  and  retired  in  disorder.     The  signal  of  victory  vvas 
a  le    an  e  in  tantiuard  from  Forsythe's  bugles,  and  the  sound  had  ,io  sooner  penetrated 
1     nx       ,!     adians   than  they  gave  a  customary  yell  and  lied  in  every  direction.     The 
leeaisof  tlie     f ''''.;  ",/^.^,,,  F„r,y,he's,  vshilst  a  fresh  body  of  Grenadiers,  sup- 

E't:ir;±::/kTt,rt;";irZlL?s'r:;:iriits 

wTiegervKl  retired  to  the  garrison,  as  soon  as  die  American  troops  were  agam 
wnuu  MiM  way  ami  ri  ui  ^  ^      ^^^         ^^         ,^^,^  landed, 

o^e;:  wereX   iiy^^  -       ^^>  f;'!!  i^phtoonsf  and  to  march  in  tluit  order  to  the 
e  remyrworts."  The  fn.t  line  was  con.posed  of  Forsythe's  -"';•;-;, ^jij-^';";^,;-^ 
mrnrds-  the  reiziments  of  the  first  br  gade,  with  their  pieces;  and  thre    platoons  ol  reserve, 
Snh  tdlw  Mi^lrSwan;  M^jor  Eustis  and  his  train  "^ -'^f;^ -;;;;' '1;;;;^^^ 
the  r.arof  llus  reserve,  to  iu:t  where  circumstances  might  require.     The  second  line  was 
con  :".;/ of'';he '>ls,  r'egiment,  in  six  platoons,  "-'^^,'1  ''f  ^f „^^'^',^^^^^^^^ 
vide  1  ciuullv  as  light  troops,  and  all  under  command  of  Colonel  Ripley.     1  bus  t'  rme'i,  nn 
i,  i  nc  im  was  given  to  each  olUcer,  to  suffer  no  mat.  to  load  ;  when  wiilun  a  short  distance 
of  he    t.nv    a'  en  ir.  reViance  would  be  placed  upon  the  bayonet ;  and  the  column  moved 
on   will  as  much  velocity  u«  the  streams  and  ravines  which  intersected  the  road  along  the 
kke  vvou  d    er  It.      One  field-piece,  and  a  howitz.r,  were  with  d,  heiil.y  pass.Ml  over  one 
of  d,  '^     he  b   d. -es  of  which  lad  bVeii  destroyed,  ,md  ph.ced  at  t  le  lu^ad  of  the  column, 
in    liage     f  Liu.enaiit  Fanning,  of  the  3d  artillery..   As  the  column  emerged   rom  the 
woo  1  ,  titid  eanie  iinniedialely  in  front  of  the  enem>'s  first  battery    two  or  three  ;^4  P  ""  l" 
ir"  wm  o  .eiie.l  upon  it,  but  without  any  kind  of  .  fV.'Ct.      Tlie  column  moved  on,  and  the 
e   emj    e      a  e.    u   lus  s:eond  batfry.     The  guns  of  the  first  were  immediately  taken  and 
lie    etr  ■     Riddle,  having  at  this  moment  come  up  with  his  corps  to  deliver  the  prisoners 
;  I  i      li    In  d      u ie  m  the  woods,  was  -udered  to  proceed  to  take  poss..ss,on  of  the  second 
b>   te  y   a      U  one  hundred  yards'ahead,  the  guns  of  which,  Lieutenant  t  ".-r  -mUta^ 
o  the  general,  reported  to  have  been  spiked  by  the  enemy,  whom  h..  J'«  "vered  re  r ea  mg 
to    he  L'l  ri«.u  .     General  Pike  then  l.'d   tlu.   column  up   to  the  second  battery,  wlv   ^  he 
lalte  1  u     e  e    e  'lie  captured  ammunition,  and  to  learn  the  strength  of  the  garrison.     Bu 
H  every  .me.  rnn.-e  i.u  icated  the  evacuation   of  the  barracks,  he  suspected  the  enemy  of 
n„  inention  t    d  aw  him  wi.hm  range  of  the  shot,  and  then  suddenly  to  show  himself  in 
ur«a   force      LieiUenanl  Riddle  was  sent  forward  with  lus  corps  of  observation,  to  discover 

l';''.?'l"'''-Vptrv  Vi'i  -hn.  number  of  troops,  within  the  garrison.    The  barracks  were 
11  tncrc  Were  any,  »"-  -  ^  • 


JEFFKKSUX    CO'JN'TY. 


205 


Major  Forfytlie 
pulled  viyoiMusly 
y  wind  ii  ri.iisid. 
•,  and  compk'trly 
ly  and  rifli'.     To 
land,  would  have 
ill  disadvantnfjrs  ; 
}cdition  might  lie 
t  of  the  shore  un 
to  rest  a  niomrnt 
s  at  this  moment 
le  ship's  dc'?k,  ho 
lad  been  reserved 
II,  ordered  Major 
enemy's  l)aiterieH 
hat  regiment,  and 
d  and  was  already 
'  immediate  eom- 
iir.     The  intiuitry 
corps  eommanded 
ihe  loth  ai  Platta- 
ition,  under  Lieu- 
.General  Pike  took 
,'e,  led  them  on  to 
;  down  a  volley  of 
It  to  l)e  withstood, 

■  nalof  victory  was 
sooner  penetrated 
•y  direction.  The 
f  Crenadiers,  sup. 
;e  upon  the  Arner- 
itaiitly   rallied  the 

routed  the  grena- 
iih  (.'aptain  Steel's 
d  uiidisputeil  mas- 
itish  at  a  distance, 

troops  were  again 
lieing  now  landed, 
in  that  order  to  the 
,ith  front  and  flank 
)latoon9  of  reserve, 
■ry  were  formed  in 
lie  second  line  was 
ire's  volunteers,  di- 
Thus  formed,  an 
liin  a  short  distance 
I  tlie  column  moved 

the  road  along  the 
liy  passed  over  one 
ead  of  the  column, 
1  emerged  from  the 

or  three  24  pound. 

moved  on,  and  the 
lediately  taken,  and 
, diver  the  prisoners 
ssion  of  the  second 
Fraser,  aid-de-camp 
iscovered  retreating 
il  battery,  wh' -"  he 

■  the  garrison.     But 
lected  the  enemy  of 

to  show  himself  in 

•rvotion,  to  discover 

The  barracks  were 


three  hundred  yards  distant  from  tlie  second  battery,  and  whiht  this  corps  was  engaged  in 
reconnoitering.  General  Pike,  after  removing  a  wounded  prisoner  from  a  dangerous  situa. 
ation,  had  seated  himself  upon  a  slump,  and  cotnmenced  an  examination  of  a  British  ser. 
geant,  who  had  been  taken  in  the  woods.  Riddle  liaving  discovered  that  the  enemy  had 
abandoned  the  garrison,  was  about  to  return  with  this  information,  when  the  magazine, 
which  was  situated  outside  the  barrack  yard,  blew  up,  with  a  tremendous  and  awful  explo. 
eion,  passed  over  Riddle  and  his  party,  without  injuring  one  of  his  men,  and  killed  and 
wounded  General  Pike,  and  two  hundred  and  sixty  of  the  column.  The  severity  of  Gen. 
era!  Pike's  wounds  disabled  him  from  further  service,  and  the  eoimnund  of  the  troops  de. 
volved  upon  Colonel  Pearcc  of  the  Itith  rcgitnent,  who  sent  a  demand  to  the  town  of  York 
for  an  immediate  surrender.  The  plan  of  the  contemplated  oiiera'ions  wtis  known  only  to 
General  Pike,  and,  as  General  Dearborn  had  not  yet  latided,  the  future  movements  of  the 
troops  would  depend  upon  the  will  of  their  new  commander.  He  ordered  them  iinniedi- 
ntely  to  form  tlii^  column,  and  to  march  forwtird  and  occupy  the  barracks,  which  Major 
F'orsyihe,  who  had  been  scouring  the  adjoining  wood,  had  already  entered.  Meanwhile 
the  British  regulars  were  retreating  across  the  Don,  and  destroying  the  bridges  in  their  rear. 
After  the  explosion,  which  killed  about  fifty  of  the  enemy  who  had  not  retired  in  time  fro.n 
the  garrison,  Lieutenant  Riddle  with  his  party,  then  reinforced  by  thirty  regulars  under 
Lieutenant  Korrel  of  the  16ih,  iiursiied  the  enemy's  route,  and  ainioyed  his  retreating  guard 
from  the  wood.  This  was  the  only  pursuit  which  was  made.  Had  a  more  vigorous  push 
followed  the  abandonment  of  the  enemy's  garrison,  his  whole  regular  torce  must  liave  been 
captured,  and  the  accession  of  military  stores  would  have  been  extensively  great.  The 
majority  of  the  officers  were  well  awiiie  of  this,  and  as  it  was  known  that  the  stores  were 
deposited  at  York,  they  urged  the  necessity  of  Die  immediate  approach  of  the  whole  column, 
to  prevent  their  removal.  Colonel  Pearce  then  marched  tcjwards  the  town,  which  was  dis- 
tant  three-quarters  of  a  mile.  About  half  way  between  York  and  the  garrison,  the  column 
was  intercepted  by  several  officers  of  the  Canadian  miliiia,  who  had  come  out  with  terms  of 
capitulation.  Whilst  these  were  discussing,  the  enemy  was  engaged  in  destroying  tiie  mil. 
itary  storehouse,  and  a  large  vessel  of  war  then  on  the  stocks,  which  in  three  days  might 
have  been  launched,  and  added  to  the  American  squadron  on  Ontario.  Forsythe,  who  was 
on  the  left  in  advance,  being  aware  of  this,  despatched  Lieuient-.nt  Riddle  to  inform  Col- 
oncl  Pearce.  Colonel  Ripl  'v  was  at  the  same  time  urging  a  rapid  inandi,  and  the  troops 
again  proceeded.  Colonel  Pearce  enjoined  the  observance  of  General  Pike's  orders,  that 
the  property  of  the  inhabitants  of  York  should  be  held  sacred,  and  that  any  soldier  who 
should  so  far  neglect  the  honor  of  his  profession,  as  to  be  guilty  of  plundering,  should,  on 
conviction,  he  punished  with  death.  At  4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  the  Americans  were  in 
possession  of  the  town,  and  terms  of  capituhition  were  agreed  upon,  by  which,  notwith- 
standing the  severe  loss  which  the  army  and  the  nation  had  siislaim^d  by  the  death  of  the 
general ;  the  unwiirrantable  manner  in  which  that  loss  was  occasioned ;  and  the  subtlety 
with  which  the  militia  colonels  offired  to  capitulate  at  a  distance  from  the  town,  so  that  the 
column  might  he  detained  until  (Jeneral  SlieaUb  should  escape,  and  the  destruction  of  the 
public  property  be  completed,  although  one  of  its  articles  stipulated  for  its  delivery  into  the 
hands  ol  the  Americans;  the  militia  and  inhabitants  were  freed  from  all  hardship,  and  not 
only  their  persons  and  property,  but  their  legislative  hall  and  other  public  buildings  were 
protected.  The  terms  of  the  capitidation  were,  '  that  the  lro..|)s,  regular  and  militia,  and 
the  naval  officers  and  seuiiien,  should  bi;  surrendered  prisoners  of  war.  That  all  jhiIiIw 
storr.%  iiui-mI  and  mUitury,  nfwitld  he  immrdiiitfli/  given  up  to  the  commaiidin.r  officers  of 
*  -  army  and  navy  of  the  Uiiiteil  SiaK's,  and  that'  all  private  property  should  be^guaranteed 

lelongiiig  to  the  civil 


th 


to  the  citizens  ot  the  town  of  York.  That  all  ptipeis  belonging  to  the  civil  officers  should 
be  retained  by  them,  and  that  such  surgeons  as  might  be  procured  to  attend  the  wounded 
ot  the  British  regulars  and  Canadian  militia,  should  not  be  considered  i.risoners  of  war ' 
Under  this  capitulation,  one  lieutenant-colonel,  one  major,  thirteen  captains,  nine  lieuten. 
ants,  eleven  ensigns,  one  deputy  adjutant.generi.l,  and  four  naval  officers,  and  two  hundred 
and  tiliy.,)ne  non-commissioned  officers  and  |.rivates,  were  surrendered.  The  American 
inlantry  were  then  ordered  to  return  to,  and  (juarter  in  the  barracks,  while  the  riHemen 
were  stationed  in  the  town. 

"  Wlicn  General  Pike's  wound  was  discovered  to  be  mortal,  he  was 
removed  from  the  field,  and  (tarried  to  the  shipping  with  his  wounded 
aids.  As  they  conveyed  him  to  the  water's  ed^a-,'  a  sudden  exclama- 
tion was  heard  from  the  troops,  whitdi  informed  him  of  the  American 
having  supplanted  the  British  sttmdard  in  the  garrison.  He  expressed 
lu8  satislaction  by  a  feeble  sigh,  and  after  being  transferred  from  the 


i. 


'3 


i 


m^i 


206 


JEFFERSON  COUNTY. 


Pert  schooner  to  the  commodore's  ship,  he  made  a  sign  for  the  British 
flar^hichhad  then  been  brought  to  him,  to  be  placed  under  his 
S,  and  expired  wUhout  a  gro'an.     Tfus  pens  e^^^^^^^^ 
vlrtcirv  bv  tho  unaenerous  stratagem  ol  a  vanquishea  toe,  a  soiaier 
of  t3  valor  and  fnvincible  coura|e,-a  general  of  tllustnous  virtues 

^'wrnTe'Bnfrsrgeneral  .aw  the  American  column  advandng 

S3u;rntss^^?S'^\^^^^^^^ 

S^  be  laidwh.ch  was  so  "calculated,  that  the  explosion  of  the  maga- 
Ji^.1  si  ould  be  caused  at  the  time  when  the  Americans  would  arrive 
at  ^heba  rucks.     Had  not  General  Pike  halted  the  troops  at  the  en- 
emVs  seco  d  batterv,  the  British  plan  would  have  attained  its  con- 
summation and  the  destruction  of  the  whole  column  would  have  been 
h    natural  consequence.     The  train  had  been  ^^dfu Hy  laid,  ai^  th^^^ 
combustibles  arranged  in  a  manner  to  produce  the  most  dreadlul 
eSt      F  ve  hundrld  barrels  of  powder,  several  cart  loads  of  stone, 
and  an  im men  e  quantity  of  iron,  shells,  and  shot,  were  contained  in 
'he  marre      The  calamity  which  followed  the  explosion,  caused 
rin  d^t'^omfiture  among  the  troops.     A  number  of  their  oflicers  of 
^f  r^aX  ani  o?'equfl  worth,  Lre  either  ^H^d  or  wounded  and 
they  became  actuated  by  a  desire  to  revenge  their  ial         P«sA  on 
mv  brave  fellows,  and  avenge  your  general,'  were  the  last  words  ot 
Sir  expimg  commander.    They  instantly  gave  three  cheers,  formed 
the  coE,  ?nd  marched  on  rapidly.     Had  they  been  led  directly  to 
Ymk  thJ"  sue  of  the  expedition  would  have  been  fruitful  with  ad- 
vantaWs      As  it  was,  however,  the  enemy's  means  were  crippled,  h  s 
esource^  cut  off,  and  the  military  stores  of  the  captc.rs  exten^^^^ 
multiplied.     Most  of  the  guns,  munitions  of  war,  and  provisions,  ne- 
cessa?v  to  carry  on  the  campaign  by  the  enemy,  had  been  deposited 
at  Ycrl  and  notwithstanding  the  tiring  of  the  priricipal  storenouse 
an  immense  quantity  fell   iiilo  the  hands  ot  the  Americans^    The 
ba2<^2e  and  private  papors  of  General  Sheaffe  were  le  t  at  York  m 
tl^^  prfcipi  at  on  of  h.s  iliuht,  and  proved  to  be  a  valuable  acquisition 
o  the  Ze  -ican  commander.     These  and  the  public  stores  were  the 
onWai-ticlos  of  capture.     The  conduct  of  the  troops  needed  no  re- 
straint      Though  tLir  indignation  was  highly  excited,  by  the  circum- 
st^ce  of  a  sralp  having  been  found  suspended  near  the  speakers 
cEin  the  legislative  cumber,  neither  the  ornaments  of  the  cham- 
ber  the  building  itself,  nor  the  public  library,  was  molested      A  la  ge 
Quantitv  of  flou?,  deposited  in  the  public  stores,  was  distributed  among 
?he  inhabitants,  on  Condition  that  it  should  be  used  for  their  own  con- 
sumption  ;  and  those  whose  circumstances  were  impoverished,  were 
suppl  ed  with  many  other  articles  of  the  captured  provisions.     The 
suppiicu  ^^'^     ,    y_  ,    ,      n    ^  ^;,i,  thn  naval  Stores,  or  de- 

stroyed  upon  the  shore. 


JEFFERSON    COUNTY. 


207 


I  for  the  British 
aced  under  his 
in  the  arms  of 
d  foe,  a  soldier 
astrious  virtues 

amn  advancing 
apitulation,  and 
k  miUtia.    This 
jr  the  regulars 
considered  the 
s  had  been  act- 
ordered  a  train 
in  of  the  maga- 
ns  would  arrive 
roops  at  the  en- 
ittained  its  con- 
vould  have  been 
Uy  laid,  and  the 
3  most  dreadful 
t  loads  of  stone, 
ere  contained  in 
xplosion,  caused 
their  officers  of 
5r  wounded,  and 
fall.     '  Push  on, 
he  last  words  of 
le  cheers,  formed 
3n  led  directly  to 

fruitful  with  ad- 
vere  crippled,  his 
ptors  extensively 
id  provisions,  ne- 
id  been  deposited 
icipal  storehouse, 
\mericans.     The 
•e  left  at  York,  in 
luable  acquisition 
c  stores  were  the 
Dps  needed  no  re- 
3d,  by  the  circum- 
lear  the  speaker's 
ents  of  the  cham- 
lolested.     A  large 
distributed  among 
for  their  own  con- 
npoverished,  were 

provisions.     The 
aval  stores,  or  de- 


I 


"  Immediately  after  the  fall  of  General  Pike,  the  commander-in-chief  landed  with  his 
staff,  but  he  did  not  reach  the  troops  until  they  had  entered  Yorii.  He  there  made  arrange, 
menta  to  expedite  their  departure  for  the  other  objects  of  the  expedition,  and  they  were 
soon  after  re-embarked, 

"  The  co-operation  of  the  squadron  was  of  the  greatest  importance  in  the  attack  upon  the 
enemy's  garrison.  As  soon  as  the  debarkation  was  completed,  Commodore  Chauncey  di- 
reeled  the  schooners  to  take  a  position  near  the  forts,  in  order  that  the  attack  of  the  army 
and  navy  might,  if  possible,  be  simultaneous.  The  larger  vessels  could  not  be  brought  up, 
and  in  consequence  of  the  wind,  the  schooners  were  obliged  to  beat  up  to  their  intended 
position.  This  they  did,  under  a  very  heavy  fire  from  the  enemy's  batteries,  and  having 
taken  their  station  within  six  hundred  yards  of  the  principal  fort,  opened  a  galling  fire,  and 
contributed  very  much  to  its  destruction.  The  loss  on  board  the  squadron,  was  three  killed 
and  eleven  wounded.  Among  the  killed  were  midshipmen  Thompson  and  Hatfield,  the 
latter  of  whom,  in  his  dying  moments,  had  no  other  care  than  to  know  if  he  had  performed 
his  duty  to  his  country. 

"  In  the  action  the  loss  of  the  American  army  was  trifling ;  but  in  consequence  of  the 
explosion,  it  was  much  greater  than  the  enemy's  loss  in  killed  and  wounded.  Fourteen 
were  killed  and  thirty-two  wounded  in  battle,  and  thirty-eight  were  killed  and  two  hundred 
and  twenty-two  wounded  by  the  explosion,  so  that  the  total  American  loss  amounted  to 
320  men.  Among  those  who  fell  by  the  explosion,  besides  General  Pike,  were  seven  cap- 
tains, seven  subalterns,  one  aid-de-camp,  one  acting  aid,  and  one  volunteer  aid.  The  en. 
emy's  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  amounted  to  two  hundred,  and  in  prisoners  to  five  hun. 
dred  and  fifty.  His  wounded  were  left  in  the  houses  on  the  road  leading  to  and  in  the 
neighborhood  of  York,  and  were  attended  to  by  the  American  army  and  navy  surgeons. 
The  prisoners  were  all  paroled,  and  the  troops  withdrawn  from  York  immediately  after  its 
capture." 


4. 

■  * 


attack  on  Sackett's  Harbor 


The  following  is  an  account  of  the 
by  the  British,  May,  1813: 

"  Whilst  the  troops  were  preparing  to  embark  at  York,  for  the  expedition  against  Fort 
George,  the  British  at  Kingston,  having  gained  intelligence  of  their  absence  from  Sackett's 
Harbor,  of  the  batteries  at  that  place  having  been  principally  dismantled,  and  of  the  small, 
ness  of  the  force  which  had  been  left  for  its  protection,  hastily  collected  all  their  disposables, 
and  embarked  .  n  board  their  fleet,  under  the  command  of  Sir  George  Prevost.  The  fleet 
was  commanded  by  Sir  James  Yeo.  On  the  night  of  the  27th  day  of  May,  five  hours  after 
the  capture  of  Fort  George,  the  British  appeared  off"  the  entrance  to  the  harbor.  The 
American  force  consisted  of  two  hundredlinvalids,  and  two  hundred  and  fifty  dragoons, 
then  newly  arrived  from  a  long  and  fatiguing  march.  Two  small  vessels,  under  Lieutenant 
Chauncey,  were  stationed  at  its  mouth,  and  gave  instant  signals  of  alarm,  at  the  approach 
of  the  British  squadron.  Expresses  were  immediately  forwarded  to  General  Brown,  then 
at  his  seat,  eight  miles  from  the  harbor,  and  ho  immediately  repaired  thither,  to  take  the 
command. 

"  The  tour  of  duty  of  the  militia  of  his  brigade  had  expired  many  weeks  before,  but  he 
had  been  requested  by  General  Dearborn  to  take  the  command  of  the  harbor,  at  any  time 
when  the  enemy  should  approach  it,  and  to  provide  for  its  defence.  Immediately  on  his 
arrival,  dispositions  were  made  to  that  effect.  The  movements  of  the  enemy  indicated  his 
intention  to  land  on  the  peninsula,  called  Horse  Island.  General  Brown,  therefore,  deter- 
mined on  resisting  him  at  the  water's  edge,  with  the  Albany  volimteers,  under  Colonel 
Mills,  and  such  militia  as  could  be  instantly  collected.  Alarm  guns  were  therefore  fired, 
and  expresses  sent  out  for  that  purpose.  Lieutenant-colonel  Backus,  of  the  first  regiment 
of  United  States  dragoons,  who  commanded  at  Sackett's  Harbor  in  the  absence  of  the 
officers  who  had  proceeded  to  Fort  George,  was  to  form  a  second  line  with  the  regulars. 
The  regular  artillerists  were  stationed  in  Fort  Tompkins,  and  the  defence  of  Navy  Point 
was  committed  to  Lieutenant  Chauncey. 

"  On  the  28ih,  the  Wolfe,  the  Royal  George,  the  Prince  Regent,  the  Earl  of  Moira,  and 
one  brig,  two  schooners,  and  two  gun-boats,  with  thirty-three  flat.bottomed  boats  and 
barges,  containing  in  all  twelve  hundred  troops,  appeared  in  the  offing,  at  five  miles  dis. 
tance.  They  were  standing  their  course  for  the  harbor,  when,  having  discovered  a  fleet  of 
American  barges,  coming  round  Stony  Point  with  troops  from  Oswego,  the  whole  of  their 
boats  were  immediately  despatched  to  cut  them  off*.  They  succeeded  in  taking  twelve  of 
them,  after  they  had  been  run  on  shore  and  abandoned  by  their  crews,  who  arrived  at  the 
harbor  in  the  night.  The  remainder,  seven  in  number,  escaped  from  their  pursuers,  and 
got  safely  in.     The  British  commanders,  being  then  under  an  impression  that  other  barge* 


\m 


:';y 


^^■i;{i 

■"'!! 

^^Hill 

1 

■  .  ^^^f 

v         1 

-i-lr- 

..   i  ■ 

1 

" 


i 


208 


JEFFERSON    COUNTY. 


would  be  sailing  from  Oswego,  stood  into  South  bay  -^^''^ff;^'^^^^^ 
wnvliiv  ihem  In  this  they  were  disappointed ;  and  dunng  the  delay  wnicn  w.is  luusea  oy 
Th  s  inteiuplion  of  Jheir  intended  operations,  the  militia  from  f  . -g>'j-;;^3^*'-;i  -,^7  " 
lerted  at  the  harbor,  and  botrave;!  great  eagerness  to  engage  in  the  contest  willi  the  in- 
vadin/ene^y  They  were  ordered  to  be  stationed  on  the  water  side  near  the  island  on 
wlthColo  c  M  Us  was  posted  with  his  volunteers.  The  strength  at  that  point  was  near- 
TvS  h-Sed  men  Bu^t  the  whole  force,  including  the  regulars,  effectives  and  invalids, 
ly  nve  nimureu  'n^"      *;"  „,        ,         V  defence  had  been  conceived  with  great  skill, 

did  not  exceed  one  JT;"-^-  J^,  ^^/^^^^^  ^o  be  consistent  with  their  promises,  it  would 

Tenem      ourr^^^^^^^  and  fall  upon  the  British  flanks.     If  resistance  to  the  at. 

So     he  enemy  sho. Id  still  fail.  Lieutenant  Chauncey  was  to  destroy  the  stores  at  Navy 
Poiiu  Ud  to  re  re  with  his  two  schooners,  and  the  prize  schooner,  the  Duke  of  Gloucester, 
1      '  I, A   In  «t,w  weeks  before  captured  from  the  enemy,  to  the  south  shore  of  the 
i'  and  eus        F  r   V";:„\:::,     L^  fort  the  regulars  and  niihtia  were  to  shut  U,em. 

seiv'es  UP   and  make  a  vigorous  stand,  as  their  only  remaining  resort.     Every  thing  being 
husorde'red,  General  Brown  directed  his  defensive  army  to  lay  upon  their  arms,  whilst  he 
crtinued  personally  to  reconnoitre  the  shores  of  the  harbor,  during  the  whole  nigh   ot  the 
S      At   he  only  fovorable  point  of  landing,  he  had  caused  a  breast  work  to  be  thrown 
UD  and  a  1  at'ery  en  barbette  to  be  erected.     Behind  this  most  of  the  m.htia  were  stationed. 
'^'.  At  the  dau'i  of  the  29ih,  the  enemy  was  discovered  with  his  vessels  drawn  up  ,n  line, 
betwtin  Horse  Island  and  Stony  Point;  and  ,n  a  few  niinu'es,  all  his  boats  and  barges 
aplached  the  shore,  under  cover  of  his  gun-boats,  those  being  the  heaviest  of  his  vessels 
which   in  consequence  of  the  lightness  of  the  winds,  could  be  brought  up.     The  troops 
w  1   which  thcLats  were  filled,  were   commanded  by  Sir  George  Prevos,  in  person 
Con  Jodie  Yeo  directed  the  movements  of  the  barges.     General  Brown  instantly  issued 
WsTder     that  the  troops  should   lay  close,  and  ieseiA;e  their  f^re  untd  the  enemy  should 
faveappi. ached  so  near,  that  every  shot  might  take  effect.     This  Z^" :TZlT^tZo 
the  fire  was  so  destructive,  that  the  enemy's  advance  boats  were  obliged  to  make  a  tempo- 
ary  pause,  and  numbers  of  their  ofHcers  and  men  were  seen  to  fall,     bncouraged  by  the 
desled  effect  of  the  first  fire,  the  militia  loaded  their  pieces  with  the  utmost  quickness,  and 
the  arllery  was  ordered   to  be  opened  at  the  moment  of  their  second.     But,  before  the 
econd    omd  had  been  completely  discharged,  the  whole  body  of  the  m.l.tia,  none  of  whom 
had  ever  seen  an  enemy  until  now,  and  who  were  entirely  unaccustomed  to  subordination 
though   hey  we  e  well  protected   by  the  breastwork,  rose  from  behind  it,  and  abandomng 
tESablopromisesof  noble   daring  whi^  they  had  made  but  a  little  while  before 
tey  fled  with  equal  precipitation  and  disorder.^A  strange  and  unaccotmtable  panic  seized 
he  whole  line  ;  and  with  the  exception  of  a  very  few,  terror  and  dismay  were  depicted  in 
every  countenance.    Colonel  Mills,  vainly  endeavoring  to  rally  his  men,  was  killed  as  he 
was  rmmnding  them  of  the  solemn  pledges  which  they  had  given  ;  but  the  fall  of  this  brave 
oflicer  served  rather  to  increase  their  confusion,  than  to  actuate  them  to  revenge  it. 

"  General  Brown  seeing  that  his  plan  was  already  frustrated,  and 
fearing  his  inability  to  execute  any  other  without  the  vigorous  co-op- 
eration  of  the  militia,  hastened  to  intercept  their  retreat;  and,  hnding 
one  company,  of  about  one  hundred  men,  who  had  been  rallied  by 
the  active  and  zealous  conduct  of  Capt.  M'Nitt,  of  that  corps,  he 
brought  them  up.  and  ordered  them  to  form  in  line  with  the  regulars 
and  volunteers,  who  had  continued  to  keep  their  ground. 

"  In  the  interval  which  had  thus  elapsed,  the  enemy  had  ellected 
his  debarkation,  with  little  opposition;  and  drawing  up  his  whole 
force  on  Horse  Island,  he  commenced  his  march  ior  the  village ;  on 
the  road  to  which,  he  was  met  by  a  small  party  ot  infantry,  under 
Major  Aspinwall,  and  a  few  dismounted  dragoons  under  Major  Laval, 
who  opposed  him  with  much  gallantry.  Two  of  the  gun-boats 
ranged  up  the  shore,  and  covered  the  field  with  grape.  This  handtul 
of  troops  then  gradually  retired  in  good  order,  from  an  immense  su- 
periority of  numbf^rs,  .and  occupied  the  interv.-ils  between  the  barracks. 


1 


JEFFERSON    COUNTY. 


209 


ir  armed  boats  to 
;h  was  caused  by 
ring  conn  ties  ccil- 
ntest  with  the  in- 
lear  the  island  on 
t  point  was  near, 
ives  and  invalids, 
i  with  great  skill, 
iromisea,  it  would 
B,  in  the  event  of 
Backus  was  to  ad. 
olumn,  whilst  the 
sistance  to  the  at. 
he  stores  at  Nnvy 
ike  of  Gloucester, 
louth  shore  of  the 
fere  to  shut  them. 
Every  thing  being 
3ir  arms,  whilst  he 
A'hole  night  of  the 
vork  to  be  thrown 
tia  were  stationed. 

drawn  up  in  line, 
i  boats  and  barges 
'iest  of  his  vessels 
It  up.  The  troops 
Prevost,  in  person, 
vn  instantly  issued 

the  enemy  should 
was  executed,  and 

to  make  a  tempo. 
Encouragsd  by  the 
lost  quickness,  and 
1.  But,  before  the 
litia,  none  of  whom 
d  to  subordination, 
it,  and  abandoning 

little  while  before, 
mtable  panic  seized 
ly  were  depicted  in 
n,  was  killed  as  he 
he  fall  of  this  brave 

revenge  it. 

frustrated,  and 
igorous  co-op- 
t ;  and,  finding- 
been  rallied  by 
that  corps,  he 
th  the  regulars 
nd. 
ly  had  effected 

up  his  whole 
the  village ;  on 
infantry,  under 
;r  Major  Laval, 

the   gun-boats 

This  handful 

in  immense  su- 

sn  the  barracks. 


"  Lieutenant-colonel  Backus,  with  his  reserve  of  regulars,  first  en 
gaged  the  enemy,  when  the  militia  company  of  Captain  M'Nitt  was 
formed  on  his  flank ;  and  in  the  vigorous  fight  which  then  followed, 
this  company  behaved  with  as  much  gallantry  as  the  bravest  of  the 
regulars.  The  whole  force  was  compelled  to  fall  back,  however,  by 
the  superior  strength  of  the  enemy's  column,  and  resorting  to  the 
barracks  for  what  shelter  they  could  afford,  they  posted  themselves 
in  the  unprotected  log  houses,  and  kept  up  an  incessant  and  effective 
fire.  From  these,  the  most  violent  assaults,  and  the  repeated  and 
varying  efforts  of  the  British,  were  incompetent  to  dislodge  them. 
Colonel  Gray,  the  quartermaster-general  of  the  enemy's  forces,  ad- 
vanced to  the  weakest  part  of  the  barracks,  at  the  head  of  a  column 
of  regulars,  and  after  exchanging  shots  with  an  inferior  party  of  mili- 
tia and  regulars,  led  his  men  on  to  the  assault.  A  small  boy,  who 
was  a  drummer  in  Major  Aspinwall's  corps,  seized  a  musket,  and  lev- 
elling it  at  the  colonel,  immediately  brought  him  to  the  ground.  At 
that  moment  Lieutenant  Fanning,  of  the  artillery,  who  had  been  so 
severely  wounded  by  the  explosion  at  Little  York,  and  was  yet  con- 
sidered to  be  unable  to  do  any  kind  of  duty,  leaned  upon  his  piece 
whilst  it  was  drawn  up,  and  having  given  it  the  proper  elevation,  dis- 
charged three  rounds  of  grape  into  the  faces  of  the  enemy,  who  im- 
mediately fell  back  in  disorder.  At  this  instant,  Lieutenant-colonel 
Backus  fell,  severely  wounded. 

"  Whilst  the  battle  was  raging  with  its  greatest  violence,  informa- 
tion was  brought  to  Lieutenant  Chauncey,  of  the  intention  of  the 
American  forces  to  surrender.  .He  therefore,  in  conformity  to  his 
previous  orders,  relating  to  such  an  event,  fired  the  navy  barracks, 
and  destroyed  all  the  property  and  public  stores,  which  had  pre- 
viously belonged  to  the  harbor,  as  well  as  the  provisions  and  equip- 
ments which  had  been  brought  from  York.  The  destruction  of  these 
buildings,  and  the  conflagration  which  was  thence  produced,  was 
thought  to  have  been  caused  by  the  troops  of  the  enemy,  and  although 
the  undisciplined  militia  and  volunteers,  and  the  invalid' regulars,  were 
suspicious  of  being  placed  between  the  fire  of  two  divisions  of  the 
enemy,  they  continued  to  fight  on,  regardless  of  their  inferiority,  or 
the  consequences  of  their  capture. 

"  General  Brown  was  all  this  time  actively  superintending  the  operations  of  ms  little 
army.  He  now  determined  on  making  a  diver-iion  in  its  favor,  which,  if  it  should  be  sue. 
cessful,  would  be  the  only  means  of  saving  the  place,  or  of  relieving  his  exhausted  troops. 
Having  learned  that  the  militia,  who  had  fled  from  their  stations  in  the  early  part  of  the  en. 
gugement,  had  not  yet  entirely  dispersed,  and  that  they  were  still  within  a  short  distance 
of  the  scene  of  action,  he  hastened  to  exhort  them  to  imitate  the  conduct  of  their  brave 
brethren  in  arms.  He  reproached  them  with  shameful  timidity,  and  ordered  them  instantly 
to  form  and  follow  him,  and  threatened  with  instant  death  the  first  man  who  should  refuse. 
His  order  was  obeyed  with  alacrity.  He  then  attempted  a  stratagem,  by  which  to  deceive' 
the  enemy,  with  regard  to  the  forces  against  which  he  was  contending.  Silently  passing 
through  a  distant  wood,  which  led  towards  the  place  at  which  the  enemy  had  landed.  Gen. 
ernl  Brown  persuaded  the  British  general  of  his  intention  to  gain  the  rear  of  his  forces,  to 
take  possession  of  the  boats,  and  effectually  to  cut  off  their  retreat. 

"This  was  done  with  such  effect,  at  the  moment  when  the  fire  of  Lieutenant  Fanning's 
piece  had  caused  the  destruction  in  the  British  line,  that  General  Sir  George  Prevost  was 
well  convinced  of  the  vast  superiority  of  the  American  force  to  his  own.  Ho  gave  up  all 
thoughts  of  the  capture  of  1...3  place,  and  hurrying  to  his  boats,  put  off  immediately  to  the 

21 


•i 


210 


JEFFERSON    COUNTY. 


Jl?  ■^' 


British  «,uadron.    He  7-  "ot. pursued    because    if  the^^^^^^^^ 
CoJitrSa^^l  h^arpiS;  -^.d  S  have  captured  the  anny  and  the 

^"iritt  the  precipitation  of  his  %M.^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

his  ordinary  men  upon  the  field,  but  those  «'  »"^  °;^  „g„gral  Gray,  Majors  Moodie 
guished  of  his  officers.  Among  these  '^'^'^^'^X^^'^^'^-Z"^^^^^  has  been  ascer- 
Ind  Evans,  and  three  captams  The  return  f^  »^'^iX',d«^~S  rank  and  file,  found 
tained,  amounted  to  three  field  °ffi««^J'^/^"Prand  file  found  wounded;  and  two  cap. 
dead  on  the  field  ;  two  captams  and  tweng  '•^'^J/"'^^;  f^;.  j,.  addition  to  which,  many 
tains,  one  ensign,  and  thirty.two  "-""'^  ^"f^^i,":^';^  ^way  previously  to  the  retreat, 
were  killed  in  the  boats,  and  numbers  had  ''^f^^.  ^'""  j..  „u^,bpr  of  the^r  men  engaged 
The  loss  of  ;l.e  Americans  -'^^^^^^l^l^^l^^^Z^^^^^  volunteer  private 

were  less.     One  colonel  of  volunteers,  tv^tnIy  re  ,  f  ,  regulars,  and 

were  killed  ;  one  li-^'^"""--''  ""^; ''"^n  pSl^  were  wounded  ;  and  twenty-ix  non- 
seventy-nine  no.ucoumu.sioned  "ffi-^;-!  "'"'-f,  ""''-Tr   ";,g^  was  one  hundred 

commissioned  officers  and  privates  weTC  "  f"8;  /"^^  ]^X\ri;  making  a  total  of  one 
and  ten  regulars,  .wenty-one  volunteers  and  ^^^^  worth  oe  ,hun  of  the  nun.ber  of 
hundred  and  hl:y^.x  j,-- -^  1  ^  oX-llned  at  Sa'ckett's  Harbor,  though  not  by 
those  who  fell.  1  n  iiijnfy  '"  l""'  "^  ^,,  '■,,„.  ■  hut  the  eallantry  of  several  mdividuals 
any  act  of  the  invadmg  enemy,  ^«^„.f,f"^;'';;Us  no  sooner  apprized  of  the  error  of 
prevented  its  being  more  so  L.eutenai.t  Clu  u  .ce>  wa^^^  "voiy  exertion  to  save  as  much  of 
^he  report  wh.ch  had  been  brot.ght^  tVst  'f  on  the  c'rea'ng  conflagration,  and  to 
the  public  property  as  it  was  possible   to  resi "f  "om  6  ^^^  ^.^^ 

that  etlect,  he  ran  the  Fa.r  Amencan  and  ^.e  Pe     up   he^"    -  ^_/^,,^  ^^,„,^„^^  ^f  .^e  army 
eral  Pike,  which  was  then  7'hej'"2\rDrTze  schooner  the  Duke  of  Gloucester,  which 
^^^thronTrl'^JtlfarstrS^^^^^^^^  -  her  hold,  extinguished  the  fire. 

and  brought  her  from  under  ^^^^  f™  IffiS  commanding  officers  attempted  to  play 
» Notwithstandmg  tus  s,gnaUep-^se  Je  Br'  f  — ^,  ^^g^^^     ^.^^ ^  ^^^^ 

Itt  rfl?:ra';tmiTdeS^^^^^^^       formal  surrender  of  the  post,  which  was  a. 
peremptorily  refused." 

The  British  colonel.  Gray,  fell  near  the  Present  residence  of  Mr. 
John  Hall  in  Hill-street,  and  the  stump  against  which  he  reposed  his 
head  is  s til    to  be  seen  by  the  sidewalk.     He  was  a  noble-looking 
man,' about  six  feet  in  heigk  and  about  ^orty  y-rs  of  age.     Beside 
him  was  a  Glenjrarian  officer,  mortally  wounded.     A  piivate  namea 
DrvidJohnson!?om  Berkshire  county,  Mass.,  lay  near,  ^vounded  in 
a  most  horrible  manner.     This  young  man  was  a  widow's  only  son. 
1  the  time  of  his  enlistment  at  Greenbush,  his  mother  requested  the 
sereeanUo  take  good  care  of  him.     His  face  was  carried  away  by  a 
sfdf  shot  from  bilow  his  forehead,  downward    incuding  his  eyes 
nose  ^pper  iaw,  tongue,  and  some  of  the  teeth  of  the  lower  jaw.    He 
TorwiThTanrg  had^is  reason     Being  requested  by  the  bys^^an^e^s 
if  he  wanted  water  to  lift  up  his  right  hand,  he  did  so.     A  soldier 
who  was  shot  by  a  musket  b'all  through  the  abdo-en    informed  his 
captain,  who  gave  him  permission  to  leave  the  ground,  with  the  ex- 
pec  a  "on  thatte  would  M\  before  he  had  got  many  rods  distant.    An 
Co?  two  after  the  battle,  the  officer  was  astomshed  to  meet  the 
man  quietly  walking  in  the  streets  of  the  village.    He  asked  him 
where^  he  had  been  f  "  To  get  some  mUkr  was  the  reply.     It  appears 
Tat  he  had  not  eaten  any  thing  for  thirty  hours  previous  to  the  ac- 
tion and  the  ball  was  thus  enabled  to  pass  through  the  intestine* 

''iTfoTowi^lsT'view  of  the  barracks  from  the  military  hospital. 


I 


if  the  American 
est,  might  easily 
he  army  and  the 

mnded  bodies  of 
■  the  most  distin. 
,  Majors  Moodie 
I  has  been  ascer- 
ik  and  file,  found 
■d  ;  and  two  cap. 
n  to  which,  many 
^ly  to  the  retreat. 
n'ir  men  engaged 
voUmteer  private, 
the  regulars,  and 
1  twenty -six  non- 
was  one  hundred 
:)g  a  total  of  one 
of  the  number  of 
or,  though  not  by 
jveral  individuals 
icd  of  the  error  of 

0  save  as  mueh  of 
liliigi-iuioii,  and  to 
V  frigate,  the  Gen 
lniun,of  the  army, 
Gloucester,  which 
inguished  the  fire, 

attempted  to  play 
[ile  Creek.  They 
post,  which  wasaa 

idence  of  Mr. 
he  reposed  his 
.  noble-looking 

1  age.  Beside 
private  named 
ir,  wounded  in 
ow's  only  son. 
r  requested  the 
ried  away  by  a 
ading  his  eyes, 
3wer  jaw.  He 
the  bystanders, 

so.  A  soldier 
1,  informed  his 
id,  with  the  ex- 
ds  distant.  An 
tied  to  meet  the 
He  asked  him 
ily.  It  appears 
vious  to  the  ac- 
1  the  intestines 

lilitary  hospital. 


JEFFERSON    COUNTY. 


211 


Northern  view  of  Jefferson  Barracks,  Sacketts  Harbor. 

The  two  long  ranges  of  buildings  in  the  distance,  facing  the  spectator, 
are  the  officers'  quarters.  The  buildings  at  each  end  are  the  soldiers' 
barracks.  These  structures  are  of  limestone,  about  250  feet  in  length, 
two  stories  in  height,  with  neat  piazzas  in  front,  forming  three  sides  of  a 
square,  on  which  is  the  parade  ground.  The  large  building  on  the 
right  is  the  commissary's  department.  The  barracks  were  commen- 
ced in  1816,  and  finished  in  1819.  The  grounds  attached  include 
about  forty  acres,  and  the  whole  is  surrounded  on  three  sides  by  a 
log  picket  fence,  painted  white,  and  about  9  feet  in  height.  The 
fourth  side  is  open  to  the  water. 

On  a  monument  in  the  military  burial  place,  which  is  included  in 
the  barrack  grounds,  are  the  following  inscriptions : 

South  side.—"  In  memory  of  Gen.  Z.  M.  Pike,  killed  at  York,  U.  C,  27  April,  1813.— 
Capt.  Joseph  Nicholson,  14  infantry,  aid-de.camp  to  Gen.  Pike,  do."  East  side. — "  In  mem. 
cry  of  Lieut.  Col.  John  Mills,  volunteer;  killed  at  Sacketts  Harbor,  29  May,  1813.— Capt. 
A.  Spencer,  29  infantry,  aid-de-camp  to  Maj.  Gen.  Brown,  killed  at  Lundy's  Lane,  25  July, 
1814."  North  side.—"  In  memory  of  Col.  Tuttle,  Lieut.  Col.  Dix,  Maj.  Johnson,  Lieut. 
Vandeventer."  West  side. — "  In  memory  of  Brig.  Gen.  L.  Covington,  killed  at  Chry'" 
Fields,  U.  C,  11  Nov.  1812.  Lieut.  Col.  E.  Backus,  1st  dragoons,  killed  at  S.  Harbor,  29 
May,  1813." 

"  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Frederick  Augustus  Leonard,  son  of  James  and  Mercy  Leon, 
ard,  of  New  York,  aged  23  years,  2  months  and  12  days ;  a  sailing-master  in  the  Amen, 
can  navy,  who  died  on  the  12ih  of  May,  1813,  by  a  violent  illness  brought  on  by  fatigue  in 
the  attack  of  the  American  forces  on  York,  in  Upper  Canada,  April  27th,  1813. — This 
monument  is  erected  by  his  brother,  Capt.  James  T.  Leonard  of  the  navy." 

Le  Ray,  settled  in  1803  and  organized  in  1806 ;  from  Albany  156 
miles.  Evans  Mills,  10  miles  NE.  from  Watertown,  and  Le  Rays- 
ville,  are  small  but  flourishing  villages.  Sandfords  Corners  and  West 
Le  Ray  are  post-offices.     Pop,  3,722. 

Lorraine,  originally  named  Malta,  and  taken  from  Mexico  in  1804  ; 
from  Albany  145,  and  from  Watertown  S.  16  miles.  Lorraine  is  a 
post-office.     Pop.  1,721. 

Lyme,  taken  from  Brownville  in  1817;  from  Albany  185  milos. 
Pop.  5,467.     It  includes  several  islands  in  Lake  Ontario  and  one  in 


i' 


m 


'   II 


v^^a 


212 


JEFFERSON    COCNTY. 


the  St.  Lawrence  river.  Cape  Vincent,  port  of  entry  of  Cape  \  in- 
cenl  district,  at  the  fork  of  Lake  Ontario  and  at  tiio  hciut  of  the 
St.  Lawrence,  25  miles  from  Watertown,  has  about  70  dweUings. 
Chaumont,  at  the  head  of  Chaumontbay,  14  miles  from  Watertown, 
has  about  30  dwellings.  At  Tibbets  point  there  is  a  lighthouse. 
Three  Mile  Bay,  Mileno  Bav,  and  Peninsula,  are  post-oilices.  • 

Orleans,  taken  from  Brownville  in  1821  ;  from  Albany  184  miles. 
Le  Fargeville,  named  from  John  Le  Farge,  the  original  proprietor 
of  the  town,  16  miles  N.  from  Watertown,  and  Stone  Mill,  in  the  S  W. 
anf^le  of  the  town,  are  small  settlements  with  post-oifices.    Pop.  3,000. 

!»AMELiA,  taken  from  Brownville  in  1819;  from  Albany  100  miles. 
Williamstown  has  about  40  dwellings,  and  is  on  the  bank  of  the  river 
and  connected  with  Watertown  by  a  bridge.  Pamelia  and  Pamelia 
Four  Corners  are  post-offices.     Pop.  2,119. 

l^iiLADELPiiiA,  settled  principally  by  Friends,  and  taken  from  Le 
Ray  in  1821  ;  from  Watertown  centrally  distant  NE.  16  miles.  Pop. 
1,888.     The  Friends  settlement  has  about  60  dwellings. 

Rodman,  originally  named  Harrison,  taken  from  Adams  in  1804, 
and  settled  in  1801,  by  New  England  emigrants;  from  Albany  154, 
centrally  distant  from  Watertown  S.  10  miles.  Pop.  1,703.  Rod- 
man has  about  40  dwellings.  Whitesville  is  a  small  post  village. 
Several  Indian  mounds  are  in  this  town,  with  ancient  fortifications 

Pop.  1,700. 

Rutland,  formed  in  1802  ;  from  Albany  154,  from  Watertown  cen- 
trally distant  E.  6  miles.     There  are  here  remains  of  ancient  works. 
There  is  an  old  camp  or  fort  near  the  Watertown  and  Rutland  line,  sit- 
uated on  a  hill  surrounded  by  a  hollow  that  seems  to  have  been  a  ditch 
enclosing  about  four  acres  of  ground.     Its  form  is  an  irregular  oval. 
On  one  side  is  a  triangular  projection  of  50  paces,  terminating  in  an 
acute  angle,  surrounded,  like  the  camp,  by  an  intrenchment.    On  dig- 
ging into  this,  many  remains  of  human  bones  were  found,  and  a  part 
of  a  human  skull  imbedded  in  two  or  three  quarts  of  Indian  corn, 
which  seems  to  have  been  parched  to  a  dark  chocolate-brown  color, 
but  was  sound  and  well  preserved.     The  place  was  lately  covered 
with  lofty  trees,  like  the  surrounding  ground,  which  must  have  been 
some  centuries  in  growing.     South  Rutland,  Tylersville,  Felts  Mill, 
and  Lockport,  are  small  post  villages.     Rutland  Centre  is  a  post- 
office, 

Watertown  was  organized  as  part  of  Oneida  county  in  1800. 
Pop.  5,025.  Watertown,  incorporated  village  and  seat  of  justice  for 
the  county,  is  from  New  York  NW.  325  miles,  from  Albany  176,. 
from  Utica  NNW.  81,  from  Sacketts  Harbor  E.  10  miles.  It  con- 
tains 2  Presbyterian,  1  Episcopal,  1  Methodist  Episcopal,  1  Univer- 
salist,  and  1  Catholic  church,  an  incorporated  academy,  the  Jefferson 
Company  and  Watertown  banks,  an  insurance  company,  county 
buildings,  and  about  550  dwellings. 

In  March,  1800,  this  town  was  first  settled  by  Henry  Coffin,  who 
originally  came  from  New  Hampshire,  and  built  his  log  cabin  on 
the  brow  of  the  hill  about  3  rods  easterly  from  the  front  door  of 


\ 


JEFFERSON    COUNTY. 


213 


if  Cape  Vin- 
liciul   of  the 

0  dwellings. 
VViitcrtown, 

1  lighthouse, 
tices.  • 

ly  184  miles, 
al  proprietor 
UntheSW. 
Pop.  3,000. 
ly  l(j()  miles. 
I  of  the  river 
and  Pamelia 

ten  from  Le 
miles.    Pop. 

lams  in  1804, 
Albany  154, 

1,703.  'Rod- 
post  village. 

fortifications 

itertow^n  cen- 
ncient  works, 
itland  line,  sit- 
e  been  a  ditch 
rregular  oval, 
ninating  in  an 
lent.  On  dig- 
id,  and  a  part 
F  Indian  corn, 
-brown  color, 
ately  covered 
ust  have  been 
le.  Felts  Mill, 
tre  is  a  post- 

unty  in  1800. 
;  of  justice  for 
1  Albany  176,. 
niles.  It  con- 
pal,  1  Univer- 
,  the  Jefferson 
ipany,  county 

ry  Coffin,  who 
log  cabin  on 
front  door  of 


the  American  Hotel.  Soon  after  he  was  joined  by  Zechariah  Butter- 
field,  who  built  his  cabin  on  the  ground  now  occupied  by  Davenport's 
tavern.  Both  of  these  individuals  brought  with  them  their  families. 
The  unevenness  and  apparent  unproductiveness  of  the  soil  were  more 
than  counterbalanced,  in  the  discerning  minds  of  these  pioneers,  by  the 
immense  hydraulic  power  appropriable,  from  the  numerous  falls  and 
rapids  of  Black  river  at  this  point,  which  in  the  space  of  about  a 
mile  amount  to  nearly  100  feet  descent.  In  this,  as  well  as  the  rich- 
ness and  fertility  of  the  adjacent  country,  they  wisely  believed  that 
they  discovered'  the  elements  of  future  prosperity  and  greatness. 

H|^t  and  Isaiah  Massay,  who  came  from  Windsor,  Vermont, 
joinOT  them  in  the  succeeding  year.  In  1802,  the  first  tavern  was 
opened  by  Isaiah  Massay,  and  the  first  saw-mill  erected  on  the  pres- 
ent site  of  W.  Pattridge's  woollen  factory.  The  high  reputation  of 
the  Black  river  country  now  began  to  be  sounded  abroad,  and  the 
number  of  settlers  rapidly  augmented.  Among  the  other  earliest 
emigrants  were  Aaron  Bacon,  Jonathan  Cowan,  two  brothers  by  the 
name  of  Thornton,  Jesse  Doolittle,  M.  Canfield,  Aaron  Keyes,  D. 
Huntington,  William  Smith,  John  Paddock,  Chauncey  Calhoun,  Philo 
Johnson,  and  John  Hathway. 

"  An  inventory  of  the  entire  effects  of  each  settler,  as  he  arrived 
upon  the  ground,  would  have  been  a  short  and  easy  matter.  Those 
with  families  had  possessed  but  small  estates  in  the  places  from  which 
they  emigrated,  and  generally  found  their  means  exhausted  when 
they  had  procured  an  outfit  for  their  westward  journey.  The  whole 
possession  of  many  a  young  man  who  planted  the  germ  of  his  for- 
tune here,  was  comprised  in  the  axe  that  he  brought  upon  his  shoul- 
der, and  in  the  nerves  of  the  vigorous  arm  which  wielded  it.  Very 
little  money  was  brought  into  Watertown  by  its  first  inhabitants. 
They  were  all  thrown  upon  their  immediate  exertions  for  subsistence. 
In  these  circumstances,  want,  with  its  horrors,  might  have  visited 
them,  had  it  not  been  the  case  that  quick  returns  of  fruitful  harvests 
were  made  to  their  industry.  It  is  a  well-known  fact,  that  through- 
out the  whole  of  Western  New  York,  the  first  harvest  reaped  from 
the  soil  is  often  more  abundant  than  any  succeeding  one.  The  for- 
ests here  are  found  to  be  unencumbered  with  the  mass  of  dead  leaves, 
and  undecomposed  vegetable  matter,  which,  in  many  parts  of  our 
country,  the  farmer  finds  so  prejudicial  to  the  cultivation  and  produc- 
tion of  his  new  land.  There  is  that,  either  in  the  climate  or  the  soil 
itself,  which  seems  to  effect  the  decomposition  of  vegetables  very 
soon  after  they  are  deprived  of  life.  From  this  circumstance,  the 
deposition  upon  the  ground  of  a  great  body  of  forest  leaves,  every 
season,  instead  of  opposing  an  obstacle  to  immediate  production, 
facilitates  it,  and  contributes  to  the  richness  and  fertility  of  the  soil. 

"  The  enterprising  mechanics  and  agriculturists  in  Watertown 
did  not  long  allow  their  hydraulic  privileges  to  remain  unimproved. 
In  1803,  Jonathan  Cowan  built  the  first  grist-mill.  This  was  an  in- 
valuable acquisition  to  the  place,  as  it  relieved  the  inhabitants  from 


?■  I 


214 


JEFFERSON    COUNTY. 


I 
I'     1 


i'X  1:'. 


the  necessity  of  travelling  to  a  great  distance  for  the  flouring  of  all 
their  grain. 

"  In  1803  the  first  bridge  across  Black  river,  at  Watertown,  wa3  built  at  the  site  of  the 

obiectof  much  att^-Uion  with  those  who  had  land  in  their  possession.  The  h.gh  pnce 
which  "his  ar^cle  then  commanded,  and  the  fine  adaptation  of  the  timber  and  the  sod  to 
^e  productio  and  the  preservation  of  ashes,  rendered  it  one  of  the  most  lucrative  branches 
SbEess  to  which  the  settlers  could  devote  themselves.  As  every  barrel  of  POMg^  Jieid. 
ed  theranufurtu  er  #25.  the  purchasers  of  lots,  by  their  characteristic  ent.rpns^d  pru- 
dence, were  enS  fo  realize  asum  fully  equal  to  the  fit^t  cost  of  their  lands  from  this 

"""The  principal  commercial  operations  in  the  years  1806-7-8,  consisted  in  the  exchange 
of  Jods'^r  potash,  which  took  place  between  the  agricultural  portion  of  the  community 
and  t^e  me  chants  before  mentioned.  The  amount  of  exchanges  thus  effected  during  this 
"period  w^  not  inconsiderable,  when  we  eonsuier  the  limned  --berope^ons  engage 
in  the  transaction.  In  1806,  it  was  not  less  than  $3,500  ;  in  1807,  about  Sjjjb.UUU  ,  ana  in 
ISOS!  it  exceeded  89,000.  A  comparative  view  of  the  business  of  the  P^.^^^ jn^y  b|  ^ad. 
by"  taring  in  this  connection,  that  the  goods  sold  m  Watertown  dunng  the  year  1839.  in. 
rliiiiinff  those  manufactured  in  it,  amounted  to  about  ^SUU.UUU. 

"  The  fir^t  c^uon  factory  which  reared  its  form  in  this  village  is  sti  1  standing  and  known 
as  th?'  Old  Cotton  Factory'-now  under  the  proprietorship  of  the  Watertown  Cotton  M.Hs 
Company.  It  was  erected  by  a  company,  and  went  into  operation  in  1814.  The  machin- 
ervwL  manufactured  by  James  Wild,  of  Hudson,  much  of  which  is  still  m  use ;  and  al. 
though  coTonmachinery'has  been  much  improved  by  25  V-"'  7^^-"'=,^','^:  .S 
factories  do  more  or  better  work.  This  establishment  was  succeeded  in  1827  by  a  similar 
one  erccted^y  Levi  Bebee.  upon  the  island  which  bears  his  name.  It  was  however,  on 
a  much  more  extensive  plan;  being  a  building  250  feet  in  length.  50  in  breadth,  and  4 
etreshXbuU  of  limestone,  of  the  most  substantial  character.  This  budding  was  de- 
Sed  t^^receive  10  000  8pindi;s ;  and  half  that  number,  with  128  power  boms,  had  been 
put  into  it  when  it  was  des^oyed  by  fire  in  1832.  It  was  erected,  and  thus  far  cotnpleted,  at 
anexDense^fil20.000.  employed  a  great  number  of  hands,  directly  and  indirectly,  and  its 
destruction  gave  a  shock  to  the'village  of  Watertown  from  which  jt  has  yet  hardly  recov 
S  The  ruins  still  stand,  frowning  upon  a  majestic  and  beautilul  cascade,  whose  watera 
leappast  them,  r  f  n  terror,  lest  the  columns  of  ragged  stone  should  precipitate  themselve. 
UDon  their  bo^om:  or"  as  if  in  haste  to  escape  from  |he  gloom  and  sadness  of  their  pres- 
eSc^  They  aTo  remain  a  monument  of  the  enterprise  and  pubhc  spirit  of  their  late  pre 

''""Tn'the  early  setUement  of  the  county,  strenuous  efforU,  were  made  to  fix  the  county  sea^ 
at  Brownville.  Gen.  Jacob  Brown  was  appointed  one  of  the  commissioners  by  .he  state,  to 
KvourBnd  open  two  roads;  one  from  Utica,  through  Boonville,  to  some  point  on  Black 
river  and  one  fVo^n  Rome,  through  Redfield,  to  the  same  point.  Brownville  was  fixed 
UDon'as  this  Joint  E^ery  exertion  was  then  put  forth  by  those  interested,  and  every  argu. 
rntrreSw  ch  the  circumstances  of  the  case,  policy,  and  mgenu.ty  could  supply  to 
X"  tTeToition  of  the  county  seat  at  that  place.  The  -"— T "wStrn  But'Sr 
nate  the  site  of  the  courthouse,  decided  however  upon  placing  "/'Watertown.  But  by 
wav  of  comoromise  they  selected  its  present  site,  then  quite  remote  from  the  village. 

"  The  fi«t  counhrse  was  built  in  1807,  by  William  Rise  and  Joel  Mix ;  if  erec.ion  wm 
.uperintended  by  WiUiam  Smith.  It  being  thus  placed  at  «  distance  from  '•'«  «««''«  °f''}« 
Xie,  had  a  tendency  to  draw  attention,  and  induce  settlement  in  •'»«.?,''«<'»?"•  „„^"°*- 
er  circumstance  had  a  considerable  influence  in  fixing  the  location  of  mill,  and  nianufacto- 
ries  remote  from  the  common  centre.  Mr.  Jonathan  Cowan  was  the  "^ner  o  a  the  hy- 
druuhc  privileges  here,  at  the  point  where  his  mills  were  situated.  From  a  mistaken  belief 
«8  to  the  Lst  method  of  stiniulating  industry  and  enterprise,  ho  refused,  on  all  occasions, 
to  iel  w  tho  .  limiting  the  purchaser  to  one  kind  of  business.  The  spirited  settlers  would 
^t  brol  \his  fetter  upon  thei,  enterprise,  and  determined  not  to  .ubm.t  to  the  restriction 
^lonTa.  the  waters  of  Black  river  were  free.  This  policy  occ".oned  the  "•'^ 'O"  ?f  * 
ifurOier  down  the  river  in  1807,  and  another  above  in  1814.    Although,  for  •  time, 


JEFFERSON    COUNTY. 


215 


louring  of  all 


t  at  the  site  of  the 
Edmonds.  The 
I  ted,  and  soon  de. 
iordingly,  in  1805, 
irought  with  it  the 
ursham  Tuttle. 
of  potash  was  an 
1.  The  high  price 
er  and  the  soil  to 
lucrative  branches 
■el  of  pota^  yield. 
jntjrpriseWid  pru. 
sir  lands  from  this 

!d  in  the  exchange 
of  the  community 
ffected  during  this 
f  persons  engaged 
ut  $6,000  ;  and  in 
place  may  be  had, 
the  year  1839,  in- 

inding,  and  known 
•town  Cotton  Mills 
114.    The  machin. 
itill  in  use  ;  and  al. 
irience,  few  cotton 
1  1827  by  a  similar 
t  was,  however,  on 
)  in  breadth,  and  4 
is  building  was  de. 
er  looms,  had  been 
us  far  completed,  at 
d  indirectly,  and  its 
9  yet  hardly  recov 
:ade,  whose  waters 
ecipitate  themselvei 
dness  of  their  pres. 
rit  of  their  late  pre- 
fix the  county  seat 
[lers  by  the  state,  to 
ime  point  on  Black 
rownville  was  fixed 
[ed,  and  every  argu- 
lity  could  supply,  to 
,  who  were  to  desig 
Vatertown.     But  by 
n  the  village. 
[ix ;  ita  erection  was 
Dm  the  centre  of  the 
t  direction.     Anoth- 
nills  and  manufacto< 
owner  of  all  the  hy- 
m  a  mistaken  belief 
led,  on  all  occasions, 
jiritod  settlers  would 
nit  to  the  restriction, 
led  the  erection  of  a 
Although,  for  ■  Ume, 


this  appeared  to  check  the  growth  of  the  village,  it  ultimately  operated  to  its  advantage,  by 
enlarging  its  sphere  of  action,  and  more  fully  developing  its  resources. 

"  It  is  generally  the  case,  that  in  planting  new  settlements,  a  very  early  attention  to  the 
cultivation  of  the  intellect  and  moral  powers  of  ihe  community,  is  prevented  by  the  ardu- 
ousness  of  the  duties  and  the  engrossment  of  mind  incident  upon  their  condition,  as  well  as 
their  remoteness  from  institutions  of  learning  and  the  great  centres  of  literary  and  moral 
influence,  fn  Watertown,  however,  as  early  as  the  year  1811,  efforts  were  made  for  the 
establishment  of  an  academy.  A  piece  of  ground  was  given  for  this  purpose,  by  Mr.  P. 
Keves,  near  where  the  first  church  now  stands.  A  building  was  commenced  the  same 
year,  and  completed  in  the  following,  1812,  simultaneous  with  the  commencement  of  the 
last  hostilities  between  the  United  Sates  and  Great  Britain.  The  declaration  of  war  occa. 
sioned  the  stationing  of  a  garrison  of  soldiers  in  Watertown ;  who  finding  the  academy 
building  conveniently  situated  for  barracks,  took  possession  of  it  and  occupied  it  for  that 
purpose. 

'•  The  proximity  of  Watertown  to  the  Canadian  frontier  and  the  site  of  several  battles,  as 
also  its  exposed  and  unprotected  condition,  produced,  during  this  conflict,  a  constant  agita. 
tion  and  an  intense  excitement  of  the  public  mind,  which  forbade  the  inhabitants  thinking 
of  any  thing  but  the  '  war.'  The  project  of  the  academy  was  in  consequence  abandoned. 
After  the  evacuation  of  the  building  by  the  troops,  which  took  place  in  1814,  it  was  taken 
down,  and  the  materials  of  which  it  was  composed  transferred  to  what  is  now  known  as 
Clinton^street,  and  erected  into  a  schoolhouse.  This,  until  recently,  has  been  employed  for 
the  purposes  designed.  The  land  thus  left  vacant,  according  to  a  condition  in  the  deed  given 
by  Mr.  Keyes,  could  be  sold  by  appraisal.  A  part  of  it  was  thus  sold,  and  a  part  went  into 
the  possession  of  the  First  church. 

"  With  this  failure,  however,  the  efforts  for  the  accomplishment  of  the  truly  noble  design 
did  not  cease.  Another  commodious  academy  building  was  erected  a  few  years  after,  upon 
the  street  which  has  taken  its  name  from  this  circumstance.  This  academy  was  opened 
under  favorable  auspices,  and  for  a  considerable  time  prospered  flourishingly.  But,  although 
the  noble  stone  edifice  still  stands  in  its  beautiful  and  sequestered  location,  as  an  abode  of 
learning  it  is  now  superseded  by  the  Black  River  Literary  and  Religious  Institute— p  school 
most  deservedly  popular,  an  ornament  to  the  place,  and  an  honor  to  its  conductors  and 
patrons. 

"  The  religious  opportunities  of  the  inhabitants  of  Watertown,  for  the  first  few  years, 
were  necessarily  limited.  For  the  purpose  of  public  worship,  they  were  accustomed  often 
to  assemble  at  the  dwelUng  of  some  one  of  the  little  community,  to  hear  read  a  sermon, 
from  the  pen  of  some  excellent  New  England  divine ;  and  whence,  no  doubt,  many  a  peti. 
tion  went  up  to  Him  who  '  regards  not  the  condition  of  men,"  as  fervent  and  acceptable,  aa 
if  uttered  in  the  stately  temple  embellished  with  cornice  and  damask.  They  were  occou 
sionally  visited  by  an  itinerant  minister  of  the  Methodist  connection,  but  seldom  by  iiny 
others.  The  place  was  regarded  as  proper  missionary  ground,  and  the  work  of  proclaiming 
to  the  inhabitants  the  '  Word  of  life,'  as  demanding  the  exercise  of  as  much  benevolence 
and  self-denial  as  is  now  required  in  him  who  would  carry  the  Bible  into  the  savage  regions 
west  of  the  Rocky  mountains.  This  is  well  illustrated  by  the  remark  of  a  benevolent, 
hearted  herald  of  the  cross,  while  on  his  way  to  the  settlement  here  ;  being  asked  whither 
he  was  bound  and  what  was  the  object  of  his  mission,  he  replied, '  /  am  going  to  preach  to 
the  heathen.'  In  1803,  a  church  was  organized  by  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Lazel — Presbyterian 
in  its  confession  of  faith,  and  Congregational  in  its  form  of  government.  The  Presbyterian 
clergymen  located  here,  were,  successively,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Leavenworth,  Porter,  Cook, 
and,  immediately  after  the  war,  Mr.  Banks.  As  the  population  of  the  place  increased, 
bringing  together,  of  necessity,  persons  of  various  religious  sentiments,  churches  of  the  dif. 
fereni  persuasions  were  organized,  from  time  to  time,  until  the  village  now  embraces  tHO 
churches  of  the  Presbyterian  denomination,  (the  Ist  and  the  3d,)  1  of  the  Baptist,  1  of  the 
Methodist,  1  of  the  Roman  Catholic,  1  of  the  Episcopal,  and  1  of  the  Univeraalitt ;  all  oc. 
cupying  attractive  and  commodious  houses  of  worship. 

"  In  the  eariy  years  of  the  village  it  was  remarkable  for  nothing,  perhaps,  more  than  the 
union  and  harmony  of  its  inhabitants.  Common  dangers,  privations,  and  labors,  begat  a 
community  of  interests  and  feeling,  and  actuated  to  a  mutal  reciprocation  of  assistance  and 
benefits.  The  prosperity  and  joys,  as  well  as  the  griefs  and  misfortunes  of  one,  were 
shared  by  all.  Death  never  invaded  their  number,  without  throwing  a  gloom  over  thu 
whole  community,  and  touching  every  heart  with  the  affliction.  The  melancholy  circum. 
stances  attending  the  first  instance  of  mortality,  afforded  great  occasion  for  the  exercise  of 
these  sympathetic  feehngs. 

•'  Late  at  the  close  of  a  still,  sultry  day  in  summer,  Mrs.  Thornton, 


216 


JEFFERSON    COUNTY. 


i*    ■ 


the  wife  of  one  of  the  young  settlers,  gave  the  alarm  that  her  husband 
had  not  returned  from  the  forest,  whither  he  had  gone  in  the  afternoon 
to  procure  a  piece  of  timber  for  a  particular  purpose.  Immediately 
every  man  in  the  settlement  answered  to  the  call,  and  hastened  to 
the  place  designated  for  meeting  to  concert  a  plan  for  search.  Here 
all  armed  themselves  with  torches  of  lighted  pine  knots  or  birch  bark, 
and  calling  every  gun  in  the  place  into  use  for  firing  alarms  and  sig- 
nals, started  out,  in  small  companies,  into  the  forest  in  all  directions. 
After  a  search  of  several  hours,  the  preconcerted  signal-gun  announ- 
ced that '  the  lost  was  found.'  All  hurried  to  the  spot ;  and  upon  the 
ground  where  now  stands  the  Black  River  Institute,  crushed  beneath 
a  tree  which  he  had  felled,  lay  the  lifeless  body  of  their  companion. 
He  was  laid  upon  a  bier,  hastily  prepared  for  the  occasion,  and  con- 
veyed through  the  gloom  of  midnight,  by  the  light  of  their  torches, 
back  to  his  house.  What  must  have  been  the  emotions  of  the  be- 
reaved young  widow,  when  the  mangled  corpse  of  her  husband,  so 
suddenly  fallen  a  victim  to  death,  was  brought  in  and  laid  before  her  ! 
She  did' not,  however,  mourn  alone.  As  the  remains  were  borne  to 
their  resting-place, — the  first  grave  that  was  opened  in  Trinity  church- 
yard,— it  needed  no  sable  emblems  of  mourning  to  tell  of  the  griet 
which  hung  dark  around  every  heart.  Each  one  of  the  little  com- 
pany, as  he  returned  from  performing  the  last  duties  to  his  departed 
companion, /eft  as  if  from  his  own  family  one  had  been  taken. 

"  A  similar  incident  occurred,  a  short  time  after,  in  the  death  of  a  child,  which  was  killed 
by  the  falling  of  n  tree,  on  the  present  silo  of  the  courthouse  ;  thus  designating  with  blood, 
as  one  can  imagine,  the  location  of  the  halle  of  justice  and  science  in  our  village,  and  con. 
secraiing  the  ground  of  each  by  a  human  sacrifice. 

"  Notwithstanding  the  general  union  and  harmony  which  prevailed,  clashing  interests 
and  individual  enmities  would  sometimes  show,  that  even  the  common  dangers  and  hard- 
ships of  the  wilderness  nave  not  power  to  change  the  character  of  human  passion,  or  to 
soften  its  malignity,  when  occasion  arouses  it.    One  incident  will  illustrate  this. 

"  By  some  unfortunate  circumstance,  a  feud  was  enkindled  between 
one  of  the  settlers  in  Watertown  and  his  neighbor,  15  or  20  miles 
distant ;  for,  be  it  known,  distance  was  thou  no  barrier  to  neighbor- 
ship.    Not  long  after  the  commencement  of  hostilities  between  the 
parties,  it  came  to  the  ears  of  the  one  in  Watertown,  that  his  enemy 
had  offered  a  reward  of  $5  for  his  head.     Feeling  rather  uneasy 
under  this  summary  outlawry — as  it  necessarily,  he  thought,  rendered 
insecure  the  tenure  by  which  he  held  his  life, — and  being  unwilling 
to  disjKjse  of  it  except  upon  more  reasonnble  terms,  he  determined  to 
go  and  negotiate  the  matter,  propria  persona,  with  this  dealer  in  per- 
sonal estate,  and,  if  possible,  induce  him  to  withdraw  the  reward. 
As  there  was  no  road  practicable  for  travelling  bv  horse,  he  was 
obliged  to  accomplish  the  whole  distance  on  foot.     This  he  did  ;  and 
having  arrived  at  the  residence  of  his  ciicniv,  he  found  him  in  com- 
pany with  two  or  three  of  his  nearer  neighbors.     Wishing  to  avoid 
puhlicily  in  the  affair  as  much  na  possible,  he  requested  a  private 
interview.     But  he  was  tartly  replied  to,  that  there  v/as  nothing  be- 
tween them  that  required  secrecy,  and  if  he  had  any  thing  to  say,  he 
must '  speak  out.'     Being  obliged  thus  to  make  known  his  errand 


^f^tl 


it  her  husband 

I  the  afternoon 

Immediately 
id  hastened  to 
search.  Here 
or  birch  bark, 
larms  and  sig- 
ali  directions, 
il-gun  announ- 

and  upon  the 
ushed  beneath 
ir  companion, 
ision,  and  con- 
'  their  torches, 
ons  of  the  be- 
er husband,  so 
lid  before  her ! 
were  borne  to 
Prinity  church- 

II  of  the  griet 
the  httle  com- 

0  his  departed 
n  taken. 

i,  which  waa  killed 
gnating  with  blood, 
ur  village,  and  coh. 

1,  clashing  interests 

1  dangers  and  hard- 
itnan  passion,  or  to 
ate  this. 

indled  between 
15  or  20  miles 
r  to  neighbor- 
s  between  the 
that  his  enemy 

rather  uneasy 
)ught,  rendered 
)eing  unwilling 
;  determined  to 
s  dealer  in  per- 
iw  the  reward. 

horse,  he  was 
his  he  did  ;  and 
tid  him  in  com- 
'ishing  to  avoid 
lested  a  private 
,vas  nothing  be- 
thing  to  say,  ho 
>wn  lu8  errand 


« 


JEFFERSON    COUNTY. 


217 


publicly,  rather  disturbed  his  equanimity ;  but  his  situation  was  des- 
perate. Here  was  his  last  hope  of  effecting  a  reconciliation ;  and  he 
therefore  commenced  by  saying,  he  had  learned,  with  much  regret, 
that  their  late  difficulties  had  drawn  from  him  the  offer  of  a  reward 
of  ^5  for  his  life ;  he  hoped  it  was  not  the  case.  But  he  had  come 
to  learn  the  truth  from  his  own  lips ;  and  if  it  were  really  so,  if  pos- 
sible, to  compromise  the  affair,  and  adjust  their  differences.  His 
enemy  quickly  retorted,  that  it  was  a  'most  rascally  untruth — as 
great  a  lie  as  ever  was  told.'  '  I  never,'  said  he,  '  have  offered  $5 
for  your  head ;  never — not  I.  I  may  have  said  that  I  would  give 
twenty  shillings ;  but  I  never  went  over  that.'  With  this  very  satis- 
factory information,  he  was  obliged  to  return  and  await  patiently  the 
issue  of  the  struggle  which  was  to  determine  whether  he  could  be 
allowed  to  retain  his  head,  between  the  consciences  of  bis  fellow 
settlers,  and  their  cupidity,  so  strongly  appealed  to  by  th«  twenty- 
shilling  reward. 

"  Such  circumstances  were  then,  however,  of  rare  occurrence.  Unanimity  of  sentiment 
and  feeling  was  the  general  law ;  these  were  bi>t  the  exceptions.  No  doubt  that  amidst 
the  dangers,  the  rugged  toil,  and  the  coarse  fare  of  this  new  settlement,  happiness  was 
found  to  dwell  with  us  much  fulness  and  purity,  as  with  the  safety,  the  ease  and  the  refine. 
mt'nt  of  the  town  or  city.  Ask  those  venerable  pioneers  of  the  wilderness  who  still  remain 
in  our  midst,  and  they  will  tell  you,  that  they  look  with  less  compinisance  and  pleasure 
upon  the  last  few  years  of  their  lives,  than  upon  those  in  which  the  for<'at8  were  falling  be- 
n^ath  their  axes ;  or,  in  their  tow.frocks — the  insignia  of  their  priestly  office — they  perform, 
ed  the  obsequies  of  the  rnonarcba  of  the  wood,  at  their  funeral  piles.  They  are  now  made 
to  witness  scenes  of  mote  wealth  and  action,  but  not  of  more  tranquillity  and  purity.  The 
affections  then  were  warm,  and  confidence  mutual.  At  their  convivial  assemblies,  which, 
at  the  close  of  a  day's  toil,  they  sometimes  found  time  to  convene,  the  simplicity  of  their 
rude  entertainments,  served  up  as  they  often  were  upon  an  oak  slab,  elevated  to  its  proper 
position  by  substantial  wooden  pegs,  was  more  than  compensated  by  the  full  flow  of  spirits, 
and  the  absence  of  rivalry  and  envy.  The  heart  had  not  then  lost  its  radiating  power  by 
the  polish  of  excessive  refinement,  and  the  freedom  of  communication  waa  unfettered  by 
the  stiff  formality  of  modern  etiquette. 

"  It  is  a  fact  worthy  of  remark,  that  almost  every  cent  of  the  wealth  in  this  village  has 
been  created  upon  the  ground.  But  a  small  amount  of  capital  has  been  brought  into  it 
from  abroad ;  and  this  not  for  the  purposes  of  speculation,  but  in  obedience  to  the  demands 
of  established  business.  It  has  never  stood  in  need  of  foreign  assistance.  Its  resources 
have  ever  been,  and  are  still  inexhaustible.  The  secret  of  its  commamling  influence,  how. 
ever,  is  to  be  found  in  the  immense  hydraulic  force  of  Black  river  at  this  point.  By  a  pretty 
accurate  computation,  it  has  been  ascertained  that  the  quantity  of  water,  at  low.water 
mark,  is  seldom  less  than  60,000  cubic  feet  per  minute.  This,  with  economy,  under  9  feef 
head  and  fall,  would  be  sufficient  to  turn  150  runs  of  stone.  Now,  by  considering  that  the 
water,  in  passing  from  the  upper  end  of  the  village  to  the  lower,  a  distance  of  about  a  mile, 
falls  88  feet,  over  7  artificial  dams  and  5  natural  cascades,  and  at  each  of  these  dams  the 
whole  body  of  water  can  be  used,  we  have  a  force  sufficient  to  turn  more  than  a  thousand 
runs  of  stone,  or  to  apply  to  the  driving  of  other  ni?<chmery. 

"  With  this  great  power  before  us,  and  reflecting  that  Watertown  is  surrounded  by  a  rich 
and  fertile  country,— prosecuting  a  firmly  established  and  weU-balanced  business— a  bust. 
ncBS  that  has  never  been  affected  by  the  insane  spirit  of  speculation  which  has  often  raged 
over  otir  country — it  is  not  difficult  to  account  for  its  great  prosperity,  and  to  anticipate  for 
it  a  still  more  vigorous  end  rapid  progress*"— /ft»t.  Sketch  of  Watertown,  ky  J.  P.  Fitch. 

The  following  view  was  taken  on  the  we»t  bank  of  the  river,  a  few 
rods  below  the  bridge.  The  ruins  seen  in  front  are  those  of  the 
Bebee  manufactory,  noticed  in  the  foregoing  sketch.  Just  beyond 
the  bridge,  the  river  descends  in  a  perpendicular  fall  of  18  feet.  The 
•teeple  on  the  left,  is  that  of  the  2d  Presbyterian  church,  the  one 


1  J .  ■' 


I 


ll 


II 


JEFFERSON    COUNTY. 


1^ 

'  n 

'H 

11:1 . 

View  in  Watertown,  Jefferson  county,  New  York. 

further  to  the  right,  that  of  the  Catholic,  and  that  on  the  extreme 
right,  the  Institute.     This  is  a  wild  and  picturesque  spot,  and  the 
ruins  remind  the  spectatov  of  some  time-decayed  structure  ol  a  former 
age.     On  the  bank  of  the  river,  seen  beyond  the  opening  between 
the  pines,  is  a  place  where  the  rite  of  baptism  is  admmistered  by  im- 
mersion.    A  traveller  who  here  recently  witnessed  a  scene  o*  this 
kind,  describes  it  as  "  unusually  solemn  and  impressive."     Arnid  the 
roar  of  the  rapids  ascended  the  prayer  of  the  clergyman,  and  the  mu- 
sic of  the  assembled  worshippers  was  softened  by  the  sound  ot  the 
waterfall. 

Well  would  the  language  of  the  poet  have  applied : 

"  Ye  headlong  torrenis,  rapid  and  profound. 
Ye  softer  floods,  that  tread  the  humid  maze, 

Sound  his  stupendous  praise, 

And  as  each  mingling  flame  increases  each. 
In  one  united  ardor  rise  to  heaven." — 

In  the  limestone  rocks  which  bound  the  Black  river  at  this  point 
are  numerous  caves,  two  of  which  are  very  extensive,  and  have 
never  been  explored  to  their  terminations.     The  first,  called  the  "■old 
cave,**  is  situated  a  few  rods  west  of  the  bridge,  at  Bebec's  island,  in 
the  town  of  Pamelia,  and  running  up  in  an  easterly  direction,  is  sup- 
posed to  go  under  the  falls.     The  other,  entitled  the  "  new  or  ice  cave, 
IS  nbout  50  rods  below  the  bridge  on  the  eastern  bank  of  the  stream, 
and  was  discovered  about  two  years  since.     It  has  been  explored 
about  J  a  mile.    Some  distance  in  it  there  is  an  extensive  excavation, 
which  forms  a  large  room  of  about  20  feet  square,  and  as  regularly 
.^A  on  thn<.i?h  effoctod  by  human  ascncv=     Columns  of  ice  formed 


ii 


KINGS   COUNTY. 


819 


by  the  infiltration  of  water  from  the  ceiling  to  the  floor,  resembling 
marble  pillars  neatly  polished,  are  to  be  seen  m  this  apartnient  even 
in  the  warmest  of  weather.  Both  of  these  caves  have  many  branches, 
and  are  beautified  with  varied  petrifactions,  stalactites  ot  all  shapes, 
petrified  bats,  &c.,  &c.  About  50  rods  in  a  NE.  direction  from  the 
Bebee  ruins,  back  of  the  knoll,  is  a  singular  oval-shaped  basin  m  the 
sand,  of  about  7  rods  in  its  greatest  diameter.  It  is  about  100  feet 
in  depth,  and  water  never  remains  in  it  even  during  the  most  rainy 

weather.  ,  t       i      •    t       •  . 

WiLNA,  taken  from  Le  Ray  in  this,  and  Leyden  m  Lewis  county, 
in  1818  ;  from  Albany,  NW.,  151,  from  Watertown  distant  h.  17 
miles.  The  place  was  settled  by  Irish  and  New  England  emigrants. 
The  Count  SurviUiers,  (Joseph  Bonaparte,)  brother  of  the  Emperor 
Napoleon,  purchased  here  80,000  acres  of  land  and  erected  a  large 
mansion.  Carthage,  at  the  head  of  Long  Falls,  on  the  Black  river, 
has  about  75  dwellings.  A  large  quantity  of  iron  is  manufactured 
here.  The  Natural  Bridge,  where  there  is  a  small  settlement,  is  a 
curiosity.  It  is  about  12  feet  wide,  and  6  above  the  water.  Wilna 
and  North  Wilna  are  post-offices.     Pop.  2,583. 


1  the  extreme 
spot,  and  the 
ire  of  a  former 
ening  between 
listercd  by  im- 
,  scene  of  this 
e."  Amid  the 
in,  and  the  mu- 
3  sound  of  the 


jr  at  this  point 
sive,  and  have 
called  the  "  old 
ibee's  island,  in 
lirection,  is  sup- 
new  or  ice  cave" 
k  of  the  stream, 
i  been  explored 
sive  excavation, 
md  as  regularly 
ins  of  ice  formed 


I 


KINGS  COUNTY. 

Kings  county  was  organized  in  1683,  by  an  act  of  the  colonial 
assembly  dividing  the  province,  and  abolishing  the  ridings  which 
previousfy  existed.  Its  greatest  length  is  12,  and  greatest  breadth  7 
miles.  The  county  includes  Coney  and  Barren  islands,  and  all  other 
islands  south  of  the  town  of  Gravesend.  The  surface  on  the  NE. 
for  three  or  four  miles  back  from  the  river  is  hilly  and  ridgy.  Upon 
the  SE.  a  plain  of  sandy  loam  and  sand  extends  to  the  ocean.  The 
soil  for  the  most  part  is  light,  warm,  and  when  properly  manured, 
fertile.  It  is  generally  well  improved,  and  supplies  a  large  portion  of 
the  vegetables  sold  in  New  York.  The  first  settlement  in  the  county 
was  made  at  Brooklyn  in  1625.  In  1641,  the  Dutch  government 
permitted  some  English  settlers  to  locate  themselves  at  Gravesend. 
All  the  other  towns  of  the  county  appear  to  have  been  settled  by  the 
Dutch.  The  county  courts  were  originally  held  at  the  village  of 
Gravesend ;  they  were  removed  in  1686  to  Flatbush,  where  they 
were  held  till  1832,  when  they  were  removed  to  Brooklyn.  The 
county  contains  six  towns.     Pop.  47,613. 

Brooklyn.  This  town,  the  whole  of  which  is  now  included  within 
the  corporation  of  the  city  of  Brooklyn,  lies  upon  the  extreme  western 
part  of  Long  Island,  opposite  the  southern  portion  of  the  city  of  New 
York,  and  separated  therefrom  by  the  East  river,  which  is  here  about 
three  quarters  of  a  mile  in  width.  Its  length  from  NE.  to  SW.  ii 
six,  and  its  greatest  breadth  four  miles ;  giving  an  area  of  9,200 


220 


KINGS   COUNTY. 


acres,  most  of  which  has  been  apportioned  into  city  lots.  "  The  sur- 
face  is  high,  broken,  and  stony ;  and  the  more  elevated  pomts  afford 
beautiful  and  romantic  sites,  many  of  which  have  been  built  upon, 
and  are  not  excelled  in  elegance  by  any  others  in  the  country.  Ihe 
soil  in  common  with  the  whole  county,  was  originally  claimed  by  the 
Canarsee  Indians,  a  numerous  tribe  inhabitmg  the  more  southern 
parts  of  the  county,  and  from  whom  the  title  to  the  lands  was  pro- 
cured by  the  Dutch  government. 

"The  name  conferred  upon  this  town  by  the  Dutch  was  Breucklen,  (or  broken  land;) 
and  in  the  act  for  dividing  the  province  into  counties  and  towns,  passed  November  1,  lb85, 
itiscMcdBreucklyn;  nor  does  the  present  appellaUon  appear  to  have  been  generally 
adopted  until  after  the  revolution.     Many  changes  have  doubtless  taken  place  upon  the 
ehore  and  it  is  believed  that  Governor's  Island  was  formerly  connected  with  Red  Hook  point. 
It  is  well  known  that  a  short  period  previous  to  the  war  of  independence,  cattle  were  driven 
across  what  is  called  Buttermilk  Channel,  now  sufficiently  deep  to  afford  passage  to  vessels 
of  the  larseat  class.    The  alteration  is  no  doubt  in  great  measure  attributable  to  the  vast 
Pxtension  of  the  wharves  on  both  sides  of  the  river,  diercby  diverting  the  course,  and  in- 
creasinff  the  force  of  the  currents.     The  Hrst  European  settler  in  this  town  is  supposed  to 
have  been  George  Jansen  de  Rapelje,  at  me  Waalboght,  or  Waaloons  Bay,  during  the  Di- 
rectorship  of  Peter  Minuit,  under  the  charter  of  the  West  India  Company.    In  a  family 
record  in  the  possession  of  Jeremiah  Johnson,  Esq.,  it  is  stated  that  the  first  child  of  Rapelje 
was  Sarah,  born  in  1625,  unquestionably  the  first  white  child  born  upon  Long  Island. 
Watson  says  she  was  born  on  the  9th  of  Jane,  and  honored  as  the  first-born  child  of  the 
Dutch  settlers ;  also  that,  in  consideration  of  such  distinction,  and  of  her  widowhood,  she 
was  afterward  presented  with  a  tract  of  land  at  the  Wallabout.     She  was  t\yice  married ; 
first  to  Hans  Hanse.Bcrgen,  by  whom  she  had  six  children,  namely,  Michael  Hanse,  Jons 
Hanse  Jan  Hanse,  Jacob  Hanse,  Breckje  Hanse,  and  Marytje  Hanse.    Her  second  hus- 
band was  Teunis  Guisbertse  Bogart,  by  whom  also  she  had  six  children,  namely,  Aurtie, 
Antie  Neelje  Aultje,  Catalyn'jc,  and  Guysbert.    The  account  of  this  remarkable  woman 
in  the' archive's  of  the  New  York  Historical  Society  contains  the  names  of  the  persons  to 
whom   eleven  of  her  children  were  married,  and  the  places  where  tlu-y  settled.     The 
twelfth,  Breckje  Hanse,  went  to  Holland.    In  the  journal  of  the  Dutch  Council  m  1656,  it 
is  related  tJiaL  "  the  widow  Hans  Hanson,  the  first-born  Christian  daughter  m  New  Nether, 
knds  burdened  with  seven  children,  petitions  for  a  grant  of  a  piece  of  mcad.jM»,  m  addi. 
tion  to  the  twenty  morgen  granted  to  her  at  the  Waale-Boght.'    There  is  a  tradition  m 
die  family,  that  the  Indians,  induced  by  the  circumstance  of  her  being  the  first  white  child 
born  here,  gave  to  her  father  and  his  brethren,  the  other  French  who  iollowed  them,  the 
lands  adjacent  to  the  bay;  hence  called  (says  Judge  Benson)  Het.n aale  Boght,  corrupted 
to  Wallabout  Bay.    A  few  of  the  other  associates  of  De  Rapelje  were  Le  Escuyer,  Duryee, 
La  Sillier.  Cershow,  Conscillaer,  Musserolj  these,  with  some  changes  in  the  mode  of  spell- 
ing,  are  still  found  among  us.     It  appears  by  the  Dutch  records,  that  m  1634  a  part  of  the 
land  at  Red  Hook  was  the  property  of  Wouter  Van  Twiller,  being  one  of  the  ddest  titles 
in  the  town.    The  earliest  deed  for  land  was  from  Governor  Kieft  to  Abraham  Rycken,  in 
1638     The  oldest  grant  recorded  is  to  Thomas  Besker  in  1639.     This  must  be  considered 
as  the  commencement  of  p«rmanent  Dutch  settlements  on  Long  Island,  and  there  is  no 
evidence  of  any  direct  and  systematic  efforts  being  made  for  the  purpose  till  this  period."— 
Thompson's  Hist,  of  Long  Island, 

It  seems  to  have  been  enjoined  upon  the  overseers  and  constables 
to  admonish  tlie  inhabitants  to  instruct  their  children  and  servants  in 
matters  of  religion,  and  in  the  laws  of  the  country.  The  inhabitants 
at  first  attended  divine  worship  at  New  Amsterdam,  (New  York,) 
and  at  Flatbush.  In  1050,  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  applied  to 
Gov.  Stuyvesant  for  permission  to  call  a  minister  for  their  congrega- 
tion. This  request  was  granted,  and  the  Rev.  Henry  Solinus,  being 
approved  by  the  classis  of  Amsterdam,  was  sent  over  from  Holland, 
and  installed  their  pastor  in  1660.  The  first  Dutch  church  was  built 
in  1666.  and  stood  about  forty  years ;  when  another  was  erected  on 


"  The  sur- 
loints  afford 
built  upon, 
ntry.  The 
med  by  the 
re  southern 
is  was  pro- 

■  broken  land ;) 
'ember  1, 1685, 
been  generally 
place  upon  the 
ted  Hook  point, 
rtle  were  driven 
ssage  to  vessels 
;able  to  the  vast 
course,  and  in- 
1  is  supposed  to 
,  during  the  Di. 
ly.     In  a  family 
child  of  Rapelje 
n  Long  Island, 
lorn  child  of  the 
widowhood,  she 
twice  married ; 
ael  Hanse,  Joris 
tier  second  hus- 
namely,  Aurtie, 
larkable  woman 
if  the  persons  to 
y  settled.    The 
luncil  in  1656,  it 
in  New  Nether. 
icadt^Mi,  in  addi- 
is  a  tradition  in 
first  white  child 
lowed  them,  the 
Boght,  corrupted 
Sacuyer,  Duryee, 
he  mode  of  spell- 
634  a  part  of  the 
'  the  oldest  titles 
iham  Rycken,  in 
ist  be  considered 
,  and  there  is  no 
ill  this  period." — 


[id  constables 
d  servants  in 
te  inhabitants 
[New  York,) 
m  applied  to 
eir  congrega- 
5olinus,  being 
from  Holland, 
irch  was  built 
as  erected  on 


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KING3    COUNTY. 


221 


the  same  spot,  which  was  taken  down  in  1810,  and  a  new  and  sub- 
stantial one  built  in  Jerolemon  street ;  this  last  has  given  place  to  a 
more  splendid  edifice  on  nearly  the  same  site.  An  Episcopal  society 
existed  in  this  town  as  early  as  1766.  In  1795,  St.  Ann's  church  was 
occupied  for  the  first  time.  The  first  Methodist  church  was  incor- 
porated in  1794;  the  first  Presbyterian  in  1822;  the  first  Baptist  in 
1822  ;  the  first  Catholic  in  1822  ;  and  the  first  congregational  in  1839. 
The  first  printing  press  established  in  this  town,  was  by  Thomas 
Kirk,  in  1799,  who  issued  a  newspaper,  entitled  the  "  Courier,  and 
New  York  and  Long  Island  Advertiser"  which  continued  four  years. 
The  first  number  of  the  "  Long  Island  Star"  was  also  issued  by  Mr. 
Kirk,  in  1809. 

The  most  compact  part  of  Brooklyn  was  incorporated  into  a  village 
in  1816,  which,  although  much  opposed  by  a  portion  of  the  popula- 
tion, gave  a  new  impulse  to  the  spirit  of  improvement,  which  has  re- 
sulted in  raising  it  to  be  the  second  city  in  point  of  population  in  the 
state  of  New  York.  In  April,  1834,  the  whole  territory  of  the  town 
was  incorporated  under  the  name  of  the  "  City  of  Brooklyn."  It  is 
divided  into  9  wards ;  the  powers  of  the  corporation  are  vested  in  a 
mayor,  and  a  board  of  aldcrn^en,  composed  of  two  elected  from  each 
ward.  Brooklyn  contains  28  churches,  viz :  6  Episcopalian,  2  Dutch 
Reformed,  7  Presbyterian,  2  Baptist,  4  Episcopal  Methodist,  1  Cen- 
tenary Episcopal  Methodist,  1  Primitive  Methodist,  1  Wesleyan 
Methodist,  2  Roman  Catholic,  1  UnitJirian  Congregational  Church, 
and  1  Friends  Meeting-house.  Population  in  1820,  7,175 ;  in  1825, 
10,790 ;  in  1830,  15,394 ;  in  1835,  25,312 ;  in  1840,  36,233. 


Northern  view  of  the  Navy-yard  at  Brooklyn. 

The  above  shows  the  appearance  of  the  buildings,  shipping,  &c., 
at  the  navy-yard,  at  Brooklyn,  as  seen  from  Corlear's  Hook.  The 
United  States  possess  about  forty  acres  at  this  spot,  including  the  old 
mill-pond.  Here  have  been  erected  a  spacious  navy-yard,  public 
stores,  machine  shops,  and  two  immense  edifices,  in  which  the  largest 
ships  are  protected  from  the  weather,  while  building.  On  the  east 
side  of  the  Wallabout  bay,  opposite  the  navy-yard,  stands  the  U.  S. 
Naval  Hosnitalj  a  masnificent  structure.     The  Wallabout  is  ren- 


m 


I ' 


'  il 


222  KINGS    COUNTV. 

dered  memorable  in  the  revolutionary  period,  from  having  been  the 
scene  of  the  heart-rending  sufferings  of  many  thousand  American 
prisoners  confined  in  the  prison  ships  stationed  in  the  bay.  The  fol- 
lowinc',  relating  to  these  vessels,  communicated  to  the  editor  of 
the  "Bjaval  Magazine,"  in  1836,  was  written  by  Jeremiah  Johnson, 
Esq.,  of  Brooklyn,  a  gentleman  who  has  filled  many  public  offices  in 
this  place. 

"  The  subject  of  the  naval  prisoners,  and  of  the  British  prison  ships  stationed  at  the  Wal. 
labout  during  the  revolution,  is  one  which  cannot  be  passed  by  in  silence.  From  printed 
journals  published  in  New  York  at  the  close  of  the  war,  it  appears  that  eleven  thousand 
five  hundred  American  prisoners  had  died  on  board  the  prison  ships.  Although  the  num. 
ber  is  very  great,  still  if  the  number  who  perished  had  been  less,  the  commissary  of  naval 
prisoners  David  Sprout,  Esq.,  und  his  deputy,  had  it  in  their  power,  by  an  official  return, 
to  give  the  true  number  exchanged,  escaped,  and  dead.  Such  a  return  has  never  appeared 
in  the  Unitca  States.  This  niiin  returned  to  America  after  the  war,  and  resided  in  Phda. 
delphia  where  he  died.  He  could  not  have  been  ignorant  of  the  statement  published  here 
on  this 'interesting  subject.  We  may  therefore  infer,  that  about  that  number  perished  in 
the  prison  ships.  A  large  transport,  named  the  Whithy,  was  the  first  prison  ship  anchored 
in  the  Wallabout.    She  was  moored  near  '  Remsen's  Mill,'  about  the  20th  of  October, 

1776  and  was  crowded  with  prisoners.  Many  landsmen  were  prisoners  on  board  this 
vessel ;  she  was  said  to  be  the  most  sickly  of  all  the  prison  ships.  Bad  provisions,  bad 
water  'and  scanted  rations  were  dealt  to  the  prisoners.  No  medical  men  attended  the  sick. 
Disease  reigned  unrelieved,  and  hundreds  died  from  pestilence,  or  were  starved,  on  board 
this  floating  prison.  I  saw  the  sand-beach  between"  a  ravine  in  the  hill  and  Mr.  Remsen's 
dock  become  filled  with  graves  in  the  course  of  two  months ;  and  before  the  1st  of  May, 

1777  the  ravine  alluded  to  was  itself  occupied  in  the  same  way.     In  the  month  of  May  of 
that  year  two  large  ships  were  anchored  in  the  Wallabout,  when  the  prisoners  were  trans- 
ferred from  the  Whitby  to  them.    These  vessels  were  also  very  mckly,  from  the  causM 
before  stated.     Although  many  prisoners  were  sent  on  board  of  them,  and  were  exchanged, 
death  made  room  for  all.    On  a  Sunday  afternoon,  about  the  middle  of  October,  1777,  one 
of  the  prison  ships  was  burnt ;  the  prisoners,  except  a  few,  who,  it  was  said,  were  burnt  in 
the  vessel   were  removed  to  the  remaining  ship.     It  was  reported  at  the  time  that  the  pn- 
soners  had  fired  their  prison ;  which,  if  true,  proves  that  they  preferred  death,  even  by  fire, 
to  the  lingering  sufferings  of  pestilence  and  starvation.    In  the  mopth  of  Jebruary,  1778, 
the  remaining  prison  ship  was  burnt  at  night;  when  the  prisoners  were  removed  from  her 
to  the  ships  then  wintering  in  the  Wallabout.     In  the  month  of  April,  1778,  the  Old  Jeraey 
was  moored  in  the  Wallabout,  and  all  the  prisoners  (except  the  sick)  were  transferred  to 
her     The  sick  were  carried  to  two  hospital  ships,  named  the  Hope  and  Falmouth,  anchor, 
ed  near  each  other  about  two  hundred  yards  east  from  the  .Tersey.    These  ships  remained 
in  the  Wallabout  until  New  York  was  evacuated  by  the  British.    The  Jersey  was  the  re. 
ceiving-ship—the  others,  truly,  the  ships  of  Death  !     It  has  been  generally  thought  that  all 
the  prisoners  died  on  board  of  the  Jersey.    This  is  not  true ;  many  may  have  died  on  board 
of  her  who  were  not  reported  as  sick :  but  all  the  men  who  were  placed  on  the  sick.list 
were  removed  to  the  hospital  ships,  from  which  they  were  usually  tak^n,  sewed  up  m  a 

blanket,  to  their  long  home.  ,     ,„  „  ,      .  ■  .  j  .u  .  .u     •  i 

"  After  the  hospital  ships  were  brought  into  the  Wallabout,  it  was  reported  that  the  sick 
were  attended  by  physicians;  few,  very  few,  however,  recovered.  It  was  no  uncommon 
thing  to  see  five  or  six  dead  bodies  brought  on  shore  in  a  single  morning ;  when  a  smaU 
excavation  would  be  made  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  the  bodies  be  cast  m,  jid  a  man  with  a 
shovel  would  cover  them  by  shovelUng  sand  down  the  hill  upon  them.  Many  were  buned 
in  a  ravine  on  the  hill ;  some  on  the  farm.  The  whole  shore  from  Rennie's  Point  to  Mr. 
Remsen's  dock-yard  was  a  place  of  graves;  as  were  also  the  slope  of  the  hill  near  the 
house  the  shore  from  Mr.  Remsen's  barn  along  the  mill-pond  to  Rapeiie's  farm  and  the 
sandy  island,  between  the  flood-gates  and  the  mill-dam;  while  a  few  were  buiied  on  the 
shore,  the  east  side  of  the  Wallabout.  Thus  did  Death  reign  here,  from  1776  until  the 
weace  The  whole  Wallabout  was  a  sickly  place  during  the  war.  The  atmosphere  seemed 
to  be  charged  with  foul  air  from  the  prison  ships,  and  with  the  effluvia  of  the  dead  bodies 
washed  out  of  their  graves  by  the  tides.  We  have  ourselves  examined  many  ot  the  skulU 
lying  on  the  shore  ;  from  the  teeth,  they  appear  to  be  the  remains  of  men  in  the  prime  of 
'Itfe.  A  singularly  daring  and  successful  escape  was  efiected  from  the  Jersey  about  4  o  clock 
oaBafteraoOii,  in  December,  1780.    The  best  boat  of  the  ship  had  returned  from  New 


LUi 


KINGS    COUNTY. 


223 


ing  been  the 
nd  American 
ay.  The  fol- 
the  editor  of 
niah  Johnson, 
iblic  offices  in 


ioned  at  the  Wal. 
:e.  From  printed 
.t  eleven  thousand 
Llthough  the  num. 
Tinnissary  of  naval 

an  official  return, 
as  never  appeared 
1  resided  in  Phila. 
int  published  here 
mber  perished  in 
ison  ship  anchored 
3  20th  of  October, 
ers  on  board  this 
ad  provisions,  bad 

attended  the  sick. 
;  starved,  on  board 
and  Mr.  Remsen's 
ire  the  1st  of  May, 
!  month  of  May  of 
isoners  were  trans- 
r,  from  the  causes 
d  were  exchanged, 
October,  1777,  one 
said,  were  burnt  in 
e  time  that  the  pri- 
ieath,  even  by  fire, 
of  February,  1778, 

removed  from  her 
'78,  the  Old  Jersey 
were  transferred  to 

Falmouth,  anchor- 
lese  ships  remained 

Jersey  was  the  re- 
illy  thought  that  all 
have  died  on  board 
iced  on  the  sick-list 
kijn,  sewed  up  in  a 

ported  that  the  sick 
was  no  uncommon 
ling ;  when  a  small 
,    nd  a  man  with  a 

Many  were  buried 
inie's  Point  to  Mr. 
f  the  hill  near  the 
pelje's  farm  and  the 
were  buried  on  the 
from  1776  until  the 
atmosphere  seemed 
I  of  the  dead  bodies 

many  of  the  tkullt 
len  in  the  prime  of 
rsey  about  4  o'clock 
returned  from  New 


York,  was  left  fastened  at  the  gangway,  with  the  oars  on  board.  It  was  stormy ;  the  wmd 
blew  from  the  northeast,  and  the  tide  ran  flood.  A  watchword  was  given,  and  a  num- 
ber of  prisoners  placed  themselves  between  the  ship's  waist  and  the  sentinel;  at  this  junc- 
ture four  eastern  captains  got  on  board  the  boat,  which  was  cast  off  by  their  friends.  The 
boat  passed  close  under  the  bows  of  the  ship,  and  was  a  considerable  distance  from  her 
before  the  sentinel  on  the  forecastle  gave  the  alarm,  and  fired  at  her.  The  boat  passed 
Hell.Gate,  and  arrived  safe  in  Connecticut  next  morning." 

P  *The  following  additional  account  of  the  sufferings  of  these  unfortu- 

nate men  was  obtained  from  the  prisoners,  and  published  in  the 
Connecticut  Journal  of  Jan.  30,  1777.     It  is  painfully  minute  in  its 

details.  c    n    \.  ■    i. 

"  As  soon  as  they  were  taken  they  were  robbed  of  all  theif  bag- 
gage, of  whatever  money  they  had,  though  it  were  of  paper  and 
could  be  of  no  advantage  to  the  enemy,  of  their  silver  shoe-buckles, 
knee-buckles,  &c.,  and  many  were  stripped  almost  naked  of  their 
clothes.  Especially  those  who  had  good  clothes,  were  stripped  at 
once,  being  told  that  such  clothes  were  too  good  for  rebels.  Thus  de- 
prived of  their  clothes  and  baggage,  they  were  unable  to  shift  even 
their  linen,  and  were  obliged  to  wear  the  same  shirts  for  even  three 
or  four  months  together,  whereby  they  became  extremely  nasty  and 
lousy ;  and  this  of  itself  has  been  sufficient  to  bring  on  them  many 
mortal  diseases. 

"  After  they  were  taken,  they  were  in  the  first  place  put  on  board 
the  ships  and  thrust  down  into  the  hold  where  not  a  breath  of  fresh 
air  could  be  obtained,  and  they  were  nearly  suffocated  for  want  of 
air.  Particularly  some  who  were  taken  at  Fort  Washington,  were 
first  in  this  manner  thrust  down  into  the  holds  of  vessels  in  such  num- 
bers that  even  in  the  cold  season  of  November,  they  could  scarcely 
bear  any  clothes  on  them,  being  kept  in  a  constant  sweat.  Yet  these 
same  persons,  after  lying  in  this  situation  awhile,  till  the  pores  of  their 
bodies  were  as  perfectly  opened  as  possible,  were  of  a  sudden  taken 
out  and  put  into  some  of  the  churches  in  New  York,  without  cover- 
ing or  a  spark  of  fire,  where  they  suffered  as  much  by  the  cold  as 
they  did  by  the  sweating  stagnation  of  the  air  in  the  other  situation ; 
and  the  consequence  was,  that  they  took  such  colds  as  brought  on  the 
most  fatal  diseases,  and  swept  them  off  almost  beyond  conception. 

**  Besides  these  things,  they  suffered  extremely  for  want  of  provis- 
ions. The  commissary  pretended  to  allow  half  a  pound  of  bread 
and  four  ounces  of  pork  per  day ;  but  of  this  pittance  they  were 
much  cut  short.  What  was  given  them  for  three  days  was  not 
enough  for  one  day ;  and  in  some  instances,  they  went  for  three  days 
without  a  single  mouthful  of  food  of  any  sort.  They  were  pinched 
to  that  degree  that  some  on  board  the  ships  would  pick  up  and  eat 
the  salt,  which  happened  to  be  scattered  there ;  others  gathered  up 
the  bran  which  the  lighthorse  wasted,  and  ate  that,  mixed  with  dirt 
and  filth  as  it  was.  Nor  was  this  all,  both  the  bread  and  pork  which 
they  did  allow  them  was  extremely  bad.  For  the  bread,  some  of  it, 
was  made  out  of  the  bran  which  they  brought  over  to  feed  their 
lighthorse,  and  the  rest  of  it  was  so  muddy  and  the  pork  so  damni- 
fied, being  so  soaked  in  bilge  water  in  the  transportation  from  Europe, 


1/ 


lit" 


S24 


KINGS   COUNTY. 


that  they  were  not  fit  to  be  eaten  by  human  creatures ;  and  when 
they  were  eaten,  were  very  unwholesome.  Such  bread  and  pork  as 
they  would  not  pretend  to  give  to  their  own  countrymen,  they  gave 
to  our  poor,  sick,  dying  prisoners. 

"  Nor  were  they  in  this  doleful  situation  allowed  a  sufficiency  of 
water.  One  would  have  thought  that  water  was  so  cheap  and  plen- 
tiful an  element,  that  they  would  not  have  grudged  them  that.  But 
there  are  it  seems  no  bounds  to  their  cruelty.  The  water  allowed 
them,  was  so  brackish  and  withal  nasty,  that  they  could  not  drmk  it, 
till  reduced  to  extremity.  Nor  did  they  let  them  have  a  sufficiency 
evenljf  such  water  as  this.  ^      , 

"  "When  winter  came  on,  our  poor  people  suffered  extremely  lor 
want  of  fire  and  clothes  to  keep  them  warm.  They  were  confined 
in  churches  where  there  were  no  fireplaces,  that  they  could  make 
fires  even  if  they  had  wood.  But  wood  was  only  allowed  them  for 
cooking  their  pittance  of  victuals ;  and  for  that  purpose  very  spar- 
incrly.  They  had  none  to  keep  them  warm  even  in  the  extremest  of 
weather,  although  they  were  almost  naked,  and  the  few  clothes  that 
were  left  them  were  their  summer  clothes.  Nor  had  they  a  single 
blanket  or  any  bedding,  not  even  straw  allowed  them  till  a  little  be- 
fore Christmas. 

"  At  the  time  that  those  were  taken  on  Long  Island,  a  considerable 
part  of  them  were  sick  of  the  dysentery,  and,  with  this  distemper  on 
them,  were  first  crowded  on  board  of  ships,  afterward  in  the  church- 
es in  New  York,  three,  four,  or  five  hundred  together,  without  any 
blankets,  or  any  thing  for  even  the  sick  to  lie  upon,  but  the  bare  floors 
or  pavements.     In  this  situation  that  contagious  distemper  soon  com- 
municated from  the  sick  to  the  well,  and  who  would  probably  have 
remained  so,  had  they  not  in  this  manner  been  thrust  in  together 
without  regard  to  sick  or  well,  or  to  the  sultry,  unwholesome  season, 
it  being  then  the  heat  of  summer.     Of  this  distemper  numbers  died 
daily,  and  many  others,  by  their  confinement  and  the  sultry  season, 
contracted  fevers  and  died  of  them.    During  their  sickness,  with  these 
and  other  diseases,  they  had  no  medicines,  nothing  soothing  or  com- 
fortable for  sick  people,  and  were  not  so  much  as  visited  by  the  phy- 
sician by  the  month  together.  . 

"Nor  ought  we  to  omit  the  insults  which  the  humane  Britons 
ofltered  to  our  people,  nor  the  artifices  which  they  used  to  enlist  them 
in  their  service  and  fight  against  their  country.  It  seems  that  one 
end  of  their  starving  our  people  was  to  bring  them,  by  dint  of  necessi- 
ty, to  turn  rebels  to  their  own  country,  their  own  consciences,  and 
their  God.  For  while  thus  famishing,  they  would  come  and  say  to 
them,  '  This  is  the  just  punishment  of  your  rebellion.     Nay,  you  are 

♦  treated  too  well  for  rebels ;  you  have  not  yet  received  half  you  de- 

♦  serve  or  half  you  shall  receive.     But  if  you  will  enlist  into  His 

♦  Majesty's  service,  you  shall  have  victuals  and  clothes  enough.' 

"  As  to  insults,  the  British  officers,  besides  continually  cursing  and 
swearing  at  them  as  rebels,  often  threatened  to  hang  them  all ;  and 


at  ap 


.^t-'Xil' 


tXl  tl\*tlltll       VI 


\\xx\e  ordered  a  number  each  man  to  c-hoose  his  halter 


KINGS    COUNTY. 


225 


s;  and  when 
d  and  pork  as 
en,  they  gave 

sufficiency  of 
leap  and  plen- 
!m  that.  But 
/ater  allowed 
i  not  drink  it, 
3  a  sufficiency 

extremely  for 
were  confined 
y  could  make 
)wed  them  for 
ose  very  spar- 
3  extremest  of 
w  clothes  that 
.  they  a  single 

till  a  little  be- 

a  considerable 
s  distemper  on 

in  the  church- 
r,  without  any 
the  bare  floors 
iper  soon  corn- 
probably  have 
1st  in  together 
ilesome  season, 

numbers  died 
I  sultry  season, 
less,  with  these 


>thing  or 


corn- 


ed by  the  phy- 

umane  Britons 
I  to  enlist  them 
leems  that  one 
dint  of  necessi- 
Dnsciences,  and 
ome  and  say  to 
Nay,  you  are 
3d  half  you  de- 
enlist  into  His 
3  enough.'  • 
illy  cursing  and 
r  them  all ;  and 
boose  his  halter 


out  of  a  parcel  offered,  wherewith  to  be  hanged ;  and  even  went  so 
far  as  to  cause  a  gallows  to  be  erected  before  the  prison,  as  if  they 
were  immediately  to  be  executed.  They  further  threatened  to  send 
them  all  into  the  East  Indies,  and  sell  them  there  for  slaves.  In  these, 
and  numberless  other  ways,  did  the  British  officers  seem  to  rack  their 
inventions,  to  insult,  terrify,  and  vex  the  poor  prisoners.  The  mean- 
est upstart  officers  among  them  would  insult  and  abuse  our  colonels 
and  chief  officers. 

"  In  this  situation,  without  clothes,  without  victuals  or  drink,  and 
even  water,  or  with  those  which  were  base  and  unwholesome,  with- 
out fire,  a  number  of  them  sick,  first  with  a  contagious  and  nauseous 
distemper ;  these  with  others  crowded  by  hundreds  into  close  con- 
finement, at  the  most  unwholesome  season  of  the  year,  and  continued 
there  for  four  months  without  blankets,  bedding  or  straw ;  without 
linen  to  shift  or  clothes  to  cover  their  bodies  ; — no  wonder  they  all 
became  sickly,  and  having  at  the  same  time  no  medicine,  no  help  of 
physicians,  nothing  to  refresh  or  support  nature,  died  by  scores  in  a 
night ;  and  those  who  were  so  far  gone  as  to  be  unable  to  help  them- 
selves, the  workings  of  their  distemper  passing  through  them  as  they 
lay,  could  not  be  cleansed  for  want  of  change  of  clothes.  So  that 
many  lay  for  six,  seven,  or  eight  days,  in  all  the  filth  of  nature  and  of 
dysentery,  till  Death,  more  kind  than  Britons,  put  an  end  to  their 
misery. 

"  By  these  means  and  in  this  way,  above  1,500  brave  Americans, 
who  had  nobly  gone  forth  in  defence  of  their  injured,  oppressed  coun- 
try, but  whom  the  chance  of  war  had  cast  into  the  hands  of  our  ene- 
mies, died  in  New  York ;  many  of  whom  were  very  amiable,  prom- 
ising youths  of  good  families,  the  very  flower  of  our  land.  And  of 
those  who  lived  to  come  out  of  prison,  the  greater  part,  as  far  as  I 
can  learn,  are  dead  and  dying.  Their  constitutions  are  broken,  the 
stamina  of  nature  worn  out,  they  cannot  recover,  they  die.  Even 
the  few  that  might  have  survived,  are  dying  of  the  small-pox.  For 
it  seems  that  our  enemies  determined  that  even  these,  whom  a  good 
constitution  and  a  kind  Providence  had  carried  through  unexampled 
sufferings,  should  not  at  last  escape  death,  just  before  their  release 
from  imprisonment  infected  them  with  that  fatal  distemper. 

"  To  these  circumstances,  I  shall  subjoin  the  manner  in  which  they 
buried  those  of  our  people  who  died.  They  dragged  them  out  of 
their  prisons  by  one  leg  or  one  arm,  piled  them  up  without  doors, 
there  let  them  lie  till  a  sufficient  number  were  dead  to  make  a  carl 
load ;  then  loaded  them  up  in  a  cart,  drove  the  cart  thus  loaded  out 
to  the  ditches  made  by  our  people,  when  fortifying  New  York ;  there 
they  would  tip  the  cart,  tumble  the  corpses  together  into  the  ditch ; 
and  afterward  slightly  cover  them  with  earth. 

" While  our  poor  prisoners  have  been  thus  treated  by 

our  foes,  the  prisoners  we  have  taken  have  enjoyed  the  liberty  of 
walking  and  riding  about  within  large  limits,  at  their  pleasure  ;  have 
been  fully  supplied  with  every  necessary,  and  have  even  lived  on  the 
fat  of  the  land ;  so  none  have  been  so  well  fed,  so  healthy,  so  plump, 

29 


ii 


226 


KINGS   COUNTY. 


'««. 


and  so  merry  as  they.  And  this  generous  treatment  it  is  said  they 
could  not  but  remember.  For  when  they  were  returned,  m  the  ex- 
change of  prisoners,  and  saw  the  miserable,  famished,  dying  state  of 
our  prisoners,  conscious  of  the  treatment  they  had  received,  they 
could  not  refrain  from  tears." 

In  1808,  a  tomb  was  erected  to  the  memory  of  these  martyrs  to 
liberty,  on  the  corner  of  Jackson-street,  nearly  opposite  the  end  of 
Front-street,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  navy-yard.  Thirteen  coffins  were 
filled  with  their  bleached  bones,  and  interred  in  it  with  great  venera- 
tion and  respect.  There  was  a  grand  civic  and  military  procession 
on  the  occasion,  at  which  fifteen  thousand  persons  are  said  to  have 
been  present.  "The  tomb  is  a  small  square  frame  building,  sur- 
mounted by  an  eagle  on  the  point  of  the  roof;  the  interior  is  an  ante- 
chamber to  the  vault  beneath,  in  which  the  coffins  are  deposited ; 
there  is  a  row  of  posts  and  rails  in  front  of  the  tomb,  on  which  the 
names  of  the  13  original  states  of  the  Union  are  inscribed ;  the  area 
around  the  tomb  is  enclosed  by  a  rail  fence,  over  the  entrance  of 
which  is  the  following  inscription:  'Portal  to  the  Tomb  of  11,500 
Patriot  Prisoners,  who  died  in  dungeons  and  prison  ships,  in  and 
about  the  city  of  New  York  during  the  revolution.' " 

The  following  account  of  the  blowing  up  of  the  steamfrigate  Ful- 
ton at  the  navy-yard  in  this  place,  June  4th,  1829,  was  written  on 
the  morning  after  the  explosion : 

"  The  Fulton  has  ever  since  the  war  been  occupied  as  a  receiving  ship,  and  was  moored 
within  two  hundred  yards  of  the  shore.  The  magazine  was  in  the  bow  of  the  ship,  and 
contained  at  the  time  of  the  explosion  but  three  barrels  of  damaged  powder.  Ihe  explo. 
sion  was  not  louder  than  that  produced  by  the  discharge  of  a  single  cannon ;  and  many 
persons  in  the  navy.yard  supposed  the  report  to  have  proceeded  from  such  a  source,  until 
they  saw  the  immense  column  of  smoke  arising  from  the  vessel.  Others  about  the  yard 
saw  the  masts  rising  into  the  air  before  the  explosion,  and  immediately  after,  the  air  was 
filled  with  fragments  of  the  vessel.  It  is  not  a  little  remarkable,  that  a  midshipman  who 
was,  at  the  time  of  the  accident,  asleep  on  board  of  the  frigate  United  States,  within  two 
hundred  yards  of  the  Fulton,  was  not  at  all  disturbed  by  the  report  of  the  explosion,  and 
was  not  aware  of  the  occurrence,  until  he  was  told  of  it  after  he  awoke. 

"  The  Fulton  is  a  complete  wreck  ;  the  bow  being  destroyed  nearly  to  the  water,  and  the 
whole  of  this  immense  vessel,  whose  sides  were  more  than  four  feet  thick,  and  all  other 
parts  of  corresponding  strength-is  now  lying  an  entire  heap  of  ruins,  burst  asunder  m  all 
parts,  and  aground  at  the  spot  when  she  was  moored.  Although  she  was  but  200  yards 
from  the  navy.yard,  and  many  vessels  near  her,  not  one  of  them  received  the  least  dam. 
age  ;  nor  was  the  bridge  which  led  from  the  shore  to  the  tulton  at  all  injured.  The  sen. 
tinel  upon  the  bridge  received  no  wound  whatever,  and  continued  to  perform  his  duty  alter 
the  accident,  as  unconcerned  as  though  nothing  had  happened.  The  sentinel  on  board  the 
ship  was  less  fortunate,  and  escaped  with  merely  (a  light  accident  on  such  occasions)  a 
broker  leg.  There  were  attached  to  the  Fulton,  by  the  roll  of  the  ship,  143  persons;  and, 
at  the  time  of  the  explosion,  there  were  supposed  to  have  been  on  board  the  vessel  about 

sixty  persons.  .    /•  •     ,  j    a  j 

"  It  happened  fortunately  that  sixty-two  men,  formerly  attached  to  the  frigate,  were  draltcd 
on  Tuesday,  and  had  proceeded  to  Norfolk  to  form  part  of  the  crew  of  the  fngate  tonstel- 
lation,  then  on  the  eve  of  departure  for  a  foreign  station.  The  band,  17  in  number,  were 
on  shore.  This  dreadful  accident  waa  occasioned  by  tlie  gunner's  gomg  into  the_megaiine 
to  procure  powder  to  fire  the  evening  gun.  He  was  charged  by  one  ol  the  officers  pre- 
viously  to  his  going  below,  to  be  careful ;  and  soon  after,  the  exploeion  took  place.  We  un. 
derstand  th.it  he  was  a  man  between  fifty  and  sixty  yeara  of  age,  and  had  just  been  a|>. 
pointed  to  that  office  ;  the  old  gunner  having  been  discharged  the  day  before.     He  was  de- 

tion  invariably  provided  for  it,  on  such  occasion*,  vii.  behind  a  roJIectmg  glass  tn  the  parti- 


mi'. 


f 


KINGS    COUNTY. 


227 


it  is  said  they 
ed,  in  the  ex- 
lying  state  of 
eceived,  they 

se  martyrs  to 
■e  the  end  of 
n  coffins  were 
great  venera- 
iry  procession 

said  to  have 
building,  sur- 
*ior  is  an  ante- 
are  deposited ; 

on  which  the 
bed ;  the  area 
e  entrance  of 
vnb  of  11,500 

ships,  in  and 

m-frigate  Ful- 
vas  written  on 


p,  and  was  moored 
)w  of  the  ship,  and 
iwder.  The  explo- 
cannon ;  and  many 
Buch  a  source,  until 
hers  about  the  yard 
ly  after,  the  air  was 
a  midshipman  who 
I  Slates,  within  two 
'  the  explosion,  and 
). 

0  the  water,  and  the 
thick,  and  all  other 
burst  asunder  in  all 
3  was  hut  200  yards 
Mved  the  least  dam. 

injured.  The  sen. 
irform  his  duty  after 
oniinel  on  board  the 
n  such  occasions)  a 
),  143  persons;  and, 
urd  the  vessel  about 

frigate,  were  drafted 

the  frigate  ConsteU 

17  in  number,  wer« 

g  into  the  magazine 

1  of  the  officers  pre- 
ook  place.  We  un- 
id  had  just  been  ap>< 
before.    He  was  de- 

nl«co  it  '\\\  'he  loca> 
ng  glass  in  the  parl>' 


f 


lion,  through  which  the  rays  of  light  are  thrown.  It  is  supposed  he  had  been  careless  in 
this  particular,  and  that  having  carried  the  candle  into  the  magazine,  some  of  its  sparks 
were  communicated  to  the  powder:  but  as  he  is  among  the  dead,  nothing  certain  on  this 
point  can  ever  be  known.  Lieutenant  Mull  states,  that  the  necessary  precautions  had  been 
taken  for  opening  the  magazine,  and  a  sentinel  placed  at  the  hatch  before  he  left  the  deck, 
and  that  after  being  in  the  ward  room  some  twenty  minutes  the  explosion  took  place. 

"  At  the  time  of  the  explosion,  the  officers  were  dining  in  the  ward  room.  The  lady  of 
Lieutenant  Breckenridge,  and  the  son  of  Lieutenant  Piatt,  a  lad  about  nine  years  old,  were 
guests,  and  one  account  says  both  were  slightly  wounded.  Another  account  says,  Lieuten- 
ant Mull,  who  was  sitting  next  to  the  son  of  Lieutenant  Piatt,  with  great  presence  of  mind, 
caught  hold  of  him  and  placed  him  in  one  of  the  port.holes,  by  which  means  he  escaped 
uniiyured.  Lieutenant  Piatt  had  returned  only  yesterday  morning,  having  been  absent  one 
month  on  leave.  Commodore  Chauncey,  with  the  commander  of  the  frigate.  Captain  ^ew. 
ton,  left  her  only  a  few  minutes  before  the  explosion— the  former  having  been  on  board  on 
a  visit  of  inspection. 

"  The  escape  of  Midshipman  Eckford  seems  to  have  been  almost  miraculous.  When 
Commodore  Chauncey  (who  was  one  of  the  first  to  reach  the  vessel)  got  on  board,  the  first 
object  he  saw  was  young  Eckford  hanging  by  one  of  his  legs  between  the  gun-deck,  whither 
he  had  been  forced  by  the  explosion.  A  jack-screw  was  immediately  procured,  by  means 
of  which  the  deck  was  raised  and  he  t/as  extricated  from  his  perilous  situation. 

"  The  room  in  which  the  officers  were  dining  wp?  situated  about  midships.  The  whole 
company  at  the  table  were  forced,  by  the  concussion,  against  the  transom  with  such  violence 
as  to  break  their  limbs,  and  otherwise  cut  and  bruise  them  in  a  shocking  manner. 

"  The  magazine  was  situated  in  the  bows  of  the  vessel.  This  part  of  the  ship,  as  may 
well  be  imagined,  is  completely  demolished.  Indeed  the  ship  remains  as  complete  a  wreck 
as  probably  was  ever  beheld.  The  timbers  throughout  appear  to  have  been  perfectly  rotten. 
Many  of  the  guns  were  thrown  overboard,  and  some  of  them  (of  large  dimensions)  hung 
as  it  were  by  a  hair. 

"  The  bodies  of  the  dead  and  wounded  were  brought  on  shore  as  soon  as  circumstances 
would  permit.  The  former,  after  being  recognised,  were  put  into  coffins.  The  latter  were 
carried  to  the  hospital  of  the  navy-yard  and  every  attention  paid  to  them.  The  bodies  of 
the  dead  were  shockingly  mangled  ;  their  features  distorted,  and  so  much  blackened,  that 
it  was  difficult  to  recognise  them. 

"  Commodore  Chauncey  and  the  officers  of  the  station  were  on  board  the  wreck,  after 
the  explosion,  giving  directions  to  remove  the  scattered  timber,  in  order  that  a  search  might 
take  place  for  such  bodies  as  might  be  buried  in  the  ruins.  The  tide  being  at  the  ebb,  im- 
mense quantities  of  the  fragments  of  the  ship  floated  down  in  front  of  tlie  city,  and  hun- 
dreds of  small  boats  were  seen  busily  engaged  in  securing  them. 

"  What  is  a  very  remarkable  circumstance,  although  several  of  the  persons  at  dinner  in 
the  ward  room  escaped  with  their  lives,  and  some  of  them  uninjured,  not  a  vestige  of  the 
table,  chairs,  or  any  of  the  furniture  in  the  room  remains.   Ev^ry  thing  was  blown  to  atoms. 

"  The  Fulton  was  built  with  two  keels,  or  re  liier  was  in  fact  two 
boats,  joined  together  by  the  upper  works.  The  sides  were  of  im- 
mense thickness,  and  the  whole  frame  was,  when  built,  probably  the 
strongest  of  the  kind  ever  constructed.  But  the  timbers  had  now  be- 
come very  rotten,  and  the  whole  hulk  was,  as  it  were,  kept  together 
by  its  own  weight.  It  is  supposed  that  the  rotten  state  ot  the  vessel, 
making  her  timoers  give  way  easily,  rendered  the  destruction  greater 
than  if  she  had  been  new  and  sound. 

"  Midshipman  Eckford  was  standing  in  the  starboard  gangway,  and 
was  strangely  tumbled  to  the  inside,  mstead  of  being  blown  out  upon 
the  platform.  He  was  then  caught  under  one  of  the  beams,  where 
he  hung  fast  by  one  leg. 

**  While  he  hung  in  this  painful  condition,  not  a  groan,  nor  a  com- 
plaint, nor  a  word  of  supplication  escaped  him.  His  check  was  un- 
blanched,  and  his  features  composed,  while  he  held  on  to  the  beam 
with  his  arms  to  keep  his  head  up. 

"  Attempts  were  made  to  raise  the  beam,  but  there  was  such  a  mass 
of  materials  above,  that  no  muscular  force  could  move  it.    in  this 


\i  ;,| 


ft. 

If  _ 


•i 


i 


i 

i 


238 


KINGS    COUNTY. 


emergency,  Commodore  Chauncey,  witn  great  promptness,  ordered 
the  jack-screw  to  be  brought  from  the  shore.  This  took  time,  and  it 
was  not  then  the  work  of  a  moment  to  apply  it,  and  bring  it  into  ac- 
tion. An  hour  went  by,  ere  the  youth  was  extricated  ;  and  yet  not  a 
single  murmur  of  iaipaticnce  was  heard  from  his  lips.  His  only 
words  were  in  direction  or  encouragement  to  those  who  were  aiding 
him — exclaiming  from  time  to  time,  '  Hurra  my  hearties  /'  '  There  it 
moves !'  His  only  reproof  was  to  the  sailor,  who,  when  the  beam 
was  raised,  attempted,  rather  rudely,  to  withdraw  the  fractured  limb. 
The  sailor  supported  him  whilst  he  performed  the  office  himself. 

"  The  whole  number  of  killed  was  thirty-three,  including  Lieuten- 
ant Breckenridge  and  the  three  women.  Twenty-nine  were  reported 
as  wounded,  but  there  were  many  more  who  were  slightly  injured. 
Nearly  every  person  on  board  received  at  least  a  scratch. 

"  The  greatest  part  of  the  mischief  was  done  by  the  force  of  the 
fragments  and  splinters.  These  were  driven  into  every  part  of  the 
ship.  Captain  Newton,  who  commanded  the  ship,  employed  all  the 
force  he  could  spare,  to  clear  the  wreck,  and  find  the  bodies  of  the 
unfortunate  sufferers.  Twenty-four  were  taken  out  of  the  ruins  at 
the  time,  but  some  of  the  others  were  not  found  till  a  considerable 
time  after.  One  was  found  horribly  mutilated,  and  drifted  ashore  on 
Staten  Island.  Another  got  fastened  to  a  beam,  and  was  picked  up. 
Two  were  picked  out  of  the  water  near  the  wreck." 

Brooklyn  is  distinguished  as  being  the  scene  of  important  military 
operations,  and  was  for  a  long  time  in  possession  of  the  enemy  during 
the  revolutionary  war.  The  most  sanguinary  part  of  the  battle  of 
Long  Island,  August  27th,  1776,  took  place  in  this  town.  The  fol- 
lowing account  is  from  Thompson's  History  of  Long  Island. 

"After  the  commencement  of  hostilities  in  1776,  New  York  being 
situated  near  the  centre  of  the  colonial  sea-board,  and  readily  acces- 
sible from  the  sea,  was  selected  by  the  enemy  as  a  principal  point  for 
their  future  operations.  With  this  view,  a  first  division  of  their  army 
arrived  at  Staten  Island  in  the  latter  part  of  June  of  that  year,  fol- 
lowed, about  the  middle  of  July,  by  the  grand  armament  under  Lord 
Howe,  consisting  of  six  ships  of  the  line,  thirty  frigates,  with  smaller 
armed  vessels,  and  a  great  number  of  transports,  victuallers,  and 
ships  with  ordinance. 

"The  Americans  anticipating  the  invasion  of  Long  Island,  had 
fortified  Brooklyn  before  the  arrival  of  the  British  at  Staten  Island. 
A  line  of  intrcnchment  was  formed  from  a  ditch  near  the  late  Toll- 
House  of  the  Bridge  Company  at  the  navy-yard  to  Fort  Green,  then 
called  Fort  Putnam,  and  from  thence  to  Freek's  mill-pond.  A  strong 
work  was  erected  on  the  lands  of  Johannis  Debcvoice  and  of  Van 
Brunt ;  a  redoubt  was  thrown  up  on  Ba;mus'  Hill  opposite  Brown's 
mill,  and  another  on  the  land  ol  John  Johnson,  west  of  Fort  Green. 
Ponkiesburg,  now  Fort  Swift,  was  fortified,  and  a  fort  built  on  the 
land  of  Mr.  Hicks  on  Brooklyn  heights.  Such  were  the  defences  of 
Brooklyn  in  1776,  while  a  chevaux  de  [rise  was  sunk  in  the  main 


i 


i  M 


KINGS    COUNTY. 


229 


ess,  ordered 
time,  and  it 
ig  it  into  ac- 
ind  yet  not  a 
I.  His  only 
were  aiding 
/'  '  There  it 
en  the  beam 
ictured  limb, 
himself, 
ing  Lieuten- 
'ere  reported 
htly  injured, 
h. 

force  of  the 
y  part  of  the 
loyed  all  the 
jodies  of  the 
'  the  ruins  at 
considerable 
ed  ashore  on 
is  picked  up. 

tant  military 
memy  during 
the  battle  of 
m.  The  fol- 
land. 

V  York  being 
eadily  acces- 
ipal  point  for 
of  their  army 
that  year,  fol- 
it  under  Lord 
with  smaller 
ituallers,  and 

v  Island,  had 
iJtatcn  Island, 
the  late  Toll- 
t  Green,  then 
id.  A  strong 
;e  and  of  Van 
osite  Brown's 
if  Fort  Green, 
t  built  on  the 
ic  defences  of 
in  the  main 


channel  of  the  river  be<ow  New  York.  The  troops  of  both  divisions 
of  the  British  army  were  landed  on  Staten  Island  after  their  arrival 
in  the  bay,  to  recruit  their  strength  and  prepare  for  the  coming  con- 
flict. It  was  not  till  the  middle  of  August,  that  a  first  landmg  on 
Long  Island  was  made  by  them  at  New  Utrecht.  Here  they  were 
joined  by  many  royalists  from  the  neighborhood,  who  probably  acted 
the  infamous  part  of  informers  and  guides  to  the  enemy.  General 
Sir  Henry  Clinton  arrived  about  the  same  time,  with  the  troops  re- 
conducted from  the  expedition  to  Charleston. 

"  Commodore  Hotham  already  appeared  there  with  the  reinforce- 
ments under  his  escort ;  so  that  in  a  short  time  the  hostile  army 
amounted  to  about  twenty-four  thousand  men, — English,  Hessians, 
and  Waldeckers.  Several  regiments  of  Hessian  infantry  were  ex- 
pected to  arrive  shortly,  when  the  army  would  be  swelled  to  the 
number  of  thirty-five  thousand  combatants,  of  the  best  troops  of  Eu- 
rope, all  abundantly  supplied  with  arms  and  ammunition,  and  mani- 
festing an  extreme  ardor  for  the  service  of  their  king.  The  plan 
was,  first  to  get  possession  of  New  York,  which  was  deemed  of  most 
essential  importance. 

"To  resist  this  impending  stonn,  Congress  had  ordoined  the  construction  of  rafts,  gun- 
boats,  galleys,  and  floating  batteries,  for  the  defence  of  the  port  of  New  York  and  the 
moutli  of  the  Hudson.  They  had  also  decreed  that  thirteen  thousand  of  the  provincial 
militia  should  join  the  urmy  of  Washington,  who,  being  seasonably  apprized  of  the  danger 
of  New  York,  hud  made  a  movement  into  that  quarter;  they  also  directed  the  organiza. 
lion  of  a  corps  of  ten  thousand  men,  destined  to  serve  as  a  reserve  in  the  province  of  the 
centre.  All  the  weakest  posts  had  been  carefully  intrenched,  and  furnished  with  artillery. 
A  strong  detachment  occupied  Long  Island,  to  prevent  the  English  from  landing  there,  or 
to  repulse  them  if  they  should  eflect  a  debarkation.  But  the  army  of  Congress  was  very 
far  from  having  all  the  necessary  means  to  support  the  burden  of  so  terrible  a  war.  It 
wanted  arms,  and  it  was  wasted  by  diseases.  The  reiterated  instances  of  the  commander, 
in-chief  had  drawn  into  his  camp  the  militia  of  the  neighboring  provinces,  and  some  regular 
regiments  from  Maryland,  from  Pennsylvania,  and  from  New  England,  which  had  swelled 
his  army  to  the  number  of  twenty-seven  thousand  men  ;  but  a  fourth  of  these  troops  were 
composed  of  invalids,  and  scarcely  was  another  fourth  furnished  with  arms. 

"  The  American  army,  such  as  it  was,  occupied  the  positions  most  suitable  to  cover  the 
menaced  points.  The  corps  which  had  been  stationed  on  Long  Island,  was  commanded 
by  Major-general  Greene,  who,  on  account  of  sickness,  was  afterward  succeeded  by  Gene, 
ral  Sullivan.  The  main  body  of  the  army  encamped  on  the  island  of  New  York,  which,  it 
appeared,  was  destined  to  receive  the  first  blows  of  the  English. 

"  Two  feeble  detachments  guarded  Governor's  Island  and  the  point  of  Paulus*  Hook. 
The  militia  of  the  province,  commanded  by  the  American  General  Clinton,  were  posted 
upon  the  banks  of  the  Sound,  where  they  occupied  the  two  Chrsiers,  East  and  West,  and 
New  Rochelle.  For  it  was  to  he  feared  that  the  enemy,  landing  in  force  upon  the  north 
shore  of  the  Sound,  might  penetrate  to  Kingsbridge,  and  thus  entirely  lock  up  all  the  Amer- 
ican  troops  on  the  island  of  New  York.  l,ord  Howe  made  some  overtures  of  peace  upon 
terms  of  submission  to  the  royal  clemency,  which,  resulting  in  nothing,  decided  the  British 
general  to  attack  Long  Island.  'Accordingly,'  says  Botta,  'on  the  twenty-second  of  Au. 
gust,  the  fleet  approached  the  Narrows;  nil  the  troops  found  an  easy  and  secure  landing, 
place  between  the  villages  of  Graveseiid  and  New  Utrecht,  where  they  debarked  without 
meeting  any  resistance  on  the  part  of  the  Americans.  A  great  part  of  the  American  army, 
under  the  command  of  General  Putnam,  encamped  at  Brooklyn  m  a  port  of  the  islond  which 
forms  a  sort  of  peninsula.  He  had  strongly  for'ified  the  entrance  of  it  with  moats  and  in. 
trenchments ;  his  left  wing  rested  upon  the  Wallahottt  bay,  and  his  right  was  covered  by  a 
marsh  contiguous  to  Gowanua'  Cove.  Behind  him  he  had  Governor's  Island,  and  the  arm 
of  the  sea  which  separates  Loug  Island  from  (he  Island  of  New  York,  and  which  gave  him 
a  direct  communication  with  the  city,  where  the  other  part  of  the  army  was  statiuned  under 
Washington  himself.  The  commander-in-chief,  perceiving  the  battle  was  approachiu^, 
ccntiiiu&u7  smiikiod  un  qi«u  U>  &tt«|>  Uxtit  nutka«  uuii  ■ummon  nu  uieir  cuura^e  :  ii«  ie» 


w 


t 


I  i'i! 


r  I 


230 


K[N(}3    COUNTY. 


minded  them  that  in  their  valor  rested  the  only  hope  that  remaihed  to  American  liberty  ;  that 
upon  their  resistance  depended  the  preservation  or  the  pillage  of  their  property  by  barhariuns ; 
that  they  were  about  to  combat  in  defence  of  their  parents,  their  wives,  and  their  children, 
from  the  outrages  of  a  licentious  soldiery  ;  that  the  eyes  of  America  were  fixed  upon  her 
champions,  and  expected  from  their  success  on  this  day  either  safety  or  total  destruction.' 

"  The  English  having  effected  their  landing,  marched  rapidly  for- 
ward. The  two  armies  were  separated  by  a  chain  of  hills,  covered 
with  woods,  called  the  heights,  and  which,  running  from  west  to  east, 
divide  the  island  into  two  parts.  They  are  only  practicable  upon 
three  points  :  one  of  which  is  near  the  Narrows ;  the  road  leading  to 
that  of  the  centre  passes  the  village  of  Flatbush ;  and  the  third  is  ap- 
proached, far  to  the  right,  by  the  route  of  another  village  called  Flat- 
lands.  Upon  the  summit  of  the  hills  is  found  a  road,  which  follows 
the  length  of  the  range,  and  leads  from  Bedford  to  Jamaica,  which  is 
intersected  by  the  two  roads  last  described :  these  ways  are  all  in- 
terrupted by  precipices,  and  by  excessively  difficult  and  narrow 
defiles. 

'•  The  American  general,  wishing  to  arrest  the  enemy  upon  these 
heights,  had  carefully  furnished  them  with  troops ;  so  that,  if  all  had 
done  their  duty,  the  English  would  not  have  been  able  to  force  the 
passages  without  extreme  difficulty  and  danger.     The  posts  were  so 
frequent  upon  the  road  from  Bedford  to  Jamaica,  that  it  was  easy  to 
transmit,  from  one  of  these  points  to  the  other,  the  most  prompt  in- 
telligence of  what  passed  upon  the  three  routes.     Colonel  Miles,  with 
his  battalion,  was  to  guard  the  road  of  Flatland,  and  to  scour  it  con- 
tinually with  his  scouts,  as  well  as  that  of  Jamaica,  in  order  to  recon- 
noitre the  movements  of  the  enemy.     Meanwhile  the  British  army 
pressed  forward,  its  left  v/ing  being  to  the  north  and  its  right  to  the 
south ;  the  village  of  Flatbush  was  found  in  its  centre.     The  Hes- 
sians, commanded  by  General  Heister,  formed  the  main  body ;  the 
English,  under  Major-general  Grant,  the  left ;  and  the  other  corps,  con- 
ducted by  General  Clinton,  and  the  two  lords,  Percy  and  Cornwallis, 
composed  the  right.     In  this  wing  the  British  generals  had  placed 
their  principal  hope  of  success  ;  they  directed  it  upon  Flatland.    Their 
plan  was,  that  while  the  corps  of  General  Grant,  and  the  Hessians 
of  General  Heister,  should  disquiet  the  enemy  ypon  the  two  first  de- 
files, the  left  wing,  taking  a  circuit,  should  march  through  Flatland, 
and  endeavor  to  seize  the  point  of  intersection  of  this  road  with  that 
of  Jamaica ;  and  then  rapidly  descending  into  the  plain  which  extends 
at  the  foot  of  the  heights  upon  the  other  side,  should  fall  upon  the 
Americans  in  Hank  and  rear.     The  English  hoped,  that  as  this  post 
was  the  most  distant  from  the  centre  of  the  army,  the  advanced 
guards  would  be  found  more  feeble  there,  and  perhaps  more  negli- 
gent: finally,  they  calculated  that,  in  all  events,  the  Americans  would 
not  be  able  to  defend  it  against  a  force  so  superior.     This  right  wing 
of  the  English  was  the  most  numerous,  and  entirely  composed  of  se- 
lect troops. 

"  The  evening  of  the  twcnty.iixth  of  August,  General  Clinton  commanded  the  vanguard, 
vhich  consisted  in  light  infantry  ;  Lord  Percy  the  centre,  where  were  found  the  Krenadier*. 
th«  utillory,  and  lb*  caivaliy ;  uid  Oornwallia,  th«  Mw-g^**"^*  iul>owe<l  by  tiw  t>a^|gig« 


• 


KINGS    COUNTY. 


231 


1  liberty ;  that 
ly  barbariuns ; 
;lieir  children, 
:ed  upon  her 
destruction.' 

apidly  for- 
;s,  covered 
est  to  east, 
■able  upon 
leading  to 
ihird  is  ap- 
alled  Flat- 
ich  follows 
•1,  which  is 
are  all  in- 
id  narrow 

upon  these 
;,  if  all  had 

0  force  the 
sts  were  so 
/as  easy  to 

Sompt  in- 
iles,  with 
iour  it  con- 
ir  to  recon- 
ritish  army 
right  to  the 
The  Hes- 
body ;  the 
corps,  con- 
Cornwallis, 
had  placed 
ind.  Their 
,e  Hessians 
wo  first  de- 
h  Flatland, 
d  with  that 
lich  extends 
tU  upon  the 
as  this  post 
3  advanced 
more  negli- 
cans  would 

1  right  wing 
posed  of  86- 

i  the  vanguard, 
the  (frenaciier*, 
y  tiw  t>aM*f* 


1 


some  regiments  of  infantry  and  of  heavy  artillery ;  all  this  part  of  the  English  army  put 
itself  in  motion  with  admirable  order  and  silence,  and  leaving  Flatland,  traversed  the  coun. 
try  called  New  Lots.  Colonel  Miles,  who  this,  night  performed  his  service  with  little  ex- 
actness,  did  not  perceive  the  approach  of  the  enemy ;  so  that  two  hours  before  day  the 
English  were  already  arrived  within  a  half  mile  of  the  road  to  Jamaica,  upon  the  heights. 
Then  General  Clinton  halted,  and  prepared  himself  for  the  attack.  He  had  met  one  of  the 
enemy's  patrols,  and  made  him  prisoner.  General  Sullivan,  who  commanded  all  the  troops 
in  advance  of  the  camp  of  Brooklyn,  had  no  advice  of  what  passed  in  this  quarter.  He 
neglected  to  send  out  fresh  scouts ;  perhaps  he  supposed  the  English  would  direct  their 
principal  efforts  against  his  right  wing,  as  being  nearest  to  them. 

"  General  Clinton,  learning  from  his  prisoners  that  the  road  to  Jamaica  was  not  guarded, 
hastened  to  avail  himself  of  the  circumstance,  and  occupied  it  by  a  rapid  movement. 
Without  loss  of  time  he  immediately  bore  to  his  left  towards  Bedford,  and  seized  an  im- 
portant defile,  which  the  American  generals  had  left  unguarded.  From  this  moment  the 
success  of  the  day  was  decided  in  favor  of  the  English.  Lord  Percy  came  up  with  his 
corps ;  and  the  entire  column  descended  by  the  village  of  Bedford  from  the  heights  into 
the  plain  which  lay  between  the  hills  and  the  camp  of  the  Americans.  During  this  time 
General  Grant,  in  order  to  amuse  the  enemy,  and  divert  his  attention  from  the  events 
which  took  place  upon  the  route  of  Flatland,  endeavored  to  disquiet  him  upon  his  right : 
accordingly,  as  if  he  intended  to  force  the  defile  which  led  to  it,  he  had  put  himself  in  mo- 
tion  about  midnight,  and  had  attacked  the  militia  of  New  York  and  of  Pennsylvania,  who 
guarded  it.  They  at  first  gave  ground;  but  General  Parsons  being  arrived,  and  having 
occupied  an  eminence,  he  renewed  the  combat,  and  maintained  his  position  till  Brigadier, 
general  Lord  Stirling  came  to  his  assistance  with  fifteen  hundred  men.  The  action  be- 
came extremely  animated,  and  fortune  favored  neither  the  one  side  nor  the  other.  The 
Hessians,  on  their  part,  had  attacked  the  centre  at  break  of  day ;  and  the  Americans,  com. 
manded  by  General  Sullivan  in  person,  valiantly  sustained  their  efforts.  At  the  same  time 
the  English  ships,  after  having  made  several  movements,  opened  a  very  brisk  cannonade 
against  a  battery  established  in  the  little  island  of  Red  Hook,  upon  the  right  flank  of  the 
Americans,  who  combated  against  General  Grant.  This  also  was  a  diversion,  the  object 
of  which  was  to  prevent  them  from  attending  to  what  passed  in  the  centre  and  on  the  left. 
The  Americans  defended  themselves,  however,  with  extreme  gallantry,  ignorant  that  so 
much  valor  was  exerted  in  vain,  since  victory  was  already  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 
General  Clinton  being  descended  into  the  plain,  fell  upon  the  left  flank  of  the  centre,  which 
was  engaged  with  the  Hessians.  He  had  previously  detached  a  small  corps,  in  order  to 
intercept  the  Americans. 

"  As  soon  as  the  appearance  of  the  English  light  infantry  apprized 
them  of  their  danger,  they  sounded  the  retreat,  and  retired  in  good 
order  towards  their  camp,  bringing  off  their  artillery.  But  they  soon 
fell  in  with  the  party  of  royal  troops  which  had  occupied  the  ground 
on  their  rear,  and  who  now  charged  them  with  fury ;  they  were 
compelled  to  throw  themselves  into  the  neighboring  woods,  where 
they  met  again  with  the  Hessians,  who  repulsed  them  upon  the  Eng- 
lish ;  and  tlius  the  Americans  were  driven  several  times  by  the  one 
against  the  other  with  great  loss.  They  continued  for  some  time  in 
this  desperate  situation,  till  at  length  several  regiments,  animated  by 
an  heroic  valor,  opened  their  way  through  the  midst  of  the  enemy, 
and  gained  the  camp  of  General  Putnam ;  others  escaped  through 
the  woods.  The  inequality  of  the  ground,  the  great  numbers  of  po- 
sitions which  it  offered,  and  the  disorder  which  prevailed  throughout 
the  line,  were  the  cause  that  for  several  hours  divers  partial  combats 
were  maintained,  in  which  many  of  the  Americans  fell. 

"Their  left  wing  and  centm  being  discomfited,  the  English,  desir- 
ous of  a  complete  victory,  made  a  rapid  movement  against  the  rear 
of  the  right  wing,  which,  in  ignorance  of  the  misfortune  which  had 
befallen  the  other  corps,  was  engaged  with  GeneraJ[  Grant.  Finally, 
having  received  the  intelligcuct!,  lliey   retired.     Jjui,  encountering 


11 


,#'i 


,1   ^|, 


■J- 1 


232 


KINGS    COUNTY 


the  English,  who  cut  off  their  retreat,  a  part  of  the  soldiers  took 
shelter  m  the  woods ;  others  endeavored  to  make  their  way  through 
the  marshes  of  Gowan's  Cove  ;  but  here  many  were  drowned  m  the 
waters  or  p'erished  in  the  mud ;  a  very  small  number  only  escaped 
the  hot  pursuit  of  the  victors,  and  reached  the  camp  in  safety.  The 
total  loss  of  the  Americans,  in  this  battle,  was  estimated  at  more  than 
three  thousand  men  in  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners.  Among  the 
last  were  found  General  Sullivan,  and  Brigadier-general  Lord  Ster- 
ling. Almost  the  entire  regiment  of  Maryland,  consisting  of  young 
men  of  the  best  families  in  that  province,  was  cut  to  pieces.  Six 
pieces  of  cannon  fell  into  the  power  of  the  victors.  The  loss  of  the 
English  was  very  inconsiderable ;  in  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners, 
it  did  not  amount  to  four  hundred  men. 

"  The  enemy  encamped  in  front  of  the  American  lines  ;  and  on  the 
succeeding  night  broke  ground  within  six  hundred  yards  of  a  redoubt 
on  the  left,  and  threw  up  a  breast- work  on  the  Wallabout  heights, 
upon  the  Debevoice  farm,  commenced  firing  on  Fort  Putnam,  and 
reconnoitred  the  American  forces.  The  Americans  were  here  pre- 
pared to  receive  them  ;  and  orders  issued  to  the  men  to  reserve  their 
fire  till  they  could  see  the  eyes  of  the  enemy.  A  few  of  the  British 
officers  reconnoitred  the  position,  and  one,  on  comin^  near,  was  shot 
by  William  Van  Cotts,  of  Bushwick.  The  same  afternoon  Captain 
Rutgers,  brother  of  the  late  Colonel  Rutgers,  also  fell.  Several  other 
British  troops  were  killed,  and  the  column  which  had  incautiously 
advanced,  fell  back  beyond  the  range  of  the  American  fire.  In  this 
critical  state  of  the  American  army  on  Long  Island— in  front  a  nu- 
merous and  victorious  enemy  with  a  formidable  train  of  artillery,  the 


Washington's  Quarters  ai  Gowanus,  Brooklyn.* 

fleet  indicating  an  intention  of  forcing  a  passage  up  the  East  river, 
the  troops  lying  without  shelter  from  heavy  rams,  fatigued  and  dis- 
pirited—General Washington  determined  to  withdraw  the  army  from 

•  This  dwelling,  the  head-quarters  of  Washington  when  on  Long  Island,  is  now  owned 

-^       ^           ■                     1    :_    _:* — ._,]  —    .1 —  /l..,2..».»«  fnn'l    near    'H'.  >"»    alinrM     m  milA  unA  ft 
by   IVf  1.  vjonciyou,  anu    "   anua'.ru  '.•ii   tu-r  WvTVaiitin  ItfttU   is»f»r    -= r 

half  dielont  firom  the  south  ferry. 


I   1 


KINGS   COUNTY. 


233 


Dldiers  took 
ray  through 
wned  in  tne 
nly  escaped 
afety.  The 
,t  more  than 
Among  the 
Lord  Ster- 
ig  of  young 
pieces.  Six 
3  loss  of  the 
id  prisoners, 

;  and  on  the 
of  a  redoubt 
out  heights, 
Putnam,  and 
re  here  prc- 
reserve  their 
f  the  British 
ar,  was  shot 
lOon  Captain 
several  other 
incautiously 
fire.  In  this 
1  front  a  nu- 
artillery,  the 


e  East  river, 
;ued  and  dis- 
le  army  from 

id,  is  now  owned 
QTS^  &  niiis  find  & 


the  island ;  and  this  difficult  movement  was  effected  with  great  skill 
and  judgment,  and  with  complete  success.  The  retreat  was  to  have 
commenced  at  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening  of  the  29th,  but  a  strong 
northeast  wind  and  a  rapid  tide  caused  a  delay  of  several  hours ;  a 
southwest  wind  springing  up  at  eleven,  essentially  facilitated  its  pas- 
sage from  the  island  to  the  city ;  and  a  thick  fog  hanging  over  Long 
Island  towards  morning,  concealed  its  movements  from  the  enemy, 
who  were  so  near  that  the  sound  of  their  pick-axes  and  shovels  were 
distinctly  heard  by  the  Americans. 

"  General  Washington,  as  far  as  possible,  inspected  every  thing 
from  the  commencement  of  the  action  on  the  morning  of  the  27th  ; 
till  the  troops  were  safely  across  the  river,  he  never  closed  his  eyes, 
and  was  almost  constantly  on  horseback.  After  this  the  British  and 
their  allies,  the  tories  and  refugees,  had  possession  of  Long  Island  ; 
and  many  distressing  scenes  occurred,  which  were  never  made  pub- 
lic, and  can  therefore  never  be  known.  The  whigs,  who  had  been 
at  all  active  in  behalf  of  independence,  were  exiled  from  their  homes, 
and  their  dwellings  were  objects  of  indiscriminate  plunder.  Such  as 
could  be  taken,  were  incarcerated  in  the  church  of  New  Utrecht 
and  Flatlands  ;  while  royalists,  by  wearing  a  red  badge  in  their  hats, 
were  protected  and  encouraged.  It  is  believed  that  had  Lord  Howe 
availed  himself  of  the  advantages  he  possessed  by  passing  his  ships 
up  the  river  between  Brooklyn  and  New  York,  the  whole  American 
army  must  have  been  almost  inevitably  captured  or  annihilated. 
General  Washington  saw  but  too  plainly  the  policy  which  might 
have  been  pursued,  and  wisely  resolved  rather  to  abandon  the  island 
than  attempt  to  retain  it  at  the  risk  of  sacrificing  his  army." 

BusHwicK  is  situated  in  the  NE.  extremity  of  Kings  county.  Pop- 
ulation of  the  town,  including  Williamsburg,  6,389.  The  settlement  of 
the  town  was  commenced  by  the  Dutch,  who  were  joined  many  years 
after  by  a  number  of  Huguenot  families,  whose  descendants  are  nu- 
merous and  respectable  in  this  and  the  neighboring  towns.  The  name 
is  of  Dutch  origin,  indicating  that  the  territory  was  remarkable  for 
the  woods  which  covered  its  surface  in  early  times.  From  the  or- 
ganization of  the  town  till  1690,  it  was  for  certain  civil  purposes 
associated  with  the  other  towns  in  the  county,  except  Gravesend, 
constituting  a  separate  district  under  the  appellation  of  the  "  Five 
Dutch  Towns"  and  for  which  a  secretary  or  register  was  specially 
commissioned  by  the  governor  to  take  proofs  of  wills,  of  marriage 
settlements,  &c.  These  five  towns  formed  but  one  ecclesiastical 
congregation.  The  population  of  Bushwick  was  inconsiderable  at 
the  time  of  the  revolutionary  war.  The  vicinity  of  its  forests  to  the 
garrisons  and  barracks  of  New  York  and  Brooklyn,  led  to  the  entire 
waste  of  the  valuable  timber,  which  abounded  at  the  commencement 
of  the  contest. 

"  On  the  12th  of  May,  1664,  the  magistrates  of  this  town  sentenced  one  John  Van  Ly 
den,  convicted  of  pubhshing  a  hbel,  to  be  fastened  to  a  stake,  with  a  bridle  in  liia  mouth, 
eight  rods  under  his  arm,  and  a  label  on  his  breast  with  the  words, '  writer  of  lampoons, 
JaUeaccuter,  and  defavur  of  magiitraUi,'  upon  U,  and  then  to  be  banished  from  the  colo. 
ny.    .,r,  jnstancs  also  occuned,  of  s  viuisymaH,  who  had  improperiy  iiidmed  a  couple, 

80 


234 


KINGS    COUNTY. 


being  sentenced  to  '  flogging  and  banishment,'  but  which,  on  account  of  the  advanced  age 
of  the  delinquent,  was  mitigated  by  the  governor  to  banishment  only.  Another  person, 
convicted  of  theft,  was  compelled  to  stand  for  the  space  of  three  houre  under  a  gallows, 
with  a  rope  aroiind  his  neck  and  an  empty  scabbard  in  his  hands.  In  1664  permission  was 
given  by  the  town  to  Abraham  Janson  to  erect  a  mill  on  Maspeth  Kill,  which  was  probably 
the  first  water-mill  built  within  the  town,  and  for  grinding  of  the  town's  grain  he  was  to 
receive  the  '  customary  duties.'  November  12, 16!).5,  the  court  of  sessions  of  Kings  county 
made  an  order  'That  Mad  James  should  be  kept  at  the  expense  of  the  county,  and  that 
the  deacons  of  each  towne  within  the  same  doe  forthwith  meet  together,  and  consider  about 
their  projiercons  for  maintainence  of  said  James.' " 


Western  view  of  Williamsburg,  New  York. 

The  above  shows  the  appearance  of  the  central  part  of  the  village 
of  Williamsburg,*  as  seen  from  the  New  York  side  of  the  East 
river.     This  flourishing  village  was  till  within  a  few  years  an  incon- 
siderable place,  although  it  was  commenced  by  a  few  spirited  indi- 
viduals nearly  thirty  years  ago,  by  erecting  a  few  houses  and  estab- 
lishing a  ferry  between  it  and  the  foot  of  Grand-street.     In  1817,  a 
ferry  boat,  impelled  by  horse  power,  gave  Williamsburg  a  new  im- 
pulse, and  in  1827,  an  act  of  incorporation  was  obtained.     The  vil- 
lage has  a  bold  water  front  upon  the  East  river,  one  mile  and  a  half 
in  extent,  and  a  sufficient  depth  of  water  for  all  commercial  purposes. 
Several  large  and  substantial  wharves  and  docks  have  been  con- 
structed, affording  safe  and  convenient  moorings  for  vessels  even  of 
the  largest  class.     Its  ferry  is  the  nearest  approximation  to  the  uppei 
parts  of  the  city  of  New  York  from  the  eastern  towns  of  Long  Island, 
by  two  lines  of  steam  ferry  boats.     So  great  has  been  the  progress 
of  improvement  that  the  ancient  village  of  Bushwick  can  scarcly  be 
identified,  having  been  amalgamated  with  Williamsburg.     The  vil- 
lage has  now  upwards  of  70  streets  permanently  laid  out,  about  thirty 
ol  which  have  been  graded  and  regulated,  some  paved,  and  one  mac- 
adamized.   There  are  upwards  of  six  hundred  dwellings,  5  churches — 
3  Methodist,  1  Dutch  Reformed,  and   1   Episcopal— a  newspaper 

frinting  office,  and  manufacturing  establishments  of  various  kinds, 
'opulation  of  the  village  5,094. 

*  Willinmabuic  has  recoutiv  been  erected  into  a  seiwrat*  town. 


KINGS    COUNTY. 


339 


!  advanced  age 
Lnother  person, 
nder  u  gallows, 
permission  was 
h  was  probubly 
rain  he  was  to 
)f  Kings  county 
ounty,  and  that 
consider  about 


f  the  village 
of  the  East 
irs  an  incon- 
ipirited  indi- 
s  and  estab- 
In  1817,  a 
g  a  new  <m- 
d.  The  vil- 
le  and  a  half 
ial  purposes, 
e  been  con- 
sseis  even  of 
to  the  uppei 
Long  Island, 
the  progress 
m  scarcly  be 
-g.  The  vil- 
,  about  thirty 
ind  one  mac- 
5  churches — 
I  newspaper 
arious  kinds. 


wn. 


Flatbush,  called  by  the  Dutch  Midwout,  or  Middle  Woods,  was 
first  settled  in  1651.  'in  Dec,  1654,  Gov.  Stuyvesant,  who  seems  to 
have  exercised  ecclesiastical  as  well  as  civil  and  military  authority, 
gave  orders  that  a  house  of  public  worship  should  be  erected  in  this 
town,  "  sixty  feet  long,  thirty-eight  wide,  and  fourteen  feet  in  height 
below  the  beams."  In  1655,  he  issued  his  command^  that  the  people 
of  Brooklyn  and  Amersfort  should  assist  the  people  of  Midwout  in 
getting  timber  for  the  house.  This  building  cost  4,637  guilders.  This, 
ir,  appears,  was  the  first  church  erected  on  the  island.  .  The  Rev. 
Johannis  Polhemus  was  employed  to  preach  soon  alter  its  erection, 
with  a  salary  of  1,040  guilders,  (about  #460,)  raised  by  assessment 
upon  the  towns  in  which  he  officiated.  "  He  was  required  by  the 
governor  in  1656,  to  preach  every  Sunday  morning  at  Midwout; 
and  in  the  afternoon,  alternately  at  Amersfort  and  Brooklyn. 

The  soil  in  this  township  is  generally  of  a  good  quality,  and  by 
careful  cultivation  is  made  highly  productive.  The  village  of  Flat- 
bush  is  about  four  miles  from  the  City  Hall  of  New  York,  and  has 
several  splendid  private  residences  finely  situated.  The  courthouse 
of  the  county  was  erected  here  in  1685,  and  the  courts  continued  to 
be  held  therein  till  it  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1832.  Erasmus  Hall,  an 
academical  institution,  was  incorporated  in  1787,  and  has  ever  main- 
tained a  high  reputation.     Pop.  2,099. 

Flatlands  was  originally  called  by  the  Dutch,  New  Amersfort. 
The  settlement  was  commenced  in  1636;  and  one  of  the  first  grants 
for  land  was  that  for  Barren  Island,  which  at  that  time  was  much 
larger  than  at  present,  and  covered  with  cedar  and  other  timber 
whi>ch  has  long  since  disappeared.  Ex-governor  Van  Twiller  had 
a  farm  in  this  town  at  the  time  of  its  first  settlement.  The  village 
of  Flatlands,  situated  about  8  miles  from  Brooklyn,  is  a  pleasant 
spot,  in  the  centre  of  which  is  the  Dutch  church,  originally  erected 
in  1661,  and  has  been  since  twice  rebuilt.     Pop.  810. 

"  The  surface  of  the  town  is,  as  its  name  indicates,  a  perfect  level ; 
the  soil,  a  light  sandy  loam,  warm  and  pleasant  to  till ;  and  from  the 
skill  and  industry  of  its  farmuig  population,  yields  a  large  amount  over 
and  above  the  wants  of  the  uihabitants.  The  people,  generally,  are 
conspicuous  for  habits  of  economy ;  and  modern  fashions  have  not 
yet  extinguished  their  love  of  simplicity  and  substantial  comfort." 

"  An  extraordinary  interview  took  place  on  the  2d  day  of  April,  1691,  between  the  gov. 
ernor  of  New  York  and  a  sachem  of  Long  Island,  attended  by  his  two  sons  and  20  other 
Indians.  The  sachrm,  on  being  introduced,  congratulated  Gov.  Slaughter,  in  an  eloquent 
manner,  upon  his  arrival,  and  solicited  his  friendship  and  protection  for  himself  and  his 
people  ;  observing  that  he  had  in  his  own  mind,  fancied  his  excellency  was  a  mighty  tall 
tree,  with  wide  spreading  branches ;  and  therefore  he  prayed  leave  to  stoop  under  the 
shadow  thereof.  Of  old  (said  he)  the  Indians  were  a  great  and  mighty  people,  but  now 
they  are  reduced  to  a  mere  handful.  He  concluded  his  visit  by  presenting  the  governor 
with  30  fathoms  of  wampum,  which  he  graciously  accepted,  and  desired  the  sachem  to  vi»it 
him  again  in  the  afternoon.  On  taking  their  leave,  the  youngest  son  of  the  sachem  handed 
a  bundle  of  brooms  to  the  officer  in  attendance,  saying  at  the  same  time, '  that  as  Leisler 
and  his  party  had  left  the  house  very  foul,  he  had  brought  the  brooms  with  him  for  the  pur. 
pose  of  making  it  clean  again.'  In  the  afternoon  the  sachem  and  his  party  again  visited 
the  governor,  who  made  a  speech  to  them,  and  on  receiving  a  few  presents  they  departed." 


«' '  l'  \\ 


P' 


l(''\  • 


286 


KINGS    COUNTY. 


Gravesend  occupies  the  most  southerly  part  of  Kings  county. 
Much  of  thi«  town  consists  of  salt  marsh,  not  more  than  one  third 
being  under  cultivation ;  the  surface  is  generally  level,  hut  near  the 
seashore  there  are  some  ridges  of  sand  hills.  Coney  Island,  which 
covers  the  town  on  the  ocean,  is  about  5  miles  long  by  1  in  breadth. 
The  central  part  of  the  town  is  about  10  miles  from  the  city  of  New 
York.  Pop.  799.  This  place  was  settled  by  English  emigrants  from 
Massachusetts  as  early  as  1640,  who  gave  it  the  name  of  Gravesend, 
they  having  sailed  from  a  place  of  that  name  in  England,  on  their 
departure  for  America.  They  were  soon  after  joined  by  Lady 
Deborah  Moody,  a  woman  of  rank,  education,  and  wealth,  who,  with 
her  associates,  were  obliged  to  leave  Lynn,  and  other  places  in  Mas- 
sachusetts, on  account  of  their  religious  sentiments. 

"  Considering  the  situation  of  this  town  calculated  it  for  the  site  of  a  commercial  village, 
they  proceeded  almost  immediately  to  lay  out  10  acres  of  ground  near  the  centre,  into  streets 
and  squares,  which  they  enclosed  with  a  palisado  defence.  The  plan  of  the  village  is  still 
preserved  in  the  clerk's  office  of  the  town,  and  is  worthy  admiration  for  its  simplicity  and 
beauty.  It  seems  the  project  was  soon  after  abandoned  on  discovering  the  insufficient 
depth  of  the  water  for  the  approach  of  large  vessels.  One  of  the  original  squares  of  the 
contempla'ed  city  was  occupied  by  the  courthouse  of  the  county  so  long  as  the  courts  con- 
tinued  to  be  held  here ;  another  contained  the  first  Du  ch  church ;  and  a  third  has  long 
been  used  for  a  public  cemetery.  On  the  same  plot  are  a  considerable  number  of  graves 
of  the  first  Quakers,  the  whole  of  which  have  been  levelled  by  the  plough,  except  that  of 
Peter  Sullivan  and  his  wife,  at  the  head  of  which  is  a  large  granite  slab,  containing  only  the 
names  of  the  deceased.  As  this  particular  sect  make  no  use  of  such  memorials,  it  was 
probably  placed  here  by  some  friend  or  relative  who  was  not  a  Quaker." 

In  1645,  a  general  patent  for  this  town,  written  in  Dutch  and  Eng- 
lish, was  obtained  from  Gov.  Kieft.  The  patentees  named  therein  are 
Lady  Deborah  Moody,  Sir  Henry  Moody,  Baronet,  Ensign  George 
Baxter,  and  Sergeant  James  Hubbard  with  their  associates.  We 
find  in  Mr.  Lewis's  "  History  of  Lynn,"  that  Lady  Moody  came  to 
that  town  in  1640  ;  also, 

"  That  in  1G35,  she  went  from  one  of  the  remote  counties  in  England  to  London,  where 
she  remained  in  opposition  to  a  statute  which  directed  that  no  person  should  reside  beyond 
a  limited  time  from  their  own  homes.  On  the  21st  of  April  in  that  year,  the  court  of  star- 
chamber  ordered  that '  Dame  Deborah  Mowdie,'  and  others,  should  return  to  their  heredita- 
ments in  40  days,  as  a  good  example  necessary  for  the  poorer  class.  Soon  after  her  arrival 
at  Lynn,  she  united  with  the  church  of  Salem ;  and  on  the  13th  of  May,  the  court  granted 
ber  400  acres  of  land.  In  1641,  she  purchased  the  farm  of  the  dcputy-governor,  John 
Humphry,  called  Swamscut,  for  which  she  paid  JC1,100.  Some  time  after  she  became  im- 
bued with  the  erroneous  idea  that  the  baptism  of  infants  was  a  sinful  ordinance,  and  she 
was  therefore  excommunicated ;  and  in  1643,  she  removed  to  Long  Island.  Governor 
Winthrop,  in  his  journal  says,  that  '  in  1643,  Lady  Moody  was  in  the  colony  of  Massachu. 
setts,  a  wise  and  anciently  religious  woman ;  and  being  taken  with  the  error  of  denying 
baptism  to  infants,  was  dealt  with  accordingly  by  many  of  the  elders  and  others,  and  ad. 
monished  by  the  church  of  Salem,  whereof  she  was  a  member ;  but  persisting  still,  and  to 
avoid  further  trouble,  &c.,  she  removed  to  the  Dutch  settlements,  against  the  advice  of  her 
friends.'  '  After  her  arrival  at  Long  Island,  (says  Mr.  Lewis,)  she  experienced  much  trouble 
from  the  Indians,  her  house  being  assailed  by  them  many  times.  Her  wealth  enabled  her 
to  render  assistance  to  Gov.  Stuyvesant,  in  some  trouble  with  the  neighboring  settlers,  in 
1654 ;  and  so  great  was  her  influence  over  him,  that  he  conceded,  in  part,  the  nomination 
of  the  magistrates  to  her.  In  the  quarterly  court  records,  her  son  is  styled  Sir  Henry 
Moody.'  '  At  the  same  court,  14th  December,  1642,  the  Lady  Deborah  Moody,  Mrs. 
King,  and  the  wife  of  John  Tilton,  were  presented,  for  holding  that  the  baptism  of  infants 
IS  no  ordinance  of  God.'  From  these  historical  records  we  learn  the  reason  why  the  Lady 
Moody,  her  son  Sir  Henry  Moody,  Ensi^rn  Baxter,  Sereeant  Hubbard,  John  Tilton.  and 


t 


KIN03   COUNTY. 


237 


igs  county. 
1  one  third 
)ut  near  the 
land,  which 

in  breadth, 
jity  of  New 
grants  from 

Gravesend, 
nd,  on  their 
I  by  Lady 
1,  who,  with 
,ces  in  Mas- 


mercial  village, 
ntrc,  into  streets 
le  village  is  still 
3  simplicity  and 
the  insufficient 
squares  of  the 
the  courts  con- 
third  has  long 
imber  of  graves 
,  except  that  of 
taining  only  the 
emorials,  it  was 


:h  and  Eng- 
i  therein  are 
sign  George 
ciates.  We 
)dy  came  to 

London,  where 
Id  reside  beyond 
he  court  of  star- 
:o  their  heredita. 

after  her  arrival 
16  court  granted 
-governor,  John 
she  became  im- 
linance,  and  she 
and.  Governor 
ny  of  Massachu- 
rror  of  denying 

others,  and  ad- 
ding still,  and  to 
lie  advice  of  her 
;ed  much  trouble 
ilth  enabled  her 
oring  settlers,  in 
,  the  nomination 
tyled  Sir  Henry 
h  Moody,  Mrs. 
iptism  of  infanta 
n  why  the  Lady 
fohn  Tilton,  and 


others  of  her  associates  and  friends,  left  New  England,  and  located  themselves  at  Graves. 
end,  where  they  hoped  to  enjoy  the  most  perfect  freedom  of  opinion,  unawed  by  the  civil 
power,  and  be  allowed  unmolested  to  propagate  those  religious  opinions  which  to  them 
seemed  most  agreeable  to  their  principles  of  reason  and  justice. 

•'  On  the  first  of  January,  1643,  a  soldier  was  convicted  beforo  the  court  of  sessions  at 
Gravesend  of  having  left  his  station  while  on  guard,  and  was  punished  by  being  compelled 
to  sit  upon  a  wooden  horse  during  the  parade,  with  a  pitcher  in  one  hand,  and  a  drawn 
sword  in  the  other,  to  show  that  he  liked  beer  better  than  his  duty,  and  that  his  courage 
was  always  in  proportion  to  the  quantity  of  beer  he  consumed.  '  At  a  town  meeting,  held 
September  the  27ih,  1C44,  it  was  voted,  ihat  those  who  have  boweries,  (farms,)  should 
have  50  morgen  of  upland,  with  meadow  proportionable  to  their  stock ;  and  it  was  further 
ordered,  that  if  any  did  not  build  a  habitable  house  upon  it  before  the  last  day  of  May  next, 
should  be  dcfoulted,  and  forfeit  their  land  to  the  town.'  The  records  of  this  town,  which 
were  uniformly  kept  in  the  English  language,  are  still  preserved  almost  entire.  They  com- 
mence with  the  year  1645  and  for  a  series  of  years  are  chiefly  occupied  with  the  records 
of  wIHh,  inventories,  letters  of  administration,  and  a  variety  of  private  contracts,  bargains, 
f'f  sales,  &c.     In  January,  1648,  the  town  elected  Sergeant  James  Hubbard,  a  man  of  respec. 

tabiliiy  and  influence,  to  execute  the  office  of  schout,  or  constable,  which  was  considered  as 
one  of  much  importance.  On  the  14th  of  April,  1649,  John  Furman  agreed  with  the  town 
to  keep  their  calves  three  months  for  20  guilders  u  month,  to  be  paid  in  money,  tobacco,  or 
corn,  and  some  bitters,  if  desired." 

"Coney  Island,  on  the  seaboard,  is  a  place  of  great  resort  for 
strangers  in  the  summer  season,  is  constantly  fanned  by  cool  breezes, 
and  affords  an  unlimited  view  of  the  ocean. 

"  It  is  separated  from  the  main  of  Long  Island  by  a  narrow  creek  or  inlet,  over  which  a 
handsome  bridge  has  been  erected.  There  is  a  fine  spacious  hotel  here,  called  the  Ocean 
House,  which  is  conducted  in  a  superior  manner ;  a  railroad  is  attached  to  the  establishment, 
and  cars  leave  the  hotel  fur  the  beach,  a  distance  of  80  rods,  at  particular  intervals  during 
the  day.  The  bathing  at  this  place  is  not  surpassed  by  any  in  the  United  States.  The 
beach  is  a  beautiful  white  sand.  The  island  is  about  5  miles  long  and  1  wide,  and  is  en. 
tirely  an  alluvial  formation.  The  destructive  effect  of  ocean  storms  has  long  been  very  visi. 
ble  here,  for  much  of  what  was  once  Coney  Island  has  now  disappeared.  It  has  been 
i.onjectured  by  some  persons  that  Coney  Island  proper.  200  years  ago,  lay  at  the  entrance 
of  Sandy  Hook,  and  was  separated  from  the  present  Coney  Island  by  a  channel  of  consid- 
erable  width,  which  is  supposed  to  have  been  entirely  demolished  by  a  storm  about  1715. 
It  is  well  ascertained  that  in  1643  there  was  a  convenient  harbor  for  vessels  of  a  large 
size,  which  is  now  in  a  great  measure  filled  up.  The  exposed  situation  of  this  island  sub. 
jects  it  to  great  encroachments  of  the  sea,  and  to  the  probability  that  at  some  future  (though 
perhaps  distant)  period  it  will  be  entirely  destroyed.  In  a  terrible  gale  which  occurred 
upon  the  coast  on  the  93th  of  January,  1839,  the  whole  of  Coney  Island,  with  the  excep. 
tion  of  a  few  sand-hills,  was  completely  inundated  by  the  sea ;  the  basement  of  the  Ocean 
House  was  filled  with  water ;  the  bridge  was  carried  away,  several  small  vessels  were  cast 
on  shore,  and  one  was  driven  a  considerable  distance  towards  Flatlands." 

New  Utrecht  is  at  the  west  end  of  Long  Island,  opposite  the  Nar- 
rows ;  9  miles  S.  from  Brooklyn.  The  soil  of  the  township  is  mostly 
a  light  loam  or  sand.  Pop.  1,283.  Bath  House  and  village  are  upon 
the  margin  of  the  bay,  a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  Narrows,  having  a 
full  view  of  the  military  works  at  that  place.  It  is  quite  a  favorite 
place  of  resort  during  the  warm  season.  It  was  near  this  delightful 
spot  that  the  British  army,  under  the  command  of  Sir  William  ifowe, 
effected  a  landing,  August  22,  1776,  a  few  days  previous  to  the  disas- 
trous battle  of  Long  Island.  Fort  Hamilton,  at  the  Narrows,  has 
become  an  important  military  station  ;  several  handsome  buildings, 
\yith  an  Episcopal  church,  have  been  erected  at  this  place,  and  few 
situations  can  boast  of  a  finer  prospect.  The  town  appears  to  have 
been  first  settled  in  1654,  by  about  20  families  from  Holland,  and  a 
few  Palatines,  who  at  first  erected  a  blockhouse,  as  well  for  aecuritv 


',    ,'  ,l'll 


238 


LEWIS   COUNTV. 


against  the  natives,  as  from  the  hordes  of  wandering  savages,  robbers, 
and  pirates,  which  for  some  time  infested  the  country  and  this  part 
of  the  coast. 

"  Some  years  ago,  on  digging  a  few  feet  below  the  surface  at  the  Narrows,  more  than  a 
wagon  load  of  Indian  stone  arrow-heads  were  discovered  lying  together,  under  circumstan- 
ces  calculated  to  induce  the  belief,  that  a  large  manufactory  of  those  indispensable  articles 
of  Indian  warfare  once  existed  at  this  place ;  they  were  of  all  sizes,  fron"  one  to  six  inches 
in  lens'h,  some  perfect,  others  only  partly  finished.  There  was  also  a  number  of  blocks 
of  the  same  kind  of  stone  found  in  the  same  rough  state  as  when  brought  from  the  quarry ; 
they  had  the  appearance  of  ordinary  flint,  and  were  nearly  as  hard ;  not  only  arrow-heads, 
but  axes,  and  other  articles  of  domestic  utility,  were  made  from  these  stones.  It  will  per- 
haps  forever  remain  a  matter  of  surprise  and  conjecture,  how  these  native  artificers,  desti. 
tute,  as  they  were,  of  iron  tools,  or  even  a  knowledge  of  the  use  of  them,  could  form  and 
polish,  with  such  exquisite  art,  so  many  various  instruments  from  bo  hard  a  material." 


LEWIS  COUNTY. 

Lewis  county  was  taken  from  Oneida  in  1805,  and  named  in 
honor  of  Gov.  Morgan  Lewis.  Centrally  distant  NW.  from  New 
York  275,  and  from  Albany  130  miles.  Greatest  length  N.  and  S. 
54  ;  greatest  breadth  E.  and  W.  35  miles.  The  whole  of  this  county 
was  included  in  the  patent  from  the  state  to  Alexander  Macomb,  and 
was  sold  by  him  to  William  Constable,  and  by  the  latter  in  parcels  : 
the  portion  west  of  the  Black  river,  to  capitalists  in  New  York  city, 
among  whom  Nicholas  Low,  Richard  Harrison,  and  Josiah  Ogden 
Hoffman,  were  principal  purchasers  ;  and  the  portion  on  the  east  of 
the  Black  river,  to  a  French  company  in  Paris.  From  these  sources 
the  present  possessors  derived  their  title.  The  first  settlements  com- 
menced here  in  1795,  by  pioneers  from  Massachusetts  and  Connecti- 
cut, who  with  characteristic  enterprise  and  perseverance  entered  the 
wilderness  with  a  determination  to  surmount  the  most  formidable 
obstacles.  There  were  at  this  time  small  settlements  at  Utica  and 
Fort  Stanwix,  (now  Rome,)  whence  the  settlers  made  their  way  into 
this  county,  by  a  line  of  marked  trees,  to  the  High  Falls,  on  Black 
river ;  and  thence  floated  with  the  stream  to  the  town  of  Lowville, 
where  they  established  themselves.  Their  families  followed  in  the 
succeeding  winter,  shod  with  snow  shoes  ;  mothers  making  their  way 
with  their  infants  in  their  arms,  whilst  their  husbands  and  fathers 
trod  paths  through  the  snow  for  their  cattle  and  teams.  It  was  not 
unusual,  some  time  after,  for  farmers  to  go  forty  miles  to  mill,  and  to 
carry  the  grist  upon  their  shoulders. 

The  Black  river  divides  the  county  into  two  not  very  unequal  por- 
tions. Upon  this  river  are  bi;oad  alluvial  flats,  of  easy  cultivation 
and  highly  productive.  Of  the  Black  river  we  may  observe  here, 
that  below  the  High  Falls  at  Leyden,  which  are  63  feet  in  altitude, 
it  has  s.  tranGuil  course  of  uearlv  40  miles  throut'h  the  country  i  in 


LEWIS   COUNTY. 


889 


ges,  robbers, 
and  this  part 


IW8,  more  than  a 
nder  circumstan. 
ipensable  articles 
9no  to  six  inches 
umber  of  blocits 
from  the  quarry ; 
nly  arrow-heads, 
les.  It  will  per. 
!  artificers,  desti- 
,  could  form  and 
I  material." 


id  named  in 
f.  from  New 
th  N.  and  S. 
f  this  county 
^lacomb,  and 
r  in  parcels : 
w  York  city, 
osiah  Ogden 
n  the  east  of 
hese  sources 
ements  com- 
nd  Connecti- 
j  entered  the 
t  formidable 
at  Utica  and 
leir  way  into 
ills,  on  Black 
of  Lowville, 
owed  in  the 
ng  their  way 
5  and  fathers 
It  was  not 
>  mill,  and  to 

unequal  por- 
y  cultivation 
bserve  here, 
;t  in  altitude, 
country;  in 


all  which,  it  is  navigable  for  steamboats.  The  Black  river  canal,  the 
construction  of  which  was  authorized  in  May,  1836,  commences  at 
Rome  in  Oneida  county. 

The  county  is  at  present  thinly  inhabited,  but  it  merits  attention 
from  the  great  forests  of  useful  timber  which  incumber  the  soil,  the 
beds  of  iron  ore  which  lie  beneath  it,  and  the  vast  water-power 
which  the  streams  supply.  The  staple  products  are  wheat,  rye, 
Indian  corn,  peas,  beans,  oats,  and  barley,  and  the  whole  country  is 
adapted  to  grass.     It  is  divided  into  11  towns.     Pop.  17,849. 

Denmark,  taken  from  Harrisburg  in  1807  ;  NW.  from  Albany  143 
miles.  It  is  watered  by  the  Deer  river,  which  has  at  one  place  a  fall 
of  175  feet,  nearly  perpendicular.  Denmark,  14  miles  N.,  and  Copen- 
hagen, 12  miles  N  W.  of  Martinsburg,  are  small  villages.     Pop.  2,398. 

Diana,  taken  from  the  northern  part  of  Watson  in  1830;  from 
Albany  150,  and  NE.  from  Martinsburg  22  miles.  Louisburg  is  a 
post-otfice.     Pop.  883. 

Greig,  taken  from  Watson  in  1828,  by  the  name  of  Brantingham; 
NW.  from  Albany  150,  SE.  from  Martinsburg  18  miles.  Branting- 
ham and  Lyonsdale  are  post-offices.     Pop.  592. 

Harrisburg,  taken  from  Turin  as  part  of  Oneida  county  in  1803, 
and  settled  that  year;  NW.  from  Albany  150,  centrally  distant  NW. 
from  Martinsburg  1 1  miles.  Harrisburg  post-office  is  on  the  Low- 
ville and  Whitesville  road.     Pop.  850. 

Leyden,  taken  from  Steuben  when  part  of  Herkimer  county,  in 
1797  ;  NW.  from  Albany  116,  from  Martinsburg,  S.,  centrally  distant 
14  miles.  Leyden  Hill  and  Talcottville  are  small  villages.  Pop. 
2,438. 

Lowville,  taken  from  Mexico  when  part  of  Oneida  county,  in 
1800;  and  named  after  Mr.  Nicholas  Low.  Pop.  2,047.  This 
place  is  distant  from  Albany  132  miles.  The  first  settler  was  Jona- 
than Rogers,  who  emigrated  from  Branford,  Ct.,  in  the  spring  of  1795. 
At  this  time  there  were  no  settlements  between  here  and  the  Canada 
line.  Many  others  emigrated  in  the  succeeding  summer  and  fall, 
among  whom  were  Moses  Waters,  James  Bailey,  Isaac  Perry,  Wil- 
liam and  Charles  Davenport,  Judge  Kelly,  Silas  Stow,  Esq.,  Moses 
Coffin,  and  David  Cobb.  Rev.  Isaac  Clinton,  a  Presbyterian,  was  the 
first  settled  clergyman.  During  the  early  settlement,  a  few  hundred 
of  the  St.  Regis  Indians  were  accustomed  to  hunt  in  this  vicinity,  and 
were  of  mucn  assistance  to  the  settlers.  This  is  one  of  the  best 
towns  in  the  county,  being  bounded  on  the  east  by  the  rich  lowlands 
of  the  Black  river.  Lowville,  on  the  great  road  from  Utica  to  Sack- 
etts  Harbor,  3i  miles  from  Martinsburg,  in  a  pleasant  valley,  hand- 
somely laid  out  in  squares,  is  the  largest  village  in  the  county,  and 
contains  1  Presbyterian,  1  Baptist,  1  Methodist  church,  and  1  Or- 
thodox Friends  meeting-house,  a  flourishing  incorporated  Academy, 
a  printing  office,  publishing  a  weekly  paper,  1  large  grist  and  saw- 
mill, and  60  neat  dwellings.  Stowe's  Square  has  1  Presbyterian 
church,  and  a  few  dwellings.    There  is  a  post-office  called  West 

Lev  ll!U. 


, '  ■,l| 


in 


i,'  ii 


M 


lit 


240 


LEWia   COUNTY. 


Southeastern  view  of  Lowvilk. 

The  above  engraving  is  from  a  drawing  taken  on  the  road  to  Mar- 
tinsburg  in  the  SE.  extremity  of  the  village.  The  Presbyterian 
church  is  at  the  head  of  the  street,  and  the  spire  of  the  Baptist  at  the 
left.  The  steeples  of  the  Academy  and  Methodist  church  are  seen 
on  the  right. 

Martinsburg,  taken  from  Lowville,  Champion,  and  Mexico,  as  part 
of  Oneida  county,  22d  of  February,  1803;  NW.  from  Albany  120 
and  N.  from  Utica  48  miles.  The  first  settler  was  Elijah  Baldwin, 
who  came  here  with  his  family  in  July,  1801,  from  Washington 
county.  The  first  week  they  encamped  in  the  forest,  and  their  mid- 
night slumbers  were  disturbed  by  the  howling  of  bears  and  other 
wild  animals.  Baldwin  was  in  the  employ  of  Gen.  Walter  Martin, 
who  came  shortly  after  him,  and  whose  wealth  and  enterprise  soon 
placed  the  settlement  in  a  prosperous  condition.  Eherd  Stevens  and 
Nathan  Cheney  came  about  the  same  time  with  Gen.  Martin,  after 
whom  the  place  vas  named.  Rev.  James  Murdock,  a  Presbyterian, 
was  the  first  settled  clergyman.  Martinsburg,  post  village  and  county 
town,  is  situated  upon  a  high  and  commanding  site,  contains  a  court- 
house and  prison  of  wood,  1  cotton,  and  1  woollen  factory,  40 
dwellings,  the  Lewis  County  Bank,  and  a  printing  office.  West 
Martinsburg  has  about  a  dozen  dwellings  and  a  post-office.  This 
town  has  5  churches— viz :  2  Baptist,  2  Methodist,  and  1  Presbyterian. 
Pop.  2,488. 

About  two  miles  in  a  southwesterly  direction  from  the  village  of 
Martinsburg  is  a  remarkable  chasm,  near  the  junction  of  two  forks 
of  the  Whetstone  creek,  a  tributary  of  the  Black  river.  This  chasm 
is  about  two  hundred  feet  in  depth,  and  of  a  bowl-like  shape.  On 
the  north  and  west  sides  the  rocks  are  nearly  p(!rpendicular,  but  on 
the  south  sloping  and  covered  with  lofty  tre(;s.  It  derives  its  name, 
that  of  Chimney  Point,  from  the  resemblance  which  a  prominence  in 
the  slate  rock  bears  to  the  termination  of  a  conical  nointed  chimney, 
while  the  horizontal  strata  increase  the  likeness  by  tneir  similarity  to 


k 


LEWIS   COUNTT. 


Ul 


)ad  to  Mar- 
*resbyterian 
iptist  at  the 
ch  are  seen 

dco,  as  part 
Albany  120 
ill  Baldwin, 
Washington 
i  their  mid- 
s  and  other 
Iter  Martin, 
3rprise  soon 
i^tevens  and 
iartin,  after 
resbyterian, 
1  and  county 
lins  a  court- 
factory,  40 
ice.  West 
rtice.  This 
resbyterian. 

le  village  of 
f  two  forks 
This  chasm 
shape.  On 
luhir,  but  on 
es  its  name, 
ominence  in 
L'd  chimney, 
similarity  to 


Chimney  Point  Gulf,  Martinshurg. 

tiles.  The  above  drawing  was  taken  on  the  south  side,  part  of  the  way 
down  the  chasm.  The  point  opposite,  about  six  or  eignt  rods  di"  '.nt, 
is  the  one  from  which  its  name  is  derived,  and  the  beautiful  castade 
of  nearly  one  hundred  feet  fall  is  one  of  the  forks  of  the  creek,  the 
valley  of  the  other  being  seen  in  the  distance.  The  two  unite  a  few 
rods  to  the  east  of  the  Chimney  Point.  The  visiter  usually  approaches 
this  spot  from  the  south.  The  surface  of  the  ground  in  the  vicinity 
is  nearly  level,  and  as  he  comes  upon  its  brink  suddenly,  its  wildness 
strikes  him  with  awe.  Opposita  and  on  the  left  are  dark,  massy,  per- 
pendicular rocks  ;  before  him  are  lofty  pines  and  hemlocks,  and  far,  far 
belo\y,  us  it  were  in  the  very  bowels  of  the  earth,  through  the  open- 
ings in  the  foliage,  indistinct  glimpses  are  caught  of  the  tbaming  rivu- 
let, whilf  the  roar  of  the  waterfall  and  the  grnnd(;ur  of  the  surn)nnding 
landscape  add  an  interc^st  to  the  scene  rarely  experienced.  Although 
unknown  to  the  fashionable  tourist,  this  place  is  not  without  incident. 
About  20  rods  below,  and  on  the  same  side  wliorc  the  druwini/  was 

31 


«i  (' 


242 


LIVINGSTON    COUNTY. 


taken,  is  a  rock  called  Peebles  Slide,  which  derives  its  name  from  the 
following  circumstance.  In  the  spring  of  1834,  as  Mr.  Chillus  L.  D. 
Peebles,  of  Martinsburg,  was  drawing  logs  near  the  precipice,  which 
here  generally  forms  the  boundary  of  the  river,  his  loot  slipped,  and 
he  felt  For  the  first  twenty  or  thirty  feet  he  slid,  then  descended 
from  the  precipice  perpendicularly  for  nearly  one  hundred  feet,  when 
striking  some  loose  rock  and  sand,  he  roiled  the  remainder  ol  the  dis- 
tance  to  the  bottom  of  the  ravine.  He  was  enabled  to  walk  to  a 
neighboring  house,  and  although  badly  bruised,  he  soon  recovered. 

PiNCKNE?,  taken  from  Harrisburg  and  Harrison  m  1808;  NW 
from  Albany  153,  and  from  Martinsburg  centrally  distant  NW.  14 
miles.     The  town  was  settled  by  William  Henderson,  Esq.,  the  ori- 
jrinal  proprietor.     Pop.  907. 

Turin,  organized  as  part  of  Oneida  county  m  1800;  NW.  from 
Albany  121.  centrally  distant  SE.  from  Martinsburg  6  miles.  Turin 
Four  Comers  and  Houseville  are  small  villages.     Pop.  1,704. 

Watson,  taken  from  Leyden  in  1821  ;  NW.  from  Albany  136 
miles  Dayanville  is  a  small  village  founded  by  Charles  Dayan,  Esq., 
on  the  falls  of  the  Crystal  creek,  9  miles  N.  of  Martinsburg.  Bel- 
fort  and  Carter  are  post-offices.     Pop.  1,707. 

West  Turin,  taken  from  Turin  in  1830;  NW.  from  Albany  130, 
centrally  distant  SW.  from  Martinsburg  15  miles.  ConstableviUe 
and  CoUinsville  are  small  post  villages.    Pop.  2,042. 


LIVINGSTON  COUNTY. 

Livingston  county  was  taken  from  Ontario  and  Genesee  counties 
in  1821.    Greatest  length  N.  and  S.  30 ;  greatest  breadth  E.  and  W. 
28  miles.    Centrally  distant  N  W.  from  New  York  300,  and  from  Al- 
bany W.  224  miles.     The  surface  of  the  country  is  m  some  parts 
hilly,  in  others  quite  level,  or  but  gently  undulated.     Flats  ot  rich 
alluvion  border  the  Genesee  river  in  its  course  through  the  county 
from  1  to  2  miles  in  width,  but  a  gravelly  loam  predominates  on  the 
upland.     The  great  staples  are  wheat,  pork,  and  cattle.     Ot  the  hrst, 
it  is  estimated  that  there  is  an  annual  surplus  of  over  a  mi  lion  ot 
bushels.     The  Genesee  Valley  canal  enters  the  county  at  Caledonia, 
and  following  the  valley  of  the  Genesee,  crosses  the  same  near  Mount 
Morris,  and  passing  along  the  valley  of  the  Cashqua  creek,  leaves  the 
county  in  the  southern  portion  of  Mount  Morris.     Four  miles  south 
of  Mount  Morris  villngp,  a  branch  runs  to  Dansville.     The  county  is 

fart  of  the  tract  ceded  to  Massachusetts,  and  is  divided  into  12  towns, 
op.  36,710.  ^  .     ,  ^ 

Avon,  originally  named  Hartford,  and  organized  by  general  ses- 
siona  oi  Uuluiio  Kuluiiy  m  i  «sw  ;  liOiu  iiiDuny  •••*/  sjmjcb.      x  ma  i--- ., « 


LIVINGSTON    COUNTV. 


243 


le  from  the 

lillus  L.  D. 

pice,  which 

ilipped,  and 

descended 

feet,  when 

r  of  the  dis- 

)  walk  to  a 

recovered. 

808;  NW. 

nt  NW.  14 

sq.,  the  ori- 

NW.  from 
les.  Turin 
704. 

A.lbany  136 
)ayan,  Esq., 
burg.     Bel- 

A.lbany  130, 
3DStableville 


isee  counties 
h  E.  and  W. 
ind  from  Al- 

sorne  parts 
*1ats  of  rich 
[1  the  county 
niites  on  the 

Of  the  first, 
a  miUion  of 
It  Caledonia, 
jnear  Mount 
!k,  leaves  the 
r  miles  south 
'he  county  is 
ito  12  towns. 

general  ses- 

,  X  2213  f«  rr  IS 


was  settled  in  1790,  by  five  families  from  Farmington  in  Connecticut. 
Avon  is  a  village  upon  the  upper  bank  of  the  Genesee,  10  miles  NW. 
from  Geneseo.  It  was  laid  out  in  1826,  by  James  Wadsworth,  Esq., 
and  contains  an  academy  and  about  70  neat  dwellings.  The  river  is 
navigable  20  miles  for  boats  to  the  Erie  canal,  at  Rochester,  with 
which  it  is  connected  by  a  feeder.  "  The  situation  of  the  village  in 
one  of  the  most  fertile  and  beautiful  portions  of  western  New  York, 
and  the  valuable  medicinal  qualities  of  its  springs,  combine  to  render 
this  one  of  the  most  attractive  watering-places  in  the  state.  Three 
springs  have  already  been  discovered  here,  and  as  their  chemical 
composition  does  not  diflfer  materially,  it  is  probable  that  they  exert 
similar  effects  on  the  animal  economy.  The  first,  called  the  New 
Avon  Bath  Spring,  was  discovered  in  1835.  Its  depth  is  about  36 
feet,  and  the  formation  through  which  ♦he  water  passes  is  limey  slate. 
Its  water,  when  heated,  assumes  a  beautiful  green  color.  These 
waters  were  known  to  the  Senecas,  who,  until  within  a  few  years, 
inhabited  a  village  on  the  opposite  bank  of  the  river  called  Canawa- 
gus.  The  Indian  chief,  Red  Jacket,  held  them  in  high  estimation. 
These  springs  are  rapidly  rising  in  public  favor,  and  the  place  ere 
long  is  destined  to  become  a  second  Saratoga.  Upon  the  flats  there 
is  a  smgular  pond  about  2  miles  in  diameter,  in  an  irregular  circular 
form  ;  a  neck  of  land  runs  into  and  expands  within  the  circle  occupy- 
ing the  centre,  on  which  are  remains  of  ancient  Indian  works."  East 
Avon,  11  miles  NE.,  and  Littel's  Mills,  8  miles  N.  from  Geneseo,  are 
small  villages.     South  Avon  is  a  post-office.     Pop.  2,998. 

The  Genesee  in  the  early  French  histories  is  called  the  Seneca 
river,  probably  from  the  circumstance  that  its  rich  valleys  were  stud- 
ded with  the  villages  of  the  Senecas.  This  tribe,  one  of  the  Five 
Nations,  was  on  terms  of  friendship  with  the  English,  while  the  Indi- 
ans of  the  upper  lakes  were  strongly  attached  to  the  French.  The 
subjects  of  these  rival  nations  were  exceedingly  jealous  of  each  other, 
particularly  with  respect  to  the  Indian  trade,  which  both  endeavored 
to  monopolize.  Hence  hostilities  between  these  parties  often  occur- 
red. In  1787,  Monsieur  De  la  Barre,  the  governor  of  Canada,  having 
made  an  unsuccessful  attempt  against  the  Five  Nations,  the  Marquis 
De  Nonville,  his  successor,  resolved  to  retrieve  the  fallen  honor  of 
his  countrymen.  For  this  purpose  he  sent  messengers  to  the  tribes 
around  the  northern  lakes,  and  succeeded  in  collecting  a  considerable 
body  of  Indians  to  assist  him  in  his  enterprise  against  the  Senecas. 

"  Preparatory  to  this  expedition,  De  Nonville  collected  large  aupplie*  at  Cadarackui,  'now 
Kingston,)  in  anticipation  of  the  march  of  his  troops,  and  the  Indiana  from  the  neighbor, 
hood  of  Quebec,  to  that  post.  The  advance  of  his  army,  consisting  of  two  or  three  hundred 
Canadians,  were  commanded  by  M.  Canipagnie,  who  surprised  two  villages  of  the  Five 
Nations,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Cadarackui,  and  put  the  inhabitants  to  death  with  great 
cruelty,  to  prevent  them,  as  it  was  said,  from  conveying  intelligence  of  the  movjmenU  of 
the  French  to  their  own  people,  as  it  was  supposed  they  had  done  in  regard  to  the  last  ax. 
pedition  under  M.  Do  la  Barre.  These  people,  howevur,  had  settled  there  at  the  invitation 
of  th.'  French,  and  anticipating  no  harm,  were  the  more  easily  surprised.  '  They  were 
carried  in  cold  blood  to  the  fort,'  (says  Dr.  Golden,)  '  and  tied  to  stakes  to  bo  tormented  by 
the  French  Indians,  (Christians  as  they  were  called,)  and  during  the  torture  continued  sing 
ing  in  their  country  manner,  and  upbraiding  the  French  with  their  perfidy  and  ingratitude ' 


I 


n\    ¥ 


[i  (4 


244 


LIVINGSTON    COUNTY. 


" Several  attempts  of  tlie  English  to  sow  dissensions  amon^  the  upper  lake  Indi. 

ans,  and  divert  them  from  their  purpose,  having  proved  unavailing,  and  Do  Nonville's  pre. 
parations  for  the  expcdiuon  being  completed,  he  departed  from  Cudurackui  for  the  entrance 
of  the  Genesee  river  on  the  23d  of  June,  1687,  embarking  his  army  in  canoes,  and  sending 
one  half  thereof  along  the  northern  shore  of  the  lake,  while  he,  with  ihe  other  half,  passed 
coastwise  by  the  southern  shore,  that  no  accidents  by  wind  might  altogether  defeat  the  ex. 
pedition.  So  punctually  were  the  arrangements  executed,  that  both  divisions  arrived  at 
Irondequoit  on  the  same  day,  where  their  Indian  allies  appear  to  have  been  already  assem- 
bled. Immediately  after  latiding,  the  canoes  were  hauled  up,  and  a  military  defence  was 
constructed,  in  which  a  guard  of  four  hundred  men  was  left,  while  the  main  body  of  the 
forces  advanced  upon  the  principal  town  of  the  Senccas — the  site  of  which,  at  that  time, 
was  upon  the  Genesee  river,  within  the  territory  now  forming  the  town  of  Avon.  Before 
disparting  {torn  Irondequoit,  however,  a  young  Canadian  Frenchman  was  shot  for  the  crime 
of  having  conducted  a  party  of  Englishmen  to  the  upper  lakes  The  charge  was  that  of 
being  a  spy,  although  France  and  England  were  then  at  peace. 

"  During  the  march,  the  Indians,  led  by  a  party  of  Indian  traders,  formed  the  van,  while 
the  regular  troops  and  Canadian  militia  composed  the  main  body  of  the  forces.  They  ad. 
vanced  four  leagues  on  the  first  day,  without  discovering  an  enemy.  On  the  morning  of 
the  second,  scouts  were  despatched  in  advance,  who  approached  the  cornfields  of  the  vil. 
loges  without  making  any  discoveries — a  c';  numstance  not  very  creditable  to  the  sagacity 
of  De  Nonville's  Indians,  since  they  passed  within  pistol  shot  of  an  ambuscade  of  five  hun. 
dred  Senecas.  Supposing  the  warriors  had  all  fled,  De  Nonville  pushed  rapidly  forward, 
for  the  purpose  at  least  of  coming  up  with  and  capturing  the  women,  children,  and  old  men. 
But  no  sooner  had  the  French  reached  the  foot  of  the  hill,  (a  short  distance  north  of  Com. 
stock's  hotel,  between  the  present  village  of  Avon  and  the  river,)  than  the  war-whoop  of 
the  ambuscade  rang  in  their  ears,  while  a  well-directed  volley  of  nmsketry  brought  many 
of  them  to  the  gronnd. 

"  The  surprise  was  complete,  and  the  panic  so  great  that  the  divisions  of  the  French 
separated  in  the  woods,  and  in  their  confusion  fired  upon  each  other.  Availing  themselves 
of  the  advantage,  the  Senecas  ni:  led  in  upon  their  foes  with  tomahawk  in  hand,  and  the 
battle  was  fierce  and  bloody  until  De  Nonville's  regulars  had  time  to  rally  and  move  again 
in  phalanx.  The  brave  Senecas  were  then  repulsed ;  but  it  was  an  empty  victory  to  De 
Nonville.  He  was  so  dispirited  by  the  surprise  he  had  met,  that  even  his  Indians  could  not 
persuade  him  to  a  pursuit  that  day.  On  the  following  day  he  marched  upon  the  villages, 
with  a  view  of  burning  them  ;  but  that  labor  had  been  performed  to  his  hands  by  the  Sene. 
cas  themselves.  Two  prisoners  only  were  made  by  the  invaders — old  men,  who  were  dis- 
covered  in  the  castle — and  who  were  cut  to  pieces  and  boiled  into  soup  for  De  Nonville's 
allies.  The  invaders  remained  five  or  six  days,  traversing  the  valley  of  the  river  for  a  few 
miles,  ajid  destroying  the  growing  corn  in  the  fields.  They  then  returned  to  their  canoes, 
and  back  to  Canada — stopping  awhile  at  Niagara,  where  a  small  fort  was  erected,  in  which 
a  garrison  was  left  of  one  hundred  men.  The  Indians  from  the  upper  lakes  were  gratified 
with  the  erection  of  this  post,  believing  that  it  would  bo  of  essential  service  in  their  opera, 
tions  against  the  Five  Nations,  whom  De  Nonville  promised  yet  to  assist  them  in  subduing. 
But  that  promise  was  never  fulfilled.  On  the  contrary,  the  fort  at  Niagara  was  so  closely 
invested  by  the  Five  Nations,  that  eighty.eight  of  the  hundred  died  of  hunger,  and  but  for 
the  aid  of  a  party  of  French  Indians,  the  others  would  have  shared  the  same  fate.  The 
Five  Nations,  moreover,  afterward  carried  the  war  into  Canada,  even  to  Montreal  and  Que. 
bee.  Th?  loss  of  the  French,  killed  in  the  battle,  was  one  hundred  men  and  ten  Indians. 
The  Senecas  had  about  eighty  warriors  slain.  In  the  course  of  the  expedition,  De  Non- 
ville  contrived  to  make  thirteen  captives,  who  were  sent  to  France  as  trophies,  and  thence 
us  slaves  to  the  galleys."* 

Caledonia,  originally  named  Southampton,  and  organized  as  part 
of  Genesee  county  in  1 802 ;  from  Albany  22S,  irom  Goneseo  cen- 
trally distant  N.  12  miles.  Pop.  1,985.  Caledonia  villtige  has  about 
50  dwellings. 

C0NE8U8,  originally  named  Freeport,  afterward  changed  to  Bow- 
ersville,  and  finally  to  its  present  name,  was  taken  from  Livonia  and 


•  The  above  account,  and  that  relating  to  Genesee,  sre  extracted  from  a  series  of  bistort. 
Cftl  and  descriptive  letters,  published  in  the  New  York  Commercial  Advertiser  during  d>« 
summer  and  autumn  of  1840.  They  ware  written  by  the  editor,  WiUiii  n  L.  Stone,  Eaq. 


f-^-'TVr"'".  ■''i^T'JTT':  ■j.-^'^vi^srs-.-fii 


LIVINtiriTON    COU\'TY. 


245 


iper  lake  Indi. 
'^onville's  pre. 
r  the  entrance 
3,  and  sending 
?r  half,  passed 
defeat  the  ex- 
ons  arrived  at 
ilready  asseni. 
/  defence  was 
n  body  of  the 
,  at  that  time, 
Lvon.  Before 
for  the  crime 
e  was  that  of 

he  van,  while 
3S.  They  ad- 
e  morning  of 
Ids  of  the  vil- 
I  the  sagacity 
Ic  of  five  hun- 
pidly  forward, 
and  old  men. 
lortii  of  Com- 
war-whoop  of 
irought  many 

af  the  French 
ng  themselves 
hand,  and  the 
id  move  again 
victory  to  De 
ians  could  not 
1  the  villages, 
3  by  the  Sene- 
kvho  were  dis- 
De  Nonville's 
•iver  for  a  few 
)  their  canoes, 
;ted,  in  which 
were  gratified 
in  their  opera. 
I  in  subduing, 
was  80  closely 
sr,  and  but  for 
ne  fate.  The 
ircal  and  Que. 
d  tun  Indiana, 
lion,  Dc  Non- 
?R,  and  thence 

«h1  ns  part 
icseo  cen- 
I  has  about 

d  to  Bow- 

livonia  and 


3ri«a  of  hiatori. 
ser  during  Um 
Slone,  Esq. 


Groveland  in  1819;  from  Albany  221,  centrally  distant  SE.  from 
Geneseo  10  miles.  Conesus  and  West  Conesus  are  post-offices. 
Conesus  Centre  is  a  small  village.     Pop.  1,654. 


Geneseo,  from  the  residence  of  James  Wadsworth,  Esq. 

Geneseo  is  a  large  township,  having  an  area  of  36  square  miles. 
Pop.  2,89L>.  The  rich  alluvial  bottom.lands  of  the  river  are  spread 
out  in  this  sectiqn  to  their  broadest  expansion.  The  village  of  Gen- 
eseo, the  seat  of  justice  of  Livingston  county,  about  one  mile  from 
the  river,  was  incorporated  in  1832.  It  contains  about  120  dwell- 
ings, the  county  buildings,  3  churches,  the  Livingston  county  high 
school,  2  newspaper  printing  offices,  and  a  bank.  Distant  from  Al- 
bany 226,  from  Washington  345,  and  from  Rochester  about  27  miles. 
"  1  he  village  is  pleasantly  situated  upon  a  site  sloping  to  the  west, 
and  enjoys  a  delightful  prospect,  stretching  across  the  valley,  and  in- 
cluding the  town  of  Leicester.  The  landscape,  embracing  an  area 
of  perhaps  fifteen  miles  in  diameter,  agreeably  undulated  with  gentle 
hills  and  valleys— rich  in  the  garniture  of  fields,  agreeably  interrupted 
bv  masses  of  woods,  and  enlivened  by  villas,  bespeaking  the  comfort- 
able circumstances  of  their  owners— forms  a  prospect  of  matchless 
beauty.  It  is  rendered  still  more  picturesque  by  the  river,  which 
flows  lazily  through  the  valley,  but  disclosing  only  here  and  there  a 
section  of  the  stream  breaking  through  the  bower  of  trees  and  clus- 
tering vines  by  which  its  bright  waters  are  overarched 

"This  town  was  first  settled  bv  William  and  James  Wadsworth 
m  1790.     Lands  being  cheap  and  they  being  gentlemen  of  sagacity, 

.^e  thl'T  '  '?f' 1  f'''^'^'  "V^*^  country  in  no  distant  prospect- 
ive, thev  were  enabled  to  accumulate  splendid  estates.  The  former, 
Gen.  William  Wadsworth,  served  with  his  militia  command  upon  the 
Niagara  iront.cr  during  the  last  war  with  England,  and  arSed 
himself  with  gallantry.  Mr.  James  Wadsworth  ye  survivTin  a 
green  old  age,  the  patriarch  of  the  Genesee  country.  The  whole  valley 
of  the  Genesee  was  studded  with  Indian  towns,  when  the  whl,„  rllZ 


I  I 


•^  - 


m 


246 


LIVINGSTON    COUNTY. 


made  their  advances  thither,  and  the  country  was  full  of  Indians 
when  he  planted  himself  down  among  them.  His  mansion,  the  abode 
of  refinement  and  elegant  hospitality,  is  finely  situated  at  the  south- 
ern extremity  of  the  principal  street  of  the  village,  embosomed  in 
groves  of  ornamental  trees,  thickly  sprinkled,  among  which  are  the 
elm,  locust,  and  willow,  and  looking  out  upon  a  princely  domain  of 

his  own,  including  a  broad  sweep  of  flats Adjacent  to  the 

mansion  is  a  large  garden,  rich  with  every  description  of  fruit  which 
the  climate  will  allow,  and  adorned  with  flowers  of  every  variety  and 
class  of  beauty. 

"  ....  It  was  at  this  point  that  the  memorable  campaign  of  Gen- 
eral Sullivan  in  1779  was  brought  to  a  close.  In  setting  this  expe- 
dition on  foot,  it  was  the  intention  of  '-V  ishington  that  the  American 
forces  should  pass  through  to  the  great  Indian  and  loyalist  rendez- 
vous at  Niagara ;  but  having  ravaged  the  most  populous  portions  of 
the  Indian  country,  Sullivan,  for  reasons  never  fully  explained,  pro- 
ceeded no  further  than  Genesee — sending  a  detachment  across  the 
river,  however,  to  Little  Beardstown,  (now  the  town  of  Leicester.) 
The  Indian  town  of  Genesee,  lying  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  river, 
was  the  largest  of  their  populous  places,  containing  according  to  Sul- 
livan's official  report,  'one  hundred  and  thirty-eight  houses,  most  of 
them  very  elegant.  It  was  beautifully  situated,  almost  encircled  with 
a  clear  flat,  extending  for  a  number  of  miles ;  on  which  extensive 
fields  of  corn  were  growing,  together  with  every  kind  of  vegetable 
that  could  be  conceived.'  This  and  the  neighboring  towns,  together 
with  thousands  of  acres  of  corn,  were  destroyed.  The  Indians  were 
disposed  to  make  a  stand  for  the  protection  of  their  towns,  but  the 
numbers  and  discipline  of  Sullivan's  army  were  too  much  for  them. 
At  no  great  distance  south  of  the  village  a  consider- 
able stream,  called  Fall  Brook,  crosses  the  road,  and  descends  into 
the  river.  Before  it  reaches  the  flats  it  plunges  abruptly  into  a 
chasm  one  hundred  feet  deep.  It  is  a  tradition  of  the  neighborhood 
that  in  one  of  the  fights  with  Sullivan,  many  of  the  Indians  were 
driven  to  the  brink  of  this  precipice,  whence  they  leaped  into  the  gulf, 
and  were  killed  by  the  fall.  There  is  no  mention  of  any  such  inci- 
dent in  the  official  account  of  Sullivan,  or  in  the  other  chronicles  of 
the  day."  Sullivan's  army  encamped  on  or  near  this  spot,  and  it  is 
said  that  the  initials  o:'  some  of  his  soldiers  are  now  plainly  to  be  seen 
carved  on  the  trees,  to  the  left  of  the  catn;  act. 

Grovelani),  taken  from  Sparta  in  1812,  from  Albany  237,  from 
Geneseo  S.  7  miles.  Pop.  1,993.  Groveland  Hill  and  Groveland 
are  hamlets. 

Leicester,  organized  in  1802  as  part  of  Genesee  county ;  since 
changed ;  from  Albany  232,  from  Geneseo  W.  5  miles.  Moscow  is 
a  village,  Gibsonville  a  post-office.     Pop.  2,419. 

During  Sullivan's  expedition,  Lieut.  Boyd  with  a  scouting  party 
had  a  severe  battle  with  a  superior  force  of  Indians  in  this  vicinity. 
Boyd  and  a  man  named  Parker  were  taken  prisoners,  and  the  former 

IVI  tuitrt^     til     izi'- 


ri  rvii: 


mor»r»ov 


tI.o  m\ 


r»-u7incr   nrr'niinf    in 


from  Wilkinson's  Annals  of  Binghamton : — 


LIVINGSTON    COUNTY. 


247 


11  of  Indians 
Dn,  the  abode 
at  the  south- 
nbosomed  in 
/hich  are  the 
ly  domain  of 
acent  to  the 
if  fruit  which 
y  variety  and 

Daign  of  Gen- 
ng  this  expe- 
he  American 
faMst  rendez- 
s  portions  of 
;plained,  pro- 
at  across  the 
)f  Leicester.) 
of  the  river, 
)rding  to  Sul- 
uses,  most  of 
ncircled  with 
ich  extensive 
of  vegetable 
\ns,  together 
Indians  were 
3wns,  but  the 
ach  for  them. 
;  a  consider- 
descends  into 
uptly  into  a 
leighborhood 
Indians  were 
into  the  gulf, 
ny  such  inci- 
chronicles  of 
spot,  and  it  is 
nly  to  be  seen 

ny  237,  from 
id  Groveland 

iounty ;  since 
Moscow  is 

couting  party 
,  this  vicinity, 
nd  the  former 

icr   arnniint    ia 


"  From  Canandaigua  the  army  proceeded  to  Honeoye  which  they  destroyed ;  and  passing 
by  Hemlock  Lake,  they  came  to  the  head  of  Connissius  Lake,  where  the  army  encamped 
for  the  night,  on  the  ground  which  is  now  called  Henderson's  Flats. 

"  Soon  a*"ter  the  army  had  encamped,  at  the  dusk  of  evening,  a  party  of  twenty.one  men, 
under  the  command  of  Lieut.  WiUiam  Boyd,  was  detached  from  the  rifle  corps,  which  was 
commanded  by  ihe  celebrated  Morgan,  and  sent  out  for  the  purpose  of  reconnoitering  the 
ground  near  the  Genesee  river,  at  a  place  now  called  Williamsburgh,  at  a  distance  from  the 
place  of  encampment  of  about  seven  miles,  and  under  the  guidance  of  a  faithful  Indian 
pilot.  The  place  was  then  the  site  of  an  Indian  village  ;  and  it  was  apprehended  that  the 
Indians  and  rangers,  as  their  allies  were  called,  might  be  there,  or  in  its  vicinity. 

"  When  the  party  arrived  at  Williamsburgh,  they  found  that  the  Indians  had  very  re. 
cently  left  the  place,  as  the  fires  in  their  huts  were  still  burning.  The  nighi  was  so  far  spent 
when  they  got  to  the  place  of  their  destination,  that  the  gallant  Boyd,  considering  the  fatigue 
of  his  men,  concluded  to  remain  quietly  where  he  was,  near  the  village,  sleeping  upon  their 
arms,  till  the  next  morning,  and  taen  to  despatch  two  messengers  with  a  report  to  the  camp. 
Accordingly,  a  little  before  daybreak,  he  sent  two  men  to  the  main  body  of  the  army  with 
information  that  the  enemy  had  not  been  discovered,  but  were  supposed  to  be  not  far  dis- 
tant,  from  the  fires  they  found  burning  the  evening  before. 

"  After  daylight,  Lieut.  Boyd  and  his  men  cautiously  crept  from  the  place  of  their  con- 
cealment,  and  upon  getting  a  view  of  the  village,  discovered  two  Indians  lurking  about  the 
settlement.  One  of  whom  was  immediately  shot  and  scalped  by  one  of  the  riflemen,  by 
the  name  of  Murphy.  Lieut.  Boyd — supposing  now  that  if  there  were  Indians  near  they 
would  be  aroused  by  the  report  of  the  rifle,  and  possibly  by  a  perception  of  what  had  just 
taken  place,  the  scalping  of  the  Indian — thought  it  most  prudent  to  retire  and  make  his  best 
way  back  to  the  main  army.  They  accordingly  set  out,  and  retraced  the  steps  they  had 
taken  the  evening  before. 

"  On  their  arriving  within  about  one  mile  and  a  half  of  the  main  army,  they  were  sur- 
prised by  the  sudden  appearance  of  a  body  of  Indians,  to  the  amount  of  five  hundred,  un- 
der  the  command  of  Brant,  and  the  same  number  of  rangers,  commanded  by  the  infamous 
Butler,  who  had  secreted  themselves  in  a  ravine  of  considerable  extent,  which  lay  across 
the  track  that  Lieut.  Boyd  had  pursued.  These  two  leaders  of  the  enemy  had  not  lost 
sight  of  the  American  army  since  their  appalling  defeat  at  the  narrows  above  Newtown, 
though  they  had  not  shown  themselves  till  now.  With  what  dismay  they  must  have  wit. 
nessed  the  destruction  of  their  towns  and  the  fruits  of  their  fields,  that  marked  the  progress 
of  our  army !  They  dare  not,  however,  any  more  come  in  contact  with  the  main  army, 
whatever  should  be  the  consequence  of  their  forbearance. 

"  Lieut.  Boyd  and  his  little  heroic  party,  upon  discovering  the  enemy,  knowing  that  the 
only  chance  for  their  escape  would  be  by  breaking  through  their  lines,  an  enterprise  of 
most  desperate  undertaking,  made  the  bold  attempt.  As  extraordinary  as  it  may  seem,  the 
first  onset,  though  unsuccessful,  was  made  without  the  loss  of  a  man  on  the  part  of  the 
heroic  band,  though  several  of  the  enemy  were  killed.  Two  attempts  more  were  made, 
which  were  equally  unsuccessful,  and  in  which  the  whole  party  fell,  excepting  Lieut.  Boyd 
and  eight  others.  Boyd  arid  a  soldier  by  the  name  of  Parker,  were  taken  prisoners  on  the 
spot ;  a  part  of  the  remainder  fled,  and  a  part  fell  on  the  ground  apparently  dead,  and  were 
overlooked  by  the  Indians,  who  were  too  much  engaged  in  pursuing  the  fugitives  to  notice 
those  who  fell. 

"  When  Lieut.  Boyd  found  himself  a  prisoner,  he  solicited  an  interview  with  Brant, 
preferring,  it  seems,  to  throw  himself  upon  the  clemency  and  fidelity  of  the  savage  leader 
of  the  enemy,  rather  than  trust  to  his  civilized  colleague.  The  chief,  who  was  at  that  mo. 
ment  near,  immediately  presented  himself,  when  Lieut.  Boyd,  by  one  of  those  appeals  and 
tokens  which  are  known  only  by  those  who  have  been  initiated  and  instructed  in  certain 
mysteries,  and  which  never  fail  to  bring  succor  to  a  distressed  brother,  addressed  him  aa  the 
only  source  from  which  he  could  expect  respite  from  cruel  punishment  or  death.  The  ap. 
peal  was  recognised,  and  Brant  immediately,  and  in  the  strongest  language,  assured  him 
that  his  life  should  be  spared. 

"  Boyd  and  his  fellow.prisoner  were  conducted  immediately  by  a  party  of  the  Indians  to 
the  Indian  village  called  Beardstown,  after  a  distinguished  chief  of  that  name,  on  the  west 
iide  of  the  Genesee  river,  and  in  what  is  now  called  Leicester.  After  their  arrival  at 
Beardstown,  Brant,  being  called  on  service  which  required  a  few  hours'  absence,  left  them 
in  the  care  of  Col.  Butler.  The  latter,  as  soon  as  Brandt  had  left  them,  commenced  an  in- 
terrogation,  to  obtain  from  the  prisoners  a  statement  of  the  number,  situation,  and  intentions 
of  the  army  under  Sullivan  ;  and  threatened  >hem,  in  case  they  hesitated  or  prevaricated 
m  their  answers,  to  deliver  them  up  immediately  to  be  maseacred  by  the  Indians ;  who,  in 
Brant's  absence,  and  with  the  encouraffement  of  thnir  mnrA  Mvaim  nnmmiinH«r.  RntUr. 


^  >-■  ■'•!  a 


i  :  M 


248 


LIVINGSTON    COUNTY. 


were  ready  to  commit  the  greatest  cruelties.  Relying  probably  upon  the  promises  which 
Brant  had  made  them,  and  which  he  most  likely  intended  to  fulfil,  they  refused  to  give 
Butler  the  desired  information.  Upon  this  refusal,  burning  with  revenge,  Butler  hastened 
to  put  his  threat  into  execution.  He  delivered  them  to  some  of  their  most  ferocious  ene. 
mies,  among  which  the  Indian  chief  Little  Beard  was  distinguished  for  his  inventive  fe- 
rocity.  In  this,  that  was  about  to  take  place,  as  well  as  in  all  the  other  scenes  of  cruelty 
that  were  perpetrated  in  his  town.  Little  Board  was  master  of  ceremonies.  The  stoutest 
heart  quails  under  the  apprehension  of  immediate  and  certain  torture  and  death  ;  where 
too,  there  is  not  an  eye  that  pities,  nor  a  heart  that  feels.  The  sutfering  lieutenant 
was  first  stripi)ed  of  his  clothing,  and  then  tied  to  a  sapling,  when  the  Indians  menaced 
his  life  by  throwing  their  tomahawks  at  the  tree  directly  over  his  head,  brandishing  their 
scalping-knives  around  him  in  the  most  frightful  manner,  and  accompanying  their  ceremo. 
nies  with  terrific  shouts  of  joy.  Having  punished  him  sufficiently  in  this  way,  they  made 
a  small  opening  in  his  abdomen,  took  out  an  intestine,  which  they  tied  to  a  sapling,  and 
then  unbound  him  from  the  tree,  and  by  scourges,  drove  him  around  it  till  he  had  drawn 
out  the  whole  of  his  intestines.  He  was  then  beheaded,  and  his  head  was  stuck  upon  a 
pole,  with  a  dog's  head  just  above  it,  and  his  body  left  unburied  upon  the  ground.  Through, 
out  the  whole  of  his  suti'erings,  the  brave  Boyd  neither  asked  for  mercy,  or  uttered  a  word 
of  complaint. 

"  Thus  perished  William  Boyd,  a  young  officer  of  heroic  virtue  and  of  rising  talents;  and 
in  a  manner  that  will  touch  the  sympathies  of  all  who  read  the  story  of  his  death.  His 
fellow.soldier,  and  fellow-sufferer,  Parker,  was  obliged  to  witness  this  moving  and  tragical 
scene,  and  in  full  expectation  of  passing  the  same  ordeal.  According,  however,  to  our  in. 
formation,  in  relation  to  the  death  of  these  two  men,  which  has  been  obtained  incidentally 
from  the  Indian  account  of  it,  corroborated  by  the  discovery  of  the  two  bodies  by  the 
American  army,  Parker  was  only  beheaded. 

"  The  main  army,  immediately  after  hearing  of  the  situation  of  Lieutenant  Boyd's  de. 
tachment,  moved  towards  Genesee  river,  and  finding  the  bodies  of  those  who  were  slain  in 
the  heroic  attempt  to  penetrate  the  enemy's  line,  buried  them  in  what  is  now  the  town  of 
Groveland,  near  the  bank  of  Beard's  creek,  under  a  bunch  of  wild  plum.trees,  where  the 
graves  are  to  be  seen  to  this  day." 

Lima,  originally  named  Charleston,  and  organized  by  general  se.3- 
sions  of  Ontario  county  in  1789;  from  Albany  213  miles.  Pop. 
2,186.  Lima  village,  centrally  situated  on  the  great  western  road, 
has  about  100  dwellings,  remarkable  for  their  neatness.  The  Gen- 
esee Wesleyan  University,  a  highly  flourishing  and  well-endowed  in- 
stitution, is  situated  here. 

Livonia,  taken  from  Pittstown  in  1808 ;  from  Albany  217  miles. 
Livonia  Centre,  Lakevillc,  6  miles  E.  from  Geneseo,  Jacksonville, 
and  Soutli  Livonia,  are  villages.     Pop.  2,719. 

Mount  Morris,  taken  from  Leicester  in  1818 ;  from  Albany  230 
miles.  Pop.  4,547.  "  On  the  bank  of  the  river  in  this  town,  an  an- 
cient mound  was  discovered  and  opened  in  1835,  in  which- were  some 
human  skeletons  in  a  very  decayed  state,  and  uncommonly  large, 
with  some  stone  arrow-heads,  stone  knife  and  cleaver,  and  a  copper 
skewer,  about  the  size  of  a  pipe  shank,  flattened  at  one  end  and 
slightly  twisted.  The  knife  was  of  fine  hard  stone  of  the  thickness 
of  a  quire  of  paper,  with  sharpened  edges.  The  cleaver  was  of  slate. 
These  articles  were  of  the  rudest  workmanship."  There  was  for- 
merly an  Indian  village  here  called  Allenshill.  It  was  named  after 
Ebenezer  Allen,  the  hrst  miller  in  Rochester,  a  monster  in  human 
shape.  Many  are  the  tales  related  of  his  wickedness,  almost  too 
painful  for  recital.  One  will  suflice.  "  During  the  revolution  he  was 
a  tory,  and  on  one  occasion,  when  on  a  scouting  party  with  some  In- 
dians in  the  Susquehannah  country,  they  entered  a  dwelling  where 


LIVINGSTON    COUNTY. 


249 


they  found  a  man,  and  his  wife,  and  one  child,  in  bed.  As  they  en- 
tered, the  man  sprang  upon  the  floor  to  defend  himself,  but  Allen  felled 
him  at  a  blow,  struck  off"  his  head,  and  tossed  it  bleeding  into  the  bed 
with  the  hapless  woman.  He  then  snatched  the  infant  from  its 
mother's  bosom,  and  dashed  its  head  against  the  jamb  of  the  fire- 
place." Allen  died  in  1814,  on  the  river  De  Trench,  in  Upper  Can- 
ada— three  of  his  wives  and  their  children  surviving  him. 


il 


Western  view  of  Mount  Morris  village,  Livingston  county. 

The  Indians  sold  out  this  country  to  Messrs.  Phelps  &  Gorham, 
making,  however,  the  reservation  known  as  the  Gardeau  reservation. 
This,  commonly  called  the  White  Woman's  <=  land,  is  partly  in  this 
town,  and  partly  in  Nunda,  and  in  Castile,  Wyoming  county.  Mr. 
Thomas  Morris  from  Philadelphia,  from  whom  the  town  is  named, 
bought  out  Allen,  and  in  1804  the  village  was  founded,  mostly  by 
families  from  Connecticut.  Mount  Morris  village,  incorporated  in 
1835,  is  at  the  head  of  the  boat  navigation  on  Genesee  river,  36  miles 
S.  of  Rochester,  and  by  the  Genesee  valley  canal  38 i,  from  Genesee 
SW.  6  miles.  The  site  is  beautiful,  being  elevated  above  the  fertile 
flats  which  border  the  river.  The  annexed  view  was  taken  near  the 
residence  of  Mr.  Joseph  Starkey.  The  three  churches  seen  in  front 
are  respectively  the  Episcopal,  Baptist,  and  Methodist ;  the  spire  on 
the  left  is  that  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  The  hills  in  the  distance 
are  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Genesee  flats.  The  village  contains 
about  120  dwellings.  The  post-offices  are  River  Road,  River  Road 
Forks,  Tuscarora,  at  Brushville  village,  and  Brooks  Grove. 

Sparta,  organized  as  part  of  Ontario  county  in  1789;  area  since 
reduced ;  from  Albany  231  miles.  Pop.  5,841.  Dansville  village, 
18  miles  SE.  from  Geneseo,  is  at  the  head  of  the  Genesee  vallev,  45 


*  For  a  bicgraphicnl  sketch  of  Mary  Jemison,  or  the  "  White  Woman,"  the  reader  if  re. 
Jerred  to  Lasg^e,  Wyoming  county. 

88 


^  I 


1  •>    *K 


k-iJl 


I  hi 


Siiiil 


250 


LIVINGSTON    COUNTY. 


Western  view  in  Dansville,  Livingston  county. 

miles  from  Rochester.     A  side-cut  connects  this  village  and  the 
valley  of  the  Canascraga  with  the  Olean  and  Rochester  canal.     The 
above  is  a  central  view  in  Dansville.     There  is  a  Lutheran  and  a 
Methodist  church  besides  the  one  shown,  which  is  a  Presbyterian, 
and  a  flourishing  Academy.     This  is  a  thriving  place  and  rapidly 
increasing.     Within  the  circle  of  6  miles,  there  are  no  less  than  60 
saw-mills.     There  are  now  in  the  village  about  200  dwellings.     The 
first  settler  in  the  village  was  Amariah  Hammond,  originally  from 
New  London,  Conn.     He  came  here  in  1795,  and  erected  in  June  of 
that  year  the  first  log  cabin,  which  stood  a  few  rods  south  of  his  pre- 
sent residence.     Shortly  after  came  Samuel  Stillwell,  Alexander  Ful- 
lerton,  Frederick  Covert,  Richard  Porter,  and  others.     The  village 
was  laid  out  in  1796,  by  Daniel  Faulkner  from  Dansville,  Pcnn.,  after 
which  it  was  named.     He  was  a  wealthy  enterprising  man,  and 
making  large  purchases  of  land,  held  out  inducements  to  emigrants. 
"When  Mr.  Hammond  came,  there  was  no  blacksmith  nearer  than  40 
miles,  at  Bath.     The  usual  price  for  laborers  was  $2,  and  some,  by 
jobbing,  would  earn  4  or  5  a  day.     In  the  spring  of  1796,  the  settlers 
were  alarmed  by  a  loud  noise  like  the  report  of  a  cannon.     It  was 
immediately  ascertained  to  be  the  bursting  out  of  a  stream  on  the  hill 
east  of  the  village.     The  water  came  with  such  force  as  to  throw 
forth  earth  and  stones  weighing  two  or  three  hundred  pounds.     An 
oak  two  and  a  half  feet  in  diameter  was  cast  butt  foremost  down  the 
hill.     The  stream  is  supposed  to  be  the  outlet  of  a  pond  one  and  a 
half  mile  distant,  on  the  summit  of  the  mountain.     It  continues  to 
flow  to  the  present  day,  and  is  used  to  turn  the  wheels  of  a  tannery. 
Before  the  revolution,  according  to  tradition,  a  battle  took  place  on  a 
hill,  a  few  miles  distant,  between  the  Canisteo  Indians  and  those  liv- 
ing in  this  vicinity,  during  which  a  chief  of  the  latter  was  killed. 
When  the  whites  first  settled  here,  the  spot  where  he  fell  was  marked 
by  a  large  hole  dug  in  the  earth  in  the  shape  of  a  man  with  arms  ex- 
tended.    An  Indian  trail  led  by  the  place,  and  the  Indians,  on  passing, 
were  always  accustomed  to  clear  away  the  dry  leaves  and  brush 


T»^JL, 


bury- 


s- 


ige  and  the 
canal.  The 
leran  and  a 
Vesbvterian, 
and  rapidly 
less  than  60 
llings.  The 
ginally  from 
d  in  June  of 
th  of  his  pre- 
Bxander  Ful- 

The  village 
,  Penn.,  after 
ig  man,  and 
:o  emigrants, 
arer  than  40 
md  some,  by 
),  the  settlers 
non.  It  was 
m  on  the  hill 

as  to  throw 
pounds.  An 
ost  down  the 
nd  one  and  a 

continues  to 
3f  a  tannery. 
)k  place  on  a 
nd  those  liv- 
r  was  killed. 

was  marked 
vith  arms  ex- 
s,  on  passing, 
es  and  brush 


T.:.^ 


an 


LONG    ISLAND. 


251 


ing  ground  which  stood  on  the  present  site  of  the  Lutheran  church, 
and  was  thickly  covered  with  graves  to  the  extent  of  two  or  three 
acres.  His  monument  consisted  of  a  large  pile  of  small  stones  gath- 
ered from  time  to  time  by  the  natives  from  a  hill  a  mile  distant ;  who, 
on  passing,  were  accustomed  to  take  one  in  their  hand  and  add  to 
the  heap.  His  bones  were  afterward  disinterred  by  the  settlers,  and 
judging  from  them,  and  the  length  of  the  hole  on  the  hill,  he  must 
have  been  7  feet  or  more  in  height.  Scottsburg,  Byersville,  Kysor- 
ville,  and  Union  Corners,  are  small  villages.     Sparta  is  a  post-office. 

Springvvater,  taken  from  Sparta  and  Naples  in  1816;  from  Gene- 
see, SE.,  18  miles.  Springwater  valley  is  a  small  village.  Pop. 
2,832. 

York,  taken  from  Caledonia  and  Leicester  in  1819  ;  from  Albany 
237  miles.  Pop.  3,644.  Fowlersville,  on  tlu  Genesee,  10  miles  N., 
Greggsville,  4  miles  NW.  from  Geneseo,  and  York  Centre,  are  small 
villages. 


LONG  ISLAND.* 

"  Long  Island  may  be  described  as  the  southeasterly  portion  of  the 
state  of  New  York,  and  extending  from  about  40°  34'  to  41°  10' 
north  latitude,  and  from  2°  58'  to  5°  3'  east  longitude  from  Washing- 
ton city ;  being  in  length  from  Fort  Hamilton,  at  the  Narrows,  to 
Montauk  Point,  nearly  one  hundred  and  forty  miles,  with  a  mean 
range  north,  90°  44'  east.  Its  breadth  from  the  Narrows,  as  far  east 
as  the  Peconic  bay,  varies  from  12  to  20  miles  in  a  distance  of  ninety 
miles."  A  ridge  or  chain  of  hills  commences  at  New  Utrecht,  in 
Kings  county,  and  extends  with  occasional  interruptions  to  near 
Oyster  Pond  Point,  in  Suffolk  county.  The  surface  of  the  island 
north  of  the  ridge  is  in  general  rough  and  broken,  while  the  surface 
south  of  the  range  is  almost  a  perfect  plain,  with  scarce  a  stone  ex- 
ceeding in  weight  a  few  ounces. 

On  the  south  side  of  the  island  is  the  great  South  bay,  extending 
from  Hempstead  to  the  eastern  boundary  of  Brookhaven — a  distance 
of  more  than  seventy  miles  of  uninterrupted  inland  navigation.  It 
varies  in  width  from  two  to  five  miles,  communicating  with  the  sea 
by  a  few  openings  in  the  beach,  the  principal  of  which  is  opposite 
the  town  of  Islip,  called  Five  Island  Inlet.  In  this  bay  are  very  ex- 
tensive tracts  of  salt  marsh,  and  islands  of  meadow  furnishing  im- 
mense quantities  of  grass ;  while  its  waters  contain  great  quantities 
of  shell  and  scale  fish.  Wild-fowl  of  many  kinds  and  in  almost 
countless  numbers  are  found  here,  and  many  hundreds  of  people  are 
engaged  in  taking  them  for  the  New  York  market.     The  north  shore 

*  A  history  of  Long  Island  in  an  octavo  volume  of  536  pages,  by  B.  F.  Thompson,  Esq., 
has  been  recently  published ;  it  is  to  ihis  valuable  and  interesting  work  that  the  authors  ars 
deeply  indebted  for  the  account  given  of  ths  various  towns  on  Long  Island. 


f   1  H 


li. 


i' 


» #' 


252 


LONG    ISLAND. 


f   I 


of  the  island  is  very  irregular,  and  where  not  protected  by  masses  of 
rock  and  stone,  has  been  worn  away  by  the  sea  to  a  considerable 
extent.  The  soil  on  the  north  side  generally  consists  of  loam,  on  the 
south  side  it  consists  more  of  sand,  while  through  the  middle  of  the 
island  it  consists  chiefly  of  sand  and  gravel.  The  soil  on  the  high 
grounds  is  in  most  cases  better  than  that  upon  the  plains,  yet  that 
found  upon  the  necks  or  points  on  both  sides  is  better  than  either. 
The  soil  in  the  vicinity  of  New  York  is  highly  productive  and  valua- 
ble, but  in  the  greater  part  of  the  island  it  is  naturally  light  and  poor. 
Much  of  the  land  in  the  central  part  of  the  island  is  covered  with  a 
vast  pine  forest,  in  which  wild  deer  are  still  to  be  found. 

"  Long  Island  Sound  is  a  bay,  or  inland  sea,  with  two  outlets.  If 
considered  as  extending  from  the  Battery,  in  New  York,  to  Fisher's 
island,  its  length  is  the  same  as  that  of  the  island.  Proceeding  from 
the  city,  easterly,  it  has  a  tortuous  course  of  16  miles,  in  which  it 
varies  from  half  a  mile  to  two  miles  in  width.  From  the  Battery  to 
Harlaem  river,  the  course  is  NNE.  8  miles,  and  thence  to  Throg's 
Point,  nearly  E.,  8  more.  This  portion  is  known  as  the  East  river. 
At  the  bend,  opposite  to  Harlaem  river,  is  the  noted  pass  of  Helle  Gat 
(Dutch)  or  the  gut  of  hell,  narrow,  crooked,  and  to  the  inexperienced, 
dangerous.  The  water  here,  when  the  tide  is  rising  or  falling,  forms 
cataracts  and  vortices,  which  may  dash  to  pieces  or  swallow  up  the 
largest  vessel  coming  within  their  influence.  The  best  times  for  pass- 
ing it  are  at  high  and  low  water. 

"  Above  Throg's  Point,  the  Sound,  properly  speaking,  commences, 
and  turns  to  the  NE.  18  miles,  between  Lloyd's  neck  and  Stamford,  in 
Connecticut.  Thus  far  the  shores  are  rugged  and  the  channel  rocky, 
and  much  interrupted  by  small  islets  and  projecting  points ;  but  be- 
yond Lloyd's  nock  it  opens  into  a  noble  elliptical  expanse,  from  8  to 
20  miles  wide,  and  with  depth  sufficient  for  the  largest  vessels  of 
commerce  or  war ;  presenting,  along  its  northern  shore,  a  continued 
picture  of  gradually  rising  hills,  bold  promontories,  and  commodious 
havens,  which  is  chased  before  the  eye  like  a  brilliant  phantasmago- 
ria, in  the  rapid  passage  of  the  steamboats." 

Long  Island  was  claimed  by  the  Dutch  and  English  nations  re- 
spectively by  right  of  discovery.  The  Dutch  commenced  their  set- 
tlements as  early  as  1625,  at  the  west  end  of  the  island.  In  1623, 
the  Plymouth  company,  by  order  of  Charles  I.,  issued  letters  patent 
to  William  Alexander,  Earl  of  Stirling,  for  the  whole  of  the  island. 
The  English  made  settlements  at  the  east  end  of  the  island,  but  they 
were  for  a  season  resisted  by  the  Dutch.  The  settlements,  both  at 
the  E.  and  W.  end,  were  nearly  cotemporary.  In  the  Dutch 
towns,  the  Indian  title  was  bought  by  the  governor,  and  the  lands 
granted  to  individuals  by  him ;  in  the  English  towns  lands  were  ob- 
tained under  the  license  of  the  agent  of  Lord  Stirling,  and  after  his 
death,  by  the  people  of  the  several  towns  for  their  common  benefit 
The  line  of  division  between  the  two  nations  was  a  source  of  much 
contention  ajid  many  complaints.  The  several  English  towns  united 
theuiselves  witii  the  colomes  of  Conncciicut  and  New  Haven.    After 


L0\(;    ISLAND. 


S53 


y  masses  of 
onsiderable 
Dam,  on  the 
iddle  of  the 
on  the  high 
ns,  yet  that 
than  either, 
and  valua- 
it  and  poor, 
ered  with  a 

outlets.     If 

to  Fisher's 

!eding  from 

in  which  it 

Battery  to 

to  Throg's 

East  river. 

•f  Helle  Gat 

xperienced, 

lling,  forms 

How  up  the 

les  for  pass- 

:ommences, 
Itamford,  in 
nnel  rocky, 
ts ;  but  be- 
;,  from  8  to 
t  vessels  of 
1  continued 
ommodious 
antasmago- 

nations  re- 
d  their  set- 
.  In  1623, 
Iters  patent 
the  island, 
d,  but  they 
nts,  both  at 
the  Dutch 
I  the  lands 
Is  were  ob- 
id  after  his 
tion  benefit 
ce  of  much 
>wns  united 
vea.    After 


Connecticut  received  her  royal  charter,  in  1(562,  she  exercised  juris- 
diction, and  gave  each  of  the  towns  vvlio  united  with  her,  permission  to 
send  a  deputy  to  the  general  couft.  But  bciorc  these  measures  could 
be  fully  completed  they  were  frustrated  by  the  grant  of  Long  Island 
to  the  Duke  of  York. 

The  following  account  of  the  Indians  on  Long  Island,  is  taken 
from  "  Wood's  History  -of  Long  Island"  published  in  1828. 

"  When  the  first  sotllcments  were  made  on  the  island  by  the  Dutch  and  English,  it  ap. 
pears,  from  the  original  Indian  deeds,  that  the  principal  tribes  that  occupied  it,  were  aa 
follows : — 

"  The  Canarsc,  tlie  Rockaway,  the  Merikoke,  the  Marsapeague,  the  Secatague,  and  the 
Patchaguu,  on  the  south  side— the  Malinecoc,  the  Nissaquague,  the  Saiauket,  and  the  Cor- 
chaug,  on  the  north  side  ;  the  Shinecoc,  the  Manhanset,  and  the  Montauk,  from  the  Canoe 
Place  on  INIimtauk  Point. 

"  The  Caniirse  appears  to  have  been  the  only  tribe,  or  the  only  tribe  of  any  consequence, 
in  Kings  county.  This  tribe  claimed  the  chief  part  of  the  lands  in  Kings  county,  and  a 
part  of  the  lands  in  Jamaica. 

"  The  Rockaway  tribe  claimed  the  territory  around  Rockaway,  and  more  or  less  of  the 
lands  in  Newtown  and  Jamaica. 

"  The  Merikoke  and  Marsapeague  tribes  extended  from  Rockaway  through  Queens 
county  into  Suffolk,  on  the  south  side  of  the  island. 

"  The  territory  of  the  Matinecoc  tribe  extended  from  Flushing  through  Queens  county 
to  Fresh  Pond  in  Suffolk,  on  the  north  side. 

"  The  Nissaquague  tribe  extended  from  Fresh  Pond  to  Stonybrook. 

"  The  Satauket  tribe  claimed  from  Stonybrook  to  the  Wading  river. 

"  The  Corchaug  tribe  extended  from  the  Wading  river  through  South  Old  on  the  north 
side. 

"  The  territory  of  the  Manhanset  tribe  was  Shelter-Island. 

"  The  territory  of  the  Secataug  tribe  adjoined  that  of  the  Marsapeaguea,  and  extended  to 
Patch  ogue. 

"  The  territory  of  the  Patchogue  tribe  extended  to  South  Hampton. 

"  The  Shinecoc  tribe  extended  from  the  Canoe  Point  to  Montauk,  and  that  peninsula 
was  the  seat  of  the  Montauk  tribe. 

"  There  are  one  or  two  other  tribes  named  in  the  old  records,  but  the  place  they  occu. 
pied  cannot  be  ascertained,  and  it  is  evident  from  that  circumstance,  that  they  must  have 
been  very  small,  perhaps  the  mere  remnants  of  tribes  which  had  been  destroyed  in  their 
wars. 

"  Those  above  enumerated  are  the  principal  tribes  that  occupied  the  island  when  the 
English  and  Dutch  commenced  their  settlements  there,  and  tlie  original  purchases  of  the 
several  towns  were  made  of  these  tribes. 

"  The  Indian  settlements  were  all  on  the  bays,  creeks,  and  harbors  on  the  north  and 
south  sides  of  the  island,  and  then-  territories  were  divided  from  each  other  by  the  middle 
of  the  island. 

"  At  the  time  of  the  first  settlement  of  the  island,  the  whole  Indian  population  was  con- 
siderable,  but  by  no  means  as  great  as  the  facilities  of  subsistence  would  have  authorized  us 
to  expect,  nor  as  great  as  it  probably  had  formerly  been. 

"  The  shell  banks  which  indicate  the  sites  of  their  villages,  on  the  western  half  of  the 
island,  are  large  and  numerous,  and  beds  of  shells  of  some  size  or  other  are  found  at  inter, 
vals  of  a  few  miles  all  around  the  margin  of  the  island.  From  these  it  would  seem  that 
the  population  of  some  parts  of  the  island  was  once  very  numerous,  or  must  have  been  sta. 
tionary  there  a  long  time.* 

"  The  state  of  the  Indian  population  must  be  ascribed  to  their  perpetual  wars,  by  which 
they  had  been  diminished. 

"  All  savage  nations  are  addicted  to  war.  The  causes  of  war  among  them  are  numerous, 
and  the  mode  of  carrying  it  on  destructive  to  their  numbers. 


*  "  The  shell  banks  in  the  western  towns  of  Suffolk  county  are  much  larger  and  more 
numerous  than  in  the  eastern  towns,  where  shell  fish  are  aa  abundant :  which  proves  thst 
the  western  part  of  the  island  had  been  the  longest  settled,  and  that  the  Indian  emigration 
proceeded  ffoin  west  to  east." 


1 


i 
ill 


k 


\m 


254 


LONG    ISLAND. 


"  It  appears  that  Long  Island  had  been  overrun  by  hostile  tribes,  and  many  of  the  natives 
must  have  been  destroyed  by  them. 

"  The  confederacy  of  the  Five  Nations  extenc^ed  their  conquests  as  far  south  as  Manhattan 
Island,  and  had  passed  over  to  the  west  end  of  Long  Island,  and  subdued  the  Canarse 
Indians. 

"  There  is  a  tradition  among  the  Dutch,  that  at  the  time  of  the  first  settlement  of  the 
island,  the  Canarfs  tribe  paid  the  Mohawks  an  annual  tribute  of  wampum  and  dried  clams, 
and  iiat  they  discontinued  the  payment  of  it  on  the  persuasion  of  the  whites,  in  conse. 
qurnce  of  which  a  party  of  the  conquerors  came  and  destroyed  the  whole  tribe,  except  a 
few  who  happened  to  be  from  home. 

"  Some  writers  have  supposed  that  the  conquest  of  the  Mohawl's  extended  to  the  whole 
island,  but  there  is  no  tradition  to  support  it,  and  it  is  believed  that  the  conquest  never 
extended  beyond  the  territories  of  the  Canarse  Indians.  This  may  have  been  owing  to  the 
fact,  that  all  the  other  Indians  were  in  subjection  to  the  Pequots.  It  is  well  known  that 
this  tribe  never  was  subdued  by  the  Five  Nations,  and  it  would  have  been  a  violation  of  their 
rules  of  warfare,  to  have  turned  their  arms  against  a  tributary  people,  when  they  had  not 
subdued  the  power  that  held  them  in  subjection. 

"  The  Montauks  had  probably  beer  the  most  warlike  tribe  on  Long  Island,  had  overrun 
the  other  tribes  on  the  island  east  of  the  Canarse  territory,  and  had  reduced  them  to  some 
kind  of  subjection.  At  the  time  of  the  first  settlement  of  the  island,  the  Montatik  sachem 
claimed  and  exercised  some  kind  of  sovereignty  over  the  whole  territory,  and  it  is  stated 
that  he  justified  his  claim  before  the  governor  and  council  in  virtue  of  a  former  conquest  of 
the  country.  In  1(559,  he  conveyed  the  territory  which  constitutes  the  town  of  Smithtown, 
then  occupied  by  the  Nissaquague  Indians,  to  Lyon  Gardiner. 

"  It  was  under  a  belief  of  his  superiority  over  the  chiefs  of  the  other  tribes,  that  the  first 
settlers  were  anxious  to  have  their  purchase  deeds  signed  by  that  chief,  as  well  as  by  the 
sachem  of  the  tribe  of  whom  the  land  was  purchased. 

"The  confirmation  deed  of  Hempstead  in  1657,  the  deed  for  Lloyd's  neck,  and  others, 
are  executed  in  this  manner,  and  in  some  of  the  original  deeds  the  Mantauk  chief  is  styled 
the  sachem  of  Long  Island. 

"  The  superiority  ascribed  to  the  chief  of  that  tribe  after  the  settlement  of  the  country, 
might  have  arisen  in  part  from  the  distinction  conferred  on  him  or  recognised  by  the  com- 
missioners  of  the  united  colonic. .  In  1651  it  is  stated  in  some  of  our  early  records,  that 
they  constituted  one,  who  is  supposed  to  have  been  the  Montauk  chief,  grand  sachem  of 
the  Long  Island  Indians.  It  is  probable  that  the  commissioners  only  recognised  or  con- 
firmed an  authority  with  which  they  found  him  invested. 

"  It  is  evident  from  the  early  writers  of  New  England,  that  the  Pequots,  who  occupied 
the  country  around  New  London,  and  was  the  most  warlike  tribe  in  Connecticut,  had  sub. 
dued  the  Montauks  with  their  tributaries,  and  that  at  the  time  of  the  first  settlement  of 
New  England,  the  Long  Island  Indiana  were  in  subjection  to  the  Pequots,  and  paid  them 
a  tribute.  The  \ictory  over  the  Montauks  involved  the  subjection  of  all  the  tribes  that 
were  under  them,  and  the  conquest  of  the  Pequots  must  have  embraced  all  the  tribes  on 
the  island  east  of  the  Canarse  territory. 

"  In  1637,  the  New  England  colonies  made  war  on  the  Pequots,  to  avenge  the  murders 
and  other  hostile  aggressions  which  they  had  committed  on  the  whites,  and  subdued  and 
dispersed  the  whole  tribe.  The  L(/ng  Island  Indians  who  h'ld  been  subject  to  the  Pequots, 
immediately  repaired  to  the  English  (o  make  their  peace  with  them.  Winthrop,  in  hia 
journal,  states  that  on  the  reduction  of  the  Pequots  in  1637,  'sachems  from  Long  Island 
came  voluntarily  and  brought  a  tribute  to  us  of  twenty  fathom  of  wampum  each  of  them.' 

"  From  this  time  they  seem  to  have  considered  themselves  to  be  in  subjection  to  the 
English,  and  to  have  paid  them  tribute,  perhaps  the  same  they  had  paid  the  Pequota,  In 
1644,  they  opplied  to  the  commissioners  for  some  evidence  of  their  relation  to  them,  and 
the  commissioners  gave  them  a  certificate  in  writing,  in  effect  promising  them  security 
from  injury  by  the  English^  and  all  others  in  friendship  with  them  ;  at  which  lime  they  as. 
Bured  the  comniissicncrs  '  that  they  had  been  tributaries  to  the  English  ever  smce  the  Pe. 
quoi  war,  and  that  they  had  never  injured  the  English  or  Dutch,  but  had  been  friendly  to 
both,'  which  implied  that  they  had  been  subject  to  the  Pequota  and  followed  their  fate.  In 
1650,  the  commisflionere  sent  Captain  Mason  to  Long  Island  to  require  payment  of  the 
tribute  due  from  ihe  Indians  there,  and  to  settle  a  way  in  which  it  might  be  punctuallj' 
discharged  in  future. 

"  In  1656,  the  Montauk  chief  visited  the  commissioners  at  Boston,  ind  in  answer  to  an 
Inquiry  whether  he  had  paid  the  tribute  duo  from  him.slatid  that  he  had  paid  it  at  Hartford 
for  the  space  of  ten  years,  and  that  it  was  in  arrear  for  the  four  last  years,  which  they  re. 
caittad  in  cousidaration  of  his  diatreissd  condition  by  the  late  war  in  wUich  he  had  beea 


MADISON    COUNTY. 


255 


of  the  natives 

as  Manhattan 
the  Canarse 

ement  of  the 
1  dried  clams, 
tea,  in  conse. 
:ibe,  except  a 

to  the  whole 
nquest  never 
1  owing  to  the 
I  known  that 
lation  of  their 

they  had  not 

,  had  overrun 
them  to  some 
ntauk  sachem 
id  it  is  stated 
r  conquest  of 
)f  Smithtown, 

,  that  the  first 
veil  as  by  the 

k,  and  others, 
chief  is  styled 

f  the  country, 
i  by  the  com. 
■  records,  that 
[id  sachem  of 
(nised  or  con- 

who  occupied 
icut,  had  sub- 
settlement  of 
nd  paid  ihem 
le  tribes  that 
the  tribes  on 

a  the  murders 
subdued  and 
0  the  Pequots, 
inthrup,  in  his 
)  Long  Island 
ich  of  them.' 
ijection  to  the 
Pequots.  In 
to  them,  and 
;hem  security 
time  they  as. 
smce  the  Pe- 
■n  friendly  to 
heir  fate.  In 
yment  of  tha 
be  punctually 

answei  to  an 
it  at  Hartford 
vhich  they  re. 
he  had  bera 


engaged  with  the  Narragansetts.  In  1653,  Ninnigrate,  the  chief  of  the  Nehantic  Indians, 
who  were  either  a  tribe  of  the  Narragansetts  or  closely  connected  with  them,  made  war  on 
the  Long  Island  Indians,  which  lasted  several  years,  and  reduced  them  to  great  extremity. 
He  invaded  the  territory  of  the  Montauks,  and  would  have  extirpated  the  whole  tribe,  if 
they  had  not  foimd  protection  in  the  h^jjanity  of  the  people  of  East  Hampton. 

"  They  were  obliged  to  abandon  their  villages,  and  to  flee  for  refuge  to  East  Hampton, 
where  they  were  kindly  received,  sustained,  and  protected.  Tliey  continued  to  reside  in 
that  town  for  several  years,  before  they  deemed  it  safe  to  return  to  Montauk. 

Long  Island  is  divided  into  three  counties,  Kings,  Queens,  and 
Suffolk.  An  account  of  the  various  towns  on  the  island,  with  his- 
torical notices,  &c.,  is  given  under  the  head  of  these  counties  in  their 
alphabetical  order. 


MADISON  COUNTY. 

Madison  county  was  taken  from  Chenango  county  in  1806,  and 
named  after  James  Madison,  president  of  the  United  States.  Great- 
est length  N.  and  S.  33,  greatest  breadth  E.  and  W.  32  miles.  Cen- 
trally distant  from  New  York  250,  from  Albany  108  miles.  The 
surface  of  the  coimty  is  much  diversified.  The  middle  and  southern 
towns  are  more  or  less  uneven  and  hilly ;  but  the  northern  is  more 
level.  In  the  northern  part  much  wheat  is  produced :  the  southern 
is  better  adapted  to  grass.  The  county  is  generally  well  watered. 
The  route  of  the  Chenango  canal  follows  up  the  Oriskany  and  crosses 
thence  into  the  Chenango  valley.  The  Erie  canal  runs  westerly 
through  the  northern  towns  of  Lenox  anc*  Sullivan.  The  coun'y  is 
divided  into  14  towns.     Pop.  40,032. 

Bhookfield,  taken  from  Paris  when  part  of  Herkimer  county,  in 
1795;  from  Albany  90  miles.  Pop.  3,095.  Clarksville,  incorporated 
in  1834,  l.-as  about  60  dwellings.  Leonardsville,  on  the  Unadilla 
river,  22  miles  SE.  from  Morristown,  is  a  small  settlement. 

Cazenovia,  taken  from  Whiteslown  and  P:iris  when  part  of  Her- 
kimer county,  in  1705;  from  Albany  113  miles  When  erected,  this 
town  comprised  an  area  nearly  equal  to  that  of  the  county.  Pop. 
4,153.  ii  was  first  settled  in  1793,  by  Col.  John  Linklaen,  from  Am- 
sterdam, agent  for  a  company  in  Holland,  who  were  owners  of  large 
tracts  in  this  and  the  adjacent  towns,  and  sold  them  out  in  farms 
principally  to  New  Englanders.  Cazenovia  village  was  founded  by 
Col.  Linklaen,  about  1695,  and  incorporated  in  1800. 

It  is  situated  upon  the  margin  of  Cazenovia  lake  and  its  outlet,  and 
upon  Chittenango  creek,  8  miles  S.  of  the  Erie  canal,  1 1  from  Morris- 
yille,  40  from  Utica,  and  113  from  Albany.  The  following  engraving 
is  a  SW.  view  of  the  village  as  seen  from  the  bridge,  at  the  outlet  of 
the  lake.  The  village  contains  upwards  of  200  dwellirigs,  1  Presliy- 
terian,  1  Methodist,  1  Baptist,  and  1  Congregational  church,  a  bank, 
8  printing  offices,  and  the  "  Oneida  Conference  Seminary,"  incorpo- 
rated in  1825.     This  institution  was  established  under  the  oatronaire 


-1 


m 


256 


MADISON    COUNTY. 


South  Western  view  of  Cazenovia. 

of  the  Methodist  denomination  for  the  education  of  youth  of  both 
sexes.  It  has  ever  maintained  a  high  standing.  The  number  of 
pupils  in  1840  was  327.     Woodstock  is  a  small  village. 

De  RuYTiMi,  taken  from  Cazenovia  in  1798;  from  Albany  123 
miles.  Pop.  1,709.  Dc  Ruytcr  village  is  17  miles  SW.  from  Mor- 
risville,  and  was  incorporated  in  1833.  It  contains  about  80  dwell- 
ings and  the  De  Ruyter  Institute,  a  flourishing  literary  seminary,  es- 
tablished a  few  years  since  under  the  patronage  of  the  Seventh-day 
Baptists.  The  annual  catalogue  for  1840  gives  1(52  as  the  numbei 
of  pupils  male  and  female.  A  newspaper  entitled  the  "  Seventh-day 
Baptist  Register,"  is  published  in  the  village. 

Eat-)\.  named  in  honor  of  General  William  Eaton,  settled  in  1794, 


Northeast  view  of  the  public  buildings  in  Morrisville. 
and  taken  from  Humilton  in  1807;  from  Albany  100  miles. 


Pop. 


th  of  both 
lumber  of 

Ibany  12.'? 
from  Mor- 
80  dwell- 
niiiary,  es- 
venth-day 
10  luimbei 
venth-day 

d  in  1794, 


MADISON    COUNTY. 


367 


3,408.  Morrisville,  the  county  seat,  on  the  three  great  western  turn- 
pikes, 102  miles  from  Albany,  15  S.  of  the  Erie  canal  at  Canastota, 
was  founded  in  1803  by  Thomas  Morris,  and  incorporated  in  1833: 
settled  principally  by  emigrants  from  Connecticut.  The  above  view 
shows  the  county  buildings  and  all  the  churches  in  the  village  ex- 
cepting the  Baptist.  The  first  building  on  the  left  is  the  jail ;  the 
second,  with  a  cupola,  the  county  house  ;  the  third,  the  county  clerk's 
office ;  the  fourth,  the  Methodist  church ;  and  the  tv/o  on  the  right, 
are  respectively  the  academy  and  the  Presbyterian  church.  There  are 
in  the  village  and  vicinity  about  100  buildings.  Eaton  village,  some- 
times called  the  Log  City,  4  miles  SE.  from  Morrisville,  was  founded 
in  1790  by  Mr.  Joseph  Morse,  and  has  about  as  many  dwellings  as 
Morrisville,  and  1  Baptist  and  1  Presbyterian  church.  Pratts  Hollow, 
3i  miles  N.  of  Morrisville,  is  a  small  village. 

In  September,  1823,  an  Indian  by  the  name  of  Abram  Anlone  was 
executed  at  this  place  for  murder.  The  following  narration  is  drawn 
from  a  memoir  published  at  that  time. 

Al)rnm  Antonc  was  born  in  the  yt-iir  17r)0,  on  the  banks  of  the  Susquehannah.  When 
a  boy,  his  parents  removed  to  Clienango,  During  tiie  revolution  he  took  up  arms  in  favor 
ot  the  Americans,  and  besides  being  in  several  battles,  it  is  said,  was  employed  on  a  secret 
mission  by  Governor  Clinton.  Bold,  adventurous,  and  revengeful,  few  dared  to  encounter 
his  wrath.  Years  mi>;ht  elapse  before  the  opportunity  for  revenge  was  afforded  :  but  then, 
when  perhaps  the  hapless  oflender  least  expected,  he  paid  the  price  of  his  temerity  with  his 
life.  "  But  the  most  atrocious  deed  of  all,  was  one  at  which  humanity  starts  with  horror — ■ 
the  murder  of  an  infant  child,  and  that  child  his  own  !  The  circumstances  of  this  event  are 
almost  loo  horrible  to  relate.  It  appears  from  the  account  of  his  wife,  that  returning  Trom 
an  assembly  of  Indians  one  evening  to  his  wigwam,  he  found  his  little  child  of  four  or  five 
months  old  vociferously  crying.  Impatient  at  the  noise,  the  monster  snatched  the  child 
from  iij  mother's  arms,  and  raking  open  a  hot  bed  of  coals,  buried  the  infant  beneath 
them." 

The  following  are  the  circumstances  connected  with  the  murder  for  which  he  was  executed. 
— "In  the  year  1810,  Mary,  the  daughter  of  Antone,  formed  a  connection  with  a  young 
Indian,  it  is  said  of  the  Htockbridge  tribe  ;  however,  the  connection  was  soon  broke  off,  and 
the  young  savage  left  his  former  mistress  for  one  more  agreci.ble.  This  so  enraged  the  he. 
roine,  that  she  deicrmined  to  kill  her  rival,  which  she  efl'^cled  by  stabbing  her  with  nn 
Indian  knife.  When  arrested,  and  on  her  way  to  prison,  she  manifested  a  remarkable 
indifference  as  to  her  fate,  justifying  herself  concerning  the  murder  of  the  squaw,  by  observ. 
ing  that  she  had  got  away  her  Indian,  and  deserved  to  die.  She  was  executed  in  Smith, 
field,  in  this  county.  .loliii  Jacobs  was  the  principal  evidence  against  hei.  He  had  also 
been  very  active  in  her  arrest.  In  short,  ho  was  considered  by  Antone  as  the  principal 
cause  of  his  daughter's  death,  and  both  before  and  after  her  execution  he  openly  threatenoj 
to  kill  him  the  first  opportunity.  Jacobs  hearing  of  it,  left  the  country,  and  did  not  return 
till  Antone  sent  him  word  that  he  woidd  not  molest  him,  probably  for  tlie  purpose  of  getting 
him  into  his  power.  The  eircumstntices  of  the  poor  fellow's  death  are  these  :  Relying  on 
Antone'.".  promise,  he  did  not  take  all  the  precaution  which  seems  to  have  been  necessary. 
He  was  hoeing  corn  in  a  field,  with  a  number  of  men,  when  Antone  came  up  in  a  friendly 
way,  shaking  hands  with  each  one  until  he  came  to  Jacobs,  and  while  grasping  his  hand 
in  apparent  friendship,  slipt  a  long  knife  from  out  the  frock  sleeve  of  his  left  arm,  pronoimcing 
'  How  d'ye  do,  brother ."  and  quicker  than  lightning  plunged  it  into  the  body  of  Jacobs, 
striking  him  three  times  under  the  short  ribs.  He  fell  at  the  first  blow.  Anlone  giving  a 
terrific  yell,  bounded  off  before  any  one  had  recovered  presence  of  mind  sufRcient  to  pursue 
him. 

"  The  same  night,  the  Indians,  learning  where  he  had  secreted  himself,  to  the  num. 
ber  of  fifteen  or  twenty  purptied  him.  He  had  enoanipod  in  a  thick  copse  of  under, 
brush,  and  had  provided  himself  with  dogs  that  might  give  the  alarm  in  case  he  was  dis. 
covered.  He  had  also  with  much  labor  cut  a  path  through  the  thicket,  which  was  almost 
inipasRablc.  On  the  approach  of  the  pursuers  the  dogs  gave  the  alarm,  and  Anlone,  flying 
Willi  tho  speed  of  u  deor  through  the  narrow  path  which  he  had  eut.  Mcapcd.    Shortly 

88 


m 


' 


>i\: 


ill 


258 


MADISON    COtTNTY. 


Il^  '   Miw^ 


after,  a  compnny  composed  of  about  thirty  white  men  and  Indians,  followed  him  to  his 
hiding-place.  They  approached  within  twelve  yards  before  they  discovered  him.  Again 
by  his  agility  he  escaped,  the  night  also  favoring  him.  He  went  constantly  armed  with  a 
rifle,  two  or  three  knives,  and  it  has  been  said  that  he  wore  pistols  in  his  belt ;  this,  liow. 
ever  is  not  certain.  His  two  sons  were  almost  constantly  with  him,  well  armed,  and,  aa 
they  declared,  for  the  purpose  of  defending  their  father.  One  of  the  brothers,  called  Charles, 
was  a  most  powerful  and  desperate  fellow.  He  was  said  to  be  the  strongest  Indian  of  his 
tribe.     He  died  some  years  since  in  Chenango  county,  having  undertaken  to  dnnk  a  quart 

of  rum  on  a  wager.  n,     t  u    o    u  •  . 

"  There  was  an  attempt  made  to  take  ^ntone  while  encamped  on  a  Mr.  John  Guthrie's 
land,  in  the  town  of  Sherburne.  Two  large  and  resolute  Indians  having  obtained  informa. 
tion  that  Antone  was  alone  in  his  camp,  his  two  sons  having  left  him  for  a  few  days  p  t 
hunting  tour,  went  with  the  full  determination  of  securing  him.  They  approached  his  c  .p 
undiscovered.  Antone  was  making  a  broom  ;  but  the  ever  watchful  Indian  hearing  a  rust, 
ling  at  the  entrance  of  his  camp,  seized  his  rifle,  and  as  they  suddenly  entered,  pointing  at 
the  foremost,  declared  if  he  advanced  a  step  further  he  would  shoot  him  dead.  His  deter, 
mined  manner  appalled  the  pursuers,  and  after  parleying  with  him  a  short  time,  they  with- 
drew  very  much  mortified  at  the  result  of  their  enterprise.  But  the  most  curious  circum- 
stance  of  all  was  that  Antono's  rifle  was  not  loaded  at  the  time.  He  has  frequently  boasted 
since  of  having  scared  two  Indians  with  an  empty  rifle.  He  at  length  grew  so  fearless  that 
he  marched  through  our  towns  and  villages  in  open  day,  without  any  fear  of  being  taken. 
It  is  even  said,  that  in  the  village  of  Sherburne  he  entered  a  store  in  which  were  about 
twenty  mm,  niid  drank  till  he  was  completely  intoxicated. 

"  There  w<aa  nothing  remarkably  interesting  in  his  trial.  His  honor  Judge  Williams,  of 
Utica,  presided.  The  prisoner  was  brought  to  the  bar,  and  plead  not  guilty.  The  wit. 
nesses  against  him  were  principally  uncultivated  sons  of  the  forest.  But  it  was  remarked 
that  their  testimony  was  given  with  a  cnntulness  and  precision  scarcely  to  be  expected. 
The  testimony  was  clear  and  decisive.  The  court  appointed  Judge  Piatt  and  General 
Kirkland  his  counsel.  They  rested  their  defence  altogether  on  this,  that  the  state  of  New 
York  had  no  jurisdiction  over  the  Indian  tribes  within  her  territory.  The  court,  however, 
overruled  the  objection,  and  Antone  was  sentenced  to  be  handed  on  Friday,  the  12th  of  Sep. 
tember,  1823.  The  prisoner  has  always  objected  to  a  trial,  except  by  his  own  people.  He 
says  that  he  has  paid  two  hundred  and  seventy  dollars  to  the  diti'erent  tribes  for  n  ransom, 
and  thinks  it  hard  that  he  should  die  when  he  has  made  his  peace  with  the  Indians,  He 
particularly  objects  to  the  mode  of  execution,  which  he  thinks  is  very  degrndiiig.  '  No 
good  way,'  said  he,  putting  his  hands  around  his  neck — '  No  good  way,'  and  then  pointing 
to  his  heart,  he  observed  that  he  should  be  willing  to  be  shot, 

"  Two  or  three  different  tribes  have  sent  petition^  prayintr  for  his  release  ;  but  the  Oneida, 
of  which  tribe  he  is  said  by  some  to  be  a  chief,  have  neglected  it.  This  is  said  to  be  owing 
to  the  influence  of  tho  head  chief,  who  is  the  enemy  of  Antone.  Without  doubt  the  Indi. 
ana  generally  would  be  plensed  wiih  his  release;  though  it  is  certainly  a  very  singular  cir. 
cumstance  that  the  same  ones  who  volunteered  in  pursuit  of  him  after  the  murder  of  John 
Jacojs,  and  to  whom  he  was  always  a  particular  object  both  of  dread  and  fear,  should  now 
turn  and  petition  for  him.  The  natives  do  not  generally  assent  to  our  jurisdiction  over 
them,  and  it  may  perhaps  be  thought  that  they  petition  for  Antone  on  this  principle. 

"  It  may  be  interesting  to  some  to  know  what  ideas  of  religion  are  entertained  by  An. 
tone.  As  is  usual,  pious  people  have  talked  with  him  and  endeavored  to  explain  the  prin- 
ciples  of  the  Christian  religion.  But  he  either  cannot  or  will  not  understand  them.  He 
has  no  idea  of  a  Saviour — indeed  he  appeam  u,  be  utteriy  ignorant  of  every  pri.iciple  of 
Christianity.  He  mentioned  through  the  inter|mtrr  that  he  put  his  trust  in  Ood,  or  more 
properly  the  (^ireat  Spirit.  He  was  then  asked  whether  it  was  the  God  of  the  Christians,  or 
the  Spirit  which  was  won-iiipped  by  his  fathers.  The  eye  of  the  warrior  sparkled  as  he 
readily  replied, '  The  God  of  my  Falhera ."  Until  within  a  short  lime  ho  has  nourished 
some  hopes  of  being  reprieved,  but  they  seem  to  have  failed  him.  He  says  that  he  is  will, 
ing  to  die,  and  only  complains  of  the  manner.  Ho  is  very  anxious  respecting  his  body, 
being  fearful  that  it  will  be  obtained  for  dissection. 

"  To  look  at  the  old  warrior,  one  would  scarcely  suppose  that  he  could  be  guilty  of  8» 
enormous  a  crime.  He  has  a  noble  countenance,  in  which  there  is  not  the  least  expression 
of  malice.  t)n  the  contrary,  there  is  something  placable,  and  bordering  on  serenity  in  hia 
features.  Hia  eye  is  pruetraiiiig,  but  yet  expresses  no  cruelty.  His  voice  is  somewhtt 
broken  by  age,  but  pleasant  and  sonorous." 

Fknneii,  taken  from  Cazenovia  and  Smithficld  in  1823 ;  from  Alba- 
ny 115  miles.    Pop.  l,Ui)7.    Perry svillo,  on  the  SuUivau  line  15  mile* 


'^^^1 


'"  •'ryg-'-'-- 


MADISON    COUNXy. 


259 


him  to  his 
im.  Again 
med  witii  a 
;  this,  iiow- 
ned,  and,  aa 
led  Charles, 
ndian  of  his 
rink  a  quart 

in  Guthrie's 
led  inforrva- 
w  days  f  i 
led  his  c  -p 
iring  a  rust- 
,  pointing  at 
His  deter- 
;,  they  with- 
ious  circum- 
ntly  boasted 
fearless  that 
being  taken. 
I  were  about 

iVilliams,  of 
f.  The  wit. 
as  remarked 
be  expected, 
iiid  General 
tate  of  New 
irt,  however, 
12th  of  Sep. 
people.  He 
)T  a  ranpoin, 
ndians.  He 
nding.  '  No 
ten  pointing 

t  the  Oneida, 
to  be  owing 
ubt  the  Indi. 
singular  cir. 
rder  of  John 
,  should  now 
sdictioa  over 
ciple. 

lined  by  An. 
lain  the  prin. 
i  them.  He 
priiiciple  of 
lod,  or  more 
Christians,  or 
)urkled  us  he 
us  nourished 
ut  he  is  will. 
\g  his  body, 

!  guilty  of  e» 

St  expression 

ronity  in  his 

is  BomewhRt 

-orn  Alba- 
i  15  miles 


NW.  from  Morris  viiie,  and  Fenner  centrally  situated,  are  small  set- 
tlements. 

Georgetown,  taken  from  De  Ruyter  in  1815;  from  Albany  106 
miles,  and  from  Morrisville  centrally  distant  SW.  12  miles.  George- 
town is  a  small  settlement,  near  the  centre  of  the  town.     Pop.  1,130. 

Hamilton  was  originally  taken  from  Paris,  when  part  of  Herkimer 
county  in  1801,  At  the  period  of  its  incorporation  it  comprised 
townships  No.  2,  3,  4,  and  5,  Eaton,  Madison,  Hamilton,  and  Leba- 
non. The  surface  of  the  township  is  hilly,  but  the  soil  is  of  a  supe- 
rior quality :  it  is  drained  on  the  south  by  the  Chenango  river  and  its 
branches.     Pop.  3,738. 


Northern  view  of  Hamilton  village,  Madison  county. 

Hamilton  village  is  8  miles  SW.  of  Morrisville,  28  from  Utica,  and 
96  from  Albany  ;  it  contains  nearly  100  dwellings,  1  Baptist,  1  Pres- 
bv'terian,  and  1  Methodist  church,  and  a  newspaper  printing  office. 
The  above  engraving  shows  the  appearance  of  the  village  as  seen 
from  a  point  near  the  burying  ground.  The  buildings  of  the  "  Ham- 
ilton Literary  and  Theological  Seminary"  are  seen  on  the  elevated 
ground  on  the  left.  This  institution  was  incorporated  in  1819,  and 
commenced  operations  in  1820.  The  principal  building,  which  was 
erected  in  1827,  is  of  stone,  100  by  (.0  f<  jt,  4  stories,  containing  34 
rooms  for  study,  34  lodg'ng  rooms,  a  reading  room,  library,  and  a 
large  chapel.  Another  large  stone  edifice,  100  feet  by  60,  was  erect- 
ed in  1834.  There  is  a  boardii  r-house,  a  joiner's  shop,  and  a  farm 
of  130  acres  belonging  to  the  society.  Tiie  regular  course  of  studies 
i.s  six  years  ;  four  in  the  collegiate,  and  two  in  the  theological  depart- 
ment. This  seminary  was  established  under  the  patronage  of  the 
Baptists,  and  it  is  said  to  be  the  largest  theological  institution  of  that 
denomination  in  the  world.  "  The  institution  is  open  to  young  men 
having  the  ministry  in  view  from  every  denomination  of  evangelical 
Chrictiana."  Poolville,  Hamilton  Centre,  and  Colchester,  are  small 
settlements. 


ii 


:.:«:'/• 


'  I' 


260 


MADISON    COUNTY. 


Lebanon,  taken  from  HamiltOxi  in  1807;  from  Albany  110,  from 
Morrisville  centrally  distant  S.  9  miles.  Lebanon,  Smith's  Valley, 
and  the  "Centre,"  are  small  settlements.     Pop.  1,794. 

Lenox,  taken  from  Sullivan  in  1809;  from  Albany  118  miles. 
Pop.  5,441.  Clockville,  10  miles  NW.  from  Morrisville,  has  about  60 
dwellings.  Canastota,  post  village,  on  the  line  of  the  Erie  canal  and 
great  Western  railroad,  1.5  miles  from  Morrisville,  has  1  Dutch  Re- 
Ibrmed  and  1  Methodist  church,  7  mercantile  stores,  and  750  inhab- 
itants. The  village  takes  its  name  from  a  cluster  of  pine  trees  that 
united  their  branches  over  the  creek  which  passes  through  the  centre 
of  the  village  and  bears  its  name,  called  in  the  native  dialect  of  the 
Oneidas,  Kniste.  The  tract  on  which  the  village  is  located  was  pa- 
tented in  1810  by  the  state  of  New  York  to  Capt.  Reuben  Perkins, 
its  first,  and  now  its  oldest  inhabitant.  The  present  site  of  the  village 
"vvas  a  wlieat  field  when  the  Erie  canal  was  laid  out  and  constructed. 
The  first  framed  house  was  erected  by  Capt.  Perkins  on  an  eminence 
where  it  now  stands,  near  the  cluster  of  pines.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Young 
was  the  first  settled  minister.  Wampsville,  13  miles  from  Morris- 
ville, Lenox,  and  Lenox  Basin,  are  small  villages. 

Madison,  taken  from  Hamilton  in  1807;  from  Albany  94  miles. 
Madison,  Bouckville,  0  miles  E.  from  Morrisville,  Madison  Centre, 
and  Solesville,  are  small  settlements.     Pop.  2,344. 

Nelson,  taken  from  Cazenovia  in  1807  ;  from  Albany  109  miles. 
Erieville,  9  miles  SW.  from  Morrisville,  has  about  45  dwellings. 
Nelson  Flats  is  7  miles  W.  from  Morrisville.     Pop.  2,100. 

Stockiuiidge,  recently  taken  from  Smithfield ;  centrally  distant  7 
miles  NE.  from  Morrisville.  Cooks  Corners  and  Munsonville  are 
small  settlements.     Knoxville  is  a  post-otfice.     Pop.  2,344. 

Smitmfield,  taken  from  Cazenovia  in  1807;  from  Albany  108,  cen- 
trally distant  N.  from  Morrisville  5  miles.  Pop.  1,699.  Peterboro, 
centrally  situated,  has  about  60  dwellings,  2  churches,  and  a  school 
for  the  education  of  colored  persons.  Siloam  and  Stockbridge  are 
villages.  The  principal  part  of  this  town  and  Stockbridge  was  leased 
of  tile  Oneida  Indians  by  Peter  Smith  in  1794,  and  purchased  by  the 
state  in  1795.  These  towns  comprise  the  larger  part  of  the  New 
Petersburg  tract,  and  a  portion  <"  f  the  Oneida  reservation  and  New 
Stockbridge  tract. 

Sullivan  was  first  erected  in  1803,  then  in  Chenango  county;  and 
in  1809  the  eastern  and  largest  part  was  erected  into  the  town  of 
Lenox.  Canaseraga  and  Bridgeport  arc  villages.  Joslin's  Corners 
is  a  post-otfice.     Pop.  4,390. 

The  above  shows  the  apj)carance  of  Chittenango  village  as  it  is 
entered  from  the  SE.  The  village  consists  of  \ipwards  of  100  dwell- 
ings, 3  churches — 1  Dutch  Reformed,  1  Methodist,  and  1  Baptist — a 
large  woollen  factory,  and  several  other  manufacturing  establishments. 
The  Methodist  church  is  seen  in  the  central  part  of  the  engraving  ;  the 
woollen  factory,  built  of  stone,  is  seen  on  the  left ;  the  spireof  the  Baptist 
church  is  seen  towards  the  right,  near  which  is  the  spire  of  the  youths* 
Bethel.    The  Dutch  Reformed  church,  a  large  stone  structure,  is  a  pro- 


MADISON    COUNTY. 


261- 


110,  from 

3  Valley, 

18  miles, 
about  60 
;anal  and 
utch  Re- 
50  inliab- 
;reos  that 
he  centre 
ct  of  the 
I  was  pa- 
Perkins. 
lie  village 
istructtid. 
eminence 
^r.  Young 
1  Morris- 

94  miles. 
n  Centre, 

09  miles. 
Iwellings. 

distant  7 
iville  are 

108,  cen- 
'eterboro, 
I  a  school 
iridge  are 
.'as  leased 
ed  by  the 

the  New 
and  New 

mty;  and 
3  town  of 
s  Corners 

:i  as  it  is 
00  dwell- 
laptist — a 
lisnments. 
ving ;  the 
be  Baptist 
le  youths' 
3,  is  a  pro- 


Southeastern  view  of  Chittenango. 

nent  object  as  the  village  is  entered  on  the  road  from  the  Erie  canal, 
but  it  could  not  be  seen  from  the  spot  from  whence  the  above  view 
was  taken.  The  site  of  the  village  was  probably  at  a  former  period 
a  lake ;  it  is  surrounded  on  almost  every  side  by  elevated  grounds, 
in  which  are  found  numerous  petrifactions  of  trees,  branches,  &c., 
in  various  stages  of  conversion.  In  the  valley  of  the  Chittenango 
creek,  about  a  mile  above  the  village,  are  two  mineral  springs,  one 
mostly  sulphur ;  the  other  has  a  large  portion  of  magnesia  :  both 
have  been  found  efficient  in  some  diseases.     The  village  is  situated 

I  one  mile  S.  of  the  Erie  canal,  2  from  the  Utica  and  Syracuse  rail- 

|l  road,  8  from  Cazenovia,  16  from  Morristown,  34  from  Utica,  and  15 

from  Syracuse.     Canesaraga  and  Bridgeport  are  post  villages.     The 

I  latter  is  20  miles  from  Morrisville,  and  has  grown  within  a  few  years 

I  from  a  hamlet  to  a  thriving  village. 

The  murder  of  Robert  Barber,  by  Lewis  Wilber,  on  the  line  of  the 
Erie  canal  in  this  town,  August  30th,  1837,  caused  a  great  sensation 
in  this  part  of  the  country.  Robert  Barber  was  from  Coleraine,  in 
th^northern  part  of  Massachusetts,  and  was  a  man  of  respectability, 
and  in  easy  circumstances.     He  was  a  widower  of  upwards  of  fifty 

1^  years  of  age,  and  had  children  and  numerous  respectable  relatives  in 

Coleraine.  He  left  home  on  the  28th  of  August,  for  the  purpose  of 
marrying  a  lady  residing  at  Onondaga,  N.  Y.  On  his  journey  to 
Uticd  he  became  acquainted  with  Wilber,  who  was  about  21  years 
of  age,  a  native  of  Saratoga,  N.  Y.  This  person  was  of  a  low  and 
vicious  character,  and  in  the  habit  of  thieving  from  his  childhood. 
The  following  account  of  the  murder  is  from  a  pamphlet  published  in 
Morrisville  in  1839. 

"  At  lUicii,  Wilhcr  first  cntrrtnined  the  thought  of  murdciing  the  old  ninn.  For  that 
ol)jpLt,  or  any  similar  one,  he  purehused  a  coiiiinoii  shucknife,  as  he  said, — but  such  a  one 
as  is  often  culled  n  breod-knifc,  with  a  sharp  point  and  a  turned  wooden  handle  ;  it  cost  eigh. 
teen  pence.     This  he  wrapped  in  a  paper,  and  carried  it  in  a  pocket  in  the  skirt  of  his  coat. 

"  Sometime  towards  evening  of  the  same  day,  (the  29ih,)  they  both  took  a  line  boat  to 
go  west,  of  which  Edwin  H.  Mungur  wa«  captain;  the  name  of  the  boat  he  could  not  re 


iM 


Irl 


in 


^n^ 


{■>■    ^ 


262 


MADISON    COUNTY. 


collect.  Night  coming  on,  they  lodged  together  in  the  same  berth.  Little  of  interest  oc. 
curred  during  the  passage  until  morning,  when  they  arrived  very  early  at  Burr's  Tavern, 
on  the  canal,  in  Sullivan,  about  three  miles  east  of  iliu  Cliittenango  Landing.  There,  the 
boat  having  stopped,  Wilber  and  his  companion  (for  they  had  t)y  this  time  become  consid- 
erably  acquainted,  and  the  old  gentleman  familiar  with  him)  stepped  off  from  the  boat, 
went  into  the  house,  and  drank  something  at  the  bar  that  they  called  for,  which  was  handed 
to  them  by  a  woman. 

"  They  then  walked  along  the  towpath  to  Lee's  Bridge  (so  called,)  about  eighty  rods 
west,  and  had  some  conversation  about  going  on  foot  to  Chittenaiigo  Landing ;  and  at  the 
suggestion  of  Wilber,  they  crossed  over  Lee's  Bridge,  and  took  a  westerly  direction  in  the 
highway  leading  to  Chittenango  Landing.  They  passed  the  crotch  of  the  road  that  leads 
off  towards  Canesaraga,  and  turning  west,  went  on  beyond  all  the  houses  and  buildings. 
When  they  reached  the  last  open  field  on  the  right,  before  entering  the  woods,  Wilber  in- 
formed  the  old  gentleman  that  it  would  lessen  the  distance  to  turn  to  the  right  from  the 
road,  and  cross  the  woods  in  that  direction.  They  accordingly  got  over  the  fence,  and 
walked  in  the  direction  of  the  woods,  which  they  soon  reached  and  entered.  In  the  direc. 
tion  they  were  travelling  at  the  time,  the  woods,  where  they  entered  them,  were  about 
sixty  rods  from  the  highway,  and  the  distance  through  the  woods  to  the  canal  (towards 
which  they  were  going  at  an  angle  of  about  forty-five  degrees  to  the  general  course  of  the 
canal,)  must  be  not  far  from  a  quarter  of  a  mile, 

"  When  they  arrived  at  the  jjlace  where  the  body  of  the  old  gentleman  was  subsequently 
found,  (eighteen  or  twenty  rods  distant  from  the  canal,)  Wilber  said  he  took  from  his 
pocket  the  knife  before  described,  and  a  pistol  that  he  carried,  which  at  the  time  was  not 
charged — and  presenting  the  pistol  to  iLj  old  gentleman,  demanded  of  him  his  money,  at 
the  same  time  showing  him  the  knife.  Here  he  said  he  became  much  agitated,  and  appa- 
rently  more  so  than  the  old  gentleman.  The  latter  deliberately  took  his  pocket.book  from 
a  side.pocket  in  his  coat,  and  a  purse  from  his  pantaloons  pocket — saying  at  the  same  time, 
'  I  did  not  think  that  of  you — I  thought  you  was  my  friend.'  Wilber  then  told  him  to  throw 
down  the  pocket-book  and  purse,  which  he  did.  '  I  was  afraid  to  take  them  up,'  said  he, 
'  and  told  him  to  he  down  and  hide  his  face,  and  not  look  up  for  half  an  hour.'  He  then 
laid  down  in  the  same  position  in  which  he  lay  when  found,  according  to  the  testimony  of 
the  witnesses.  Here  Wilber  resolved  to  take  the  money  and  leave  him.  He  took  the 
pocket-book  and  purse,  and  secured  them.  Then,  standing  by  the  right  side  of  the  old 
gentleman,  who  lay  on  his  face,  with  his  right  hand  under  his  eyes  and  his  hat  on  his  head, 
a  second  thought  warned  Wilber  of  the  danger  of  detection  if  the  old  gentleman  should 
live  ;  and  throwing  up  the  skirt  of  his  coat,  with  a  back-handed  stroke  he  plunged  the  knife 
into  his  body,  near  the  back-bone  and  below  the  ribs.  This  he  repeated  several  times. 
He  said  that  from  the  time  he  struck  the  first  blow  with  the  knife,  no  signs  of  hfe  appeared. 
Indeed,  he  never  moved  from  the  original  position  in  which  he  laid  down. 

"  But  this  seemed  not  enough.  He  then  stepped  a  few  paces  to  the  west,  and  thinking 
thut  by  possibility  his  victim  might  survive,  he  picked  up  a  large  stone,  and  approaching 
him  as  he  lay,  threw  it  al  him,  and  it  struck  his  head.  This  he  thought  made  the  fracture 
in  the  skull  above  the  left  ear,  on  the  back  of  the  head,  which  appeared  when  the  body 
was  found,  and  also  a  sinular  corresponding  hole  in  the  hat. 

"  In  describing  this  scene — which  he  did  with  a  great  deal  of  accuracy  and  minuteness — 
his  feelings  frequently  overcame  his  utterance,  and  the  burden  of  his  thoughts  choked«him 
to  silence.  He  would  pause,  and  groan  and  weep ;  and  when  he  spoke  again,  it  would  be 
by  exclamations  and  ejaculuiions,  accompanied  by  the  most  frightful  writhings,  manifesting 
the  greatest  mental  suffering.  He  declared  that  if  the  old  gentleman  had  made  the  least 
resistance  or  noise,  he  should  have  find,  and  left  him  untouched." 

Wilber  after  the  murder  proceeded  on  to  Buflalo,  and  from  thence 
to  Cleaveland,  Ohio,  where  he  was  arrested  in  April,  1838.  After 
Mr.  Barlxn-  was  missed  by  the  captain  of  the  boat,  from  which  he 
went  with  Wilber,  his  trunk  was  kept  on  board  through  to  Buffalo 
and  buck  again  to  Albany,  whci-e  he  saw  a  notice  respecting  the  dis- 
api)earance  of  Mr.  B.  His  suspicions  now  rested  on  Wilber  as  his 
murderer.  Search  was  made  lar  and  near  on  the  north  side  of  the 
canal ;  this  was  in  October,  and  the  winter  passed  away  without  any 
discovery.  In  March,  1838,  the  body  was  accidentally  discovered, 
which  immediately  led  to  the  apprehension  of  Wilber.  He  was  ex- 
ecuted nt  Morrisville.  Octobpr  Sri.  ISafl. 


I  of  interest  oc. 
Burr's  Tavern, 
ig.  There,  the 
become  consid. 
from  the  boat, 
ich  was  handed 

out  eighty  rods 
ng ;  and  at  the 
direction  in  the 
'oad  t}iat  leads 

and  buildings, 
ods,  Wilber  in- 
right  from  the 

the  fence,  and 

In  the  direc. 

m,  were  about 

canal  (towards 

il  course  of  the 

IS  subsequently 

took  from  his 
e  time  was  not 

his  money,  at 
ited,  and  appa. 
cket.book  from 

the  same  time, 
d  him  to  throw 
m  up,'  said  he, 
our.'  He  then 
le  testimony  of 
He  took  the 
side  of  the  old 
lat  on  his  head, 
itleman  should 
inged  the  knife 

several  times, 
f  life  appeared. 

It,  and  thinking 
id  approaching 
ide  the  fracture 
when  the  body 

i  minuteness — 
bts  choked«him 
in,  it  would  be 
gs,  manifesting 
made  the  least 

rom  thence 
B38.  After 
fi  which  he 

to  Buffalo 
ing  the  dis- 
'^ilber  as  his 

side  of  the 
without  any 
discovered, 
He  was  ex- 


MONROE   COUNTT.  263 


MONROE  COUNTY. 

Monroe  county  was  taken  from  Ontario  and  Genesee  in  1821. 
Distant  from  New  York  by  way  of  Albany  NW.  365,  and  from 
Albany  W.  219  miles..  Greatest  length  E.'  and  W.  34,  greatest 
breadth  N.  and  S.  24  miles.  The  surface  is  level,  or  gently  wav- 
ing. The  mountain  i^ge,  a  high  terrace  of  land  nearly  parallel  with 
Lake  Ontario,  extends  across  the  county,  as  also  the  alluvial  way, 
supposed  to  have  been  formed  by  the  action  of  the  waters  of  that 
lake  at  some  former  period.  The  soil  is  generally  a  rich  mould  and 
very  productive.  "  It  is  said  that  an  analysis  of  the  Genesee  wheat, 
for  which  this  county  is  so  celebrated,  exhibits  more  saccharine  than 
that  of  the  southern  states;  whilst  the  latter  combines  with  a  larger 
portion  of  nour  in  the  composition  of  bread.  This  may  explain  why 
southern  flour  is  more  acceptable  to  the  baker,  and  Genesee  to  the 
consumer.  It  is  common  for  extensive  farmers  to  sow  from  50  to 
200  acres  with  wheat,  and  to  reap  an  average  crop  of  20  bushels  to 
the  acre.^^  The  product  is  sometimes  30,  40,  and  even  50  bushels  to 
the  acre."  The  long  level  of  the  Erie  canal  continues  2h  miles  E. 
of  the  Genesee  river.  In  the  towns  of  Rochester,  Mendon.  and  Gates, 
there  are  sulphur  springs.  "  The  towns  of  Parma,  Ogden,  Chili,  Riga, 
Gates,  and  Greece,  E.  of  the  Triangle,  belonged  to  the  great  tract  of 
Phelps  and  Gorham,  together  with  that  portion  of  the  county  E.  of 
the  Genesee  river.  Clarkson  and  Sweden,  part  of  the  Triangle,  and 
Wheatland,  were  of  the  tract  purchased  by  Robert  Morris  from  Mas- 
sachusetts. Phelps  and  Gorham  sold  out  Greece  and  Gates,  in  frac- 
tional parts  to  settlers ;  and  Parma,  Ogden,  Riga,  and  Chili,  in  mass 
to  Robert  Morris.  The  lands  on  the  east  side  of  the  river  were  sold 
by  them  in  parcels,  consisting  of  whole  and  parts  of  townships.  The 
county  was  settled  chiefly  by  emigrants  from  New  England,  with  a 
few  from  Pennsylvania  and  the  lower  parts  of  New  York."  It  con- 
tains  the  city  of  Rochester  and  19  towns.     Pop.  64,912. 

Brighton  was  taken  from  Smallwood  and  Penfield  in  1814;  NW. 
from  Albany  216,  from  Rochester  E.  3  m  les.  Pop.  2,337.  Blos- 
somsville,  situated  on  the  canal,  is  a  small  se'tlement. 

Chili  was  taken  from  Riga  in  1802  ;  NW,  from  Albany  230,  from 
Rochester  S  W.  1 1  miles.  Chili,  North  Chili,  South  Cliili,  and  O'Con- 
nelsville,  are  post-oflices  ;  around  which  are  small  settlements.  Pon. 
2,174.  ^ 

Clarkson  was  taken  from  Murray  in  1819;  NW.  from  Albany 
238  miles.  Clarkson  on  the  Ridge  road,  le  miles  W.  of  Rochester, 
is  a  small  village.     Pop.  3,486. 

Gates,  originally  named  Northampton,  and  organized  in  1802; 
from  Albany  225,  from  Rochester  W.  6  miles.     Pop.  1,728. 

Greece  was  taken  from  Gates  in  1802;  NW.  from  Albany  225 
miles.  Pop.  3,t^9.  Port  Genesee,  formerly  called  Charlotte,  at  the 
mouth  of  the  (^nesee  nver,  on  Lake  Ontario,  7  miles  N.  of  Roches- 


m  ' 


n 


264 


MONROE    COUNTY. 


i  ', 'S 


ter,  is  a  small  village.  It  has  a  customhouse,  a  pier  over  half  a  mile 
in  length,  for  the  protection  of  the  harbor,  with  a  lighthouse  built  by 
the  United  States.  Hanford's  Landing,  3  miles  N.  of  Rochester  on 
the  west  bank  of  the  Genesee,  was  formerly  a  place  of  considerable 
business.  "  It  was  the  first  landing  on  the  river  for  lake  navigation, 
and  here  in  1798  was  built  the  iirst  dwelling,  and  in  1810  the  first 
store,  on  the  river  below  Avon,  on  the  wesl^side  of  the  Genesee  riv- 
er." Greece  is  a  small  settlement  on  the  ridge  road,  9  miles  NW. 
from  Rochester.  North  Greece  is  a  post-ojice.  The  following 
relative  to  Hanford's  landing  is  from  Mr.  O'Reilly's  History  of  Roch- 
ester. 

"A  settlement  was  formed  here  in  1796.  In  1800,  the  English  traveller  Maude  men- 
tions  that,  as  he  could  not  find  any  accommodations  for  refreshment — *  not  even  a  stalilc 
for  his  horse' — at  'he  place  where  the  ciiy  of  Rochester  has  since  sprung  into  existence,  he 
'  was  obliged  to  proceed  to  Gideon  King's,  at  the  Genesee  Landing,  where  [he]  got  a  good 
breakfast  on  wild  pigeons.  Mr.  King  is  the  only  respectable  settler  in  this  township,  (No. 
1,  short  range,)  in  which  there  are  at  present  twelve  famiUes,  four  of  whom  have  established 
themselves  at  the  Landing.  King,  though  the  proprietor  of  3,000  acres,  lives  in  an  in- 
different log  house  :  one  reason  for  this  is,  that  he  has  not  been  able  to  procure  boards. 
Tile  Landing  is  the  port  from  whence  nil  the  shipments  of  the  Genesee  river  must  be 
made  ;  but  further  improvements  are  much  checked  in  consequence  of  the  titles  to  the 
lands  being  in  dispute.  The  circumstances  are  as  follow  :  Mr.  Phelps  sold  3,000  acres  in 
this  neighborhood  to  Zadok  Granger  for  about  $10,000,  the  payment  being  secured  by  a 
mortgage  on  the  land.  Granger  died  soon  after  his  removal  here  ;  and  having  sold  part  of 
the  land,  the  residue  would  not  clear  the  mortgage,  which  prevented  his  heirs  from  admin, 
istering  on  his  estate.  Phelps  foreclosed  the  mortgage  and  entered  on  possession,  even  on 
that  part  which  had  been  already  sold  and  improved.  Some  settlers,  in  consequence,  left 
their  farms — others  repaid  the  purchase  money — and  others  again,  are  endeavoring  to  make 
some  accommodation  with  Mr.  Phelps.  A  son  of  Mr.  Granger  resides  here,  and  Mr. 
Greaves,  his  nephew,  became  also  d  settler,  erected  the  frr.me  of  a  good  house,  and  died. 
The  Landing  is  at  present  an  unhealthy  residence,  but  when  the  woods  get  more  opened  it 
will  no  doubt  become  as  healthy  as  any  other  part  of  the  Genesee  country.  I  went  to  see 
the  new  store  and  wharf.  It  is  very  difficult  to  get  goods  conveyed  to  and  from  the  wharf, 
in  consequence  of  the  great  height  and  steepness  of  the  bank.' 

"  As  illustrative  of  the  condition  of  things  in  the  way  of  roads  as  well  as  navigable  facili- 
ties,  we  may  note  a  remark  of  the  traveller,  that '  yesterday,  August  18,  IflOO,  a  schooner 
of  forty  tons  sailed  from  this  Landing  for  Kingston,  U.  C,  laden  with  potash,  which  had 
been  sent  from  Canandarqua  to  Rundicut  Bay,  and  from  thence  round  about  in  boats  to 
this  (Genesee)  Landing.' 

" '  This  Landing,'  adds  Maude,  '  is  four  miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  river,  where  two 
log  huts  are  built  at  its  entrance  into  Lake  Ontario.  At  this  Landing  the  channel  runs 
close  alongshore,  and  hos  thirty  feet  depth  ;  but  unon  the  bar  at  the  mouth  of  the  river  the 
water  shoals  to  sixteen  or  eighteen  feet.  This  place  is  about  equally  distant  from  the  east, 
ern  and  western  limits  of  Lake  Ontario,  and  opposite  to  its  centre  and  widest  parts,  being 
here  about  eighty  [sixty]  miles  across.' 

"  In  January,  1810,  Frederic  Hanford  opened  a  store  of  goods  at  what  was  called  the 
Upper  Landing  or  Falltown— the  name  of  Genesee  Landing  was  no  longer  strictly  npplica- 
ble,  as  another  Landing  had  been  established  at  the  junction  of  the  river  and  lake,  at  the 
/illage  culled  Charlotte.  Hanford's  was  the  first  merchant's  store  on  the  river  between 
Avon  and  Lake  On'ario— a  distance  of  about  twenty-five  miles.  Hence  the  place  has  since 
been  termed  *  Hanford's  Landing.' 

"  In  the  same  year  Silas  0.  Smith  opened  a  store  at  Hanford's  Landing,  but  in  1813  re- 
moved to  the  new  village  of  Rochester,  where  he  built  the  first  merchant's  store ;  the  plat 
of  Rochester  having  been  planned  only  the  previous  season. 

"  As  at  the  present  steamboat  landing  on  the  river  at  the  north  part  of  the  city  of  Roches- 
ter, railways  were  used  to  facihlate  the  transit  of  freight  between  the  top  of  the  bank  at 
Hanford's  Landing  and  the  warehouses  or  vessels  on  the  margin  of  the  river.  The  railway, 
the  warehouses,  and  the  wharves  at  Hanford's  were  burned  in  1835." 

Heneietta  was  taken  from  Pittsford,  when  part  of  ^ntario  county, 


MONROE    COUNTY. 


265 


half  a  mile 
•use  built  by 
Rochester  on 
considerable 
)  navigation, 
810  the  first 
[Genesee  riv- 

miles  NW. 
e  following 
)ry  of  Ilocli- 


er  Maude  men- 
lot  even  a  stable 
ito  existence,  he 

[he]  got  a  good 
!  township,  (No. 
have  estabhshrd 

lives  in  an  in- 
procure  boards, 
ee  river  must  be 
the  titles  to  the 
Id  3,000  acres  in 
ing  secured  by  a 
i^ing  sold  part  of 
eirs  from  admin, 
isession,  even  oa 
;onsequence,  left 
lavoring  to  make 
8  here,  and  Mr. 
house,  and  died. 
!t  more  opened  it 
'.  I  went  to  see 
I  from  the  wharf, 

I  navigable  facili- 
1800, a  schooner 
)tash,  which  had 
about  in  boats  to 

river,  where  two 
he  channel  runs 
h  of  the  river  the 
int  from  the  east- 
dest  parts,  being 

at  was  called  the 
r  strictly  applica- 
-  and  lake,  at  the 
le  river  between 
le  place  has  since 

r,  but  in  1813  re- 
's store ;  the  plat 

le  city  of  Roches, 
ip  of  the  bank  at 
er.    The  railway, 


itario  county, 


in  1818  ;  from  Albany  228  miles.  Henrietta  Comers  is  a  small  post 
village  8  miles  iS.  of  Rochester.  West  Henrietta  is  a  post-office. 
Pop.  .2,085. 

liioNDEauoiT,  recently  taken  from  Brighton,  of  which  it  formed  the 
northern  part.  It  receives  its  name  from  Irondequoit  bay,  which 
extends  through  the  eastern  part  of  the  town.     Pop.  1,252. 

"  This  h;iy,  [Ironde(iitoir,]  well  known  in  the  early  history  of  the  country,  is  now  wholly 
unfitted  for  navigation,  owing  to  the  sandbar  formed  at  its  junction  with  Lake  Ontario,  It 
is  now  much  frequented  by  parties  from  Rochester,  for  gunning,  fishing,  &c.  The  geolo. 
gist  also  has  many  altractioru--  for  a  visit  thither ;  for  '  on  the  borders  uf  the  bay,  and  of  the 
creek  of  the  same  name  which  discharges  iLself  there,  the  surface  of  the  earth  presents  a 
most  extraordinary  and  pii:tuiesquc  appearance — a  multitude  of  conical  or  irregular  mounds 
of  sand  and  li!;ht  earth,  sometimes  insulated  and  sometimes  united,  rising  lo  an  average 
height  of  201J  feii,  form  a  perfectly  level  meadow  of  the  richest  alluvial  loam.' 

"The  history  of  Iroiuiejuoit  is  intimutnly  connected  with  that  of  the  Military  and  Trad, 
ing  Posts  of  western  New  York.  A  station  was  established  there  in  1726,  to  aid  the  Brit- 
ish in  securing  the  trade  witli  the  western  Indians,  to  the  exclusion  of  the  French  at  the 
lower  end  of  Lake  Ontario. 

"  In  coiiiuctioii  with  the  fact  that  there  was  a  eiry  laid  out  at  Irondetjuoit  bay,  it  might 
be  mentioned  that  formerly  supplies  from  New  York,  destined  for  our  western  posts,  were 
sent  to  the  head  of  that  bay,  (instead  of  the  Genesee  river,)  there  freighted  in  batteaux,  to 
proceed  through  Lake  Ontario  to  Niagara  river — thence  to  be  taken  across  the  portage  to 
Fort  Schloaser ;  and  there  re-cmbarked  to  proceed  up  the  Niagara  river,  through  Lake  Erie, 
&c.  The  city  was  laid  out  at  the  head  of  the  bay,  near  the  route  of  the  present  road  be- 
tween  Canandaigua  and  Rochester. 

"It  may  amuse  some  readers  to  learn  that  Maude,  a  traveller  in  1800, mentions  that  the 
cargo  of  a  schooner  which  sailed  from  Genesee  river  for  Kingston,  U.  C.,  had  '  been  sent 
from  Canandarqua  for  Rundictit  bay,  and  from  thence  in  boats  round  aboiit  to  Genesee 
river  landing,'  for  shipment  in  the  above  schooner.  [The  cargo  thus  eircuitouily  forwarded 
from  Canandaigua  was  potash — and  '  no  potash  was  then  made  about  Irondequoit  or  Gen- 
esee landings  for  want  of  kettles'  in  1800.] 

"  The  mouth  of  Irondequoit  is  about  four  miles  eastward  of  Genesee  river  on  Lake  On. 
tario  ;  and  the  bay  extends  southwardly  about  five  miles,  nearly  to  the  present  main-travelled 
route  through  Brighton  betweeti  Rochester  and  Canandaigua. 

"  '  The  Tooronto  bay  of  Lake  Ontario,'  says  Spaftbrd,  '  merits  more  particular  notice,  if 
for  no  other  purpose  than  to  speak  of  Gerundegut,  Irondequoit,  and  Rundieut — names  by 
which  it  is  also  known.  The  Indians  called  it  '  Teoronto' — a  sonorous  luid  purely  Indian 
name,  too  good  to  be  supplanted  by  such  vulgarisms  as  Gerundegut  or  Irondequoit  I  The 
bay  is  about  five  miles  long  and  one  mile  wide,  communicating  with  the  lake  by  a  very 
narrow  opening — or  such  it  used  to  have — and  Teoronto,  or  Tche-o-ron-tok,  perhaps  rather 
nearer  the  Indian  pronunciation,  is  the  place  where  the  leaves  breathe  and  die,  or  gasp  and 
expire.  Let  a  person  of  as  nmch  discernment  as  these  savages  watch  the  motion  of  the 
waves  in  this  bay,  and  he  will  admire  the  aptitude  of  its  name,  and  never  again  pronounce 
Gerundegut,  Irondequoit,  or  Rundieut.'  " 


Mkndon  was  taken  from  Bloomfield  in  1812 


from  Albany  209 
miles.  Pop.  3,435.  Mendon,  incorporated  in  1833,  is  a  small  village 
near  the  eastern  line  of  the  town.  West  Mendon  i.s  10  miles  S.  of 
the  Erie  canal,  on  the  Honeoye  creek,  which  has  here  a  fall  of  60 
feet,  on  which  are  extensive  manufacturing  establishments.  There 
are  here  upwards  of  100  dwellings.     North  Mendon  is  a  hamlet. 

OcDKN,  taken  from  Parma  in  1817;  from  Rochester  10,  and  Alba- 
ny 230  miles.     Pop.  2,404.     Adams  and  Spencers  basins,  on  the 
canal,  are  post-offices,  and  small  settlements.     At  Ogden,  post-office- 
2  miles  S.  from  the  cahal,  10  W.  from  Rochester,  are  1  Presbytcriarr 
and  1  Baptist  church,  and  a  small  number  of  dwell  ngs. 

Parma,  organized  as  part  of  Genesee  county  ia  1808,  and  taken 
from  Northampton,  the  original  name  of  Gates ;  from  Albany  230 

34 


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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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33  WIST  MAIN  STMIT 

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266 


MONROE  COUNTY. 


miles.  Pop.  2,651.  Parma  village,  on  the  ridge  road,  12  miles  W. 
from  Rochester,  is  a  small  village.  At  Parma  Centre,  15  miles  from 
Rochester,  there  is  a  small  collection  of  dwellings. 

Penfikld,  taken  from  Boyle  in  1810  ;  NW.  from  Albany  211  miles. 
Pop.  2,842.  Penlield  village,  on  the  Irondequoit  creek,  8  miles  SE.  of 
Rochester,  has  about  30  dwellings.  The  creek  in  passing  through 
the  village  has  a  descent  of  90  teet,  formmg  the  high  falls  of  the 
Irondequoit,  affording  a  valuable  water-power. 

Peuuinton,  taken  from  Boyle  in  1812;  NW.  from  Albany  209 
miles.  Pop.  2,513.  Bushnells,  Fulloms,  and  Fairport,  are  basins  and 
settlements  on  the  canal.  At  Bushnells  basin,  11  miles  SE.  from 
Rochester,  is  the  great  embankment  over  the  Irondequoit  creek. 
Tliis  embankment  is  the  greatest  work  on  the  canal ;  it  is  nearly  a 
mile  in  length  and  from  40  to  76  feet  in  height.  It  is  partly  natural, 
partly  artificial,  and  extending  in  a  winding  direction  across  the  val- 
ley. The  following  is  extracted  from  the  journal  of  De  Witt  Clinton, 
while  on  his  exploring  tour  with  the  canal  commissioners  in  1810. 

"  We  arrived  at  the  tavern  at  Perrin's,  in  the  town  of  Boyle,  [now  Perrinton,]  twenty-one 
rfilcs  from  Canandaigua,  four  and  a  half  from  Gerundogut  or  In.ndequoit  landing,  and 
fourteen  from  Charlottesburgh.  A  vessel  of  thirty  tons  can  go  to  the  head  of  this  landing 
[from  Lake  Ontario;  but  the  sandbar  at  the  mouth  of  the  bay  now  prcveutj  ail  intercourse 
of  that  sort.]  The  sign  of  the  tavern  contains  masonic  emblems,  and  is  by  S.  Felt  &  Co. 
Felt  is  a  man  in  the  landlord's  employ ;  and  the  object  of  tJiis  nia.sked  sign  is,  as  the  land, 
lord  says,  to  prevent  his  debtors  from  avoiding  his  house.  *  *  »  VVe  drew  lots  for  the 
choice  of  beds ;  and  it  turning  out  in  my  favor,  I  chose  the  worst  bed  in  the  house.  I  was 
unable  to  sleep  on  account  of  the  fleas,  &c.  *  «  •  At  this  place  we  eat  the  celebrutod 
whitefish,  salted ;  it  is  better  than  shad,  and  cost  at  Irondequoit  landing  $12  per  barrel. 

"  We  departed  from  hero  at  seven  o'clock,  after  breakfast ;  and  after  a  ride  of  eight  and 
a  half  miles,  arrived  at  a  ford  of  the  Genesee  river  about  half  a  mile  from  'he  Great  Fulls, 
and  seven  and  a  half  from  Lake  Ontario." 

PiTTSFORD  was  taken  from  Smallwood  in  1814  ;  NW.  from  Albany 
215  miles.  Pop.  1,983.  Pittsford,  a  thriving  village  on  the  canal,  6 
miles  SE.  from  Rochester,  was  incorporated  in  1827 ;  it  has  about 
100  dwellings. 

Rkja  was  taken  from  Northampton  in  1808;  from  Albany  230 
miles.  Pop.  1,983.  ChurchvilU;  and  Riga  are  the  post-offices.  The 
pleasant  little  village  of  Churchville  is  on  the  Rochester  and  Batavia 
railroad,  15  miles  SW.  from  Rochester. 

Rochester,  one  of  the  most  remarkable  instances  of  a  rapid  anfi  vig- 
orous growth  as  a  village  or  city  in  this  country,  is  situated  in  lat.  N. 
43°,  long.  W.  40' ;  distant  from  Albany  217  miles,  Buffido  73,  Canan- 
daigua 28,  Batavia  3."),  S.  from  Lake  Ontario  7,  and  361  miles  from 
Washington.  In  the  year  1810  there  was  not  a  house  where  Roch- 
ester now  stands.  The  ffrst  allotments  for  a  village  were  made  in 
1812,  when  Nathaniel  Rochester,  Charles  \l.  Carroll,  and  William 
Fitzhugli,  surveyed  the  hundr.J-acre  tract  for  a  settlement,  under  the 
nme  of  " Rochester"  after  the  senior  proprietor.     This  tract  was  a 

mill  lot,"  bestowed  by  Phelj)s  and  Gorham  on  a  semi-saVage  called 
Indian  Allen,  as  a  bonus  for  building  mills  to  grind  corn  and  saw 
boards  for  the  few  settlers  in  this  region  at  the  time.  The  mills  de- 
cayed, as  the  business  of  the  country  was  iiwufficient  to  support  them, 


i 


MONROE   COUNTY. 


367 


miles  W. 
liles  from 

Jll  miles. 
es  SE.  of 
T  through 
lis  of  the 

bany  209 
lasins  and 
SE.  froni 
ait  creek. 
3  nearly  a 
y  natural, 
IS  the  val- 
tt  Clinton, 

I  1810. 

,]  twenty-one 
landing,  and 
'  this  landing 

II  iniercourse 
1.  Felt  &,  Co. 
,  ns  the  land- 
lots  for  the 

Duse.     I  was 
le  cclt'brutod 
3Rr  barrel, 
of  eight  and 
I  Great  Fulls, 

m  Albany 
e  canal,  6 
has  about 

Ibany  230 
zvs.  The 
d  Batavia 


d  anfl  viff- 
in  lat.  N. 
f3,  Canan- 
niles  from 
ere  Roch- 
i  made  in 
1  William 
under  the 
act  was  a 
ige  called 
1  and  saw 
}  mills  de- 
port them, 


and  Allen  sold  the  property  to  Sir  William  Pulteney,  whose  estate 
then  included  a  large  section  of  the  "  Genesee  country."  The  sale 
to  Rochester,  Fitzhugh,  and  Carroll,  took  place  in  1802,  at  the  rate 
of  $15.50  per  acre,  or  $1,750  for  the  lot,  with  its  "  betterments." 
Some  of  the  land  on  the  east  side  of  the  Genesee  in  Rochester,  (the 
hundred-acre  tract  being  on  the  west  side,)  was  sold  by  Phelps  and 
(Jbrham  in  1790,  for  eiir/iteen  pence  an  acre. 

The  last  war  with  Great  Britain,  which  produced  much  distress  in 
this  frontier  region,  impeded  the  progress  of  Rocnester  to  such  a  de- 
gree that  the  population  at  the  commencement  of  1816  amounted  to 
only  331.     By  the  opening  of  the  Erie  canal,  Rochester  became  the 
gredi  thoroughfare  between  the  seaboard  and  the  inland  waters.    On 
the  incorporation  of  the  village  in  1817,  about  750  acres  were  includ- 
ed within  its  limits.     The  city  charter,  in  1834,  extended  the  bounds 
so  as  to  embrace  upwards  of  4,000  acres.     The  staple  product  ot  the 
fertile  valley  of  the  Genesee  is  wheat,  remarkable  for  its  quantity  as 
well  as  its  quality.     Its  celebrity  is  increased  by  the  skill  with  which 
it  is  prepared  for  market.     By  the  immense  water-power  formed  by 
the  falls  of  the  Genesee,  Rochester  is  the  largest  as  well  as  the  best 
flour  manufactorv  in  the  world.     There  are  now  within  the  city  20 
mills,  (exclusive  of  grist-mills,)  with  nearly  100  runs  of  stone.    These 
mills  are  capable  of  manufacturing  5,000  barrels  of  flour  daily,  and 
when  in  full  operation,  require  about  20,000  bushels  of  wheat  daily. 
About  half  a  million  barrels  of  flour  are  yearly  manufactured.     There 
are  12  saw-mills,  and  various  other  establishments  that  use  the  water- 
power,  such  as  turning,  stone-cutting,  grinding  dye-woods  and  bark. 
There  are  1  cotton  and  3  woollen  mills.     Carpets,  edge  tools,  and  vari- 
ous other  articles  are  here  manufactured.     The  business  portion  of 
the  city  is  compactly  built,  and  contains  many  splendid  houses  and 
stores  four  stories  high.     The  east  and  west  portions  of  the  city  are 
connected  bv  several  bridges,  and  by  the  great  aqueduct  of  the  Erie 
canal,  upwards  of  800  feet  long.     There  are  3  banks,  having  an  ag- 
gregate capital  of  about  one  million  of  dollars;  0  newspapers,  and 
numerous  religious,  benevolent,  and  literary  associations.     Population 
in  1840  was  20,202. 

The  ft)ll()wing  is  a  list  of  the  churches  in  Rochester,  with  the  date 
of  their  organization.* 


First  Prenbyterian, 1815 

St.  Luke's,  (Episcopal,) 1817 

Friends 1817 

First  Biiptist 1818 

FitHt  Methodist  Episcopal, 1820 

St.  Patrick's,  (Catholic) 1890 

Third  Presbyicrinn 1827 

Orihodox  Friends 1828   Bethel  Free,  (Presbyterian,) 

Reformed  Presbyterian, , 1831    Free  Conuregalional 


Brick,  formerly  second,  (Presbyterian,)  1833 

Second  Baptist, 1834 

Zion  church,  (African,) 183,5 

(Jerinan  f>angelical  Lutheran, 1835 

German  Roman  Catholic, 1836 

Second  Mnhodist  Episcopal, 183G 

Free  Will  Baptist 183G 

1836 

1836 


Free  Presbyterian 1832    Umversalist |837 

Grace,  formerly  St.  Paul's,  (Episcopal,)  1833   African  Methodist  Episcopal  church,...  1837 


nst  other  facts  respecting  this  place,  the  authoin  are  indebted  to  a  work 
of  Hnrhenlfr;  with   inridnttal  Notirm  of  Wentern  Nftr    V'orA,  &,c., 


•  For  this  and  most 

tmUU'ti  "  Skftchea  of ,   — ,      ,  ,iiu 

by  Henry  O'Reilly."     This  volume  was  published  in   183ci;  ii  is  h  duodecimo  oi  4i0 
pages,  full  of  interesting  historical  details,  and  illuBtrated  by  42  ciigravinga. 


I 


I 


.1   ! 


268 


MONROE    COUNTY. 


It; 


No  longer  ago  than  1813,  pagan  rites  were  performed  on  the  spot 
where  so  many  Christian  temples  have  been  since  erected.  The  fol- 
lowing account  of  the  last  sacrifice  of  the  Senecas,  near  where  the 
Bethel  church  now  stands,  is  from  Mr.  O'Reilly's  History. 

"  It  may  be  premised  that  the  Senecas,  and  probably  others  of  the  Six  Nations,  have 
five  feasts  annually ;  on  which  occasions  it  is  customary  to  return  thanks  to  Nauwanew  for 
his  blessings,  or  to  deprecate  his  wrath.  At  these  times  also  the  chiefs  conversed  upon  l*e 
affaire  of  the  tribes,  and  generally  urged  upon  the  people  the  duty  of  demeaning  themselves 
so  as  to  ensure  a  continuance  of  the  favor  which  had  attended  them  in  their  pursuits  of 
peace  or  war.  These  feasts  followed  the  consummation  of  the  matters  usually  watched 
with  most  interest  by  Indians  in  peaceful  times — one  of  the  ceremonies  occurring  after 
•  sugar-time ;'  another  after  planting ;  a  third  called  the  green-corn  feast,  when  the  rnaize 
first  becomes  fit  for  use  ;  the  fourth  after  the  corn-harvest ;  and  the  fifth  at  the  close  a£  their 
year,  late  in  January  or  early  in  February,  according  to  the  moon.  9 

"  The  laUer  ceremonial  was  performed  for  the  last  time  in  Rochester  in  January,  1813. 
The  concluding  riles  wore  seen  by  some  of  the  few  persons  then  settled  in  '  these  parts.' 
From  Mr.  Edwin  Scrantom,  now  a  merchant  of  the  city,  who  was  among  the  spectators, 
we  have  had  an  account  of  the  ceremonial,  as  far  as  he  beheld  it,  which  corresponds  with 
the  accounts  given  hy  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kirkland,  long  a  missionary  among  the  Six  Notions, 
and  by  the  '  White  Woman^'  that  remarkable  associate  of  the  Senecas.  The  latter  person, 
age  related,  that  when  the  Indians  returned  from  hunting,  ten  or  twenty  of  their  number 
we.e  appointed  to  superintend  the  great '  sacrifice  and  thanksgiving.'  Preparations  were 
made  at  the  council-house  or  other  place  of  meeting  for  the  accommodation  of  the  tribe 
during  the  ceremonial.  Nine  days  was  the  period,  and  two  white  dogs  the  number  and 
kind  of  animals  formerly  required  for  the  festival ;  though  in  these  latter  days  of  reform  and 
retrenchment  (for  the  prevailing  spirit  had  reached  even  the  wigwams  and  the  altars  of  the 
Senecas)  the  lime  has  been  curtailed  to  seven  or  five  days,  and  a  single  dog  was  made  the 
scapegoat  to  bear  away  the  sins  of  the  tribe  !  Two  dogs,  as  nearly  white  as  could  be  pro. 
cured,  were  usually  selected  fror.  those  belonging  to  the  tribe,  and  were  carefully  lulled  at 
the  door  of  the  council-house  by  means  of  strangulation  ;  for  a  wound  on  the  animal  or  an 
effusion  of  blood  would  spoil  the  victim  for  the  sacrificial  purpose.  The  dogs  were  then 
fantastically  painted  with  various  colore,  decorated  with  feathere,  and  suspended  about 
twenty  feet  high  at  the  council-house  or  near  the  centre  of  the  camp.  The  ceremonial  is 
then  commenced,  and  the  five,  seven,  or  nine  days  of  ius  continuance  are  marked  by  feust. 
mg  and  dancing,  as  well  as  by  sacrifice  and  consultation.  Two  select  bands,  one  of  men 
and  another  of  women,  ornamented  with  trinkets  and  feathers,  and  each  pcreon  furnished 
with  an  ear  of  corn  in  the  right  hand,  dance  in  a  circle  around  the  couneil.fire,  which  is 
kindled  tor  the  occasion,  »nd  regulate  their  steps  by  rude  music.  Hence  they  proceed  to 
every  wigwam  in  the  camp ;  and,  in  like  manner,  dance  in  a  circle  around  each  fire.  Af- 
terward,  on  another  day,  scTcral  men  clothe  themselves  in  the  skins  of  wild  beasts,  cover 
their  faces  with  hideous  masks  and  their  hands  with  the  shell  of  the  tortoise,  and  in  this 
garb  they  go  among  the  wigwams,  making  horrid  noises,  taking  the  fuel  from  the  fire,  and 
pattering  ihiT  embers  and  ashns  about  the  floor,  for  the  purpose  of  driving  away  evil  spirits. 
The  persons  performing  these  operations  are  supposed  not  only  to  drive  off  the  evil  spirit 
but  to  concentrate  within  themselves  all  the  sins  of  their  tribe.  These  sins  are  afterward 
all  transfiised  into  one  of  their  own  number,  who,  by  some  magical  dexterity  or  sleight-of- 
hand,  works  off  from  himself  into  the  dogs  the  concentrated  wickedness  of  the  tribe  !  The 
scapegoat  dogs  are  then  placed  on  a  pile  of  wood,  to  which  fire  is  applied,  while  the  sur. 
rounding  crowd  throw  tobacco  or  other  incense  upon  the  flame,  the  scent  of  which  is 
deemed  to  co-operate  with  the  sacrifice  of  the  animals  in  conciliating  the  favor  of  Nauwa. 
new  or  the  Great  Spirit.  When  the  dogs  are  partly  consumed,  one  is  taken  off  and  put 
into  a  large  kettle  with  vegetables  of  various  kinds,  and  all  around  devour  the  contents  of 
the  reeking  caldron.'  After  this  the  Indians  perforin  the  dances  of  war  and  peace,  and 
smoke  the  calumet :  then,  free  from  wickedness,  they  repair  to  their  respective  places  of 
aljode,  prepared  for  the  events  of  the  new  year." 

The  following  is  a  view  of  the  middle  or  main  fulls,  as  seen  from  the 
«ast  bank  of  the  Genesee.  The  Rochester  and  Auburn  railroad 
bridge  is  viewed  a  few  rods  north  of  the  falls.  The  perpendicular  fall 
of  the  water  at  this  place  is  90  feet ;  towards  the  right  of  the  engrav- 
ing is  seen  a  small  tabular  projection  from  the  general  line  of  the 


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MON'ROE    COUNTY. 


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Genesee  Falls  at  Rochester. 

verge  of  the  precipice.  From  tiiis  projection,  in  the  fall  of  1829, 
Sam  Patch  took  a  last  leap,  and  perished,  not  much  unlike  many  oth- 
ers before  him, 

"  seeking  the  bubble  reputation,  even  in  the  cannon's  mouth." 

The  river  below  this  fall  is  broad  and  deep,  with  occasional  rapids 
for  a  mile  and  a  half  to  the  Lower  Falls,  the  first  25,  the  other  84  feet, 
making  a  total  descent  of  109  feet  in  a  few  rods.     Just  below  this  place 
Stood  the  celebrated  Carthage  bridge,  remarkable  in  its  fate  as  in  its 
construction.     It  was  completed  in  February,  1819;  it  consisted  of 
an  entire  arch,  the  chord  of  which  was  352  feet,  and  the  versed  sine 
54  feet.     Its  entire  length  was  718  feet,  and  the  width  30  ;  the  sum- 
mit of  the  arch  was  196  feet  from  the  water.     "  The  most  lofty  single 
arch  at  present  in  Europe,  is  116  feet  less  in  length  than  this  was, 
and  the  arch  not  as  high  by  96  feet."     This  daring  work  stood  but 
one  year,  and  one  day ;  which  latter  period  saved  the  builders  from 
loss,  as  they  guarantied  that  the  structure  should  endure  for  one  year. 
It  contained  about  70,000  feet  of  timber,  running  measure,  besides 
64,620  feet  of  board  measure.     "  The  immense  weight  of  timber  press- 
ing unequally  upon  the  arch,  threw  up  the  centre  from  its  equilibrium, 
and  the  whole  tumbled  into  ruins."     A  port  of  entry  was  established 
at  what  is  now  known  as  the  harbor  of  Rochester,  in  1805;  when 
Samuel  Latta,  residing  at  the  junction  of  the  river  and  lake,  was  ap- 
pointed the  first  collector.     The  Rochester  or  Genesee  revenue  dis- 
trict has  a  frontier  of  about  70  miles  on  Lake  Ontario,  extending 
westward  from  Sodus  bay,  Wayne  county.     The  port  of  Rochester, 
at  the  Ontario  steamboat  landing,  is  situated  at  the  north  line  of  the 
city,  about  five  miles  from  the  lake.     The  largest  vessels  on  the  lake 
can  ascend  the  river  to  this  point.     There  are  three  railways  for 
facilitating  the  business  between  the  vessels  and  the  warehouses  on 
the  upper  banks,  which  are  here  about  160  feet  high. 


4 


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MONROE    COUNTY. 


"  A  serious  alarm,  attended  by  some  amusing  consequences,  occurred  in  May,  1814, 
when  Sir  James  Yeo,  with  a  fleet  of  thirteen  vessels  of  various  sizes,  appeared  off  the  mouth 
of  the  Genesee,  threatening  the  destruction  of  the  rude  improvements  in  and  around  Ro- 
Chester.  Messengers  were  despatched  to  arouse  the  people  in  the  surrounding  country  for 
defence  against  tho  threatened  attack.  There  were  then  but  thirty-three  people  in  Roches- 
ter capable  of  bearing  arms.  This  little  band  threw  up  a  breastwork,  called  Fort  Bender, 
near  the  Deep  Hollow,  beside  the  Lower  P^alls,  and  hurried  down  to  the  junction  of  the 
Genesee  and  Lake  Ontario,  five  miles  north  of  the  present  city  hmits,  where  the  enemy 
threatened  to  land ;  leaving  behind  them  two  old  men,  with  some  young  lads,  to  remove 
the  women  and  children  into  the  vroods,  in  case  the  British  should  attempt  to  land  for  the 
capture  of  the  provisions  and  destruction  of  the  bridge  at  Rochester,  &,c.  Francis  Brown 
and  Elisha  Ely  acted  as  captains,  and  Isaac  W.  Stone  as  major  of  the  Rochester  forces, 
which  were  strengthened  by  the  additions  that  could  be  made  from  this  thinly-settled  region. 
Though  the  equipments  and  discipline  of  these  troops  would  not  form  a  brilliant  picture  for 
a  warlike  eye,  their  very  awkwardness  in  those  points,  coupled  as  it  was  with  their  sagacity 
and  courage,  accomplished  more  perhops  than  could  have  been  effected  by  a  larger  force 
of  regular  troops  bedizzened  with  the  trappings  of  military  pomp.  The  mihtia  thus  hastily 
collected,  were  marched  and  counlerinaruhed,  disappearing  in  the  woods  at  one  point  and 
suddenly  emerging  elsewhere,  so  as  to  impress  the  enemy  with  the  belief  that  the  force 
collected  for  defence  was  far  greater  than  it  actually  was.  (The  circumstances  here  related 
are  substantially  as  mentioned  to  the  writer  by  one  who  was  then  and  is  now  a  resident 
of  Rochester.)  An  officer  with  a  flag  of  truce  was  sent  from  the  British  fleet.  A  militia 
officer  mar;-hcd  down,  with  ten  of  the  most  soldierlike  men,  to  receive  him  on  Lighthouse 
Point.  These  militiamen  carried  their  guns  as  nearly  upright  as  might  be  consistent  with 
their  plan  of  being  ready  for  action  by  keeping  hold  of  the  triggers!  The  British  officer 
was  astonished  :  he  '  looked  unutterable  things.'  '  Sir,'  said  he,  '  do  you  receive  a  flag  of 
truce  under  arms,  with  cocked  triggers  V  '  Excuse  me,  excuse  me,  sir  ;  we  backwoodsmen 
are  not  well  versed  in  military  tactics,'  replied  the  American  officer,  who  promptly  sought 
lo  rectify  his  error  by  ordering  his  men  to  ' ground  arms."  The  Briton  was  still  more  as. 
tonished  ;  and,  after  delivering  a  brief  message,  immediately  departed  for  the  fleet,  indicat. 
ing  by  his  countenance  a  suspicion  that  the  ignorance  of  tactics  which  he  had  witnessed 
was  all  feigned  for  the  occasion,  so  as  to  deceive  the  British  commodore  into  a  snare ! 
Shortly  afterward,  on  the  same  day,  another  officer  came  ashore  with  a  flag  of  truce  for 
further  parley,  as  the  British  were  evidently  too  suspicious  of  stratagem  to  attempt  a  hostile 
landing  if  there  was  any  possibility  of  compromising  for  the  spoils.  Capt.  Francis  Brown 
was  deputed  with  a  guard  to  receive  the  last  flag  of  truce.  The  British  officer  looked  sus. 
piciously  upon  him  and  upon  his  guard  ;  and,  after  some  conversation,  familiarly  grasped 
the  pantaloons  of  Capt.  B.  about  the  knee,  remarking,  as  he  firmly  handled  it,  '  Your  cloth 
is  too  good  to  be  spoiled  by  such  a  bungling  tailor ;'  alluding  to  the  width  and  clumsy  as- 
pect of  that  garment.  Brown  was  quickwitted  as  well  as  resolute,  and  replied  jocosely, 
that '  he  was  prevented  from  dressing  fashionably  by  his  haste  that  morning  to  salute  such 
distinguished  visiters  !'  The  Briton  obviously  imagined  that  Brown  was  a  regular  officer 
of  the  American  army,  whose  regimentals  were  masked  by  clumsy  overclothes.  The  pro. 
position  was  then  made,  that,  if  the  Americans  would  deliver  up  the  provisions  and  mihtary 
stores  which  might  be  in  and  around  Rochester  or  Charlotte,  Sir  James  Yeo  would  spare 
the  settlements  from  destruction.  'Will  you  comply  with  the  offer?'  *  Blood  knee.deep 
first ."  was  the  emphatic  reply  of  Francis  Brown. 

"  While  this  pariey  was  in  progress,  an  American  officer,  with  his  staff,  returning  from  the 
Niagara  frontier,  was  accidentally  seen  passing  from  one  wooded  point  to  another  j  and 
this,  with  other  circumstances,  afforded  to  the  British  '  confirmation  strong'  that  their  suspi. 
cions  were  well  founded  ;  that  there  was  a  considerable  American  army  collected  ;  and  that 
the  Yankee  officers  shammed  ignorance  for  the  purpose  of  entrapping  ashore  the  commodore 
and  his  forces  !  The  return  of  the  last  flag  to  the  fleet  was  followed  by  a  vigorous  attack  in 
bombs  and  balls,  while  the  compliment  was  spiritedly  returned,  not  without  some  effect  on 
at  least  one  of  the  vessels,  by  a  rusty  old  six-pounder,  which  had  been  furbished  and  mount- 
ed  on  a  log  for  the  important  occasion.  After  a  few  hours  spent  in  this  unavailing  manner. 
Admiral  Yeo  run  down  to  Pulteneyville,  about  twenty  miles  eastward  of  Genesee  river, 
where,  on  learning  how  they  had  been  outwitted  and  deterred  from  landing  by  such  a 
handful  of  militia,  their  moriification  could  scarcely  restrain  all  hands  from  a  hearty  laugh 
at  the  '  Yankee  trick.'  " 

Rush  was  taken  from  Avon  in  1818  ;  from  Albany  229  miles.  Pop. 
1,029.  Rush,  12  S.,  Sibley's  Comers  and  Green's  Corners,  each  15 
miles  from  Rochester,  Hartwell's  Corners  and  Davis'  Corners,  are 
small  settlements. 


MONROE    COUNTY. 


271 


Collegiate  building  at  Brockport. 

Sweden,  taken  from  Murray  in  1813  ;  from  Albany  241  miles. 
Pop.  3,133.  Brockport  village' was  incorporated  in  1829.  It  is  situ- 
ated on  the  Eric  canal,  20  miles  SE.  from  Rochester,  and  239  from 
Albany.  The  village  consists  of  about  300  dwellings,  some  of  them 
three  and  four  stories  high,  built  of  brick  or  freestone.  The  citizens 
have  erected  a  noble  stone  bailding  five  stories  high,  for  a  collegiate 
institution,  at  an  expense  of  S25,000,  of  which  the  above  engraving  is 
a  representation.  Large  quantities  of  wheat  have  been  purchased  in 
this  village  for  the  Rochester  mills;  451.000  bushels  were  bought 
here  in  1835.  The  first  buildings  in  the  village  were  erected  in  1820 ; 
the  population  is  now  upwards  of  1,300. 

Webster.  14  miles  NE.  from  Rochester,  was  recently  taken  from 
Penfield,  of  which  it  formed  the  northern  part.  The  township  is 
bounded  on  the  north  by  Lake  Ontario.     Pop.  2,235. 

Wheatland,  originally  named  Inverness,  and  taken  from  Caledo- 
nia in  1821 ;  from  Albany  232  miles.  Pop.  2,871.  Scottsville,  on 
Aliens  creek,  12  miles  SVV".  from  Rochester,  near  Genesee  river,  con- 
tains several  churches,  and  upwards  of  150  dwellings.  The  water- 
power  here  has  been  lately  much  improved  by  a  canal  one  mile  in 
length,  taken  from  the  creek  to  the  Genesee  river,  by  which  a  head 
of  about  16  feet  is  obtained.  Indian  Allen,  so  called,  was  the  first 
settler  at  the  mouth  of  the  creek  which  goes  by  his  name.  In  the 
vear  1800,  Isaac  Scott  located  himself  where  the  village  is  now  built. 
From  this  pioneer  of  the  wilderness  the  village  derives  its  name. 
There  are  within  three  miles  of  this  place  the  remains  of  four  ancient 
fortifications.  Trees  have  grown  on  these  mounds  indicating  a  lapse 
of  from  four  to  five  hundred  years  since  they  were  constructed.  Mum- 
fordsville,  also  on  Aliens  creek,  18  miles  SW.  from  Rochester,  is  a 
small  settlement.  There  is  a  small  collection  of  dwellings  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  Wheatland  post-office  and  at  Garbetts  mills. 


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372 


MONTGOMERY    COUNTY. 


MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


Montgomery  county  was  named  after  the  lamented  Gen.  Montgom- 
ery, who  fell  at  the  attack  on  Quebec,  in  the  revolution.  Its  greatest 
length  is  34  E.  and  W.,  greatest  breadth  N.  and  S.  13  miles.  It  was 
originally  taken  from  Albany  and  named  in  honor  of  William  Tryon, 
then  governor  of  the  province.  Its  name  was  changed  in  1784.  It 
embraced  all  that  part  of  the  state  lying  west  of  a  line  running  north 
and  south  nearly  through  the  centre  of  the  present  county  of  Schoharie. 
It  was  divided  into  five  districts — subdivided  into  precincts.  The  Mo- 
hawk district  included  Fort  Hunter,  Caugnawaga,  Johnstown,  and 
Kingsboro' ;  Canajoharie  district  embraced  the  present  town  of  that 
name,  with  all  the  country  southward,  comprehending  Cherry  Valley 
of  Otsego,  and  Harpersfield  of  Delaware  counties ;  Palatine  district, 
north  of  the  Mohawk,  extended  over  the  region  so  called,  and  Stone 
Arabia,  &c.  ;  German  Flats  district  and  Kingsland  covered  the  nfost 
western  settlements.  The  Erie  canal  crosses  the  county  on  the  south 
side  of  the  Mohawk,  and  the  Schenectady  and  Utica  railroad  on  the 
north  side.  The  Erie  canal  passes  the  Schoharie  creek  through  a 
pond  formed  by  a  dam  across  the  stream  below.  Its  fall  within  this 
county  is  86  feet,  by  12  locks.  The  county  is  divided  into  ten  towns. 
Pop.  35,801. 


Southern  view  of  Sir  Guy  Johnson's  house,  Amsterdam. 


Amsterdam,  taken  from  Caugnawaga  in  1793.  It  has  a  rolling 
surface  and  fertile  soil.  Pop.  5,329.  Amsterdam  village,  incorpo- 
rated in  1830,  upon  the  Mohawk  river  and  turnpike  and  Utica  rail- 
road, 16  miles  W.  of  Schenectady,  contains  several  churches,  an 
academy,  and  about  700  inhabitants.  The  Erie  canal  is  on  the  south 
side  of  the  river,  over  which  there  is  a  commodious  bridge. 

The  above  shows  the  appearance  of  the  mansion  house  of  Colonel 
Guy  Johnson,  as  seen  from  the  opposite  side  of  the  river.  It  is  built 
of  stone,  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Mohawk,  about  a  mile  from  Am- 
sterdam village.  The  western  railroad  now  passes  a  few  rods  north, 
and  in  front.    It  ia  a  beautiful  situation,  and  was  formerly  called  "Guy 


MONTGOMERY    COUNTY. 


278 


^^^^^^^ 


--mz^A^^  c^^^^z^j 


[Facsimile  of  the  signatures  of  the  Johnsons,  and  of  Colonel  John  Butler,  and  his  son 
Walter.] 

Park."     The  house  occupied  by  Sir  John  Johnson  is  further  to  the 
west,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  road.     These  men  Uved  here  essen- 
tially in  the  rank  and  splendor  of  noblemen,  till  their  possessions  were 
confiscated  by  the  state  for  their  adherence  to  the  British  cause.    Sir 
John  was  not  as  popular  as  his  father.  Sir  William  Johnson,  being 
less  social  and  less  acquainted  with  human  nature.     He  accompanied 
his  father  on  some  of  his  military  expeditions,  and  probably  saw 
considerable  service.    After  his  flight  from  Johnstown  to  Canada,  he 
in  the  month  of  January,  1777,   found  his  way  into  New  York, 
then  in  possession  of  the  British  troops.    "  From  that  period  he  be- 
came not  only  one  of  the  most  active,  but  one  of  the  bitterest  foes  of 
his  own  countrymen  of  any  who  were  engaged  in  the  war,  and  re- 
peatedly the  scourge  of  his  own  former  neighbors.     He  was  unques- 
tionably a  loyalist  from   principle,  else   he   would   scarcely   have 
hazarded,  as  he  did,  and  ultimately  lost,  domains  larger  and  fairer 
than  probably  ever  belonged  to  a  single  proprietor  m  Amenca,  Wil- 
liam Penn  only  excepted.  ,t  „  r       r  i    .       -i 
After  the  flight  of  Sir  John  from  Johnson  Hall,  [see  Johnstown] 
lady  Johnson,  his  wife,  was  removed  to  Albany,  where  she  was  re- 
tained as  a  kind  of  hostage  for  the  good  conduct  of  her  husband. 
"  She  wrote  to  Gen.  Washington  complaining  of  this  detention,  and 
askino-  his  interference  for  her  release ;  but  the  commander-in-chief 
left  the  matter  with  Gen.  Schuyler  and  the  Albany  committee.    After 
the  confiscation  of  the  property  of  Sir  John,  the  furniture  of  the 
hall  was  sold  at  auction  at  Fort  Hunter.     The  lata  lieutenant-gov- 
ernor of  New  York,  John  Taylor,  purchased  several  articles  ot  the 
furniture  ;  and  among  other  things,  the  bible  mentioned  in  the  text. 
Perceiving  that  it  contained  the  family  record,  which  might  be  of 
great  value  to  Sir  John,  Mr.  Taylor  wrote  a  civil  note  to  Sir  John, 
offering  its  restoration.     Some  time  afterward  a  messenger  from  the 
baronet  called  for  the  bible,  whose  conduct  was  so  rude  as  to  give 
offence.    '  I  have  come  for  Sir  William's  bible,'  said  he,  *  and  there 

35 


( 


Hf 


I  • 


274 


MONTGOMERY   COUNTY. 


are  four  guineas  which  it  cost.'  The  bible  was  delivered,  and  the 
runner  was  asked  what  message  Sir  John  had  sent.  The  reply  was, 
'  Pay  four  guineas  and  take  the  book  !' " — Stone's  Life  of  Brant. 

"  About  a  mile  and  a  half  above  the  village  of  Amsterdam  under  a  jutting  rock,  on  the 
north  side  of  the  Mohawk  river,  arc  still  to  be  seen  the  remains  of  an  Indian  painting.  It 
was  the  custom  of  the  Mohawks,  and  doubtless  of  all  the  different  tribes  of  the  Iroquois, 
when  they  contemplated  a  military  expedition,  to  make  a  representation  thereof,  by  paint, 
ing  on  trees  or  rocks  the  figures  of  the  warriors,  with  hieroglyphics  designating  the  design 
of  the  expedition.  When  they  went  by  water,  canoes  were  painted,  and  as  many  figures 
placed  in  them  as  there  were  men  constituting  the  party — their  faces  looking  towards  th« 
place  whi'.her  they  were  bound.  The  painting  in  question  was  executed  to  commemorate 
an  expedition  undertaken  by  a  party  of  Mohawks,  against  the  French  Indians,  about  the 
year  1720.  We  know  five  or  six  individuals,  who  saw  the  painting  fifty  years  ago, 
when  the  outlines  were  very  distincdy  to  be  seen.  It  was  done  with  red  chalk,  and  rep- 
resented five  or  six  canoes,  with  six  or  seven  men  in  each." — ikhenectady  Reflector,  Oct. 
9th,  1835. 


Eastern  view  of  Canajoharie. 

Canajoharie*  was  organized  in  1788.  The  surface  of  the  town- 
ship is  considerably  uneven,  but  the  hills  are  generally  arable  and 
have  a  strong  soil.  The  early  inhabitants  were  Germans.  Pop. 
5,150.  The  village  of  Canajoharie  was  incorporated  in  1829.  It  is 
situated  at  the  confluence  of  Bowman's  creek  with  the  Mohawk, 
and  on  the  Erie  canal,  55  miles  from  Albany.  It  consists  of  about 
100  houses,  a  Lutheran  church,and  an  academy.  The  Radii, a  newspa- 
per, edited  and  printed  by  Mr.  L.  S.  Backus,  a  deaf  and  dumb  per- 
son, is  published  in  this  place.  "  The  Canajoharie  and  Palatine  man- 
ufacturing company"  was  incorporated  in  1833.  The  accompanying 
engravinw  shows  the  appearance  of  the  village  as  viewed  from  the  ele- 
vated bank  of  the  Mohawk,  a  few  rods  from  the  bridge  seen  passing 

"  *  This  name  is  of  Indian  origin ;  and  Cana.jo-harie,  as  spoken  by  the  Mohawks,  signifiea 
the  pot  or  kettle  that  washes  itself.  This  name  was  given  by  the  Mohawk  Indians  to  a 
deep  hole  of  foaming  water,  at  the  foot  of  one  of  the  falls  of  Canajoharie  creek ;  from 
which  it  became  the  common  name  of  that  stream,  and  an  extensive  tract  of  country 
around  iu" — Spafford't  Gazetteer. 


MONTGOMERY    COUNTY. 


276 


over  the  river,  connecting  the  village  of  Palatine  Bridge  with  Cana- 
joharie.    Central  Canajoharie,  Ames,  and  Freysbush,  are  post-offices 

in  this  town.  .  ,     •    •  „  :„ 

In  the  spring  of  1780,  the  Indians  again  made  their  appearance  in 
the  Mohaik  valley.     Gen.  Clinton  hearing  of  their  movements,  sent 
orders  to  Col.  Gansevoorton  the  6th  of  June,  to  repair  to  Fort  Plank 
with  his  regiment,  to  take  charge  of  a  quantity  of  stores  destined  or 
Fort  Schuyler.     These  stores  were  to  be  transported  in  batteaux, 
and  carefully  guarded  the  whole  distance.     Joseph  Brant,  the  c-le- 
brated  chiettain,  at  the  head  of  four  or  five  hundred  Indians,  was  in 
the  vicinity,  and  he  artfully  caused  a  rumor  to  be  circulated  that  he 
intended  to  capture  the  batteaux,  in  order  to  divert  attention  h'om 
other  points  of  attack.     This  artifice  proved  too  successtul ;  the  mili- 
tia of  the  lower  section  of  the  county  were  drawn  off  to  guard  the 
convov.    Brant  now  made  a  circuit  through  the  woods,  and  coming 
in  the  rear  of  them,  laid  waste  the  whole  country  around  Canajoharie. 
On  the  first  approach  of  Brant  in  Canajoharie  a  few  miles  eastwardly 
of  the  fort,  the  alarm  was  given  by  a  woman,  who  fired  a  cannon  lor 
that  purpose.     The  following  account  of  this  incursion  js  given  by 
Col.  Samuel  Clyde,  in  a  letter  to  Gov.  George  Clinton,  dated  at  Can- 
ajoharie, Aug.  6,  1780 : — 

» I  here  send  you  an  account  of  the  fate  of  our  district.    On  the  second  day  of  this  in- 
«.»n.  Jo«PDh  Brinr  at  the  head  of  about  four  or  five  hundred  Indians  and  tones  broke  in 

n!,!  n^  in  Fnrt  Srhuvler  to  Euard  nine  batteaux  about  halt  laden.     It  was  said  the 

1  rfnwff?.rm.r  defence  which  we  had  nearly  completed,  and  could  have  had  our  lives 
and  eifS  se  ure  Sad  we' gof  liberty  to  have  made  use  of  them.  But  that  must  not  be. 
we  must  tura  out  of  them  ;  not  that  we  have  any  thing  against  assisting  the  general  to  open 
die  rmmrcaS.n  to  For't  Schuyler,  but  still  doubted  what  has  happened  w  "  e  we  were 
aone  But  i  was  still  insisted  on.  that  there  was  no  danger  when  we  were  all  out ;  that  in 
mv  opinion  there  never  has  been  such  a  blunder  committed  m  the  county  since  the  war 
romnrnced,  nor  the  militia  so  much  pm  and  to  send  generals  here  without  men.  is 

UkTsendTnga  man  to  the  woods  to  chop  without  an  axe.  I  am  sensible  had  the  general 
hSd  sufficTe^nt  men.  that  he  would  have  been  able  to  have  given  saUsfaction  both  to  the  pub. 
lie  and  inhabitants  here." 

The  parents  of  Joseph  Brant,  the  celebrated  Mohawk  chieftain, 
resided  at  the  Canajoharie  castle,  the  central  of  the  three  castles  of 
the  Mohawks,  in  their  native  valley.  He  appears  to  have  been 
born  in  the  year  1742,  on  the  banks  of  the  Ohio,  while  his  parents 


1 


J 


■I 


!l!      '. 

(i   * 


«76 


MONTGOMERY    COUNTY. 


'■'  ^   were  on  a  hunting  excursion  in 

(f        /^    #^v^-i^^7      ^'^^  P^'"*  ^^  ^^^  country.*    "In 

/&r/  yLz/^^^^"^-^       Ji^^X'  l'^61,  he  was  sent,  by  Sir 

/^  %/\     William  Johnson,  to  the  'Moor's 

^4^  )    Charity  school,'  at  Lebanon,  Con- 

necticut,  established  by  the  Rev. 
Phc-«m./.  of  Brant's  «^„r..  j^^   Wheclock,  which  was  after- 

Ward  removed  to  Dartmouth,  and  became  the  foundation  of  Dart- 
moutii  College.  The  following  mention  of  him  is  made  in  the  me- 
moirs of  that  gentleman : — 

"  Sir  William  Johnson,  superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs  in  North 
America,  was  very  friendly  to  the  design  of  Mr.  Wheelock,  and,  at 
his  request,  sent  to  the  school,  at  various  times,  several  boys  of  the 
Mohawks  to  be  instructed.  One  of  them  was  the  since  celebrated 
Joseph  Brant ;  who,  after  receiving  his  ediication,  was  particularly 
noticed  by  Sir  William  Johnson,  and  employed  by  him  in  public  busi- 
ness. He  has  been  very  useful  in  advancing  the  civilization  of  his 
countrymen,  and  for  a  long  time  past  has  been  a  military  officer  of 
extensive  influence  among  the  Indians  in  Upper  Canada." 

In  confirmation  of  these  statements  it  may  be  added,  that  he  trans- 
lated into  the  Mohawk  language  the  gospel  of  St.  Mark,  and  assisted 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Stewart,  the  episcopal  missionary,  in  translating  a  num- 
ber of  religious  works  into  the  Indian  tongue.  Brant  being  a  neigh- 
bor, and  under  the  influence  of  the  Johnson  family,  he  took  up  arms 
against  the  Americans  in  the  revolutionary  contest.  "Combining 
the  natural  sagacity  of  the  Indian,  with  the  skill  and  science  of 
the  civilized  man,  he  was  a  formidable  foe.  He  was  a  dreadful 
terror  to  the  frontiers.  His  passions  were  strong.  In  his  inter- 
course he  was  affable  and  polite,  and  communicated  freely  rela- 
tive to  his  conduct.  He  often  said  that  during  the  war  he  had  killed 
but  one  man  in  cold  blood,  and  that  act  he  ever  after  regretted.  He 
said,  he  had  taken  a  man  prisoner,  and  was  examining  him  ;  the  pris- 
oner hesitated,  and  as  he  thought  equivocated.  Enraged  at  what  he 
considered  obstinacy,  he  struck  him  down.  It  turned  out  that  the 
man's  apparent  obstinacy  arose  from  a  natural  hesitancy  of  speech. 

"  In  person,  Brant  was  about  the  middling  size,  of  a  square,  stout 
build,  htted  rather  for  enduring  hardships  than  for  quick  movements. 
His  co'nplexion  was  lighter  than  that  of  most  of  the  Indians,  which 
resulted,  perhaps,  from  his  less  exposed  manner  of  living.  This  cir- 
cumstance, probably,  gave  rise  to  a  statement,  which  has  been  often 
repeated,  that  he  was  of  mixed  origin.  He  was  married  in  the  win- 
ter of  1779  to  a  daughter  of  Col.  Croghan  by  an  Indian  woman. 
The  circumatances  of  his  marriage  are  somewhat  singular.     He  was 

•  Th«!  Iiiilian  name  of  Brant  w(U!  Thayfndanfgta,  a  word  signifyiriff,  it  is  iiaid,  two-ttick*. 
of.ieoo(LI)ound-to^ether,  denoting  strength.  The  Hfo  of  Brant,  in  two  octavo  volumes,  has 
been  recently  wriinn  by  WilHam  L.  Stone,  E»(\.,  editor  of  the  Commercial  Advertiser, 
New  york.  Thia  valuable  and  highly  interesting  work  is  one  of  great  research,  and  em. 
braces  a  full  history  of  the  border  won  of  the  revolution,  and  much  other  matter  connected 


;ursion 


in 
"In 


■y 

It,  by  Sir 
3 '  Moor's 
non,  Con- 

the  Rev. 
A^as  after- 

of  Dart- 
n  the  me- 


in  North 
k,  and,  at 
ys  of  the 
elebrated 
rticularly 
iblic  busi- 
on  of  his 
officer  of 

he  trans- 
i  assisted 
ig  a  num- 
a  neigh- 
:  up  arms 
ombinin 


;ience  o 
dreadful 
lis  inter- 
ely  rela- 
lad  killed 
ted.    He 
the  pris- 
what  he 
t  that  the 
f  speech, 
arc,  stout 
tvements. 
IS,  which 
This  cir- 
een  often 
the  win- 
woman. 
He  was 

,  ttoo-ntickt. 
'olumea,  liM 
.  Advertiser, 
ch,  and  enu 
ir  connected 


MONTGOMERY    COUNTY. 


877 


present  at  the  wedding  of  Miss  Moore  from  Cherry  Valley,  who  had 
been  carried  away  a  prisoner,  and  who  married  an  officer  of  the 
garrison  at  Fort  Niagara. 

Brant  had  lived  with  his  wife  for  some  time  previous,  according  to 
the  Indian  custom,  without  marriage ;  but  now  insisted  that  the  mar- 
riage ceremony  should  be  performed.  This  was  accordingly  done  by 
Col.  Butler,  who  was  still  considered  a  magistrate.  Alter  the  war 
he  removed,  with  his  nation,  to  Canada.  There  he  was  employed  in 
transacting  important  business  for  his  tribe.  He  went  out  to  Eng- 
land after  the  war,  and  was  honorably  received  there.  He  died  about 
ten  or  fifteen  years  since,  at  Brantford,  Haldiman  county,  Upper 
Canada,  where  his  family  now  reside.  One  of  his  sons,  a  very  in- 
telligent man,  has  been  returned  to  the  Colonial  Assembly." 

The  following  is  an  account  of  the  taking  of  the  three  Mohawk 
castles,  which  were  situated  in  this  vicinity,  by  the  French  and  Indi- 
ans, in  the  early  settlement  of  the  country.  It  is  drawn  from  Colden's 
History  of  the  Six  Nations. 

In  January,  1692-3,  a  large  body  of  French  and  Indians,  amounting 
to  six  or  seven  hundred,  started  on  an  expedition  from  Canada,  for 
the  purpose  of  punishing  the  Five  Nations,  who  had  the  previous 
summer  carried  the  war  into  Canada,  and  in  small  parties  had  rav- 
aged the  whole  country.  Count  de  Frontenac  chose  the  winter  sea- 
son for  this  incursion,  when  the  enemy  could  not,  without  great  hard- 
ship, keep  scouts  abroad  to  discover  them,  or  their  allies,  the  English, 
give  assistance. 

On  the  i5th  of  January,  they  set  out  from  la  Prairie  de  Magda- 
leine,  and  endured  innumerable  hardships.  The  ground  was  at  that 
time  covered  with  a  deep  snow,  and  the  foremost,  marching  on  snow- 
shoes,  beat  a  track  for  those  which  followed.  At  night  the  army  was 
accustomed  to  divide  itself  into  small  groups,  and  each  party  to  dig 
a  hole  in  the  snow,  throwing  up  the  snow  all  around,  but  highest  to- 
wards that  side  from  whence  the  wind  blew.  The  ground  was  then 
covered  with  the  small  branches  of  fir-trees,  and  each  man  wrapped 
in  his  cloak  with  his  feet  pointed  towards  a  fire  in  the  centre,  would 
thus  pass  the  night. 

They  passed  by  Schenectady  on  the  8th  of  February.  The  two 
first  forts  of  the  Mohawks  being  in  the  neighborhood  ot  the  English 
settlements,  were  not  fortified,  and  were  therefore  easily  taken.  At  the 
last  Mohawk  fort,  which  was  strongly  garrisoned,  they  met  with  con- 
siderable resistance,  and  the  French  lost  thirty  men  before  the  Indi- 
ans submitted.  The  Indians  at  Schenectady  having  obtained  infor- 
mation of  the  capture  of  their  castles,  sent  to  Albany  for  assistance 
to  pursue  the  enemy.  Col.  Peter  Schuyler,  with  a  body  of  militia, 
regulars,  and  Indians,  pursued  the  enemy  on  their  retreat,  and  had  a 
severe  skirmish  with  them.  On  the  20th,  Col.  Schuyler  was  obliged 
to  give  up  the  pursuit,  the  weather  being  very  cold  and  provisions 
scarce.  Schuyler  lost  only  8  men  killed  and  14  wounded.  The 
French  lost  59  men  in  killed  and  wounded,  besides  several  by  deser- 


278 


MONTGOMERY    COUNTY. 


tion.  Schuyler's  Indians  ate  the  bodies  of  the  French  whom  they 
found.  The  colonel  was  invited  to  partake  of  broth  with  them  :  he 
ate  quite  hearty  until,  putting  the  ladle  into  the  kettle  to  draw  out 
more,  he  brought  up  a  Frenchman's  hand,  which  put  an  end  to  his 
appetite. 

The  French  arrived  at  their  settlements  in  a  state  of  starvation, 
having  been  obliged  to  eat  their  shoes  on  their  march. 

Charleston,  organized  in  1788,  by  the  name  of  Mohawk;  part 
erected  into  a  separate  town,  and  the  residue  called  Charleston, 
in  1793  ;  from  Fonda  S.  8  miles,  from  Albany  40.  Charleston, 
Charleston  Four  Corners,  and  Bensonville,  are  post-offices.  Pop. 
2,103. 

Florida,  takeu  from  Mohawk  in  1793;  from  Albany  35  miles. 
Pop.  5,162.  Tlie  town  was  settled  by  some  Dutch  families  from 
Schenectady,  who  in  1750  were  joined  by  some  Germans,  subse- 
quently by  Irish  and  Dutch,  and  lastly  by  New  Englanders.  Fort 
Hunter,  5  miles  SE.  of  Fonda,  is  a  small  settlement.  Port  Jack- 
son, on  the  Erie  canal,  is  a  flourishing  village.  Minaville,  4  miles  S. 
of  the  canal,  is  a  village  of  about  40  dwellings.  Fort  Hunter,  which 
formerly  stood  on  the  line  of  the  canal  in  this  town,  was  a  place  of 
some  importance  in  colonial  history.  At  this  place  also  stood  Queen 
Anne's  Chapel,  a  stone  structure,  built  by  Queen  Anne  of  England 
for  the  use  of  the  Mohawk  Indians.  The  English  Episcopal  mis- 
sions to  the  Mohawks  appear  to  have  been  commenced  as  early  as 
1702,  and  continued  down  to  the  beginning  of  the  revolutionary  war. 

Glen,  taken  from  Charleston  in  1823 ;  from  Albany  43  miles. 
Pop.  3,697.  This  town  was  originally  settled  by  the  Dutch.  Ful- 
tonville,  on  the  canal,  1  mile  S.  from  Fonda,  57  from  Albany,  and  53 
from  Utica,  has  about  50  dwellings,  and  a  Dutch  Reformed  church. 
Auricsvillc  or  Smithtown,  on  the  canal,  3  miles  E.  of  Fultonvilie,  and 
Voorheesville,  are  small  settlements. 

"Somewhere  bet  3en  this  [Schoharie]  creek  and  Caughnawaga,  commenced  an  Indian 
road  or  foot-path,  which  led  to  Schoharie.  Near  this  road,  and  within  the  northern  bounds 
of  Schoharie  county,  has  been  seen  from  time  inimemorial  a  large  pile  of  stones,  which  has 
given  the  name  'stone  heap  patent'  to  the  tract  on  which  it  occurs, as  maybe  seen  from  ancient 
deeds.  Indian  tradition  suiih  that  a  Mohawk  murdered  n  brother  (or  two  of  them)  on  this 
spot,  and  that  this  tumulus  was  erected  to  commomorntc  the  event.  A  similar  practice  is 
supposed  to  hp.ve  been  in  vogue  among  the  Hebrews;  in  Scotland  and  in  Wales,  many 
heaps  of  stones,  called  '  ciiirns,'  are  to  bo  found,  probably  constructed  for  a  similar  purpose. 
May  not  the  bones  of  this  Indian  Abel  be  found  here  sepulchred  7  Every  individual 
passing  this  way  made  an  otfering  to  propitiate  the  manes  of  the  deceased,  or  the  Minetto 
of  the  place ;  which  was  performed  by  the  act  of  adding  another  stone  to  the  pile ;  and  a 
person  was  but  a  few  years  since  living,  who  had  witnessed  this  ceremony.  It  was  con- 
fidently believed  by  the  Indians  that  those  who  neglected   to  do  it  would  meet  with  some 

misfortune In  the  early  settlement  of  the  province,  Brnoni  Van  Corlear,  a  great 

favorite  and  friend  of  the  Indians,  on  a  certain  occasion,  passed  this  stone  heap  in  company 
with  a  parly  of  Mohawks  on  their  way  to  Canada.  They  all  cast  a  stone  upon  the  pile 
except  Van  Corlear,  who  refused,  alleging  that  it  would  bo  fully  for  him  to  comply  with 
an  idle  superstition.  His  Indian  companions  considered  the  matter  in  a  more  serious  light, 
and  expressed  great  alarm  lest  some  mishap  might  befall  him  or  the  party.  These  presagei 
were  not  unreal,  for  by  one  of  those  coincidences  which  the  Almighty  sometimes  pemvits, 
Van  Corlear  loat  his  life  before  he  arrived  at  the  end  of  his  journey.  He  was  drowned  in 
tha  lakfi  now.  cnllen  Like  Ch  tnpliln-  The  Indiini  in  tnemory  of  th>!  event  califldit  Vsn 
Corlear'a  Lake,  which  name  it  retained  for  aome  time,  until  called  by  the  Canadian  Caiho. 


■f    I 


MONTGOMERY    COUNTT. 


279 


lie  priests  •  Lac  Sacrement,'  for  the  reason  they  had  selected,  and  used  its  waters  for  sa. 
cramental  purposes." 

MiNDEN  was  taken  from  Canajoharie  in  1798.  The  town  was 
settled  at  an  early  period  by  Germans,  who  suffered  severely  from 
the  incursions  of  the  Indians  and  tories  during  the  revolutionary  war. 
The  surface  of  the  township  is  agreeably  diversified  by  gentle  hills 
and  fertile  valleys  on  Mohawk  river  and  Otsquake  creek.  Pop.  3,507. 
The  village  of  Fort  Plain  is  situated  on  the  Mohawk  river  and  Erie 
canal,  15  miles  from  Fonda,  12  mdes  from  Cherry  Valley,  22  from 
Cooperstown,  and  60  from  Albany :  it  consists  of  about  80  houses, 
2  churches — 1  Presbyterian,  1  Universalist — a  printing  office,  and  a 
number  of  mills. 


Ancient  Blockhouse,  Fort  Plain. 

The  above  is  said  to  be  a  correct  representation  of  Fort  Plain,  from 
which  the  village  derives  its  name. 

"  The  fort  was  situated  on  the  brow  of  the  hill,  about  half  a  mile  northwest  of  the  vil. 
(ago,  so  as  to  command  a  full  view  of  the  valley,  and  the  rise  of  the  ground,  for  several 
miles  in  any  direction  ;  and  hence  it  doubdess  derived  its  name,  because  its  beautiful  loca. 
tion  commanded  a  *  plain''  view  of  the  surrounding  country.  It  wiis  erected  by  the  gov. 
enimerit,  as  a  fortress,  and  place  of  retreat  and  safety  for  the  inhabitants  and  families  in 
case  of  incursions  from  the  Indians,  who  were  then,  and,  indeed,  more  or  less  during  the 
whole  revolutionary  war,  infesting  the  settlements  of  this  whole  region.  Its  form  was  an 
octagon,  having  port-holes  for  heavy  ordnance  and  muskets  on  every  side.  It  contained 
three  stories  or  apartments.  The  fi/nt  story  was  thirty  feet  in  diameter ;  the  second,  forty 
feet ;  the  third,  fifty  feet ;  the  last  two  stories  projecting  five  feet,  as  represented  by  the 
drawing  aforesaid.  It  was  constructed  throughout  of  hewn  limber  about  fifteen  inches 
square  ;  and,  besides  the  port-holes  aforesaid,  the  second  and  third  stories  had  perpendicular 
port-holes  through  those  parts  that  projected,  so  as  to  afford  the  regulars  and  militia,  or  set- 
tlers garrisoned  in  the  fort,  annoying  fiicilities  of  defence  for  themselves,  wives,  and  chij. 
dren,  in  case  of  close  assault  from  the  relentless  savage.  Whenever  scouts  came  in  with 
tidings  'hat  a  hostile  party  was  approaching,  a  cannon  wan  fired  from  the  fort  as  a  signal  to 
flee  to  it  for  sofety. 

"  In  the  early  part  of  the  war  there  was  :••  :!*,  by  the  inhabitants  probably,  at  or  near  the 
Bite  of  the  one  above  described,  a  fortiSca  i  i,  of  materials  and  construction  that  ill  com- 
ported  with  the  use  and  purpoites  for  which  it  was  intended.  This  induced  government  to 
erect  another,  (For'  Plain,)  under  the  superintendence  of  an  experienced  French  engineer. 
Aa  a  piece  of  architecture,  it  was  well  wrought  and  neatly  finished,  and  surpassed  all  tho 
forts  in  that  region.  After  tho  termination  of  the  revolutionary  war,  Fort  Plain  was  used 
for  some  years  as  a  deposit  of  military  stores,  under  the  direction  of  Captain  B.  Hudson, 
'i'heto  stores  were  finally  ordered  by  the  United  States  government  to  b»  removed  to  Al. 


[    i 


|i 


280 


MONTGOMERY   COUNTY. 


bany.  The  fort  is  demolished.  Nothing  of  it  remains  except  a  circumvallation  or  trench, 
which,  although  nearly  obliterated  by  the  plough,  still  indicates  to  the  curious  traveller 
sufficient  evidence  of  a  fortification  in  days  by-gone." — Fort  Plain  Journal,  Dec.  26,  1837. 

Hendrick,  a  celebrated  Indian  chieftain,  lived  in  this  town.  He  is 
sometimes  called  old  King  Hendrick,  and  the  great  Hendrick. 

"  •  The  site  of  his  house,'  says  Dr.  Dwight,  '  is  a  handsome  elevation,  commanding  a 
considerable  prospect  of  the  neighboring  country.  It  will  be  sufficient  to  observe  here, 
that  for  capacity,  hravesy,  vigor  of  mind,  and  immoveable  integrity  united,  he  excelled  all 
the  aboriginnl  inhabitants  of  the  United  States  of  whom  any  knowledge  has  come  down  to 
the  present  time.  A  gentleman  of  very  respectable  character,  who  was  present  at  a  coun- 
cil  held  with  the  Six  Nations,  by  the  governor  of  New  York,  and  several  agents  of  distinc. 
tion  from  New  England,  informed  me  that  his  figure  and  countenance  were  singularly  im- 
pressive and  commanding ;  that  his  eloquence  was  of  the  same  superior  character,  and  that 
he  appeared  as  if  born  to  control  other  men,  and  possessed  an  air  of  majesty  unrivalled 
within  his  knowledge.'  In  the  French  wars  he  led  forth  his  Mohawk  warriors  and  fought 
side  by  side  with  Sir  William  Johnson.  Through  all  the  intrigues  of  the  French  he  re. 
mained  faithful  to  his  alliance.  He  was  also  highly  esteemed  by  the  white  inhabitants. 
During  some  of  the  negotiations  with  the  Indians  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  inhabitants  of 
that  state,  Hendrick  was  present  at  Philadelphia.  His  likeness  was  taken,  and  a  wax  figure 
afterward  made  which  was  a  verv  good  imitation.  After  the  death  of  Hendrick,  an  old 
friend,  a  white  man,  visited  Phiiadelphia,  and  among  other  things  was  shown  this  wax 
figure.  It  occupied  a  niche,  and  was  not  observed  by  him  until  he  had  approached  within 
a  few  feet.  The  friendship  of  former  days  came  fresh  over  his  memory,  and  forgetting  for 
the  moment  Hendrick'a  death,  he  rushed  forward  and  clasped  in  his  arms  the  frail,  icy 
image  of  the  chieftain." 

Mohawk,  the  ancient  Caughnawaga,  recently  organized,  was  form- 
erly the  southern  section  of  the  town  of  Johnstown,  from  which  it 
was  taken  in  1837.  Pop.  3,106.  Since  the  formation  of  the  new 
county  of  Fulton,  the  seat  of  justice  for  Montgomery  county  has  been 


East  view  of  the  Courthouse  and  Hotel  in  Fonda. 

located  in  this  town.  The  above  is  an  engraving  of  the  courthouse 
and  hotel  recently  erected  in  the  new  village  of  Fonda.  The  railroad 
passes  between  these  two  buildings.  The  central  part  of  the  village 
of  Caughnawaga  is  about  half  a  mile  ea.stward  of  the  courthouse, 
and  consists  oi  about  30  dwelling-houses,  on  the  north  side  of  the 
Mohawk,  40  miles  from  Albany,  and  4  miles  S.  from  Johnstown. 
The  village  occupies  the  site  of  an  ancient  Indian  village,  one  of  the 
principal  towns  of  the  Mohawk  tribe.  Its  name,  Caughnawaga,  is 
smd  to  signify  " a  coffi^n"  which  it  received  from  the  circumstance  of 


He  is 


MONTGOMERY    COUNTY. 


281 


there  being,  in  the  river  opposite  the  place,  a  large  black  stone,  (still 
to  be  seenO  resembling  a  coffin,  and  projecting  above  the  surface  at 
low  water. 

The  annexed  is  a  representation  of 
the  ancient  Dutch  church  in  Caughna- 
waga.  It  is  a  massive  stone  structure, 
and  is  believed  to  have  been  erected  in 
1763.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  the 
inscription  on  the  stone  tablet  which 
was  formerly  placed  over  the  door. 

"Komt  laett  ons  op  gaen  tot  den 
Bergh  des  Heeren,  to  den  huyse  des 
Godes  Jacobs,  op  dat  hy  ons  leere  van 
syne  wegen,  en  dat  wy  wandele  in 
syne  paden." 

["  Come  ye,  and  let  us  go  up  to  the  mountain  of 
the  Lord ;  to  the  house  of  the  God  of  Jacob,  and 
he  will  teach  us  liis  ways,  and  we  will  walk  in  his 

paths."] 

Ancient  Church,  Mohawk. 

The  following,  relating  to  the  history  of  this  town,  is  taken  from 
a  newspaper  published  in  Schenectady  a  few  years  smce. 

"  The  Caughnawaga  flats  extend  from  the  western  base  of  Tripe's  Hill  to  the  Cayadutta 
creek,  a  dUtance  ot  tbur  miles.  A  patent  for  2,500  a«es  of  these  flate,  was  granted  m  the 
year  1713,  to  John,  Edward,  and  Margaret  Collins.  These  mduiduals  aliened  to  Myndert 
Wemple,  Douw  Fonda,  and  Hendrick  A.  Vroomanj  and  many  of  their  descendants  are 

proprietors  at  the  present  day.  .       ,        ^      i  .    j 

"Until  1695,  there  were  no  buildings  on  the  site  where  Caughnawaga  now  stands,  ex. 
ccpt  a  Dutch  church  edifice  anH  a  parsonage.  This  church  was  founded  in  1762,  by  the 
patronage  of  Sir  William  Johnson.  Its  principal  benefactors  were  the  Fonda,  Vrooman, 
Wemple,  and  Veeder  families.  The  church  edifice  >s  still  standing,  but  ma  dilapidated 
condition.  Its  first  pastor  was  the  Rev.  Thomas  Romeyn,  who  died  in  1794.  He  was 
succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Abraham  Van  Home,  of  New  Jersey,  who  conUnued  his  pastoral 

'""rugliL'i:y3ly Served  .o  be  called  a  hamlet  until  1795.  when  Messrs.  Douw 
BndHenryFonda,  of  Albany,  erected  several  buildings.  f,i,„fl„,. 

"  This  place  sutfered  much  during  the  revolution.  At  the  western  extremity  of  he  flats, 
is  a  small  hill  called  by  the  Dutch  '  Teahurg^  or  TeahiU.  It  was  a  place  of  resort,  dunng 
the  time  of  the  French  war,  by  the  Caughnawaga  ladies  dunng  the  absence  of  their  hus. 
bands,  to  indulge  in  their  delicious  beverage  of  tea.  It  was  considered  a  good  place  of  re- 
treat  from  da^^er,  and  from  which  the  approach  of  the  enemy  might  be  seen.  1  he  Mo. 
hawk  name  of  this  elevation  is  ' Kaheka-nnnda.'  or  'hill  of  bcmes;'  probably  because 
many  berries  are  found  there.  The  ancient  Mohawks  required  their  male  papooses  to  run 
up  and  down  this  hill,  and  those  who  flagged  under  the  exercise,  were  deemed  unquahhed 
to  endure  the  fatigues  of  war.  »t.  >    ,     «  ,   r      i 

"  The  first  settlers  of  Tripe's  Hill,  were  respectable  yeomen.  Nicholas  Hanson  s  farni  y 
emigrated  thither  about  1725,  from  Albany.  His  son  Hendrick  was  the  first  white  child 
born  in  the  Mohawk  valley  west  of  Schenectady,  on  the  north  side  of  the  nver.  About 
1728  a  New  Englandcr  by  the  name  of  Bowen,  and  a  Mr.  Putnam  from  Schenectady,  took 
UD  their  residence  here.  The  descendants  of  the  Hansons  and  Putnams  are  to  found  to 
this  day  in  thi«  rrgion,  and  the  creek  on  the  eastern  side  of  Tnpe's  Hill  received  its  name 
from  the  circumstance  of  the  Putnam  family  owning  the  land  through  which  it  passes. 

"  About  the  time  the  colonies  declared  their  independence,  the  Bowen,  with  several 
Other  families,  took  part  with  the  mother  country  and  moved  to  ConadB.  They  were  in- 
Sred  to  take  this  course  in  consoquence  of  their  attachment  to  Sir  William  Johnson  who, 


1 


:    1, 


;i:  i 


L-eersj  p"-ia:ss 


30 


'^m 


♦■ 


282 


MONTGOMERY    COUNTY. 


Had  he  lived  during  the  revolutionary  contest,  it  is  generally  believed  he  would  have  done 
much  towards  restraining  the  ferocity  of  the  bloodthirsty  torics  and  their  savage  allies, 
whose  murderous  attacks  on  the  defenceless  inhabitants  of '  the  valley,'  are  so  famous  in 
tradition.  But  the  mantle  of  Sir  William  did  not  descend  on  his  son  Sir  John  Johnson. 
The  latter  with  a  party  of  tories,  most  of  whom  had  formerly  resided  at  Tripe's  Hill,  and 
among  whom  Henry  and  William  Bowen  held  conspicuous  stations,  made  an  arrangement 
for  a  descent  on  this  settlement.  The  most  zealous  whig  at  the  '  Hill'  was  Garret  Putnanii 
captain  of  a  company  of  rangers.  He  had  rendered  himself  particularly  obnoxious  to  th« 
British  in  consequence  of  the  fearless  and  zealous  stand  which  he  had  taken  against  them^ 
On  the  18th  of  May,  1780,  he  received  orders  lo  repair  to  Fort  Hunter ;  which  he  did, 
taking  his  family  along  with  him.  He  leased  hia  house  to  William  Gort  and  James  Plateau, 
two  Englishmen,  who,  although  tories,  took  no  active  part  and  were  therefore  unmolested 
by  the  whigs.  About  midnight  on  the  20th  of  May,  Sir  John's  party  reached  the  '  Hill,' 
and  stealthily  entering  Mr.  Putnam's  house,  instantly  killed  and  scalped  its  inmates.  The 
hapless  victims  had  not  an  opportunity  to  reveal  themselves.  The  enemy  supposed  they 
had  the  scalps  of  Captain  Putnam  and  his  son,  and  were  not  undeceived  until  the  morning 
light  revealed  to  them  the  corpses  of  their  two  brother  tories,  Gort  and  Plateau.  The 
same  night  Henry  Hanson,  a  zealous  whig,  was  also  murdered." 

The  annexed  is  a  representation 
of  the  house  of  Col.  Butler  the  loyal- 
ist, and  is  probably  the  oldest  dwell- 
ing in  the  town  ;  it  is  now  owned 
and  occupied  by  Mr.  Wilson.  It  is 
situated  on  a  commanding  eminence 
about  one  mile  in  a  NE.  direction 
from  the  courthouse,  in  Fonda,  oyer- 
Butler's  House,  Mohawk,  looking  the  beautiful  Mohawk  val- 
ley at  this  place.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  revolutionary  war, 
John  Butler  was  lieutenant-colonel  of  a  regiment  of  the  Tryon  county 
militia,  of  which  Guy  Johnson  was  the  colonel,  and  Jelles  Fonda  the 
major.  Sir  John  Johnson  had  been  commissioned  a  general  after 
the  decease  of  his  father.  "  Colonel  John  Butler,"  says  Mr.  Tryon, 
in  his  Aanals,  "  had  some  good  traits  of  character,  and  in  his  calmer 
moments  would  regret  the  ravages  committed  by  the  Indians  and 
tories ;  but  Walter  Butler  was  distinguished  from  youth  for  his  severe 
acrimonious  disposition.  After  the  massacre  at  Cherry  Valley  he 
went  to  Quebec ;  but  Gen.  Haldiman,  governor  of  Canada,  gave  out 
that  he  did  not  wish  to  see  him." 

Palatine,  organized  in  1782;  from  Fonda,  W.,  14  miles.  This 
town  was  first  settled  by  the  Dutch,  in  1724,  and  though  constantly 
under  cultivation,  ever  since  that  time  its  choice  lands  can  hardly  be 
said  to  have  lost  any  of  their  original  fertility  !  Palatine  is  13  miles 
W.  of  Johnstown,  on  the  river,  turnpike,  and  Utica  railroad.  Pala- 
tine Bridge  is  also  on  the  river,  turnpike,  and  railroad,  immediately 
opposite  Canajoharie  village,  with  which  it  is  connected  by  a  bridge. 
(See  view  of  Canajohariei)  Stone  Arabia  is  3  miles  N.  from  Cana- 
joharie. The  above  are  all  small  villages.  Pop.  2,845.  During  the 
revolutionary  war  there  was  a  small  stockade  erected  in  this  town, 
at  Stone  Arabia,  called  Fort  Paris.  When  Sir  John  Johnson  was 
ravaging  the  valley  of  the  Mohawk,  in  1780,  this  fort  was  in  command 
of  Col.  Brown,  with  a  garrison  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  men.  Gen. 
Van  Rensselaer,  who  was  pureuing  Sir  John  up  the  vaJJey,  having 
received   iiiformaliou  ihul  iie  intended  to  attack  tort  Paris  on  the 


MONTGOMERY    COUNTY. 


283 


19th  of  Oct.,  despatched  orders  to  Col.  Brown  to  march  out  and  check 
his  advance,  while  he  fell  upon  his  rear.  Col.  Brown  accordingly 
sallied  forth,  and  gave  Sir  John  battle  aear  the  site  of  a  former  work, 
called  Fort  Keyser.  Van  Rensselaer  having  failed  to  advance  at  the 
appointed  time,  Brown's  force  was  too  feeble  to  check  the  progress 
of  the  enemy.  Col.  Brown  fell  gallantly  at  the  head  oi  his  little  divi- 
sion,  of  which  from  forty  to  forty-five  were  also  slain,  and  the  re- 
mainder sought  safety  in  flight.*  _ 

Root,  taken  from  Canajoharie  and  Charleston  in  1823;  from 
Albany  51  miles.  Sprackers  Basin,  on  the  canal,  9  miles  W.  of 
Fonda,  and  Currytown,  are  small  villages.  "  In  the  rocky  cliffs  ot  the 
Nose,  near  the  river,  is  a  remarkable  cavern  known  as  Mitchell  s 
Cave.  Fourteen  apartments,  some  it  is  said  at  the  depth  of  500  teet, 
have  been  visited.  The  ceilings  are  ornamented  with  stalactites,  the 
walls  with  incrustations,  and  the  floors  with  stalagmites.  On  the 
Plattekill,  a  mile  from  the  river,  there  is  a  waterfall  of  about  80  teet 
in  10  rods,  with  a  perpendicular  pitch  of  50  feet."     Pop.  2,000. 

St.  Johnsville,  recently  taken  from  Oppenheim  of  Fulton  county. 
The  township  is  small  in  its  territorial  limits,  being  a  narrow  strip  ot 
land  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Mohawk.  Pop.  1,923.  The  village 
of  St.  Johnsville  is  about  20  miles  from  Fonda,  and  77  Irom  Albany. 

In  the  fall  of  1780,  when  Sir  John  Johnson  ravaged  the  Mohawk 
valley,  he  made  a  stand  near  the  western  line  of  this  town,  when  pur- 
sued by  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer.  This  was  at  Fox's  mills,  about  eight 
miles  above  Fort  Plank,  (or  as  it  is  now  called.  Fort  Plain,)  and  two 
miles  below  the  upper  Mohawk  castle.  ,      .    r 

«  On  the  north  side  and  on  a  flat,  partly  surrounded  by  a  bend  ot 
the  river,  he  posted  his  regiment  of  regulars  and  tories.  A  small 
breastwork  was  thrown  across  the  neck  of  land.  The  Indians  occu- 
pied a  tract  of  elevated  land  to  the  north,  and  in  the  immediate 
vicinity,  which  was  covered  with  a  thick  growth  of  shrub  oak.    In 


•  Colonel  Brown  was  a  brave  soldier  of  high  moral  worth.    He  was  early  in  the  service, 
and  was  engaged  in  the  disastrous  campaign  in  Canada.    Col.  Stone,  in  his  Lite  ot  Brant, 
states  that  Col.  Brown  detected,  or  believed  he  detected,  a  design  on  the  part  of  Gen.  At. 
nold  to  play  the  traitor  when  the  American  army  was  at  Sorel,  by  an  attempt  to  runoff 
with  the  American  flotilla  and  sell  out  to  Sir  Guy  Carleton.     During  the  winter  of  1776-7, 
while  Arnold  and  many  other  officers  were  quartered  in  Albany,  a  difficulty  arose  between 
him  and  Col.  Brown.    The  latter  published  a  handbill  severely  reflecting  on  Arnold,  and 
concluded  with  these  remarkable  words—"  Money  is  this  man's  God,  and  to  get  enough 
of  it  he  would  sacrifice  his  country."     This  publication  produced  quite  a  Bensation  anriong 
the  oflicers.    Arnold  was  greatly  excited ;  he  applied  a  variety  of  course  and  harsh  epithets 
to  Col.  Brown,  calling  him  a  scoundrel,  and  threatened  to  kick  him  wherever  he  should 
meet  him.    This  coming  to  the  ears  of  the  latter,  he  proceeded  to  the  dining  place  ot  Ar- 
nold where  a  company  of  officers  were  assembled  ;  going  directly  up  to  Arnold  he  stopped, 
and  looked  him  in  the  eye.    After  a  pause  of  a  moment,  he  observed  :  "  /  understand,  str, 
that  vou  have  said  you  teould  kick  me :  I  now  present  myself  to  give  you  an  opportunity 
to  put  your  threat  into  execution .'"     Anodier  brief  pause  ensued.    Arnold  opened  no|,  hm 
lipf.    Brown  then  said  to  hitn-"  Sir,  you  are  a  dirty  scoundrel .'"     Arnold  still  remained 
■ilent     Col.  Brown,  after  apologizing  to  the  gentlemen  present  for  his  intrusion,  lett  the 
room.    Arnold  appears  to  have  kept  an  unbroken  silence  on  this  occasion,  which  can  only 
be  accounted  for  on  the  supposition  that  he  feared  to  provoke  inquiry  on  the  charges  ot  t/ol. 
Brown.    A  monument  to  the  memory  of  Col.  Brown  has  recently  been  erected  by  his  son, 
at  Stone  Arabia. 


'j 


284 


NEW   YORK   COUNTY. 


this  position  Sir  John  awaited  the  approach  of  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer, 
who  was  joined  by  the  Canajoharie  militia  and  the  tories  from  Fort 
Plain  under  Col.  Du  Bois.  After  a  slight  skirmish,  the  Indians  were 
driven  from  their  position,  and  fled  up  the  river  to  the  fording  place, 
near  the  castle,  where  they  crossed,  and  directed  their  course  towards 
the  Susquehannah.  Sir  John's  troops  made  a  more  effective  resist- 
ance, though  they  were  almost  exhausted  by  the  forced  marches 
which  they  had  made  and  the  labors  they  had  performed.  The  at- 
tack had  been  commenced  late  in  the  day.  Though  it  was  conducted 
with  considerable  spirit,  night  came  on  before  the  works  of  Sir  John 
were  carried.  In  this  situation  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  ordered  his 
troops  to  fall  back  a  mile  and  encamp.  Many  of  the  militia  were  en- 
raged on  account  of  this  order,  and  refused  to  obey  it.  They  re- 
mained during  most  of  the  night,  and  took  several  prisoners,  who 
informed  them  that  the  enemy  were  on  the  point  of  offering  to  capit- 
ulate, when  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  ordered  his  troops  to  fall  back. 
A  detachment  of  the  Canajoharie  militia  under  Col.  Clyde  took  one 
of  their  field-pieces  during  the  night. 

"  On  the  following  morning,  when  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  advanced 
with  his  troops,  the  enemy  had  entirely  disappeared.  They  had  left 
their  ground,  and  retreated  up  the  river  a  short  distance,  and  then 
crossed  to  the  south.  The  river  was  deep  and  rapid  where  it  formed 
the  bend,  which  would  have  ensured  Gen.  Van  R  ensselaer  a  com- 
plete victory  had  he  prosecuted  his  attack  with  more  vigor.  A 
detachment  was  sent  in  pursuit,  who  discovered  in  the  trail  of  the 
enemy  evidence  of  the  extreme  state  to  which  they  were  reduced 
by  hunger  and  fatigue.  The  whole  country  on  the  north  side  of  the 
river,  from  Caughnawaga  to  Stone  Arabia  and  Palatine,  had  been 
devastated — which,  with  the  ravages  of  Brant  on  the  south  side  of 
the  river,  in  the  previous  August,  almost  completed  the  destruction 
of  the  Mohawk  settlements. 

"  If  here  and  there  a  little  settlement  escaped  their  ravages,  each 
were  like  an  oasis  in  the  desert,  affording  temporary  shelter  and  pro- 
tection, and,  like  them,  liable  to  be  destroyed  or  buried  up  by  the 
next  whirlwind  which  should  sweep  over  the  land." 


NEW  YORK  COUNTY. 

The  county  and  city  of  New  York  are  of  the  same  extent,  com- 
prising the  whole  of  New  York,  or  Manhattan  Island,  about  14^  miles 
long,  varying  from  half  a  mile  to  two  miles  in  width ;  area  21f  square 
miles,  or  13,920  acres.  It  is  bounded  on  the  north  and  east  by  Haer- 
lem  and  East  rivers,  south  and  west  by  the  Hudson,  or  by  New  York 
bay  and  the  state  of  New  Jersey.  The  legal  subdivisions  of  the 
county  and  city  are  the  wards,  17  in  number,  of  various  extent,  ac- 


NEW   YORK   COUNTY. 


285 


cording  to  local  convenience.  Agreeable  to  the  charter  of  New  York 
its  iurisdiction  extends  to  the  lands  under  the  adjoining  waters  as  tar 
as  to  low- water  mark  on  the  opposite  sides.  The  compact  part  ot 
the  city  is  at  the  southern  part  of  the  island,  and  covers  about  one 
sixth  part  of  its  surface.  Its  latitude  and  longitude,  reckoned  irom 
the  City  Hall,  were  determined  in  1817,  by  order  of  the  corporation, 
as  follows :  N.  lat.  40°  42'  43"  ;  W.  long,  fom  Greenwich  England, 
73°  59'  46",  and  E.  long,  from  the  city  of  Washmgton  3    1   Id  . 

A  table  of  the  population  of  the  city  of  New  York,  of  the  state  of  New  York,  and  of  the 

United  States,  at  various  perwds. 


Years, 
1656. 
1697. 
1731 


City.  State. 

...1,000. 

,.4,302 

,.8;622 49,819. 


United  States. 


1„5 ioOOO   100,000 1,000,000 

[If, 22  750   250  000 3,000,000 

tSJ 60  489  580,000 5,309,7.'i0 

;^;S 96  373         .    959220 7,238,903 

}SJS i23706         1,372,812 9,638,226 

iSS'::::::::::::::::202:5S:.. i:9ib,608 12,852,859 

1835 270,089 ^,174,517 ,_.„q„„ 

1840 312;932 2,4a9,481 17,008,112 

The  relative  proportion  of  the  population  of  the  city  to  that  of  the  whole  state,  has  gen- 
erally  been  fron?  oke-eight  to  one.tenth;  and  the  state  of  New  York  haa  borne  the  same  re- 
lative  proportion  also  to  the  whole  United  States. 

"  The  number  of  buildings  in  the  compact  part  of  the  city  of  New  York  is  32,116  j  of 
which  Uiere  are  used  as  breweries,  distilleries,  tanneries,  and  the  like  46;  as  dwelling 
houses  exclusively,  16,458;  as  dweUings  with  shops  6,614;  as  stores  and  offices  exclusively 
3  8551  M  t^S  and  priv;teboardinjhouses  736;  ^  ^'"'^^'^  as  factories  with  engines 
equal  to  1100  horse  power,  74 ;  as  large  factories,  with  labor-saving  power,  172  ;  as  private 
stebles  2,603  ;  as  livery  stables  137 ;  as  dairy  stables  57  ;  miscellaneous  1,J55. 

"  The  valuitionofVeal  estate  in  the  city,  as  co"een3d  by  the  board  of  superv^o^m 
1840  is  gl87i!22,714;  and  of  personal  estate  $65,013,801.    Aggregate  $252,235,515. 

"From  1810  to  1841,  the  corporation  has  expended  for  opening,  widening,  and  improving 

'*""  The^tolkuS^^dlri^      from  the  city,  by  the  state,  from  auction  duties,  from  1816  to 

''.flwtS.i^?tt'Te'ge;eral  Treasury  during  the  year  1840,  from  the  ordinary  rev 
enues  of  the  city,  from  the  negotiation  of  its  stocks,  and  from  the  management  of  its  trust 
accounts,' including  the  cash  on  hand  at  the  commencement  of  the  year,  amounted  to 

*  "'The^imount  of  warrants  drawn  upon  the  .Treasurer,  for  the  ordinary  expenses  of  the 
citv  Bovernment.  the  payment  of  its  pre-existing  debts,  for  its  disbursements  on  the  public 
xvorka  and  on  its  '  trust  accounts,'  including  the  warrants  outstanding  at  the  commencement 
of  the' year,  amounted  to  $6,0074260  54;  from  which  is  to  be  ded"^'^^  th«  ^''"^"•^  «^^^^ 
etanding  and  unclaimed  at  the  close  of  the  year,  amounting  to  0176,829  50.  The  resul 
showini  the  actual  amount  paid  by  the  Treasurer  during  the  year  to  be  $5,830,431  04. 
and  the  cash  balance  in  the  treasury  January  Ist,  1841,  to  be  $174,1  /a  uo. 
Population  of  the  several  Wards  in  New  York. 


Ist  ward 10.629 

2d  ward 6,408 

3d  ward • 11,581 

4th  ward • 15.770 

5th  ward 19.159 

6th  ward 17.199 

7th  ward 22,985 

8th  ward .29,173 

Slii  ward ~i,J3J 


vard 29,093 

littiward 17,052 

12th  ward 11,678 

13th  ward ." 18,516 

14th  ward 80,230 

15th  ward 17,769 

16th  word 22,275 

17th  ward 18,622 


■;«.y 


286 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


y* 


» 


The  bay  of  New  York  spreads  to  the  southward,  and  is  about  8 
miles  long,  and  from  1^  to  5i  broad.  It  is  one  of  the  finest  harbors 
in  the  world,  generally  open  for  vessels  at  all  seasons  of  the  year, 
but  is,  at  rare  intervals,  obstructed  for  a  few  days  in  very  severe 
winters  by  ice.  The  currents  in  the  bay  are  rapid  and  strong,  cir- 
cumstances that  are  of  great  importance  in  keeping  the  port  of  New 
York  open,  while  others  further  to  the  south  are  obstructed  by  frost. 
The  usual  tides  at  New  York  are  about  six  feet,  and  the  depth  of 
water  sufficient  for  the  largest  ships.  The  bay  contains  Governor's, 
Bedlow's,  and  Ellis'  islands,  upon  which  are  strong  fortifications 
guarding  the  approach  to  the  city.  There  are  also  fortifications  on 
Long  and  Staten  islands,  commanding  the  narrows. 


Stadt  Huys,  built  1642 — razed  1700. 

New  York  derives  its  origin  from  the  colonizing  and  commercial 
spirit  of  the  Hollanders,  and  the  general  spirit  of  adventure  which 
prevailed  among  the  maritime  nations  of  Europe  after  the  discovery 
of  the  western  continent  by  Columbus.  The  Dutch  immediately 
after  the  discovery  of  Hudson  in  1609,  began  to  aVail  themselves  of 
the  advantages  which  his  discoveries  presented  to  their  view.  In 
1614  or  1615,  a  kind  of  fort  and  trading-house  was  erected  on  the 
southwest  point  of  Manhattan  or  Ne^w  York  Island,  which  was  named 
New  Amsterdam.  In  1614,  an  expedition  from  South  Virginia,  under 
Capt.  Argal,  was  sent  out  by  Sir  Thomas  Dale,  and  took  possession 
of  New  Amsterdam.  At  that  time  there  were  only  four  houses  out- 
side of  the  fort.  But  an  arrangement  was  soon  after  made  with  the 
English  government,  by  which  the  Dutch  remained  in  possession  of 
Manhattan  Island,  and  of  the  trade  of  the  neighboring  country  for 
fifty  yfears.  -^ 

The  above  is  a  representation  of  the  ancient  "  Stadt  Huys,"  or 
City  Hall,  which  was  built  early  in  the  Dutch  dynasty,  in  1642.  It 
■was  built  of  stone  at  the  head  of  Coenties  slip,  facing  Pearl-street. 
About  the  year  1700,  it  became  so  weakened  and  impaired,  that  it  was 
sold,  and  a  new  one  erected  by  the  head  of  Broad-street,  which  was 
afterward  the  Congress  Hall,  on  the  corner  of  WalUstrcct. 


NEW   YORK    COUNTY. 


S87 


The  city  was  laid  out  in  streets,  some  of  them  crooked  enough,  in 
1656.  It  then  contained  by  enumeration  •  120  houses,  with  extensive 
garden  lots,'  and  1000  inhabitants.  In  1677  another  estimate  of  the 
city  was  made,  and  ascertained  to  containvi  368  houses.  In  the 
year  1674,  an  assessment  of  '  the  most  wealthy  inhabitants'  having 
been  made,  it  was  found  that  the  sum  total  of  134  estates  amounted 
to  £95.000. 


Nieuw  Amsterdam,  in  1659. 

r  A.  the  fbrt.    B,  the  church.    C,  the  wind-mill.    D,  the  flag,  which  is  hoirted  when  vesselg  arrive  in  port. 
E,  the  prison.    F,  the  house  of  the  general.    G,  tlie  place  of  execution.    H,  the  place  of  expose  or  pillory.] 

During  the  military  rule  of  Governor  Colve,  who  held  the  city  for 
one  year  for  the  states  of  Holland,  after  its  re-capture  from  the  British, 
every  thing  partook  of  a  military  character,  and  the  laws  still  in 
preservation  at  Albany  show  the  energy  of  a  rigorous  discipline. 
Then  the  Dutch  mayor,  at  the  head  of  the  city  militia,  held  his  daily 
parades  before  the  City  Hall,  (Stadt  Huys,)  then  at  Coenties  slip ;  and 
every  evening  at  sunset,  he  received  from  the  principal  guard  of  the 
fort,  called  the  hoofd-wagt,  the  keys  of  the  city,  and  thereupon  pro- 
ceeded with  a  guard  of  six  to  lock  the  city  gates ;  then  to  place  a 
Burger-wagt — a  citizen-guard — as  night-watches  at  assigned  places. 
The  same  mayors  also  went  the  rounds  at  sunrise  to  open  the  gates, 
and  to  restore  the  keys  to  the  officer  of  the  fort.  All  this  was  surely 
a  toilsome  seryice  for  the  domestic  habits  of  the  peaceful  citizens  of 
that  day,  and  must  have  presented  an  irksome  honor  to  any  mayor 
who  loved  his  comfort  and  repose. 

"  It  may  amuse  some  of  the  present  generation,  so  little  tised  to  Dutch  names,  to  learn 
some  of  the  titles  once  so  familiar  in  New  York,  and  now  so  little  understood.  Such  as — 
De  Heer  Officier,  or  Hoofd.Schout—Uigh.Shenff.  De  Fiacael,  or  Procureur  Gen.— Attor 
ney  General.  WeM.Meeater» — Guardians  of  orphans.  Eoy-Meesters — Regulators  of 
fences.  Grooi  Burgerrecht  and  Klein  Burgerreckt— The  great  and  small  citizenship, 
which  then  marked  the  two  orders  of  society.  Eyck-Meeater—The  Weigh  Master.  The 
Scltout,  (the  Sheriff.)  Bourgonuutera  and  Schepera  thm  ruled  the  city  *  aa  in  all  cities  of 
the  Fatherland.'  Geheim  ScAryrw— Recorder  of  secrets."— Wat«m'»  Olden  Timea, 
Ne;D  York. 


1 


'  tli>^ 


288 


NEW   YORK   COUNTY. 


The  preceding  cut  shows  the  principal  building  standing  on  the 
present  site  of  the  city  of  New  York  in  1659.  The  following  de- 
scription  of  New  York  at  about  that  period,  is  copied  from  "  Ogilby's 
America^'  a  large  folio  volume  illustrated  by  engravings,  published  m 
London  in  1671.  This  work  contains  a  view  of  Novum  Amsteroda- 
mum,  (as  it  is  i-.alled,)  similar  to  the  engraving  from  which  the  annexed 
cut  is  copied. 

"  It  is  placed  upon  the  neck  of  the  Island  Manhatnns  looking  towards  the  Sea ;  encom- 
pnss'd  with  Hudson's  River,  which  is  six  Miles  broad,  the  town  is  compact  and  oval,  with 
very  fair  streets  and  several  good  Houses ;  the  rest  are  built  much  after  the  manner  of 
Holland,  to  the  number  of  about  four  hundred  Houses,  which  in  those  parts  are  held  con. 
siderable :  Upon  one  side  of  the  Town  is  James-Fort,  capable  to  lodge  three  hundred  soul- 
diers  and  Officers ;  it  hath  four  bastions,  forty  Pieces  of  Cannon  mounted ;  the  Walls  of 
Stone,  lined  with  a  thick  Rampart  of  Earth,  well  accommodated  with  a  spring  of  Fresh 
Water,  always  furnish'd  with  Arms  and  Ammunition  against  Accidents :  Distant  from  the 
Sea  seven  Leagues,  it  affords  a  safe  entrance,  even  to  unskilful  Pilots ;  under  the  Town 
side,  ships  of  any  burthen  may  ride  secure  against  any  Storms ;  the  Current  of  the  River 
being  broken  by  the  interposition  of  a  small  Island,  which  lies  a  mile  distant  from  the  Town. 
"  About  ten  Miles  from  New  York  is  a  place  call'd  Hell  Gate,  which  being  a  narrow  pas- 
sage, there  runneth  a  violent  Stream  both  upon  Flood  and  Ebb  ;  and  in  the  middle  lie  some 
Rocky  Islands,  which  the  Current  sets  so  violently  upon,  that  it  threatens  present  Ship, 
wrack  ;  and  upon  the  Flood  is  a  large  Whirlwind,  which  continually  sends  forth  a  hideous 
roaring ;  enough  to  affright  any  Stranger  from  passing  farther ;  and  to  wait  for  some  Charon 
to  conduct  him  through  ;  yet  to  those  who  are  acquainted  little  or  no  danger :  It  is  a  place 
of  great  Defence  against  any  Enemy  coming  in  that  way,  which  a  small  Fortification  would 
absolutely  prevent,  and  necessitate  them  to  come  in  at  the  West  End  of  Long  Island  by 
Sandy  Hook,  where  Statten  Island  forces  them  within  the  Command  of  the  Fort  at  New 
York,  which  is  one  of  the  best  Pieces  of  Defence  in  the  North  parts  of  America.  It  is 
built  most  of  Brick  and  Stone  and  cover'd  with  Red  and  Black  Tyle,  and  the  Land  being 
high,  it  gives  at  a  distance  a  most  pleasing  prospect  to  the  Spectators.  The  inhabitants 
consist  most  of  English  and  Dutch,  and  have  a  considerable  trade  with  Indians  for  Beaver, 
Otter  and  Rackoon  Skins  with  other  Furrs  ;  as  also  for  Bear,  Deer,  and  Elke-Skins ;  and 
are  supply'd  with  Venison  and  Fowl  in  the  winter,  and  Fish  in  the  Summer  by  the  Indians, 
which  they  buy  at  an  easie  Rate  ;  and  having  the  Countrey  round  about  th-^T,  and  are 
continually  furnish'd  with  all  such  provisions  as  are  needful  for  the  Life  of  P:  ,  v .  unely 
by  the  English  and  Dutch  within  their  own,  but  lik>'*vise  by  the  adjacent  Colciic 

"The  Manhattans,  or  Great  River  being  the  chiefest,  having  with  twr  >■ .  ;<  .,<>,. 
wash'd  the  mighty  Island  Watonwaks,  fallfa  into  the  Ocean.  The  Southern  Iiiouih  uicai.  J 
Port  May,  or  Godyns  Bay.  In  the  middle  thereof  lies  an  Island  call'd  '  The  States  Island  ; 
and  a  little  higher  the  Manhattans,  so  call'd  from  the  Natives  which  on  the  East  aide  of  the 
River  dwell  on  the  Main  Continent.  They  are  a  cruel  people,  and  enemies  to  the  Holland. 
ders,  as  also  o{  the  Sarhians  which  reside  on  the  Western  Shore.  Farther  up  are  the 
Mackwaes  and  Mahikans  which  continually  ar,  one  against  another.  In  like  manner 
all  the  Inhabit. af-  or  (he  West  Side  of  tht  iver  Manhattan,  are  commonly  at  enmity 
with  those  the'  i>;«ss,.  lis  the  Eastern  Shore  ;  wlio  also  us'd  to  be  at  variance  with  the  Hol- 
landers, whei:  K3  .ii  other  People  at  the  Westward  kept  good  correspondency  with  them. 
On  a  small  lAland  n  r  tho  Shore  of  the  Mackwaes,  lay  formerly  a  Fort,  provided  with  two 
Drakes  and  elevn  Sione  Guns,  yet  was  at  last  deserted." 

"  The  settlement  and  fort  continued  to  bear  the  name  of  Nieuw 
Amsterdam,  by  the  Dutch,  down  to  the  time  of  the  surrender  by 
Governor  Stuyvesant  to  the  English,  in  1664.  Then  for  ten  years 
under  the  rule  of  Cols.  NicoUs  and  Lovelace,  acting  for  the  Duke  of 
York,  it  was  called  New  York ;  but  in  August,  1673,  a  Dutch  fleet,  in 
time  of  war,  re-captured  it  from  the  British,  and  while  exercising 
their  rule  for  their  High  Mightinesses  of  Holland,  to  the  time  of  the 
peace  in  1674,  they  called  the  place  New  Orange,  in  compliment  to 
the  prince  of  Orange,  and  the  fort  they  called  Willem  Hendrick. 

"  The  city  being  restored  to  the  British  by  the  treaty,  was  re-deliv- 


NEW    YORK    COUNTV. 


289 


ig  on  the 
wing  de- 
'  Ogilhy's 
blished  in 
nsteroda- 
annexed 


ea;  encom. 
d  ova),  witli 
I  manner  of 
re  held  con- 
undred  soul- 
he  Walls  of 
ng  of  Fresh 
int  from  the 
ir  the  Town 
3f  the  River 
1  the  Town, 
narrow  pas- 
Idle  lie  some 
resent  Ship- 
th  a  hideous 
ome  Charon 

It  is  a  place 
nation  would 
ig  Island  by 
Fort  at  New 
lerica.    It  is 

Land  being 
i  inhabitants 
I  for  Beaver, 
■Skins;  and 
the  Indians, 
P!P,  and  are 
,f,.  'i<,i  oae'y 
lies. 

ouih  M  caii'd 
tates  Island ; 
St  side  of  the 
the  Holland. 
ir  up  are  the 
like  manner 
ily  at  enmity 
vith  the  HoU 
y  with'  them, 
ded  with  two 

of  Nieuw 
render  by 
ten  years 
;  Duke  of 
ch  fleet,  in 
exercising 
me  of  the 
pliment  to 
idrick. 
Ls  re 


•deUv- 


ered  to  the  British  in  October,  1074.  The  fort  then  took  the  name 
of  Fort  James,  being  built  of  quadrangular  form,  having  four  bastions, 
two  gates,  and  42  cannon.  The  city  again  took  the  name  of  New 
York,  once  and  forever. 

The  following  extracts  are  from  a  pamphlet  publication  by  J.  W. 
Moulton,  Esq.,  entitled  "  View  of  the  city  of  New  Orange  (now  New 
York)  as  it  was  in  the  year  1673." 

"  Fort  Amsterdam,  genaamt  Jamca-Fort  by  de  Engelsche.  Fort  Amsterdam,  otherwise 
called  James-Fort  by  the  English.  The  name  officially  given  to  the  fort  in  1673,  was  '  fort 
Willem  Hendrick.'  It  was  first  erected  and  finished  in  1635,  by  Gov.  Van  TwiUer,  neg- 
Iccted  by  Governor  Kicft,  repaired  and  surrounded  by  a  stone  wall  by  Governor  Stuyve- 
sant,  and  demolished,  and  the  ground  levelled  in  1790  and  '91.  It  was  situated  directly 
south  of  the  Bowling  green,  on  high  ground,  was  in  shape  of  a  regular  squore,  with  four 
bastions,  had  two  gates,  and  mounted  forty-two  cannon. 

"  Gereformeerde  Kerch.  The  reformed  Dutch  church  was  erected  withm  the  fort,  by  • 
Governor  Kieft,  in  1642.  It  was  of  stone,  and  covered  with  oak  shingles,  which  exposed 
to  the  v/eaiher,  soon  resembled  slate.  The  motives  that  induced  Governor  Kieft  to  become 
the  founder  of  the  first  church  in  this  city,  may  be  best  related  in  the  words  of  captain  Da- 
vid  Fietersz  de  Vriez  '  artillery  meeater  van  't  noorder  Qunrder,*  who  performed  three  voy- 
ages  to  New  Netherlands,  associated  with  Killiaen  Van  Rensalaer  and  others,  in  1630,  to 
colonize  this  region,  attempted  a  colony  at  the  Hore-Kill  on  the  Delaware,  in  the  time  of 
Van  Twiller,  and  another  on  '  Staaten  Eylandt,'  which  he  sustained  till  the  troubles  with 
the  Indians  in  the  latter  time  of  Kieft  drove  him  to  abandon  the  country.  De  Vriez  ob. 
serves :  '  As  I  was  every  day  with  Commander  Kieft,  dining  generally  at  hia  house  when  I 
happened  to  be  at  the  fort,  he  told  me  one  day  that  he  had  now  made  a  fine  tavern,  built 
with  stone,  for  the  English,  by  whom,  as  they  passed  continually  with  their  vessels  from 
New  England  to  Virginia,  he  had  suffered  much,  and  who  now  might  take  lodgings  there. 
I  told  him  this  was  very  good  for  travellers,  but  that  we  wanted  very  badly  for  our  people 
a  church.  It  was  a  shame  that  when  the  English  passed,  they  should  see  nothing  but  a 
mean  bam,  in  which  we  performed  our  worship ;  on  the  contrary,  the  first  thing  that  they 
in  New  England  did,  when  they  had  built  fine  dwellings,  was  to  erect  a  fine  church :  we 
ought  to  do  the  same,  it  being  supposed  that  the  West  India  Company  were  very  zealous  in 
protecting  the  Reformed  church  (Calvinist)  against  the  Spanish  tyranny,  that  we  had  good 
materials  for  it,  fine  oak  wood,  fine  building  stone,  good  lime  made  of  oyster  shells,  being 
hcttti  than  our  lime  in  Holland.  Kieft  asked  me  then  who  would  like  to  attend  to  this 
building  ?  I  replied  the  lovers  of  the  reformed  religion,  as  certainly  some  of  them  could  be 
found.  He  told  me  that  he  supposed  I  myself  was  one  of  them,  as  I  made  the  proposition, 
and  he  supposed  I  would  contribute  a  hundred  guilders !  I  replied  that  I  agreed  to  do  so, 
and  that  as  he  was  Governor,  he  should  be  the  first.  We  then  elected  Jochem  Fietersz 
Kuyter,  who  having  a  set  of  good  hands,  would  soon  procure  good  timber,  he  being  also  a 
devout  Calvinist.  We  elected  also  Jan  Claesz  Damen,  because  he  lived  near  the  fort,  and 
thus  we  four  "  Kerk  mcesters"  formed  the  first  consistory  to  superintend  the  building  of  the 
church.  The  governor  should  furnish  a  few  thousand  guilders  of  the  company's  money, 
and  would  try  to  raise  the  remainder  by  subscription.  The  church  should  be  built  in  the 
fort,  where  it  would  be  free  from  the  depredations  of  the  Indians.  The  building  was  soon 
started  of  stone,  and  was  covered  by  English  carpenters  with  slate,  split  of  oakwood,'  (that 
is  with  oak  shingles,  which  by  rain  and  wind  soon  became  blue,  and  resembled  slate.) 

'"  The  contract  for  the  erection  of  this  church  is  upon  record.  It  was  made  in  May, 
1642,  before  the  secretary  of  the  New  Netheriands,  between  'William  Kieft,  church, 
warden,  at  the  request  of  his  brethren,  the  church-wardens  of  the  church  in  New  Nether, 
land,  and  John  Ogden  of  Stanford,  and  Richard  Ogden,  who  contracted  to  build  the  church 
of  rock-stone,  72  feet  long,  52  broad,  and  16  feet  high  above  the  soil,  for  2,500  guilders 
(i;416  13  4)  "in  beaver,  cash  or  merchandize,  to  wit,  if  the  churchwardens  are  satis, 
fied  with  the  work,  so  that,  in  their  judgment,  the  2,500  guilders  shall  have  been  earned— 
then  said  church-wardens  will  reward  them  with  one  hundred  guilders  (i;i6 13  4)  more," 
in  the  mean  time  assist  them  whenever  it  is  in  their  power,  and  allow  them  the  use,  for  a 
month  or  six  weeks,  of  the  Company's  boat,  to  facilitate  the  carrying  of  the  stone  thither.' 

"  The  church  was  not  completely  finished  until  the  first  year  of  Governor  Stuyvesant's 
administration.  In  July,  1647,  he  and  two  othen  were  appointed  kerk-meesters,  (church- 
wardens,)  to  superintend  the  work,  and  complete  it  the  ensuing  winter. 

"  The  town  bell  w.w  removed  to  this  church.    Besides  the  office  of  calling  the  devout  to  . 

37 


r 


290 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


meeting,  and  announcing  the  hour  of  retirement  at  night,  the  bel!  was  appropriutcd  fo. 
various  singular  uses.  In  October,  1633,  a  female,  for  slandering  the  Rev.  E.  Bogardus, 
was  condemned  to  appear  at  fort  Amsterdam,  and  before  the  governor  and  council,  '  to 
declare  in  public,  at  the  sounding  of  the  bell,  that  she  knew  the  minister  was  an  honest 
and  pious  man,  and  that  she  lied  falsely.' 

"  In  1639,  all  mechanics  and  laborers  in  the  service  of  the  Company  commenced  and 
left  work  at  the  ringing  of  the  hell,  and  for  every  neglect  forfeited  double  the  amount  of 
their  wages,  to  the  use  of  the  attorney-general. 

"  In  1647,  all  tavern  keepers  were  prohibited,  by  the  placards  of  Governor  Stuyveaant 
and  council,  from  accommodating  any  clubs,  or  selling  any  ardent  liquor,  o/ter  the  ringing 
of  the  hell,  at  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening. 

In  1648,  two  runaways  were  summoned  into  court  by  the  ringing  of  the  bell,  to  defend 
.  themselves.  And  in  1677,  on  ordinance  was  passed  by  the  common  council  of  New  York, 
imposing  a  fine  of  six  shillings  on  any  members  of  the  corporation  and  jurymen,  who  should 
neglect  to  appear  in  court  at  the  third  ringing  of  the  bell.  The  bell-ringer  was  an- 
ciently  the  court  messenger.  In  1661,  amid  hia  multifarious  official  duties,  he  was  to  'as- 
sist in  burying  the  dead  and  attend  to  toll  the  hell.' 

"  The  proclamation  of  governor  Lovelace,  issued  December  10,  1672,  is  a  document  too 
curious  to  be  omitted.     It  was  in  the  following  words : — 

•"Whereas  it  is  thought  convenient  and  necessary,  in  obedience  to  his  Sacred  Majesty's 
Comnlands,  who  eiyoynes  all  his  subjects,  in  their  distinct  colonyes,  to  enter  into  a  strict 
Allyance  and  Correspondency  with  each  other,  as  likewise  for  the  advancement  of  Nego. 
tiation.  Trade  and  Civill  Commerce,  and  for  a  more  speedy  Intelligence  and  Dispatch  of 
affayres,  that  a  messenger  or  Post  bee  authorised  to  sett  forth  from  this  City  of  New-Yorke, 
monthly,  and  thence  to  travaile  to  Boston,  from  whence  within  that  month  hee  shall  re- 
lame  againe  to  this  City :  These  are  therefore  to  give  notice  to  all  persons  concerned, 
That  on  the  first  day  of  January  next  (1673)  the  messenger  appointed  shall  proceed  on  his 
Journey  to  Boston :  If  any  therefore  have  any  letters  or  small  portable  goods  to  bee  con- 
veyed  to  Hartford,  Connecticott,  Boston,  or  any  other  parts  in  the  Road,  they  shall  bee 
carefully  delivered  according  to  the  Directions  by  a  swome  Messenger  and  Post,  who  is 
purposely  imployed  in  that  Afiayre ;  In  the  Interim  those  that  bee  dispos'd  to  send  Letters, 
iett  them  bring  them  to  the  Secretary's  office,  where  in  a  lockt  Box  they  shall  bee  prescrv'd 
till  the  Messenger  calls  for  them.  AH  persons  paying  the  Post  before  the  Bagg  bee  seald 
up.    Dated  at  New  Yorke  this  10th  day  of  December  1672.' 

■' Stuyvesant  Huys.  Governor  Stuyvesant's  house  or  dweUing  was  built  about  four 
years  before  he  surrendered  his  government  to  the  English.  It  fronted  the  public  wharf  and 
stood  on  the  weat  side  of  the  present  WhitehalUstreet,  nearly  opposite  the  commencement 
of  the  present  'r/ater-street. 

"  The  public  wharf  and  harbor  or  dock,  were  built  by  the  burgomasters  of  the  city  about 
the  year  1658.  Here  vessels  loaded  and  unloaded,  and  a  wharfage  duty  was  exoctcd  at 
first  of  eight  stivers  per  last.  The  harbor  was  constructed  to  accommodate  vessels  and 
yachts,  in  which,  during  winter,  the  barques  stationed  there  might  be  secured  against  the 
floating  ice  ;  for  which  large  vessels  paid  annually  '  one  beaver,  and  smaller  in  proportion, 
to  the  city,  to  keep  it  in  order.'  This  wharf  and  harbor  are  now  a  part  of  Whitehall-street, 
Whitehall  slip  having  since  been  formed  into  the  river. 

"  De  Waegh.  The  weigh,  or  balnncc.  This  was  erected  in  16.53,  by  Governor  Stuy- 
vosant,  and  the  standard  weight  and  measure  kept  in  the  balancc-houso,  was  according  to 
those  of  the  city  of  Amsterdam.  To  this  standard  merchants  were  obliged  to  conform,  and 
to  pay  the  eyck.meeitter  for  marking  their  weights  and  measures,  (ioods  were  here  also 
brought  in  bulk  nud  weighed,  before  they  were  stored  in  the  public  store-houses. 

"  In  front  of  the  City-Hall  were  also  the  stocks  and  whipping-post.  The  ducking-stool, 
or  rather  cucking-stool,  was  not  yet  erected,  notwithstanding  the  Lutheran  minister  in  1673 
pleaded  in  bar  to  a  public  prosecution  against  him  for  striking  a  female  that  she  '  provoked 
him  to  it  by  Molding.'  The  Dutch  had  the  credit  of  introducing  the  wooden-horse,  but  the 
cucking-stool  was  reserved  for  the  superior  ingenuity  of  the  English,  who  deriving  a  sane, 
tion  for  their  want  of  gallantry  from  the  immemorial  authority  of  their  Common  Law,  or. 
dered  in  February,  1692, '  at  a  meeting  of  a  grand  Connnittee  of  tlie  Common  Council,  a 
pillory,  cage  and  ducking-stool  to  be  forthwith  built.'  " 

The  following  relation  from  Knickerbocker's  New  York,  of  the 
manners  and  customs  of  the  early  Dutch  inhabitants  of  this  city,  al- 
though humorously  exaggerated,  is  by  no  means  devoid  of  historical 
truth.  '  '  ' 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


291 


\f 


"  I  will  not  grieve  their  patience,  however,  by  describing  minutely  the  increase  and  im- 
provement oi"  New  Amsterdam.  Their  own  imaginations  will  doubtless  presen*.  to  them 
the  good  burghers,  like  so  many  pains-taking  and  persevering  beavers,  slowly  and  surely 
pursuing  their  labors — they  will  behold  the  prosperous  trajisformation  from  the  rude  log-hut 
to  the  sTately  Dutch  mansion,  with  brick  front,  glazed  windows,  and  tiled  roof— from  the 
tangled  thicket  to  the  luxuriant  cabbage  garden  ;  and  from  the  skulking  Indian  to  the  pon- 
derous  burgomaster.  In  a  word,  they  will  picture  to  themselves  the  steady,  silent,  and  un- 
deviating  march  to  prosperity,  incident  to  a  city  destitute  of  pride  or  ambition,  cherished  by 
a  fat  government,  and  whose  citizens  do  nothing  in  a  hurry. 

"  The  sage  council,  as  has  been  mentioned  in  a  preceding  chapter,  not  being  able  to  de- 
termine upon  any  plan  for  the  building  of  their  city — the  cows,  in  a  laudable  fit  of  patriot, 
ism,  took  it  undi,/  their  peculiar  charge,  and  as  they  went  to  and  from  pasture,  established 
paths  through  the  bushes,  on  each  side  of  which  the  good  folks  built  their  houses ;  which 
is  one  cause  of  the  rambling  and  picturesque  turns  and  labyrinths,  which  distinguish  certain 
streets  of  New  York  at  this  very  day. 

"  The  houses  of  the  higher  class  were  generally  constructed  of  wood,  excepting  the  gable 
end,  which  was  of  small  black  and  yellow  Dutch  bricks,  and  always  faced  on  the  street,  as 
our  ancestors,  like  their  descendants,  were  very  much  given  to  outward  show,  and  were 
noted  for  putting  the  best  leg  foremost.  The  house  was  always  furnished  with  abundance 
of  large  doors  and  small  windows  on  every  floor ;  the  date  of  its  erection  was  curiously 
designated  by  iron  figures  on  the  front,  and  on  the  top  of  the  roof  was  perched  a  fierce 
little  weathercock,  to  lot  the  family  into  the  important  secret,  which  way  the  wind  blew. 
These,  like  the  weathercocks  on  the  tops  of  our  steeples,  pointed  so  many  different  ways, 
that  every  man  could  have  a  wind  to  his  mind  ;— the  most  stanch  and  loyal  citizens,  how- 
ever, always  went  according  to  the  weathercock  on  the  top  of  the  governor's  house,  which 
was  certainly  the  most  correct,  as  he  had  a  trusty  servant  employed  every  morning  to  climb 
up  and  set  it  to  the  right  quarter.  .     i     .• 

"  In  those  good  days  of  simplicity  and  sunshine,  a  passion  for  cleanliness  was  the  leadmg 
principle  in  domestic  economy,  and  the  universal  test  of  an  able  housewife,— a  character 
which  formed  the  utmost  ambition  of  our  unenlightened  grandmothers.  The  front  doc/ 
was  never  opened  except  on  marriages,  funerals,  new  year's  days,  the  festival  of  St.  Nich- 
olas,  or  some  such  great  occasion.  It  was  ornamented  with  a  gorgeous  brass  knocker, 
curiously  wrought,  sometimes  in  the  device  of  a  dog,  and  sometimes  of  a  lion's  head,  and 
was  daily  burnished  with  such  religious  zeal,  that  it  was  ofttimcs  worn  out  by  the  very 
precautions  taken  for  its  preservation.  The  whole  house  was  constantly  in  a  state  of  inun- 
dation,  under  the  discipline  of  mops  and  brooms  and  scrubbing  brushes ;  and  the  good 
housewives  of  those  days  were  a  kind  of  amphibious  animal,  delighting  exceedingly  to  be 
dabbling  in  water— insomuch  than  an  historian  of  the  day  gravely  tells  us,  that  many  of  his 
townswomen  grew  to  have  webbed  fingers  like  unto  a  duck ;  and  some  of  them,  he  had 
little  doubt,  could  the  matter  be  examined  into,  would  be  found  to  have  the  tails  of  mer- 
maids— but  this  I  look  upon  to  be  a  mere  sport  of  fancy,  or  what  is  worse,  a  wilful  misrep- 

resentation.  ■      r      >      • 

"  The  grand  parlor  was  the  sanctum  sanctorum,  where  the  passion  tor  cleaning  was 
indulged  without  control.  In  this  sacred  apartment  no  one  was  permitted  to  enter,  except, 
ing  the  mistress  and  her  confidential  maid,  who  visited  it  once  a  week,  for  the  purpose  of 
giving  it  a  thorough  cleaning,  and  putting  things  to  rights— always  taking  the  precaution  of 
leaving  their  shoes  al  the  door,  and  entering  devoutly  on  their  stocking  feet.  After  scnib. 
bing  the  floor,  sprinkling  it  with  fine  white  sand,  which  was  curiously  stroked  intoi  angles, 
and  curves,  and  rhomboids  with  a  broom— after  washing  the  windows,  rubbing  and  polish, 
ing  the  furniture,  and  putting  a  new  bunch  of  evergreens  in  the  fireplace- the  wmdow 
shutters  were  again  closed  to  keep  out  the  flics,  and  the  room  carefully  locked  up  until  the 
revolution  of  time  brought  round  the  weekly  cleaning  day. 

"  As  to  the  family,  they  always  entered  in  at  the  gate,  and  most  generally  lived  m  the 
kitchen.  To  have  seen  a  numerous  household  assembled  around  the  fire,  one  would  have 
imagiu^d  that  he  was  transported  back  to  those  happy  days  of  primeval  simplicity,  which 
float  before  our  imaginations  like  golden  visions.  The  fireplaces  were  of  a  truly  patriarchal 
magnitude,  where  the  whole  family,  old  and  young,  master  and  servant,  black  and  white, 
nay,  even  the  very  cat  and  dog,  enjoyed  a  community  of  privilege,  and  had  each  a  right  to 
a  corner.  Heie  the  old  burgher  would  sit  in  perfect  silence,  puffing  his  pipe,  luokiiig  in 
the  fire  with  half.phut  eyes,  and  thiiiliing  of  nothing  for  hours  together ;  the  goede  yrouw 
on  the  opposite  side  would  employ  herself  diligently  in  spinning  yarn,  or  knitting  stockings. 
The  young  folks  would  cmwd  around  the  hearth,  listening  with  f)reBililpss  attention  to 
„._„  ..ij  ...-;..,«  ;,(  a  neLTu.  who  was  the  oracle  of  the  family,  and  who,  perched  like  a  roven 
in  a  coHKr  of  the  chimney,  would  urouk  forth  for  a  long  winter  alturmon  u  string  ol  in. 


III 


292 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


credible  storica  about  New  England  witches — ^grisly  ghosts — ^horses  without  heads — and 
hairbreadth  escapes  and  bloody  encounters  among  the  Indians, 

"  In  those  happy  days  a  well-regulated  family  always  rose  with  the  dawn,  dined  at  eleven, 
and  went  to  bed  at  sundown.  Dinner  was  invariably  a  private  meal,  and  the  fat  old 
burghers  showed  incontestible  symptoms  of  disapprobation  and  uneasiness  at  being  surprised 
by  a  visit  from  a  neighbor  on  such  occasioiib  But  though  our  worthy  ancestors  were  thus 
singularly  averse  to  giving  dinners,  yet  they  kept  up  the  social  bands  of  intimacy  by  occa. 
sional  banquetings,  called  tea  parties. 

"  These  fashionable  parties  were  generally  confined  to  the  liisfher  classes,  or  noblesse,  that 
is  to  say,  such  as  kept  their  own  cows,  and  drove  their  own  wagons.  The  company  com- 
monly  assembled  at  three  o'clock,  and  went  away  about  six,  unless  it  was  in  winter  time, 
when  the  fashionable  hours  were  a  little  earlier,  that  the  ladies  might  get  home  before  dark. 
The  tea  table  was  crowned  with  a  huge  earthen  dish,  well  stored  with  slices  of  fat  pork, 
fried  brown,  cut  up  into  morsels,  and  swimming  in  gravy.  The  company  being  seated 
around  the  genial  board,  and  each  furnished  with  a  fork,  evinced  their  dexterity  in  launch- 
ing at  the  fattest  pieces  in  this  mighty  dish — in  nuich  the  same  manner  as  sailors  harpoon 
porpoises  at  sea,  or  our  Indians  spear  salmon  in  the  hikes.  Sometimes  the  table  was  graced 
with  hnmense  apple  pies,  or  saucers  full  of  preserved  peaches  and  pears ;  but  it  was  always 
sure  to  boast  an  enormous  dish  of  bulls  of  sweetened  dough,  fried  in  hog's  fat,  and  called 
doughnuts,  or  oly  koeks — a  delicious  kind  of  cake,  at  preseiu  scarce  known  in  this  city, 
excepting  in  genuine  Dutch  families. 

"  The  tea  was  served  out  of  a  majestic  delft  teapot,  ornamented 
with  paintings  of  fat  little  Dutch  shepherds  and  shepherdesses  tending 
pigs — with  boats  sailing  in  the  air,  and  houses  built  in  the  clouds, 
and  sundry  other  ingenious  Dutch  fantasies.  The  beaux  distinguish- 
ed themselves  by  their  adroitness  in  replenishing  this  pot  from  a  hug(} 
copper  tea-kettle,  which  would  have  made  the  pigmy  macaronies  of 
these  degenerate  days  sweat  merely  to  look  at  it.  To  sweeten  the 
beverage,  a  lump  of  sugar  was  laid  beside  each  cup — and  the  com- 
pany alternately  nibbled  and  sipped  with  great  decorum,  until  an 
improvement  was  introduced  by  a  shrewd  and  economic  old  lady, 
which  was  to  suspend  a  large  lump  directly  over  the  tea  table,  by  a 
string  from  the  ceiling,  so  that  it  could  be  swung  from  mouth  to 
mouth — an  ingenious  expedient,  which  is  still  kept  up  by  some  fami- 
lies in  Albany ;  but  which  prevails  without  exception  in  Communi- 
paw,  Bergen,  Flat  Bush,  and  all  our  uncontaminated  Dutch  villages. 

"  At  these  primitive  tea  parties  the  utmost  j)ropriety  and  dignity  of 
deportment  prevailed.  No  flirting  nor  coquetting — no  gambolling  of 
old  ladies  nor  hoyden  chattering  and  romping  of  young  ones — no 
self-satistied  struttings  of  wealthy  gentlemen,  with  their  brains  in 
their  pockets — nor  amusing  conceits,  and  monkey  divertisements,  of 
smart  young  gentlemen,  with  no  brains  at  all.  On  the  contrary,  the 
young  ladies  seated  themselves  demurely  in  their  rush-bottomed 
chairs,  and  knit  their  own  woollen  stockings ;  nor  ever  opened  their 
lips,  excepting  to  say,  yah  Mynher,  or  yah  ya  Vrouw,  to  any  question 
that  was  asked  them  ;  behaving,  in  all  things,  like  decent,  well-edu- 
cated damsels.  As  to  the  gentlemen,  each  of  them  trantiuilly  smoked 
his  pipe,  and  seemed  lost  in  contem> '  tion  of  the  blue  and  white  tiles 
with  which  the  fireplaces  were  de  :  .ted  ;  wherein  sundry  passages 
of  scripture  were  piously  portrayed — Tobit  and  his  dog  figured  to 
ffreat  advantage;  Haman  swung  conspicuously  on  hi?  giblbet,  ond 
Jonah  appeared  most  manfully  bouncing  out  of  the  whale,  like  Har- 


\     4. 


NEW   YORK    COUNTY. 


293 


"  The  parties  broke  up  without  noise  and  without  confusion.  They 
were  carried  home  by  their  own  carriages,  that  is  to  say,  by  the  ve- 
hicles nature  had  provided  them,  excepting  such  of  the  wealthy  as 
could  afford  to  keep  a  wagon.  The  gentlemen  gallantly  attended 
their  fair  ones  to  their  respective  abodes,  and  took  leave  of  them  with 
a  hearty  smack  at  the  door ;  which,  as  it  was  an  established  piece  of 
etiquette,  done  in  perfect  simplicity  and  honesty  of  heart,  occasioned 
no  scandal  at  that  time,  nor  should  it  at  the  present — if  our  great 
grandfathers  approved  of  the  custom,  it  would  argue  a  great  want  of 
reverence  in  their  descendants  to  say  a  woi'd  against  it. 

"  In  this  dulcet  period  of  my  history,  when  the  beauteous  island  of 
Manna-hatta  presented  a  scene,  the  very  counterpart  of  those  glowing 
pictures  drawn  of  the  golden  reign  of  Saturn,  there  was,  as  I  have 
before  observed,  a  happy  ignorance,  an  honest  simplicity  prevalent 
among  its  inhabitants,  which,  were  I  even  able  to  depict,  would  be  but 
little  understood  by  the  degenerate  age  for  which  I  am  doomed  to 
write.  Even  the  female  sex,  those  arch  innovators  upon  the  tranquil- 
lity, the  honesty,  and  greybeard  customs  of  society,  seemed  for  a 
while  to  conduct  themselves  with  incredible  sobriety  and  comeliness. 
"  Their  hair,  untortured  by  the  abominations  of  art,  was  scrupu- 
lously pomatomed  back  from  their  foreheads  with  a  candle,  and  cov- 
ered with  a  little  cap  of  quilted  calico,  which  fitted  exactly  to  their 
heads.  Their  petticoats  of  linsey  woolsey  were  striped  with  a  va- 
riety of  gorgeous  dyes — though  I  must  confess  these  gallant  garments 
were  rather  short,  scarce  reaching  below  the  knee ;  but  then  they 
made  up  in  the  number,  which  generally  equalled  that  of  the  gentle- 
men's small-clothes ;  and  what  is  still  more  praiseworthy,  they  were 
all  of  their  own  manufacture — of  which  circumstance,  as  may  well 
be  supposed,  they  were  not  a  little  vain. 

"  These  were  the  honest  days,  in  which  every  woman  staid  at  home, 
read  the  Bible,  and  wore  pockets — ay,  and  that  too  of  a  goodly  size, 
fashioned  with  patch-work  into  many  curious  devices,  and  ostenta- 
tiously worn  on  the  outside.  These,  in  fact,  were  convenient  recep- 
tacles, where  all  good  housewives  carefully  stored  away  such  things 
as  they  wished  to  have  at  hand ;  by  which  means  they  often  came 
to  be  incredibly  crammed — and  I  remember  there  was  a  story  cur- 
rent when  I  was  a  boy,  that  the  lady  of  Wouter  Van  Twiller  once 
had  occasion  to  empty  her  right  pocket  in  search  of  a  wooden  ladle, 
and  the  utensil  was  discovered  lying  among  some  rubbish  in  one  cor- 
ner— but  we  must  not  give  too  much  faith  to  all  these  stories ;  the 
anecdotes  of  those  remote  periods  being  very  subject  to  exaggera- 
tion. 

"  Besides  these  notable  pockets,  they  likewise  wore  scissors  and 
pincushions  suspended  from  their  girdles  by  red  ribands,  or  among 
the  more  opulent  and  showy  classes,  by  brass,  and  even  silver  chains 
— indubitable  tokens  of  thrifty  housewives  and  industrious  spinsters. 
I  cannot  say  much  in  vindication  of  the  shortness  of  the  petticoats ; 
it  doubtless  was  introduced  for  the  purpose  of  giving  the  stockings  a 
chuuce  lo  bo  seen,  which  were  generahy  of  blue  worsted  with  mag- 


• 


294 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


nificent  red  clocks — or  perhaps  to  display  a  well-turned  ankle,  and 
a  neat,  though  serviceable,  foot,  set  off  by  a  high-heeled  leathern 
shoe,  with  a  large  and  splendid  silver  buckle.  Thus  we  find  that 
the  gentle  sex  in  all  ages  have  shown  the  same  disposition  to  infringe 
a  little  upon  the  laws  of  decorum,  in  order  to  betray  a  lurking  beauty, 
or  gratify  an  innocent  love  of  tinery. 

"  From  the  sketch  here  given,  it  will  be  seen  that  our  good  grandmothers  differed  consid. 
crably  in  their  ideas  of  a  fine  figure  from  their  scantily  dressed  descendants  of  the  present 
day.  A  fine  lady,  in  those  times,  waddled  under  more  clothes,  even  on  a  fair  summer's 
day,  than  would  have  clad  the  whole  bevy  of  a  modern  ball  room.  Nor  were  they  the  less 
admired  by  the  gentlemen  in  consequence  thereof.  On  the  contrary,  the  greatness  of  a 
lover's  passion  seemed  to  increase  in  proportion  to  the  magnitude  of  its  object — and  a  vo- 
luminous  damsel,  arrayed  in  a  dozen  of  petticoats,  was  declared  by  a  Low  Dutch  sonnetteer 
of  the  province  to  be  radiant  as  a  sunflower,  and  luxuriant  as  a  full  blown  cabbage.  Cer- 
tain  it  is,  that  in  those  days,  the  heart  of  a  lover  could  not  contain  more  than  one  lady  at  a 
time ;  whereas  the  heart  of  a  modern  gallant  has  often  room  enough  to  accommodate  half 
a  dozen.  The  reason  of  which  I  conclude  to  be,  that  either  the  hearts  of  the  gentlemen 
have  grown  larger,  or  the  persons  of  the  ladies  smaller — this,  however,  is  a  question  for 
physiologists  to  determine. 

"  But  there  was  a  secret  charm  in  these  petticoats,  which  no  doubt  entered  into  the  con- 
eideration  of  the  prudent  gallants.  The  wardrobe  of  a  lady  was  in  those  days  her  only  for- 
tune ;  and  she  who  had  a  good  stock  of  petticoats  and  stockings,  was  as  absolutely  an 
heiress  as  is  a  Kamschatka  damsel  with  a  store  of  bear  skins,  or  a  Lapland  belle  with  a 
plenty  of  reindeer.  The  ladies,  therefore,  were  very  anxious  to  display  these  powerful 
atiractions  to  the  greatest  advantage ;  and  the  best  rooms  in  the  house,  instead  of  being 
adorned  with  caricatures  of  dame  nature,  in  water  colors  and  needlework,  were  always 
hung  round  with  abundance  of  homespun  garments,  the  manufacture  and  the  property  of 
the  females — a  piece  of  laudable  ostentation  that  still  prevails  among  tlie  heiresses  of  our 
Dutch  villages. 

"  The  gentlemen,  in  fact,  who  figured  in  the  circles  of  the  gay  world  in  these  ancient 
times,  corresponded,  in  most  particulars,  with  the  beauteous  damsels  whose  smiles  they 
were  ambitious  to  deserve.  True  it  is,  their  merits  would  make  but  a  very  inconsiderable 
impression  upon  the  heart  of  a  modern  fair ;  they  neither  drove  their  curricles  nor  sported 
their  tandems,  for  as  yet  those  gaudy  vehicles  were  not  even  dreamt  of— neither  did  they 
distinguish  themselves  by  their  brilliancy  at  the  table,  and  their  consequent  rencontres  with 
watchmen,  for  our  forefathers  were  of  too  pacific  a  disposition  to  need  those  guardians  of 
the  night,  every  soul  throughout  the  town  being  sound  asleep  before  nine  o'clock.  Neither 
did  they  establish  their  claims  to  gentility  at  the  expense  of  their  tailors — for  as  yet  those 
offenders  against  the  pockets  of  society,  and  the  tranquilhty  of  all  aspiring  young  gentle- 
men, were  unknown  in  New  Amsterdam  ;  every  good  housewife  made  the  clothes  of  her 
husband  and  family,  and  even  the  goede  vrouw  of  Van  Twiller  himself  thought  it  no  dis. 
paragement  to  cut  out  hei  husband's  linsey  woolsey  galligaskins. 

"  Not  but  what  there  were  some  two  or  three  youngsters  who  manifested  the  first  dawn* 
ings  of  what  is  called  fire  and  spirit.  Who  held  all  labor  in  contempt ;  skulked  about  docks 
and  market  places ;  loitered  in  the  sunshine  ;  squandered  what  little  money  they  could  pro. 
cure  at  hustle-cap  and  chuck-farthing,  swore,  boxed,  fought  cocks,  and  raced  their  neigh- 
bor's horses — in  short,  who  promised  to  be  the  wonder,  the  talk,  and  abomination  of  the 
town,  had  not  their  stylish  career  been  unfortunately  cut  short  by  an  affair  of  honor  with  a 
whipping-post. 

"  Far  other,  however,  was  the  truly  fashionable  gentleman  of  those  days — his  dress, 
which  served  for  both  morning  and  evening,  street  and  drawing-room,  was  a  linsey  wool- 
Bey  coat,  made,  perhaps,  by  the  fair  hands  of  the  mistress  of  Ms  affections,  and  gallantly 
bedecked  with  abundance  of  large  brass  buttons. — Haifa  score  of  breeches  heightened  ;he 
proportions  of  his  figure — his  shoes  were  decorated  by  enormous  copper  buckles — a  low- 
crowned  broad-brimmed  hat  overshadowed  his  burly  visage,  and  his  hair  dangled  down 
hiu  back  in  a  prodigious  queue  of  eel  akin. 

"  Thus  equipped,  he  would  manfully  sally  forth  with  pipe  in  moui,  to  besiege  some  fair 
damsel's  obdurate  heart — not  such  a  pipe,  good  reader,  as  that  which  Acisdid  sweetly  tune 
in  praise  of  his  Galatea,  but  of  one  of  true  delft  manufacture,  and  furnished  with  a  charge 
of  fragrant  tobacco.    With  this  would  he  resolutely  set  himself  down  before  the  fortress, 

Slid  rafrly  laiicu,  iii  the  pfvCeS  of  itiTic,  to  Sinoag   the   faif  enriTij-'  IHtO  S  SUrTrnd??!  WpOfJ 

honortble  terniB. 


NEW    ^OIIK    COUNTV. 


295 


"  Such  was  the  happy  reign  of  Wouter  Van  Twiller,  celebrated  in  many  a  long-forgotten 
song  as  the  real  golden  age,  the  rest  being  nothing  but  counterfeit  copper-washed  coin.  In 
that  delightful  period,  a  sweet  and  holy  calm  reigned  over  the  whole  province.  The  bur- 
gomaster smoked  his  pipe  in  peace — the  substantial  solace  of  his  domestic  cares,  after  her 
daily  toils  were  done,  sat  soberly  at  the  door,  with  her  arms  crossed  over  her  apron  of 
snowy  white,  without  being  insulted  by  ribald  street  walkers  or  vagabond  boys — those 
unlucky  urchins,  who  do  so  infest  our  streets,  displaying  under  the  roses  of  youth  thie 
thorns  and  briers  of  iniquity.  Then  it  was  that  the  lover  with  ten  breeches,  and  the  dam. 
eel  with  petticoats  of  half  a  score,  indulged  in  all  the  innocent  endearments  of  virtuous  love 
without  fear  and  without  reproach ;  for  what  had  that  virtue  to  fear,  which  was  defended 
by  a  shield  of  good  linsey  woolseys,  equal  at  least  to  the  seven  bull  hides  of  the  invincible 
Ajax. 

"  Ah,  blissful,  and  never  to  be  forgotten  age  !  when  every  thing  was  better  than  it  has 
ever  been  since,  or  ever  will  be  again — when  Buttermilk  Channel*  was  quite  dry  at  low 
water — when  the  shad  in  the  Hudson  were  all  salmon,  and  when  the  moon  shone  with  a 
pure  and  resplendent  whiteness,  instead  of  that  melancholy  yellow  light  which  is  the  conse. 
quence  of  her  sickening  at  the  abominations  she  every  night  witnesses  in  this  degenerate 
city ! 

"  Happy  would  it  have  been  for  New  Amsterdam  could  it  always  have  existed  in  this 
state  of  blissful  ignorance  and  lowly  simplicity ;  but  alas !  the  days  of  childhood  are  too 
sweet  to  lust  I  Cides,  like  men,  grow  out  of  them  in  time,  and  are  doomed  alike  to  grow 
into  the  bustle,  the  cares,  and  miseries  of  the  world.  Let  no  man  congratulate  himself, 
when  he  beholds  the  child  of  his  bosom  or  the  city  of  his  birth  increasing  in  magnitude  and 
importance — let  the  history  of  his  own  hfe  teach  him  the  dangers  of  the  one,  and  this  ex- 
cellent  little  history  of  Mannahatta  convince  him  of  the  calamities  of  the  other." 


THE   NEORO   PLOT. 

The  celebrated  Negro  Plot,  1741,  occurred  when  there  were  about  ten  thousand  inhabt. 
tants  in  this  city,  of  which  one  sixth  part  were  negro  slaves. 

"  After  a  lapse  of  a  century,  we  look  back  with  astonishment  on  the  panic  occasioned  by 
the  Negro  Plot,  and  the  rancorous  hatred  that  prevailed  here  against  the  Roman  Catholics. 
To  judge  from  tradition,  and  the  journal  of  the  proceedings  against  the  conspirators,  no 
doubt  can  be  had  of  the  actual  existence  of  a  plot ;  but  its  extent  could  never  have  been  so 
great  as  the  terror  of  those  times  depicted.  The  very  mode  adopted  to  discover  abettors 
by  mutual  criminations  and  confessions,  tended  in  the  progress  of  the  trials  to  inculpate 
every  negro  slave  in  the  city.  We  accordingly  find,  that  the  number  of  conspirators  daily 
increased.  As  it  was  impossible  to  prove  all  equally  guilty,  the  ringleaders  only  were  ex. 
ccuted ;  and  those  who,  to  save  their  lives,  plead  guilty,  and  threw  themselves  on  the  mercy 
of  the  court,  were  transported. 

"  Insurrections  and  conspiracies  were  at  this  juncture  frequent  in  the  West  India  islands, 
and  great  apprehensions  were  entertained  of  an  invasion  by  the  French  and  Spaniards. 
These  circumstances  aggravated  the  horror  of  a  domestic  plot  to  such  a  degree,  that  the 
wh'te  inhabitants,  regarding  every  negro  slave  as  an  incendiary  and  an  assassin,  carried 
their  apprehensions  and  resentment  beyond  all  bounds. 

"  A  holy  hatred  of  the  Roman  Catholics  was  at  that  period  inculcated  by  church  and 
state.  Our  Dutch  forefathers,  glowing  with  all  the  zeal  of  the  early  reformers,  emigrated 
to  this  country  shortly  after  the  emancipation  of  the  United  Netherlands  from  the  Spanish 
yoke,  and  fostered  all  the  rancor  of  their  race  against  Papists  and  Spaniards.  It  was  the 
policy  of  the  English  government,  after  the  conquest,  to  cherish  this  animosity,  and  those 
of  our  readers  who  were  born  and  educated  before  the  American  revolution,  will  recollect 
how  religiously  they  were  taught  to  abhor  the  Pope,  Devil,  and  Pretender.  The  act  of  our 
Provincial  Assembly,  agamst  Jesuits  and  Papist  priests,  passed  2d  William  and  Mary,  and 
which  continued  in  full  force  until  our  independence,  was  owing,  not  only  to^hese  preju. 
dices,  but  to  the  exposed  situation  of  the  colony,  the  northern  frontier  of  which  was  bounded 
by  Canada,  at  that  time  in  possession  of  France,  the  natural  and  ever-daring  enemy  to  Eng. 
land.  The  intolerant  spirit  of  this  act  shows  the  horror  and  detestation  in  which  the  Roman 
Catholics  were  held,  and  will  account  why  so  few  of  this  profession  existed  in  this  city  and 
colony  before  the  revolution. 


*  In  olden  times  the  channel  was  but  a  little  creok  which  separated  the  mainland  from 
,  Governum  ialand. 


296 


NEW   YORK    CpUNTY. 


"  In  estimating  this  singular  event  in  our  colonial  history,  the  circumstances  of  the  tJmes 
should  be  duly  considered,  before  we  too  hastily  condemn  the  bigotry  and  crutily  uf  our 
predecessors.  The  advantages  of  a  liberal,  indeed  of  the  plainest  education,  was  the  happy 
lot  of  very  few.  Intercourse  between  the  colonies  and  the  mother  country,  and  between 
province  and  province,  was  very  rare.  Ignorance  and  illiberal  prejudices  universally  pre- 
vailed.  Their  more  favored  and  enlightened  posterity  will  therefore  draw  a  veil  of  fihal 
affection  over  the  involuntary  errors  of  their  forefathers,  and  emulating  their  simple  virtues, 
endeavor  to  transmit  a  brighter  example  to  their  successors."— Hw<.  of  Negro  Plot,  8vo. 

New  York,  1810.  ;    l-  ,.      ..  ,    ,  j  .       rn 

"  The  first  suspicion  of  a  plot  among  the  negroes,  and  which  subsequently  led  to  a  lull 
investigation  and  discovery,  was  caused  by  frequent  alarms  of  fire,  and  a  robbery  committed 
at  a  Mr.  Hogg's, '  from  whence  were  taken  divers  piecee  of  linen,  and  other  goods,  and 
several  silver  coins,  chiefly  Spanish,  and  medals,  and  wrought  silver,  &c.,  to  the  value,  in 
the  whole,  of  sixty  pounds  and  upwards.'  The  scene  of  this  famous  robbery  was  in  a  house 
in  Broad  street.  On  Wednesday,  the  18th  March,  1740,  about  1  o'clock,  a  fire  broke  out 
of  the  roof  of  His  Majesty's  house,  at  Fort  George,  within  this  city,  near  the  chapel,  on  the 
east  side,  and  the  wind  blowing  a  violent  gale  at  southeast,  it  soon  became  impossible  to  stop 
its  progress.  The  citizens  and  engines  assembled  promptly  on  the  ringing  of  the  chapel 
bell,  and  assisted  in  saving  the  records  and  papers  in  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of  State, 
over  the  fort  gate,  which  fortunately  were  preserved,  although  in  the  hurry  they  were  tossed 
out  at  the  windows,  and  the  papers  blown  and  scattered.  An  alarm  being  given,  the  peo- 
ple were  soon  after  fearful  of  an  explosion,  and  stood  aloof,  although  assured  by  the  Gov. 
ernor  that  it  was  groundless.  In  one  hour  and  a  quarter,  the  Governor's  house,  and  the 
venerable  old  Dutch  Church,  were  thus  consumed.  A  plumber  had  that  morning  been  at 
work,  with  his  pot  of  coals  and  soldering  iron,  to  mend  a  leak  in  the  gutter,  between  the 
house  and  the  chapel,  and  the  high  wind  had  no  doubt  blown  some  sparks  on  the  dry  shin- 
gles,  or  under  the  eaves.  On  the  25th  of  March,  a  week  after  the  fire  at  the  fort,  another 
broke  out  at  the  southwest  end  of  the  town,  and  on  the  1st  of  April,  another  at  the  east 
end  of  the  town,  at  Van  Zandt's,  corner  of  Burling's  slip  and  Water-street.  On  the  4th  of 
April,  two  other  alarms  were  made,  and  fire  discovered  ;  and  on  the  5th,  being  Sunday, 
Mr.  Murray's  haystack,  standing  near  some  stables  and  houses  in  Broadway,  had  some  live 
coals  put  under  it,  which  went  out  of  themselves.  On  Monday,  three  more  fires  occurred, 
and  the  panic  commenced.  Many  negroes  were  arrested,  and  the  investigations  were  long 
and  intricate.  By  the  course  of  the  evidence,  it  appeared  that  the  city  was  destined  to  be 
fired,  and  the  inhabitants  massacred  on  coming  out  of  the  English  Church  in  Broadway. 

"  St.  Patrick's  night  was  selected  to  begin  the  bloody  scene,  and  many  Irish  Catholics, 
lately  arrived,  enlisted  in  the  gang,  were  even  detected  as  being  concerned.  The  negroes 
were  led  on  by  a  villian  named  Hughson,  at  whose  house  they  were  freely  entertained, 
and  brought  their  stolen  goods,  and  were  sworn  to  secrecy.    Ury,  a  priest,  was  also  deeply 

concerned.  j  c        n 

"  It  is  somewhat  remarkable,  that  London  has  had  its  Popish  Plot  and  fire  ;  Boston  and 
Salem  its  delusions  of  witchcraft,  and  New  York  its  Negro  Plot:  and  there  can  be  no  doubt 
lliat  some  innocent  persons  were  at  those  times  accused,  and  suffered. 

"  One  hundred  and  fifty.four  negroes,  and  twenty  white  persons,  were  committed  to  pri. 
son,  of  which  fifty-five  were  convicted,  and  seventy-eight  confessed.  Thirteen  negroes 
were  burnt  at  the  stake,  at  a  place  then  out  of  town,  but  situated  near  the  present  in- 
tersection of  Peari  and  Chatham  streets,  where  there  formeriy  was  a  hollow  place,  as  recol- 
lected  by  one  of  our  oldest  citizens,  who  was  present  at  the  execution,  and  declares  that 
the  horrible  shrieks  and  cries  of  the  miserable  victims  still  dwell  on  his  memory.  Twenty 
were  hung,  (one  in  chains, '  on  the  island,  by  the  powder-house,'  where  the  Arsenal  now 
is,  in  Elm  street.)  Seventy  were  transported  to  foreign  parts,  viz.  Newfoundland,  Madeira, 
Hispaniola,  Cupe  Francois,  Curra90B,  Surinam,  &c.,  «fec.,  and  fifty  were  discharged. 

"  Although  tiic  black  population  has  increased  from  that  period  to  the  present,  in  this 
city,  yet  the  proportion  they  now  bear  to  the  whites  is  much  leas  than  at  that  time,  being 
only  one-t^^elfth  part ;  tlien  they  were  oncJiixth." 

The  following  extracts  are  from  newspapers  published  previous  to 
and  during  the  revolution :  they  will  serve  to  throw  light  on  the  his- 
tory of  the  times. 

"JVeic  York,  Nonemher  4,  1765.— The  Inte  extraordinary  and  unprecedented  prepara- 
tions in  Fort  George,  and  the  securing  of  the  Stamped  Paper  in  that  garrison,  having  greatly 
uiarint^d  find  dispii-riBPfi  the  inhnhitrriTs  of  this  city,  a  v.Tst  numhrr  o\  fhrrti  sfirririb'ra  iaat 
Friday  eveiung  in  the  comnionfr,  from  whence  ihcy  marched  down  the  Fly,  preceded  by  a 


ij, 


NEW    YOUK    COUNTY. 


297 


number  of  lights,  and  having  stopped  a  few  minutes  at  the  Coffee  House,  proceeded  to  the 

Fort  Walls,  where  they  broke  open  the  stable  of  the  L — t  G r,  took  out  his  coach,  and 

after  carrying  the  same  through  the  principal  streets  of  the  city,  in  triumph  marclied  to  the 
commons,  where  a  gallows  was  erected  ;  on  one  end  of  which  was  suspended  the  elfigy  of 
the  person  whose  property  the  coach  was.  In  his  right  hand  he  held  a  stamped  Bill  of 
Lading,  and  on  his  breast  was  affixed  a  paper  with  the  following  inscription, '  The  Rebel 
Drummer  in  the  year  1715 :'  at  his  back  was  affixed  a  drum,  the  badge  of  his  profession ; 
at  the  other  end  of  the  gallows  hung  the  figure  of  the  devil,  a  proper  companion  for  the 
other,  as  'tis  supposed  it  was  entirely  at  his  instigation  he  acted  :  after  they  had  hung  there 
a  considerable  time,  they  carried  the  effigies,  with  the  gallows  entire,  being  preceded  by 
the  coach,  in  a  grand  procession  to  the  gate  of  the  fort,  where  it  remained  for  some  time, 
from  whence  it  was  removed  to  the  Bowling  Green,  under  the  muzzles  of  the  fort  guns, 
where  a  bon-fire  was  immediately  made,  and  the  drummer,  devil,  and  coach.  Sec,  were 
consumed  amidst  the  acclamations  of  some  thousand  spectators,  and  we  make  no  doubt, 

but  the  L — t  G r,  and  his  friends,  had  the  mortification  of  viewing  the  whole  proceed. 

ing  from  the  ramparts  of  the  fort :  But  the  business  of  the  night  not  being  yet  concluded, 
the  whole  body  proceeded  with  the  greatest  decency  and  good  order  to  Vauxhall,  the  house 

of  M — r  J s,  who,  it  was  reported,  was  a  friend  to  the  Stamp  Act,  and  had  been  over 

officious  in  his  duty,  from  whence  they  took  every  individual  article  to  a  very  considerable 
amount ;  and  having  made  another  bon-fire,  the  whole  was  consumed  in  the  flames,  to  the 
great  satisfaction  of  every  person  present ;  after  which  they  dispersed,  and  every  man  went 
to  his  respective  habitation.  The  whole  affair  was  conducted  with  such  decorum,  that  not 
the  least  accident  happened. 

"  The  next  evening  another  very  considerable  body  assembled  at  the  same  place,  having 

been  informed  that  the  L — t  G r  had  qualified  himself  for  the  distribution  of  the  Stamped 

paper,  were  determined  to  march  to  the  fort,  in  order  to  insist  upon  his  delivering  into  their 
hands,  or  to  declare  that  he  would  not  undertake  to  distribute  the  same  ;  but  before  this 

resolution  could  be  executed,  the  minds  of  the  people  were  eased  by  the  L — t  G r's 

sending  the  following  declaration  from  the  fort,  viz  : — 

"•FpHE  Lieut.  Governor  declares  he  will  do  nothing  in  Relation  to  the  Stamps,  but  leave 

X  it  to  Sir  Henry  Moore,  to  do  as  he  pleases  on  his  arrival.  Council  Chamber,  New 
York,  Nov.  2,  1765.    By  Order  of  His  Honor.  Ww.  Banyar  D.  CI.  Con. 

"  *  We  can  assure  the  Gentlemen  of  the  neighboring  Provinces,  That  every  Importer  of 
European  Goods  in  this  City,  have  agreed  not  to  Import  any  Goods  from  England  next 
Spring,  unless  the  Sugar  Act,  and  the  Oppressive  and  Unconstitutional  Stamp  Act  are 
repealed.' " 

"  New  York,  Jan.  8di,  1763.— Thursday  next  is  appointed  to  celebrate  the  birth  of  the 
Prince  of  Wales,  when  there  is  to  be  a  treble  discharge  of  all  the  artillery  in  this  place,  and 
the  evening  is  to  be  concluded  with  the  play  of  the  Fair  Penitent,  by  the  officers  of  the 
army,  in  a  theatre  built  for  that  purpose." 

"  New  York,  Dec.  13,  1765.— We  are  credibly  informed  that  there  were  married  last 
Sunday  evening,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Auchmuty,  a  very  respectable  couple,  that  had  been  pub. 
lished  at  three  different  times  in  Trinity  church.  A  laudable  example  and  worthy  to  be 
followed.  If  this  decent,  and  for  many  reasons,  proper  method  of  publication  was  once 
generally  to  take  place,  we  should  hear  no  more  of  clandestine  marriages,  and  save  the  ex- 
pense  of  licensesi  no  inconsiderable  sum  these  hard  and  distressing  time^." 


"  New  York,  March  13th,  1766.— Upon  a  supposition  that  the  cannon  upon  the  Battery 
in  this  city  were  spiked  by  order  of  Lieutenant-governor  Colden,  his  effigy  was  exhibited 
last  Thursday,  sitting  upon  a  piece  of  ordnance,  properly  mounted  with  a  drill  constructed 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  be  continually  working ;  at  his  back  hung  a  dnim  as  a  badge  of  his 
former  profession  :  On  his  breast  was  fixed  a  paper  on  which  were  the  following  lines  : 
•  I'm  deceived  by  the  devil  and  left  in  the  lurch ; 
And  am  forced  to  do  penance,  tho'  not  in  the  church.' 
"  After  it  had  appeared  in  the  principal  streets  of  tho  city  attended  by  many  thousand 
spectators,  (although  it  rained  great  part  of  tho  time,)  it  was  carried  to  the  common,  whore 
a  fire  was  immediately  made,  and  the  whole  consumrd  by  5  o'clock  in  the  afternoon, 

amidst  the  acclamations  of  the  multitude,  who  dispersed  directly  thereafter The 

affair  was  conducted  wiiii  such  order  and  decorum,  that  no  person  sustained  tiie  least 
damage. 

38 


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NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


"  N.  B.  The  public  are  desired  to  take  notice,  that  the  cannon  still  remain  spiked ;  and 
it  is  expected  that  no  further  hint  will  be  necessary." 


"  New  York,  May  3,  1766. — The  play  advertised  to  be  acted  last  Monday  evening, 
having  given  offence  to  many  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  city,  who  thought  it  highly  improper 
that  such  entertainments  should  be  exhibited  at  this  time  of  public  distress,  when  great 
numbers  of  poor  people  can  scarce  find  means  of  subsistence,  whereby  many  persons  might 
be  tempted  to  neglect  their  business,  and  squander  that  money  which  is  necessary  to  the 
payment  of  their  debts  and  support  of  their  famihes,  a  rumour  was  spread  about  the  town 
on  Monday,  that  if  the  play  went  on,  the  audience  would  meet  with  some  disturbance  from 
the  multitude.  This  prevented  the  greatest  part  of  those  who  intended  to  have  been  there 
from  going ;  however,  many  people  came  and  the  play  was  begun  :  but  soon  interrupted  by 
the  multitude,  who  burst  open  the  doors,  and  entered  with  noise  and  tumult.  The  audi- 
ence escaped  in  the  best  manner  they  could ;  many  lost  their  hats  and  other  parts  of  dress, 
A  boy  had  his  skull  fractured,  and  was  yesterday  trepanned ;  his  recovery  is  doubtful ;  several 
others  were  dangerously  hurt,  but  we  heard  of  no  lives  lost.  The  multitude  immediately 
demoUshed  the  house,  carried  the  pieces  to  the  common,  where  they  consumed  them  in  a 
bonfire."  r 


From  the  New  York  Gazette  of  August  3,  1769. 

"  Extract  of  a  letter  to  a  gentleman  in  the  city  from  a  correspondent  in  the  country,  dated 
July  20,—'  Sir  :  As  a  sincere  friend  I  give  you  a  caution  now  to  be  particularly  on  your 
guard  against  the  importation  of  English  goods ;  for  I  fear  you  will  not  get  them  sold  at  any 
rate,  as  it  appears  quite  plain  from  this  hint  of  facts,  you  may  depend  upon.  Within  these 
few  weeks  I  happened  to  be  present  at  several  meetings  of  some  towns  here,  when  among 
other  things,  they  took  into  their  most  serious  consideration  the  affair  of  buving  English 
goods  from  your  merchants,  and  it  was  strongly  reasoned  thus :  We  have  gone  (said  they) 
these  several  years  past  clearing  new  lands  and  raising  grain  only,  and  have  foolishly  neg. 
lected  the  raising  of  sheep  and  flax,  because  we  vainly  thought  we  could  buy  them  cheaper 
at  the  stores  than  make  them  at  our  houses ;  until  now  our  cash  is  wholly  carried  to  Eng. 
land  for  their  fineries,  and  here  it  has  got  so  scarce,  that  in  a  v/hole  town  one  guinea  is 
scarcely  seen  in  a  year's  time  :  so  that  when  a  man  goeth  to  buy  any  necessaries  at  a  mer. 
chant's  shop,  instead  of  his  purse,  he  must  take  a  wagon  load  of  grain,  and  sell  it  to  the  mer. 
chant's  and  take  his  English  goods  at  whatever  price  he  pleases  to  ask. 

"  Wherefore  they  unanimously  and  firmly  resolved,  1st.  That  for  them  to  buy  any  more 
Scotch  or  English  goods  from  merchants,  was  in  fact  a  sure  wicked  way  to  qualify  Britain 
tyrannically  and  inflexibly,  from  time  to  time  to  impose  upon  Americans  whatsoever  new 
laws,  new  admiralty  courts,  or  bishop's  courts  they  pleased,  to  take  away  our  civil  and  re- 
ligious  liberties  piecemeal,  until  we  and  our  posterity  were  finally  enslaved  be  deep  as  any 
Spaniard  or  African. 

"2d.  That  therefore,  whosoever  of  their  town,  durst  presume  to  buy  any  more  of  said 
British  goods,  before  the  restoring  of  our  liberty,  should  be  held,  reputed,  deemed,  and 
treated  by  all  his  neighbors  as  an  open  enemy  to  all  the  civil  and  religious  interests  of  their 
country,  &c.  &c. 

"  I  have  heard  that  a  great  many  towns,  through  the  inland  parts  of  this,  and  the  other 
provinces,  are  beginning  to  be  greatly  alarmed  with  the  fears  of  their  new  admiralty  courts, 
and  bishop's  courts,  &c.,  and  therefore  are  forming  resolvea  of  the  same  nature.  Now  if 
you  do  in  these  circumstances  import  goods,  you  will  be  ruined.  Look  round  and  see 
how  many  merchants  have  been  sent  to  jail,  and  their  families  ruined  by  importing  English 
goods,  and  not  getting  them  sold  to  any  advantage.    Yours,  &c." 


From  the  New  York  Gazette,  March  29, 1770. 
"  Last  Saturday  night  about  11  o'clock,  14  or  15  soldiers  were  seen  about  the  liberty, 
pole  in  this  city,  which  one  of  them  had  ascended,  with  an  intent  to  take  off  and  carry 
away  the  topmast  and  vane ;  as  soon  as  they  were  discovered,  five  or  six  young  men  who 
were  accidentally  crossing  the  green  at  that  time  made  upr  towards  the  pole,  to  see  what 
they  were  about,  but  they  were  immediately  attacked  and  driven  off  the  green  by  the  sol. 
diers ;  who,  finding  that  they  were  discovered,  and  being  apprehensive  that  the  inhabitants 
would  be  alarmed,  they  made  off.  Soon  after  some  persons  went  into  town  and  acquainted 
their  friends  witli  the  proceedings  of  the  soldiers,  upon  which  14  or  15  persons  came  up  to 
the  gresn,  and  goiiig  to  the  pule  w«rc  there  surrounded  by  40  or  50  goldiefs,  wiih  their  em. 


NEW   YORK    COUNTY 


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losses  drawn ;  upon  which  4  or  5  of  them  retreated  to  the  house  of  Mr.  Bicker,  and  were 
followed  by  part  of  the  soldiers,  who  immediately  called  out  for  the  soldiers  from  the  bar- 
racks ;  upon  which  they  were  joined  by  a  very  considerable  body  who  came  over  the  bar. 
rack  fence.  Mr.  Bicker  seeing  himself  and  family  in  danger,  and  exposed  to  the  insults  of 
a  Ucentious  and  brutal  soldiery,  stood  with  his  bayonet  fixed,  determined  to  defend  himself 
to  the  last  extremity,  and  declared  that  he  would  shoot  the  first  man  that  should  attempt  to 
enter ;  they  several  times  attempted  to  force  the  under  door,  the  upper  door  being  open, 
which  Mr.  Bicker  kept  shut  by  fixing  the  point  of  his  bayonet  against  it,  while  they  kept 
cutting  and  hacking  the  barrel  of  his  gun,  in  attempting  to  cut  him  down  with  their  cut- 
lasses,— but  he  soon  after  got  the  upper  door  shut  and  barred  ;  upon  which  they  strove  to 
break  open  the  front  windows,  which  were  also  shut,  one  of  which  they  forced  open,  broke 
the  panes  of  glass,  and  cut  all  the  frame  to  pieces,  in  order  to  get  into  the  house.  Some 
people  who  were  in  the  house  seeing  the  imminent  danger  to  which  Mr.  Bicker  and  his 
family  were  exposed,  got  out  the  back  way  and  ran  to  alarm  the  citizens.  The  chapel  bell 
was  immediately  rung,  upon  the  hearing  of  which,  the  soldiers  retreated  precipitately.  A 
number  of  the  citizens  were  up  all  night  and  under  arms,  which  probably  prevented  any 
mischief  being  done,  as  they  repeatedly  swore  that  they  would  set  fire  to  the  house,  and 
burn  or  destroy  every  person  in  it.  Col.  Robertson,  the  commanding  officer  of  the  regi- 
ment, repaired  to  the  barracks,  as  soon  as  he  had  notice  of  the  disturbance  ;  he  immediately 
ordered  the  centinels  to  be  confined,  and  remained  up  all  night  to  prevent  any  further  mis- 
chief being  done  ;  and  as  a  number  of  inhabitants  nightly  guarded  the  pole,  till  the  Trans, 
ports  with  the  soldiers  were  sailed,  they  were  disappointed  in  effecting  their  designs 
against  it,  although  they  positively  swore  that  they  would  carry  oflf  some  part  of  it  with  them." 


From  the  same,  December  24,  1767 

"  To  be  disposed  of— the  remaining  time,  being  about  three  years,  of  three  German  ser- 
vants,  one  a  baker  by  trade,  one  a  butcher,  and  the  other  a  laborer.  They  are  very  in- 
dustrious  good  men,  whose  honesty  has  been  tried,  and  may  be  had  on  reasonable  terms. 
Inquire  of  the  printer  hereof." 


# 


"  Last  Thursday  being  the  anniversary  of  His  Majesty's  birth-day,  when  he  entered  his 
30th  year,  the  same  was  observed  here  with  great  solemnity.  About  11  o'clock  the  de- 
tachment of  the  train,  with  the  17th  and  46th  regiments,  were  paraded  on  the  battery,  and 
marched  in  order  by,  and  saluted  his  Excellency,  General  Gage ;  at  the  same  time  his  Ex. 
cellency,  Sir  Henry  Moore,  the  members  of  His  Majesty's  council  for  this  province,  his 
worship  the  mayor,  and  the  rest  of  the  corporation,  and  most  of  the  other  gentlemen  of 
the  city,  were  assembled  in  Foet  Georoe,  where  his  Majesty's  and  many  other  loyal  healths 
were  drunk,  under  the  discharge  of  a  Royal  Salute  from  the  Fort,  which  was  immediately 
followed  by  a  salute  of  21  guns  from  the  Libertv  Pole,  on  which  was  suspended  a  Union  ; 
these  were  answered  by  three  voUies  from  the  troops,  five  of  His  Majesty's  ships,  and  many 
other  vessels  in  our  harbor,  which  with  their  colors  displayed  made  a  very  grand  and  beautiful 
appearance ;  the  two  regiments  then  returned  to  their  barracks  and  the  train  to  the  Gkeen, 
and  there  grounded  their  arms.  Elegant  entertainments  were  given  at  Fort  George,  and 
Head  Quarters,  by  their  Excellencies  Sir  Henry  Moore  and  General  Gage,  at  which  were 
present  all  the  gentlemen  of  the  army  and  navy,  and  most  of  the  p.-incipal  gentlemen  of 
this  place.  In  die  evening  the  most  magnificent  fire-works  ever  seen  in  America  were 
played  off  before  a  very  great  number  of  spectators.  Over  the  gate  of  Fort  George  a 
number  of  lamps  were  disposed  in  such  a  manner  as  to  represent  a  Regal  Crown  with  a 
L.1UREL  Tree  on  each  side,  and  before  the  door  of  his  Excellency  Gen.  Gage,  was  exhib- 
ited, by  lamps  properly  placed,  a  large  and  elegant  appearance  of  the  Royal  Arms  ;  there 
being  a  general  illumination  throughout  the  city.  The  fire-works  were  conducted  in  such 
a  manner  as  showed  (jreat  skill  and  judgment  in  the  projectors  and  operators,  every  part  be. 
ing  played  off  with  the  greatest  ease  imaginable,  in  the  following  order,  viz  : — 

Pint  Set. — Two  signal  rockets,  royal  salutes  of  21  marons,  12  sky  rockets,  a  single 
vertical  wheel,  a  Chinese  fountain,  a  line  rocket  of  three  changes  and  a  swarm  box,  2 
gerbs,  2  air  balloons  of  crackers  and  serpents,  a  Chinese  piece  with  a  horizontal  wheel,  a 
yew  tree  with  a  brilliant  fire,  a  nest  of  serpents. 

"  Second  Set, — Two  signal  rockets,  a  salute  of  19  marons,  12  sky  rockets,  a  double 
vertical  wheel,  an  illuminated  globe,  a  fire  tree  and  swarm  box,  2  air  balloons  with  crack, 
era  and  stars,  3  fixed  pieces  with  double  vertical  wheels,  a  range  of  fountains,  a  yew  tree  of 
brilliant  fire,  2  nests  of  serpents. 

Third  Sei, — Two  signal  rockets,  a  salute  of  17  marons,  12  sky  rockets,  2  signal  ver- 


,1! 

r 


^    tm- 


300 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


u 


'. 


tical  wheels,  a  cascade  of  brilliant  fire,  a  line  rocket  of  three  changes  and  swarm  box,  a 
range  of  fountains,  two  air  balloons  with  serpents  and  stars,  a  Chinese  piece  with  a  hori- 
zontal wheel,  an  illuminated  yew  tree,  a  star  with  brilliant  rays  and  glory.  Conclusion.-^ 
A  flight  of  rockets." 


From  the  same,  January  29fA,  1767. 
"  Wednesday  last  several  gentlemen  arrived  here  from  Quebec,  in  Canada,  in  12  days. 
They  came  over  the  mountains  on  snow-shoes  to  Crown  Point,  and  from  thence  down 
Lake  George  on  the  ice.  The  river  St.  Lawrence  was  not  frozen  over  at  Quebec  when 
they  came  away ;  and  we  are  told  in  the  hardest  weather  it  seldom  is  frozen  there  before 
the  month  of  February." 

"New  York,  May  7,  1772. — On  Saturday  last  Mr.  Montanny's  negro  man  who  had  mis- 
behaved, and  was  a  remarkable  drunkard,  was  sent  to  Bridewell,  and  underwent  the  usual 
discipline  of  the  house  for  such  offences,  viz.  a  plentiful  dose  of  warm  water  and  salt  to  op. 
erate  as  an  emetic,  and  of  lamp  oyl  as  a  purge,  in  proportion  to  the  constitution  of  the  pa- 
tient. Of  these  he  took  about  3  quarts  of  the  one,  and  2^  spoonfuls  of  the  other,  also  a 
gill  of  New  England  ram,  which  operated  very  powerfully,  attended  with  a  violent  t.ck. 
ness  which  obliged  him  to  lye  down,  and  between  8  and  9  at  night  he  was  discovered  to  be 
dead.  He  had  been  drunk  three  times  that  day  before  he  was  brought  to  Bridewell,  and 
was  not  sober  when  the  discipline  begun.  Several  physicians  and  surgeons  attended,  the 
body  of  tlie  negro  was  opened  and  no  marks  of  violence  external  or  internal  appeared  :  the 
coroner's  inquest  brought  in  their  verdict  that  he  died  of  excessive  drinking,  co-operating 
with  the  effects  of  the  medicine  he  had  taken.  But  that  Mr.  Dobbs,  (the  operator,)  was 
innocent  of  his  death." 


"  New  York,  Decemher  24,  1773. — His  Excellency  the  Governor  having  sent  to  White, 
head  Hicks,  Esq.,  Mayor  of  this  city,  the  sum  of  two  hundred  pounds,  which  he  most  mu- 
nificently ordered  to  be  applied  in  relieving  the  properest  objects  of  distress  confined  in  the 
city  gaol.  We  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  the  public  that  near  thirty  persons  have  been 
entirely  released  from  imprisonment,  and  those  whose  debts  were  too  large  to  be  cleared  by 
this  gracious  bounty  have  had  a  very  comfortable  provision  made  in  wood,  &c.,  to  cerry 
them  through  the  winter." 

"  We  hear  from  Dutchess  County  that  the  High  Sheriff",  having  received  the  sum  of  fifty 
pounds  from  his  Excellency  Governor  Tryon,  to  be  distributed  for  the  rehef  of  debtors 
confined  in  his  gaol,  has  applied  that  money  in  the  manner  prescribed,  and  cheered  many 
indigent  men  whose  misfortunes  had  reduced  them  to  melancholy  durance.  The  gratitude 
of  these  unhappy  persons  on  this  gracious  attention  to  them  cannot  be  described." 

By  His  Excellency  William  Cosby,  Esq.,  Captain  General  and  Governour  in  Chief  of  the 
Provinces  of  New  York,  New  Jersey,  and  Territories  thereon  depending,  in  America, 
Vice  Admiral  of  the  same,  and  Colonel  in  His  Majesty's  Army,  dec. 

To  any  Protestant  Minister. 

Wliereas  there  is  a  Mutual  Purpose  of  Marriage  between  Jacob  Glenn,  of  the  City  of 
Albany,  Merchant,  of  the  One  Party,  and  Elizabeth  Cuyler  of  the  same  City,  Spinster,  of 
tlie  other  party,  for  which  they  have  desired  my  Licence,  and  have  given  Bond  upon  Condi- 
tions, That  neither  of  them  have  any  Lawful  Let  or  Impediment  of  Pre-Gontract,  Affinity 
or  Consanguinity  to  hinder  their  being  joyned  in  the  Holy  Bands  of  Matrimony :  these  are 
therefore,  to  Authorize  and  Impower  you  to  Joyn  the  said  Jacob  Glenn  and  Elizabeth  Cuy- 
ler  in  the  Holy  Bands  of  Matrimony,  and  them  to  Pronounce  Man  and  Wife. 
Given  under  my  Hand  and  Perogative  Seal,  at  Port  George,  in  New  York,  the  Sixteenth 

Day  of  October,  in  the  Sixth  Year  of  the  Reign  of  our  Sovereign  Lord  GEORGE  the 

Second,  by  the  Grace  of  God,  of  Great  Britain,  France  and  Ireland,  KING,  Defender 

of  the  Faith.    Annoq :  Domini  1732. 

W.  COSBY. 
HENDK.  MORRIS,  D.  Secry. 


From  the  Connecticut  Journal,  Nov.  20,  1775. 
"  On  the  20th  of  this  month  sixteen  respectable  inhabitants  of  this  town,  (New  Haven,) 
in  company  with  Capt.  Sears,  set  out  from  this  place  for  East  and  West  Chester;  in  the 
Province  of  New  York,  to  disarm  the  principal  tories  there,  and  secure  the  persons  or  Par. 


m 


inwiwii-it 


NEW    YORK   COUNTY. 


301 


son  Seabury,  Judge  Fowler,  and  Lord  Underbill.  On  their  way  thither  they  were  joined 
by  Captains  Scillick,  Richards,  and  Mead,  with  about  80  men.  At  Marrineck  they  burnt 
a  small  sloop,  which  was  purchased  by  government  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  provisions 
on  board  the  Asia.  At  East  Chester  they  seized  Judge  Fowler,  and  then  repaired  to  West 
Chester  and  secured  Seabury  and  Underbill.  Having  possessed  themselves  of  these  caitiffs, 
they  sent  them  to  Connecticut  under  a  strong  guard.  The  main  body,  consisting  of  75,  then 
proceeded  to  New  York,  which  they  entered  at  noon-day  on  horseback,  with  bayonets 
fixed,  in  the  greatest  regularity  went  down  the  main  street,  and  drew  up  in  close  order  be- 
fore  the  printing  office  of  the  infamous  James  RIVINGTON.  A  small  detachment  enter, 
ed  it,  and  in  about  three  quarters  of  an  hour  brought  off  the  principal  part  of  his  types,  for 
which  they  offered  to  give  an  order  on  Lord  Dunmore.  They  then  faced  and  wheeled  to 
the  left  and  marched  oi;,t  of  the  town  to  the  tune  of  YANKEE  DOODLE.  A  vast  con- 
course  of  people  assembled  at  the  coffee-house  bridge,  on  their  leaving  the  ground,  gave 
them  three  hearty  cheers. 

"  On  their  way  home,  they  disarmed  all  the  lories  that  lay  on  their  route,  and  yesterday  ar- 
rived here  escorted  by  great  number  of  gentlemen  from  the  westward,  the  whole  inaking  a 
very  grand  procession.  Upon  their  entrance  into  town  they  were  saluted  with  the  discharge 
of  two  cannon,  and  received  by  the  inhabitants  with  every  mark  of  approbation  and  re- 
spect. The  company  divided  into  two  parlies,  and  concluded  the  day  in  festivity  and  inno- 
cent mirth.  Captain  Sears  returned  in  company  with  the  other  gentlemen,  and  proposed 
to  spend  the  winter  here  unless  public  business  should  require  his  presence  in  New  York. 
Seabury,  Underbill,  and  Fowler,  three  of  the  dastardly  protesters  against  the  proceedings 
of  the  Continental  Congress,  and  who  it  is  believed  had  concerted  a  plan  for  kidnapping 
Capt.  Sears,  and  conveying  him  on  board  of  the  Asia  man-of-war,  are  (with  the  types  and 
arms)  safely  lodged  in  this  town  :  where  it  is  expected  Lord  Underbill  will  have  leisure  to 
form  the  scheme  of  a  lucrative  lottery,  the  tickets  of  which  cannot  be  counterfeited ;  and 
Parson  Seabury  sufficient  time  and  opportunity  to  compose  sermons  for  the  next  Continent- 
al Fast." 


After  the  Americans  were  defeated  on  Long  Island,  August  26, 
1776,  New  York  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  British  troops,  who  kept 
possession  of  it  during  the  revolutionary  war.  The  annexed  account 
of  the  military  movements  on  New  York  island  is  from  Colonel 
Humphrey's  Life  of  General  Putnam. 

"  The  unfortunate  battle  of  Long  Island,  the  masterly  retreat  from 
thence,  and  the  actual  passage  of  part  of  the  hostile  fleet  in  the  East 
river,  above  the  town,  preceded  the  evacuation  of  New  York.  A 
promotion  of  four  major-generals,  and  six  brigadiers,  had  previously 
been  made  by  congress.  After  the  retreat  from  Long  Island,  the 
main  army,  consisting,  for  the  moment,  of  sixty  battalions,  of  which 
twenty  were  continental,  the  residue  levies  and  militia,  was,  conform- 
ably to  the  exigencies  of  the  service,  rather  than  to  the  rules  of  war, 
formed  into  fourteen  brigades.  Major-general  Putnam  commanded 
the  right  grand  division  of  five  brigades,  the  Majors-general  Spencer 
and  Greene  the  centre  of  six  brigades,  and  Major-general  Heath  the 
left,  which  was  posted  near  Kingsbridge,  and  composed  of  two 
brigades.  The  whole  never  amounted  to  twenty  thousand  effective 
men ;  while  the  British  and  German  forces,  under  Sir  William  Howe, 
exceeded  twenty-two  thousand ;  indeed,  the  minister  had  asserted  in 
parliament  that  they  would  consist  of  more  than  thirty  thousand. 
Our  two  centre  divisions,  both  commanded  by  General  Spencer,  in 
the  sickness  of  General  Greene,  moved  towards  Mount  Washington, 
Harlaem  heights,  and  Horn's  hook,  as  soon  as  the  final  resolution 
was  taken  in  a  council  of  war,  on  the  12th  of  September,  to  abandon 

.^,  the  city.    That  event,  thus  circumstanced,  took  effect  a  few  days 

'  after. 


302 


NEW   YORK   COUNTY. 


"On  Sunday,  the  15th,  the  British,  after  sending  three  ships  of  war 
up  the  North  river,  to  Bloomingdale,  and  keeping  up,  for  some  hours, 
a  severe  cannonade  on  our  lines,  from  those  already  in  the  East  river, 
landed  in  force  at  Turtle  bay.  Our  new  levies,  commanded  by  a 
state  brigadier-general,  fled  without  making  resistance.  Two  bri- 
gades of  General  Putnam's  division,  ordered  to  their  support,  notwith- 
standing the  exertion  of  their  brigadiers,  and  of  the  commander-in- 
chief  himself  who  came  up  at  the  instant,  conducted  themselves  in 
the  same  shameful  manner.  His  excellency  then  ordered  the  heights 
of  Harlaem,  a  strong  position,  to  be  occupied.  Thither  the  forces  in 
the  vicinity,  as  well  as  the  fugitives,  repaired.  In  the  mean  time. 
General  Putnam,  with  the  remainder  of  his  command,  and  the  ordi- 
nary outposts,  was  in  the  city.  After  having  caused  the  brigades  to 
begin  their  retreat  by  the  route  of  Bloomingdale,  in  order  to  avoid 
the  enemy,  who  were  then  in  the  possession  of  the  main  road  leading 
to  Kingsbridge,  he  galloped  to  call  off  the  pickets  and  guards. 
Having  myself  been  a  volunteer  in  his  division,  and  acting  adjutant  to 
the  last  regiment  that  left  the  city,  I  had  frequent  opportunities,  that 
day,  of  beholding  him,  for  the  purpose  of  issuing  orders,  and  encour- 
aging the  troops,  flying,  on  his  horse  covered  with  foam,  wherever 
his  presence  was  most  necessary.  Without  his  extraordinary  exer- 
tions, the  guards  must  have  been  inevitably  lost,  and  it  is  probable 
the  entire  corps  would  have  been  cut  in  pieces.  When  we  were  not 
far  from  Bloomingdale,  an  aid-de-camp  came  from  him  at  full  speed, 
to  inform  that  a  column  of  British  infantry  was  descending  upon  our 
right.  Our  rear  was  soon  fired  upon,  and  the  colonel  of  our  regiment, 
whose  order  was  just  communicated  for  the  front  to  file  off  to  the 
left,  was  killed  on  the  spot.  With  no  other  loss  we  joined  the  army, 
after  dark,  on  the  heights  of  Harlaem. 

"  Before  our  brigades  came  in,  we  were  given  up  for  lost  by  all  our 
friends.  So  critical  indeed  was  our  situation,  and  so  narrow  the  gap 
by  which  we  escaped,  that  the  instant  we  had  passed,  the  enemy 
closed  it  by  extending  their  line  from  river  to  river.  Our  men,  who 
had  been  fifteen  hours  under  arms,  harassed  by  marching  and  coun- 
termarching, in  consequence  of  incessant  alarms,  exhausted  as  they 
were  by  heat  and  thirst,  (for  the  day  proved  insupportably  hot,  and 
few  or  none  had  canteens,  insomuch,  that  some  died  at  the  brooks 
where  they  drank,)  if  attacked,  could  have  made  but  feeble  resistance. 

"...  That  night  our  soldiers,  excessively  fatigued  by  the  sultry 
march  of  the  day,  their  clothes  wet  by  a  severe  snower  of  rain  that 
succeeded  towards  the  evening,  their  blood  chilled  by  the  cold  wind 
that  produced  a  sudden  change  in  the  temperature  of  the  air,  and 
their  hearts  sunk  within  them  by  the  loss  of  baggage,  artillery,  and 
works  in  which  they  had  been  taught  to  put  great  confidence,  lay 
upon  their  arms,  covered  only  by  the  clouds  of  an  uncomfortable  sky. 

"...  Next  morning  several  parties  of  the  enemy  appeared  upon 
the  plains  in  our  front.  On  receiving  this  intelligence,  General  Wash- 
ington rode  quickly  to  the  outposts,  for  the  purpose  of  preparing 
against  an  attack,  it  the  enemy  should  advance  with  that  design. 


i 


KaS-'lll'l  ,'llllWlli'lii'i 


NEW   YOEK   COUNTY. 


303 


Lieutenant-colonel  Knowlton's  rangers,  a  fine  selection  from  the 
eastern  regiments,  who  had  been  skirmishing  with  an  advanced  par- 
ty, came  in,  and  informed  the  general  that  a  body  of  British  were 
under  cover  of  a  small  eminence  at  no  considerable  distance.  His 
excellency,  willing  to  raise  our  men  from  their  dejection  by  the  splen- 
dor of  some  little  success,  ordered  Lieutenant-colonel  Knowlton,  with 
his  rangers,  and  Major  Leitch,  with  three  companies  of  Weedon's 
regiment  of  Virginians,  to  gain  their  rear  ;  while  appearances  should 
be  made  of  an  attack  in  front.  As  soon  as  the  enemy  saw  the  party 
sent  to  decoy  them,  they  ran  precipitately  down  the  hill,  took  pos- 
session of  some  fences  and  bushes,  and  commenced  a  brisk  firing  at 
long-shot.  Unfortunately,  Knowlton  and  Leitch  made  their  onset 
rather  in  flank  than  in  rear.  The  enemy  changed  their  front,  and 
the  skirmish  at  once  became  close  and  warm.  Major  Leitch  having 
received  three  balls  through  his  side,  was  soon  borne  from  the  field ; 
and  Colonel  Knowlton,  who  had  distinguished  himself  so  gallantly  at 
the  battle  of  Bunkerhill,  was  mortally  wounded  immediately  after. 
Their  men,  however,  undaunted  by  these  disasters,  stimulated  with 
the  thirst  of  revenge  for  the  loss  of  their  leaders,  and  conscious  of 
acting  under  the  eye  of  the  commander-in-chief,  maintained  the  con- 
flict with  uncommon  spirit  and  perseverance.  But  the  general,  seeing 
them  in  need  of  support,  advanced  part  of  the  Maryland  regiments 
of  Griffith  and  Richardson,  together  with  some  detachments  from 
such  eastern  corps  as  chanced  to  be  most  contiguous  to  the  place  of 
action.  Our  troops  this  day,  without  exception,  behaved  with  the 
greatest  intrepidity.  So  bravely  did  they  repulse  the  British,  that 
Sir  William  Howe  moved  his  reserve,  with  two  field-pieces,  a  battal- 
ion of  Hessian  grenadiers,  and  a  company  of  Chasseurs,  to  succor  his 
retreating  troops.  General  Washington,  not  willing  to  draw  on  a 
general  action,  declined  pressing  the  pursuit.  In  this  engagement 
were  the  second  and  third  battalions  of  light  infantry,  the  forty-second 
British  regiment,  and  the  German  Chasseurs,  of  whom  eight  officers, 
and  upwards  of  seventy  privates  were  wounded,  and  our  people 
buried  nearly  twenty,  who  were  left  dead  on  the  field.  We  had 
about  forty  wounded ;  our  loss  in  killed,  except  of  two  valuable  offi- 
cers, was  very  inconsiderable. 

"  An  advantage  so  trivial  in  itself  produced,  in  event,  a  surprising 
and  almost  incredible  eflfect  upon  the  whole  army.  Amongst  the 
troops  not  engaged,  who,  during  the  action,  were  throwing  earth 
from  the  new  trenches,  with  an  alacrity  that  indicated  a  determina- 
tion to  defend  them,  every  visage  was  seen  to  brighten,  and  to  as- 
sume, instead  of  the  gloom  of  despair,  the  glow  of  animation.  This 
change,  no  less  sudden  than  happy,  left  little  room  to  doubt  that  the 
men,  who  ran  the  day  before  at  the  sight  of  an  enemy,  would  now, 
to  wipe  away  the  stain  of  that  disgrace,  and  to  recover  the  confidence 
of  their  general,  have  conducted  themselves  in  a  very  diflTerent  man- 
ner. 

The  following  is  Mr.  Grim's  account  of  the  great  fire,  21st  of  Sep- 
tember, 1776. 


'■;'  Wf 


304 


NEW    YOBK   COUNTY. 


"  The  fire  of  1776  commenced  in  a  small  wooden  house,  on  the  wharf,  near  the  White, 
hall  slip.  It  was  then  occupied  by  a  number  of  men  and  women,  of  a  bad  character.  The 
fire  began  late  at  night.  There  being  but  a  very  few  inhabitants  in  the  city,  in  a  short 
time,  it  raged  tremendously.  It  burned  all  the  houses  on  the  east  side  of  Whitehall  slip, 
and  the  west  side  of  Broad-street  to  Benver-street.  A  providential  and  happy  circumstance 
occurred  at  this  time  ;  the  wind  was  then  southwesterly.  About  two  o'clock  that  morning, 
the  wind  veered  to  the  southeast ;  this  carried  the  flumes  of  the  fire  to  the  northwestward, 
and  burned  both  sides  of  Beaverjstreet  to  the  east  side  of  Broadway,  then  crossed  Broadway 
to  Beaver-lane,  and  burning  all  the  houses  on  both  sides  of  Broadway,  with  some  few 
houses  in  New-street,  to  Rector-street,  and  to  John  Harrison,  Esq.'s  three  story  brick  house, 
which  house  stopped  the  fire  on  the  east  side  of  Broadway ;  from  thence  it  continued  bum. 
ing  all  the  houses  in  Lumber-street,  and  those  in  the  rear  of  the  houses  on  the  west  side  of 
Broadway  to  St.  Paul's  church,  then  continued  burning  the  houses  on  both  sides  of  Parti, 
tion-strect,  and  all  the  houses  in  the  rear  (again)  of  the  west  side  of  Broadway  to  the  North 
river.  The  fire  did  not  stop  until  it  got  into  Mortkile-street,  now  Barclay-street.  The 
college  yard  and  the  vacant  ground  m  the  rear  of  the  same,  put  an  end  to  this  awful  and 
tremendous  fire.  Trinity  church  being  burned,  was  occasioned  by  the  flakes  of  fire  that 
fell  on  the  south  side  of  the  roof.  The  southerly  wind  fanned  those  flakes  of  fire  in  a  short 
time  to  an  amazing  blaze,  and  it  soon  became  out  of  human  power  to  extinguish  the  same, 
the  roof  of  this  noble  edifice  being  so  steep  that  no  person  could  go  on  it.  St.  Paul's  church 
was  in  the  hke  perilous  situation.  The  roof  being  flat,  with  a  balustrade  on  the  eaves,  a 
number  of  the  citizens  went  on  the  same,  and  extinguished  the  flukes  of  fire  as  tliey  fell  on 
the  roof.  Thus  happily  was  this  beautiful  church  saved  from  the  destruction  of  this  dread- 
ful fire,  which  threatened  the  ruin  thereof,  and  that  of  the  whole  city.  The  Lutheran 
church  being  contiguous  to  houses  adjoining  the  saine  fire,  it  was  impossible  to  save  it  from 
destruction.  This  fire  was  so  furious  and  violently  hot,  that  no  person  could  go  near  it, 
and  there  were  no  fire  engines  to  be  had  at  that  time  in  the  city. 

"  The  number  of  houses  that  were  burned  and  destroyed  in  this  city  at  that  awful  confla. 
gration,  were  thus,  viz. — From  Mortkile-street  to  Courtlandt-street,  167  ;  from  Courtlandt. 
street  to  Beaver-street,  175  ;  from  Beaver-street  to  the  East  river,  151.  Total,  493.  There 
being  very  few  inhabitants  in  the  city  at  the  time,  and  many  of  those  were  afraid  to  venture 
at  night  in  the  streets,  for  fear  of  being  taken  up  as  suspicious  persons.  An  instance  to  my 
knowledge  occurred.  A  Mr.  White,  a  decent  citizen  and  house-carpcntcr,  rather  too  vio. 
lent  a  loyalist,  and  latterly,  had  addicted  himself  to  liquor,  was,  on  the  night  of  the  fire, 
hanged  on  a  tavern  signpost,  at  the  corner  of  Cherry  and  Roosevelt-street.  Several  of  the 
citizens  were  sent  to  the  provost  guard  for  examination,  and  some  of  them  remained  there 
two  and  three  days,  until  they  could  give  satisfactory  evidence  of  their  loyalty. 

"  Mr.  Hugh  Gain,  in  his  Universal  Register  for  the  year  1787,  page  119,  says.  Now 
York  is  about  a  mile  and  a  half  in  length,  and  half  a  mile  broad,  containing,  before  the  fires 
on  the  aist  of  September,  1776,  and  3d  of  August,  1778,  about  4,S00  houses,  and  30,000 
inhabitants." 

The  following  annexed  account  of  the  incidents  of  the  revolutiona- 
ry war  in  New  York,  is  from  Watson's  Sketches  of  Olden  Times  in 
New  York  city. 

"  After  the  war  had  commenced  and  New  York  was  expected  to  be  captured,  almost  ail 
the  Whig  families,  who  could  sustain  the  expense,  left  their  houses  and  homes  to  seek  pre. 
carious  refuge  where  they  could  in  the  country.  On  the  other  hand,  after  the  city  was 
possessed  by  the  British,  all  the  Tory  families  who  felt  unsafe  in  the  country  made  their 
escape  into  New  York  for  British  protection.  Painfully,  family  relations  were  broken ; 
families  as  well  aa  the  rulers  took  diflerent  sides,  and  '  Greek  met  Greek'  in  fierce  encoun- 
ter. 

"  Mr.  Brower,  who  saw  the  British  force  land  in  Kip's  bay  as  he  stood  on  the  Long 
Island  heights,  says  it  was  the  most  imposing  sight  his  eyes  ever  beheld.  The  army  crossed 
Ihe  East  river,  in  open  flat  boats,  filled  with  soldit  rs  standing  erect ;  their  arms  all  glittering 
in  tlie  sunbeams.  Thry  approached  the  British  fleet  in  Kip's  bay,  in  the  fonn  of  a  crescent, 
caused  by  the  force  of  »he  tide  breaking  the  intended  line  of  boat  after  bout.  They  all 
closed  up  in  'he  rear  of  the  fleet,  when  all  the  vpfwels  opened  n  heavy  cannonade. 

"  All  the  Presbyterian  churches  in  New  York  were  used  for  military  purposes  in  some 
form  or  other.  1  suspect  tlu'y  were  deemed  more  whiggish  in  general  than  some  of  the 
other  churches.  The  clergymen  of  that  order  were  in  genenil,  throughout  the  war,  said  to 
be  zealous  to  promote  the  cause  of  the  rrvohition.  The  Methodists,  on  the  contrary,  then 
fgw  in  nuniDcr,  wcrs  Qocniwd  ioyuiisi^,  liuftiy  fioiu  the  kuowii  iuyuiiaru  ui  tncir  iounacri 


mntiwri 


NEW   •WORK    COUNTY. 


SOS 


IT  the  White, 
iracter.  The 
ity,  in  a  short 
l^hitehall  slip, 
circumstance 
that  morning, 
ffthwestward, 
ed  Broadway 
ith  some  few 
y  brick  house, 
ntinued  burn. 
!  west  side  of 
lides  of  Pnrti. 
to  the  North 
-street.  The 
his  awful  and 
58  of  fire  that 
fire  in  a  short 
lish  the  same, 
Paul's  church 
(1  the  eaves,  a 
18  tliey  fell  on 
of  this  dread, 
['he  Lutheran 
a  save  it  from 
lid  go  near  it, 

awful  confla. 
n  Courtlnndt. 
,493.  There 
iiid  to  venture 
nstance  to  my 
ather  too  vio. 
ht  of  the  fire, 
Several  of  the 
jmained  there 

r. 

},  says,  New 
efore  the  fires 
8,  and  30,000 

jvolutiona- 
1  Times  in 


red,  almost  ail 
IS  to  seek  pro- 
•  the  city  was 
ry  made  their 
were  broken ; 
lierce  encuuu. 

on  the  Lon^ 
army  crossed 
IS  all  glittering 
of  a  iTPsccni, 
at.  They  all 
nde. 

poses  in  some 
n  some  of  the 
lO  war,  said  to 
contrary,  then 
their  founder, 


Mr  Wesley.  Perhaps  to  this  cause  it  was  that  the  society  in  John  street  enjoyed  so  much 
indulgence  as  to  occupy  their  church  for  Sunday  night  service,  while  the  Hessians  had  it  in 
the  morning  service  for  their  own  chaplains  and  people. 

"  The  British  troops  were  quartered  in  any  empty  houses  of  the 
Whigs  which  might  be  found.     Wherever  men  were  billeted,  they 

marked  it.  ... 

"  The  middle  Dutch  church  in  Nassau-street,  was  used  to  imprison 
3,000  Americans.  The  pews  were  all  gutted  out  and  used  as  fuel. 
Afterward  they  used  it  for  the  British  cavalry,  wherein  they  exer- 
cised their  men,  as  a  riding  school ;  making  them  leap  over  raised 
windlasses.  At  the  same  place  they  often  picketed  their  men,  as  a 
punishment,  making  them  bear  their  weight  on  their  toe  on  a  sharp  . 
goad.  At  the  same  place,  while  the  prisoners  remained  there,  Mr. 
Andrew  Mercein  told  me  he  used  to  see  the  '  dead  cart'  come  every 
morning,  to  bear  off  six  or  eight  of  the  dead.  The  old  sugar-house, 
which  also  adjoined  to  this  church,  was  tilled  with  the  prisoners  taken 
at  Long  Island ;  there  they  suffered  much,  they  being  kept  in  an 
almost  starved  condition.  This  starving  proceeded  trom  ditferent 
motives ;  they  wished  to  break  the  spirit  of  the  prisoners,  and  to 
cause  their  desertion,  or  to  make  the  war  unwelcome  to  their  friends 
at  home.  On  some  occasions,  as  I  shall  herein  show,  the  British 
themselves  were  pinched  for  supplies ;  and  on  other  occasions  the 
commissaries  had  their  own  gain  to  answer,  by  withholding  what 
they  could  from  the  prisoners.  I  could  not  tind,  on  inquiry,  that 
Americans  in  New  York  were  allowed  to  help  their  countrymen 
unless  by  stealth.  I  was  told  by  eye-witnesses  of  cases,  where  the 
wounded  came  crawling  to  the  openings  in  the  wall,  and  begging 
only  for  one  cup  of  water,  and  could  not  be  indulged,  ilie  sentinels 
saying,  we  are  sorry  too,  but  our  orders  have  been, '  suffer  no  com- 
munication in  the  absence  of  your  officer.' 

"  The  north  Dutch  church  in  William-street  was  entirely  gutted  of 
its  pews,  and  made  to  hold  2,000  prisoners.  The  Quaker  meeting  in 
Pearl-street  was  converted  into  an  hospital.  The  old  French  church 
was  used  as  a  prison.  Mr.  Thomas  Swords  told  me  they  used  to 
bury  the  prisoners  on  the  mount,  then  on  the  corner  of  Grace  and 
Lumber  streets.     It  was  an  old  redoubt. 

"  Cunningham  was  infamous  for  his  cruelty  to  the  prisoners,  even 
depriving  them  of  life,  it  is  said,  for  the  sake  of  cheating  his  king  and 
country  by  continuing  for  a  time  to  draw  their  nominal  rations  !  The 
prisoners  at  the  Provost,  (the  present  debtors'  prison  in  the  Park,) 
were  chiefly  under  his  severity,  (my  father  among  the  number  for  a 
time.)  It  was  said  he  was  only  restrained  from  putting  them  to 
death,  (five  or  six  of  them  of  a  night,  back  of  the  prison-yard,  where 
were  also  their  graves,)  by  the  distress  of  certain  women  in  the  neigh- 
borhood, who,  pained  by  the  cries  for  mercy  whi'^h  they  heard,  went 
to  the  commander-in-chief,  and  made  the  case  known,  with  entreaties 
to  spare  their  lives  in  future.  This  unfeeling  wretch,  it  is  said,  cam*; 
aftt^rward  to  an  ignominious  end,  being  executed  in  Englnnd,  as  was 
pubiiohed  in  Kaii  and  Sollers'  paper  in  Philadelphia,    it  was  tisere 

30 


;fr 


kK 


i    i 


%\ 

1 

If 

i 

v: 

«^ 

** 

306 


NEW    YORK   •OUNTY. 


said,  that  it  came  out  on  t!ie  trial  that  he  boasted  of  having  killed 
more  of  the  king's  enemies  by  the  use  of  his  own  means  than  had 
been  effected  by  the  king's  arms ! — he  having,  as  it  was  there  stated, 
used  a  preparation  of  arsenic  in  their  flour ! 

"  Loring,  another  commissary  of  prisoners,  was  quite  another  man, 
and  had  a  pretty  good  name.  Mr.  Lennox,  the  other,  being  now  a 
resident  of  New  York,  I  forbear  any  remarks. 

"  There  was  mucli  robbing  in  the  city  by  the  soldiery  at  times.  In 
this,  Lord  Rawdon's  corps  and  the  king's  guards  were  said  to  have 
been  pre-eminent, 

"  The  British  cast  uj)  a  line  of  intrenchments  quite  across  from 
Corlear's  hook  to  Bunker's  hill,  on  the  Bowery  road,  and  placed  gates 
across  the  road  there.  The  Hessians,  under  Knyphausen,  were  en- 
camped on  a  mount  not  far  from  Corlear's  hook. 

"  Air.  Andrew  Mercein,  who  was  present  in  New  York  when  most 
of  the  above-mentioned  things  occurred,  has  told  me  several  facts. 
He  was  an  apprentice  with  a  baker  who  made  bread  for  the  army, 
and  slates,  that  there  was  a  time  when  provisions,  even  to  their  own 
soldiery,  was  very  limited.  For  instance,  on  the  occasion  of  the 
Cork  }irovision  lleet  over-staying  their  time,  he  has  dealt  out  six 
penny  loavc'S,  as  fast  as  he  could  nand  them,  for  •  a  hard  half  dollar 
a-piece !'  The  baker  then  gave  $20  a  cwt.  for  his  flour.  They  had 
to  make  oatmeal  bread  for  the  navy.  Often  he  has  seen  Is.  a  pound 
given  for  buticr,  when  before  the  war  it  was  but  2t/. 

*'  When  Coniwallis  was  in  difliculties  at  Yorktown,  and  it  became 
necessary  to  send  him  out  all  possible  help,  they  took  the  citizens  by 
constraint  and  enrolled  them  as  a  militia.  In  this  service  Mr.  Mer- 
cein was  also  compelled,  and  had  to  take  iiis  turns  at  the  fort.  There 
they  mounted  guard,  &c.  in  military  attire,  just  lent  to  them  for  the 
time  and  re(]uired  to  he  returned.  The  non-commissioned  oflicors 
were  generally  chosen  as  Tories,  but  often  without  that  condition. 
Mr.  Mercein's  sergeant  wa^  whiggish  enough  to  have  surrendered  if 
he  had  had  the  proper  chance.  I'liere  were  some  independent  com- 
panies of  Tories  there. 

"It  was  really  an  affecting  sight  to  see  the  operations  of  the  final 
departure  of  all  the  king's  embarkation ;  the  royal  band  beat  a  fare- 
well march.  Then  to  see  so  many  of  our  countrymen,  with  their 
women  and  children,  leaving  the  lands  of  their  fathers  because  they 
took  the  king's  side,  going  thence  to  the  bleak  and  barren  soil  of 
Nova  8cotia,  was  at  lenst  affecting  to  them.  Their  hearts  said, '  My 
country,  with  all  thy  faults  I  love  thee  still.' 

"  In  contrast  to  this,  there  followed  the  entry  of  our  tattered  and 
weather-beaten  troops,  f(>Ilowcd  by  all  the  citizens  in  regular  platoons. 

"  '  Oh  !  Olio  dny  of  such  a  weltomo  sight, 

Were  worth  a  whoie  eteraity  of  Ipsaur  years.' 

•♦  Then  crowded  home  to  their  own  city,  all  those  who  had  been 
abroad,  reluctant  exiles  from  British  rule  ;  now  fondly  cherishing  in 
their  hearts, '  this  is  my  own,  my  native  land.' 


■■■•'-f-'^s-^ 


NEW    YORK   COUNTY. 


307 


"  The  Hessian  troops  were  peculiarly  desirous  to  desert  so  as  to 
remain  in  our  country,  and  hid  themselves  in  every  family  where  they 
could  possibly  secure  a  friend  to  help  their  escape. 

"...  Captain  Graydon  of  Philadelphia,  who  has  left  us  amusing 
and  instructive  memoirs  of  sixty  years  of  his  observing  life,  having 
been  among  the  officers  and  men  (3,000)  captured  at  Fort  Washing- 
ton near  New  York,  and  held  prisoners,  has  left  us  many  instructive 
pages  concerning  the  incidents  at  New  York  while  held  by  the  Brit- 
ish, which  ought  to  be  read  by  all  those  wlio  can  feel  any  interest  in 
such  domestic  history  as  I  have  herein  endeavored  to  preserve. 

"  After  our  capture,  (says  he,)  we  were  committed,  men  and  offi- 
cers, to  the  custody  of  young  and  insolent  officers ;  we  were  again 
and  again  taunted  as  'cursed  rebels,'  and  that  we  should  all  be 
hanged.  Repeatedly  we  were  paraded,  and  every  now  and  then 
one  and  another  of  us  was  challenged  among  our  officers  as  deserters  ; 
affiicting  thereby  to  consider  their  common  men  as  good  enough  for 
our  ordinary  subaltern  officers.  Unfortunately  for  our  pride  and 
self-importance,  among  those  so  challenged  was  here  and  there  a 
subject  iitted  to  their  jibes  and  jeers.  A  little  squat  militia  officer, 
from  York  county,  with  dingy  clothes  the  worse  for  wear,  was  ques- 
tioned with '  What,  sir,  is  your  rank  V  when  he  answered  in  a  chufl' 
and  firm  tone,  'a  keppjin,'sir ;'  an  answer  producing  an  immoderate 
laugh  among  '  the  haughty  Britons.'  There  was  also  an  unlucky 
militia  trooper  of  the  same  school,  with  whom  the  officers  were 
equally  merry,  obliging  him  to  amble  about  for  their  entertainment 
on  his  old  jade,  with  his  odd  garb  and  accoutrements.  On  being 
asked  what  were  his  duties,  he  simply  answered, '  it  wan  to  jlank  a 
little  and  hear  tidings' 

"  At  this  beginning  period  of  the  war,  most  things  on  the  American 
side  were  coarse  and  rough.  Maryland  and  Philadcilphia  county  put 
forward  young  gentlemen  as  officers  of  gallant  bearing  and  demean- 
or; but  New  England,  and  this,  then  seat  of  war,  was  very  deficient 
in  such  material.  In  many  cases  subaltern  officers  at  least  could 
scarcely  be  distinguished  from  their  men  other  than  by  their  cock- 
ades. It  was  not  uncommon  for  colonels  to  make  drummers  and 
filers  of  their  sons.  Among  such  the  eye  looked  around  in  vain  for 
the  leading  gentry  of  the  country.  General  Putnam  could  be  seen 
riding  about  in  his  shirt  sleeves,  with  his  hanger  over  his  open  vest: 
and  Colonel  Putnam,  his  nephew,  did  not  disdain  to  carry  his  own 
piece  of  meat,  saying,  as  his  excuse, '  it  will  show  our  officers  a  good 
lesson  of  humility.' 

".  .  .  The  AiTipricsn  officers  took  full  latitude  of  their  pirole,  in  traversing  the  streets  in 
ail  dirrctiiiiis  with  n  Rood  (Irnl  of  purposed  nssiiranto.  One  of  thrin,  on  one  occnsion, 
wi'ariug  his  hcsl  nnil'ortn,  \  'lie  jjrent  nn/.e  iitiil  wonderment  of  uiiiny,  ncliiBlly  ventured 
dindaiiifully  to  jm-is  the  follrn  iunise,  tlien  the  xcnerai  nsort  of  the  Urilish  otHcerc.  At 
other  tinici;,  when  the  KnU-h  walir  wns  fror.en  over,  iiiul  was  covered  with  Brilisl!  orticcrM, 
who  thought  themselves  ■,)roHiMenl»  in  Nkntinir,  it  wns  the  niiihciouM  pleasure  of  some  of  our 
orticens  to  appear  and  eclipse  them  nil.  The  oflicers  occnsionally  met  with  cordial  civiliticn 
and  genteel  cntertainmont  from  British  officers  with  whom  they  came  in  contact ;  for,  in 
truth,  the  latter  valued  their  pereonal  gentility  too  much  to  iH?om  to  be  in  ony  degree  di'fu 


308 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


cient  in  politeness  and  courtesy  when  they  met  with  those  whom  they  thought  sufficiently 
polished  to  appreciate  their  demeanor.  r  j'    •      • 

"...  The  residence  of  Admiral  Digby,  and  indeed  of  all  naval  officers  of  distmction  ar. 
riving  on  the  station,  was  Beekman's  house,  on  the  northwest  corner  of  Sloatc.lane  and 
Hanover  square.  There  dwelt,  under  the  guardianship  of  Admiral  Digby,  Prince  Willaim 
Henry,  the  late  king  of  England.  What  associations  of  idea  must  be  produced  m  the 
minds  of  those  who  can  still  remember  when  he  walked  the  streets  of  New  York  m  the 
common  garb  of  a  midshipman's  '  roundabout,'  or  when  they  saw  him  a  knocked-kneed  lad, 
joining  the  boys  in  skating  on  the  Kolch  pond  !" 

The  annexed  is  a  description  of  some  of  the  principal  British  officers.  "  Sir  Wilham 
Howe  was  a  fine  figure,  full  six  feet  high,  and  admirably  well  proportioned.  In  person  he 
a  good  deal  resembled  Washington,  and  might  have  been  mistaken  for  him  at  a  distance. 
His  features,  though  good,  were  more  pointed,  and  the  expression  of  his  countenance  was 
less  benignant.  His  manners  were  polished,  graceful,  and  dignified.  He  lived  at  N. 
F.-ime's  house,  at  the  south  end  of  Broadway,  near  the  battery. 

"  Sir  Henry  Clinton  was  short  and  fat,  with  a  full  face,  prominent  nose,  and  animated  in 
telligent  countenance.     In  his  manners  he  was  polite  and  courtly,  but  more  formal  and 
distant  than  Howe  ;  and  in  his  intercourse  with  his  officers,  was  ratlier  punctilious  and  not 
inclined  to  intiniucy. 

"  Lord  Cornwallis  in  person  was  short  and  thick  set,  but  not  so  corpulent  as  Sir  Henry. 
He  had  a  Imndsome  aqtiiline  nose,  and  hair,  when  young,  light  and  rather  inclined  to  san- 
dy ;  but  at  the  time  of  his  leaving  here  it  had  become  somewhat  gray.  His  face  was  well 
formed  and  agreeable,  and  would  have  been  altogether  fine  had  he  not  blinked  badly  with 
ills  left  eye.  He  was  uncommonly  easy  and  affable  in  his  manners,  and  always  accessible 
to  the  lowest  of  his  soldiers,  by  whom  he  was  greatly  beloved.  With  his  officers  he  used 
the  utmost  cordiality. 

"  General  Knyphausen,  who  commanded  the  Germans,  was  a  fine-looking  Gcnnan,  of 
about  five  feet  eleven,  straight  and  slender.  His  features  were  sharp,  and  his  appearance 
martini. 

"  Tarlcton  was  below  the  middle  size,  stout,  strong,  heavily  made,  with  large  legs,  but 
imcommonly  active.  His  eye  was  small,  black,  and  piercing ;  his  face  aniooth,  and  his 
complexion  dark;  he  was  quite  young,  probably  about  twenty.five. 

"  Colonel  Abercrombie,  who  afterward  gained  so  much  eclat  in  Egypt,  where  ho  fell, 
was  one  of  the  finest  built  men  in  the  army  ;  straight  and  elegantly  proportioned.  His 
countenance  was  strong  and  nuinly,  but  his  face  was  nmch  pitted  by  the  small-pox.  When 
here  he  appeared  to  be  about  forty." 


CAPTAIN  DAVID  HALE. 

"  This  eminent  martyr  to  American  liberty  was  the  son  of  Deacon  Richard  Hale,  of 

Coventry,  Connecticut,  where  he  was  born  Jime6, 1755;  and  jjraduatedat  Yale  College  in 

1773.    Possessed  of  genius,  taste,  and  arddr,  lie  curly  became  disiinguishet  as  a  scholar, 

and  being  endowed  in  an  eminent  degree  with  those  gifts  and  graces  which  always  add  a 

new  charm  to  youthful  excellence,  he  gained   the  respect  and  confidence  of  all  that  knew 

him.    Being  a  patriot  from  principle,  and  enthusiastic  in  a  cause  which  appealed  equally  to 

his  sense  of  justice  and  hia  love  of  liberty,  he  was  among  the  first  to  take  up  arms  in  de. 

fence  of  his  country,  whose  soil  had  been  invaded  by  a  hostile  force,  and  its  citizens  subjected 

to  the  alternative  of  determined  resistance  or  humiliating  submission.     The  life  of  Captain 

Hale  was  short,  but  eventful.    Its  termination  was  imder  rare  circumstanccH  of  intrepidity 

and  cruelty.     His  case  has  been  deemed  parallel  with  that  of  Major  Andie,  and  in  some 

respects  it  was  so — the  nature  of  the  service  woa  identical.     Both  were  young,  well  edu. 

cated,  ardent  and  brave  ;  one  for  his  king,  the  other  for  his  country  ;  and  each  fell  a  victim 

to  the  rigor  of  military  law.     The  news  of  the  battle  of  Lexington  roused  his  mnrlial  spirit, 

and  summoned  him  to  the  tented  field.    Before  arriving  at  the  age  of  twenty.one,  a  cap. 

tain's  commission  was  tendered  him,  and  he  soon  became  an  efficient  officer  in  the  conti- 

nental  army ;  where  his  activity,  zeal,  and  patriotism,  obtained  universal  approbation.     Tho 

company  under  his  command,  participating  in  the  same  spirit,  submitted  to  a  system  of  disci. 

pline  before  unknown  to  the  army;  and  which  produced  very  beneficial  results.  He  entered  as 

a  captain  in  the  light  infantry  regiment  command(!j  by  Colonel  Knowlion,  of  Ashford,  and 

was  with  the  army  on  its  retreat  from  Long  Island,  in  August,  177G.    The  American  forcoi 

look  refuge  in  the  city  of  New  York,  aiui  afisrward  at  the  heights  at  Hnrlaem ;  and  it  be- 

C!*i*i6  ^  matter  of  the  utmost  imuortauf  e,  '\x\  the  opinion  of  the  comnmnd'^r  in. chief,  to  an. 

certain  the  numerical  force  and  contemplated  operations  of  the  enemy  i  for  on  that  know. 


\ 


f 


NEW    YORK   COUNTY. 


309 


It  sufficiently 

listinction  ar. 
latc-lane  and 
nee  Willaim 
iduced  in  the 
York  in  the 
id-kneed  lad, 

'  Sir  William 
In  person  he 
It  a  distance, 
itenance  was 
lived  at  N. 

animated  in- 
•6  i'ormal  and 
lious  and  not 

IS  Sir  Henry, 
dined  to  san. 
Puce  was  well 
d  badly  with 
lys  accessible 
icers  he  used 

I  German,  ot' 
is  appearance 

arge  legs,  but 
looth,  and  his 

where  he  fell, 
rtioned.  Plis 
-pox.    When 


hard  Hale,  of 
ale  College  in 
.  as  a  Bcholar, 
always  add  a 
all  that  knew 
lied  equally  to 
ip  orms  in  dc- 
cens  subjected 
ife  of  Captain 
of  intrepidity 
,  and  in  some 
ing,  well  edu- 
h  fell  a  victim 
ninrlial  spirit, 
ity-one,  a  cap. 
r  in  the  cunti. 
jbation.  The 
ystem  of  disci- 
He  entered  as 
■  Ashford,  and 
nierican  forcog 
'in ;  and  it  be. 
in.chief.  to  an. 
on  that  know. 


'edge  depended  the  safety  of  the  American  army,  and  perhaps  the  nation  also.    A  council 
of  officers  was  assembled,  and  resulted  in  a  determination  to  send  some  one  competent  to 
the  task  into  the  heart  of  the  enemy's  camp,  and  Colonel  Knowlton  was  charged  with  the 
selection  of  an  individual  to  perform  the  dehcate  and  hazardous  service.    On  being  inform- 
ed  of  the  views  and  wishes  of  Washington,  Hale,  without  hesitation,  volunteered  his  ser- 
vices, saying  that  he  did  not  accept  a  commission  for  fame  alone  ;  that  he  had  been  some- 
time  in  the  army  without  being  able  thus  far  to  render  any  signal  aid  to  his  country;  and 
that  he  now  felt  impelled,  by  high  considerations  of  duty,  to  peril  his  life  m  a  cause  of  so  vital 
importance  when  an  opportunity  presented  itself  of  bemg  useful.     The  arguments  of  his 
friends  were  unavailing  to  dissuade  him  from  the  undertaking  ;  and  having  disguised  him- 
self as  well  as  he  could,  he  left  his  quarters  at  Hurlaem  Heights,  and  having  an  order  from 
the  commander-in-chief  to  all  the  American  armed  vessels  to  convey  him  to  any  point  which 
he  should  designate,  he  was  enabled  to  cross  the  sound  from  Fairfield  to  Long  Island,  and 
arrived  at  Huntington  about  the  middle  of  September,  1776.    When  he  reached  Brooklyn, 
the  British  army  had  taken  possession  of  New  York.     He  examined  with  the  utmost  cau. 
tion  the  fortifications  of  the  enemy,  and  ascertained  as  far  as  possible  their  number,  posi- 
tion, and  future  intentions ;  and  having  satisfactorily  accomplished  the  objects  ot  his  rnission, 
he  again  reached  Huntington  for  the  purpose  of  re-crossing  the  sound.    While  waiting  tor 
a  passage,  a  boat  came  on  shore,  which  he  at  first  supposed  to  be  from  Connecticut,  but 
proved  to  be  from  a  British  vessel,  the  Cerberus,  lying  in  the  sound ;  and  on  board  this  boat, 
it  is  said,  was  a  relative  of  Capt.  Hale,  a  tory  refugee,  who  recognised  and  betrayed  hini. 
He  had  assumed  a  character  which  did  not  belong  to  him,  that  of  pretending  to  be  what  he  was 
not.     That  he  was  a  spy,  could  no  longer  be  concealed,  and  he  wut  immediately  sent  to 
General  Howe  at  New  York.    Here  the  parallel  between  his  case  and  that  of  Andre  ceases. 
The  latter  was  allowed  time  and  an  impartial  trial  before  officers  of  honorable  rank  and 
character,  and  his  last  moments  \/ere  soothed  by  tenderness  and  sympathy.    Not  so  with 
the  former ;  he  was  delivered  into  the  possession  of  the  infamous  provost-marshal,  Cun- 
ningham, and  ordered  immediately  for  execution,  without  even  the  formality  of  a  trial. 
The  order  was  performed  in  a  brutal  manner  on  the  twenty-first  of  September,  1776,  and 
his  body  was  buried  on  the  spot  where  he  breathed  his  last.    He  was,  indeed,  permitted  to 
consecrate  a  few  previous  moments  in  writing  to  his  family  ;  but  as  soon  as  the  work  of 
death  was  done,  even  this  testimony  of  atl'eciion  and  patriotism  was  destroyed,  iwsigmng 
as  the  cause,  '  that  the  rebels  should  never  know  they  had  a  man  in  their  army  who  could 
die  with  such  firmness:     In  this  Lying  hour  the  use  of  a  bible  and  the  attendance  of  a 
minister,  which  he  desired,  were  also  denied  him.     Thus  unknown  to  those  around  him, 
with  no  eye  to  pity,  or  a  voice  to  administer  consolation,  fell  one  of  the  most  noble  and 
amiable  youths  which  America  could  boast ;  with  this  his  dying  observation, '  that  he  only 
lamented  he  had  but  one  life  to  lose  for  his  country.'     Though  the  manner  of  his  execution 
will  be  abhorred  by  every  friend  of  humanity,  yet  there  cannot  be  a  question  but  that  the 
sentence  of  death  was  conformable  to  the  practice  of  all  civihzed  nations.    It  is,  however, 
but  coninion  justice  to  the  character  of  Captain  Halo  to  state,  that  his  motives  for  engaging 
in  this  service  were  entirely  different  from  those  which  sometimes  influence  others  in  liko 
cases.     Neither  expectation  of  promotion  or  pecuniary  reward  induced  the  attempt.     A 
high  sense  of  public  duty,  and  a  hope  of  being  in  this  way  useful  to  his  country,  and  the 
opinion  which  he  hud  adopted,  that  every  kind  of  service  became  honorable  by  bemg  ne. 
cessary,  were  the  motives  which  prompted  him  to  this  hazardous,  and,  to  him,  fatal  enter, 
prise.     To  see  such  an  one,  in  the  bloom  of  youth,  influenced  by  the  purest  inteiitions,  and 
emulous  of  doing  good  to  his  beloved  country,  full  a  victim  to  the  policy  of  nations,  must 
have  been  wounding  even  to  tliu  feelings  of  his  enemies. 

"  Among  other  causes  of  distress  in  177<i,  the  want  of  provisions  and  clothing  was  se. 
verely  felt  by  the  American  army.  Just  previous  to  the  battle  of  Long  Island  it  was  as- 
certained that  an  English  sloop,  with  supplies  of  these  essential  articles,  had  arrived  in  tlie 
East  river,  and  lay  there  under  the  protection  of  the  ship  Asia,  of  ninety  guns.  Captain 
Hale  conceived  the  bold  project  of  capturing  this  sloop,  and  bringing  her  into  the  port  of 
New  York,  and  found  a  sufficient  number  of  bold  hearts  and  stu  t  hands  to  make  the  nt- 
tempt.  At  an  hour  concerted,  they  passed  in  a  boat  to  a  point  of  -i^d  nearest  (he  sloop, 
where  they  lay  till  the  ino(m  was  down  ;  and  when  all  was  quiet,  uxccpt  the  voice  of  the 
watchman  on  the  quarter-deck  of  the  Asia,  they  pulled  for  the  sloop,  and  in  a  few  minutes 
wore  on  board.  She  became  their  prize,  and  the  goods  were  distributed  to  diuse  who 
needed  them  in  our  army.  •    or  u 

"A  nieoiing  of  the  citizens  of  Coventry  and  the  neighboring  towns  was  held  on  theSoth 
of  November,  1836,  at  which  a  society  was  formed  called  the  Hale  Monumknt  Associa- 
•rioN,  f  )r  the  purpose  of  taking  measures  to  erect  a  suitable  memorial  to  the  memory^ oif 
tuo  subject  of  this  notice.    An  •ioiiueiii  audresfi  was  delivered  on  the  occasiuii,  by  Au- 


# 


1  m 


a 


f    1 


V 


aio 


NEW    YOBK.   COUNTY. 


drew  T.  JudBon,  Esq.,  to  whom  we  are  indebted  for  much  of  the  informatioa  contamed  in 
thifi  brief  memoir. 

"  The  following  poetical  tribute  to  the  lamented  Hale,  is  from  the  pen  of  the  late  Presi. 
dent  Dwight : —  ^ 

*  Thus,  while  fond  virtue  wished  in  vain  to  save. 
Hale,  bright  and  generous,  found  a  hapless  grave ; 
With  genius'  living  flame  his  bosom  glow'd. 
And  science  cliarnicd  him  to  her  sweet  abode  ; 
In  worth's  fnir  path,  adventured  far, 
Tlie  pride  of  peace,  and  rising  grace  of  war.' 

"  As  yet  no  monument  has  been  erected,  nor  have  his  ashes  ever  been  recovered.  A 
select  committee  of  congreHs,  on  the  19th  of  January,  1836,  recommended  an  appropria. 
tion  of  one  thousand  dollars  from  the  treasury  of  the  United  States  towards  carrying  the 
object  into  ettoct ;  but  no  action  wsls  ever  had  upon  it  afterward,  and  it  is  much  to  bo 
fcnred  so  praiseworthy  a  design  will  be  suffered  to  sleep,  perhaps  forever." — Thompson's 
Itistory  of  Long  Island. 

The  annexed  account  of  the  evacuation  of  New  York  by  the  Brit- 
ish, and  the  entrance  of  the  American  troops,  under  Washington,  is 
extracted  from  Thatcher's  Military  Journal. 

"November  25th,  1783. — The  British  army  evacuated  New  York, 
and  the  American  troops  under  General  Knox,  took  possession  of  the 
city.  Soon  after,  General  Washington  and  Governor  Clinton,  with 
their  suite,  made  their  public  entry  into  the  city  on  horseback,  fol- 
lowed by  the  lieutenant-governor  and  the  members  of  council,  for 
the  temporary  government  of  the  southern  district,  four  abreast ; 
General  Knox  and  the  officers  of  the  army,  eight  abreast ;  citizens 
on  horseback,  eight  abreast ;  the  speaker  of  the  assembly  and  citizens 
on  foot,  eight  abreast.  The  governor  gave  a  public  dinner,  at  which 
the  commander-in-chief,  and  other  general  officers  were  present. 
The  arrangements  for  the  whole  business  were  so  well  made  and 
executed,  that  the  most  admirable  tranquillity  succeeded  through  the 
day  and  night.  On  Monday  the  governor  gave  an  elegant  enter- 
tainment to  the  French  ambassador,  the  Chevaiier  de  la  Luzerne ; 
General  Washington,  the  principal  officers  of  New  York  state,  and 
of  the  army,  and  upwards  of  a  hundred  gentlemen  were  present. 
Magnificent  fireworks,  infinitely  exceeding  every  thing  of  the  kind 
before  seen  in  the  United  States,  were  exhibited  at  the  Bowling 
Green,  in  Broadway,  on  the  evening  of  Tuesday,  in  celebration  of 
the  definitive  treaty  of  peace.  They  commenced  by  a  dove  descend- 
ing with  the  olive  branch,  and  setting  fire  to  a  marron  battery.  On 
Tuesday  noon,  December  4th,  the  principal  officers  of  the  army  as- 
sembled at  Francis'  tavern,  to  take  a  final  leave  of  their  much  loved 
commander-in-chief.  Soon  after,  his  excellency  entered  the  room. 
His  emotions  were  too  strong  to  be  concealed.  Filling  a  glass,  he 
turned  to  them  and  said,  *  With  a  heart  full  of  love  and  gratitude,  I 
now  take  leave  of  you.  I  most  devoutly  wish  that  your  latter  days 
may  be  as  prosperous  and  happy  as  your  former  ones  have  been 
glorious  and  honorable.'  Having  drank,  he  added,  '  I  cannot  come 
to  each  of  you  to  take  my  leave,  but  shall  be  obliged  to  you,  if  each 
of  you  will  come  and  take  me  by  the  hand.'    General  Knox  being 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


311 


grasped  his  hand,  embraced  and  kissed  him'.  In  the  same  affection- 
ate  manner  he  took  leave  of  each  succeeding  officer.  In  every  eye 
was  the  tear  of  dignified  sensibility ;  and  not  a  word  was  articvilated 
to  interrupt  the  eloquent  silence  and  tenderness  of  the  scone.  Leav- 
ing the  room,  he  passed  through  the  corps  of  light  infantry,  and 
walked  to  Whitehall,  where  a  barge  waited  to  convey  him  to  I'aulus' 
Hook.  The  whole  company  followed  in  mute  and  solemn  proces- 
sion, with  dejected  countenances,  testifying  feelings  of  delicious  mel- 
ancholy which  no  language  ran  describe.  Having  entered  the 
barge  he  turned  to  the  company,  and  waving  his  hat,  bid  them  a  silent 
adieu.  They  paid  him  the  .«.tme  affectionate  compliment,  and  after  the 
barge  had  left  them,  returned  in  the  same  solemn  manner  to  the  place 
where  they  had  assembled.  The  passions  of  human  nature  were  never 
more  tenderly  agitated  than  in  this  interesting  and  distressful  scene." 

The  following,  respecting  the  prevalence  of  the  yellow  fever  at 
various  times  in  New  York,  is  from  a  publication  written  by  James 
Hardie,  A.  M.,  printed  in  New  York  in  1822. 

"  Tlie  yellow  fever,  in  our  times,  was  first  observed  in  this  city  in  the  year  1791,  when 
(General  Malcolm  and  some  other  very  respectable  citizens  fell  victims  to  its  fury.  The 
late  respectable  Dr.  James  Tillary,  at  a  nieetinj-o*"  a  number  of  physicians,  explained  tho 
symptoms  of  the  disease,  described  its  character,  and  gave  it  its  true  name.  To  all  present, 
excepting  two,  the  doctor  spoke  in  a  language  which  was  past  their  comprehension,  as  he 
had  described  a  disease  which  they  had  never  seen,  and  of  which  they  had  not  the  most 
distant  conception.  But  it  was  well  remembered  by  the  late  venerable  Dr.  John  Carleton 
and  Dr.  Samuel  Bard,  who  had  seen  the  same  fell  destroyer,  spreading  havoc  and  destruc- 
tion  in  this  city,  about  forty  years  before  that  period.  Since  that  time,  it  haa  repeatedly 
made  ita  appearance  amongst  us,  and  every  physician  in  this  city  as  well  as  in  most  other 
maritime  cities  in  the  United  States  has  had  repeated  opportunities  of  seeing  it  and  of  de- 
vising, in  his  own  mind,  what  he  might  deem  the  most  efl'ectual  means  of  its  prevention 
and  cure. 

"  As  the  sickness,  which  occurred  in  the  year  1798,  was  by  far  more  fatal  than  any 
which  has  happened  since  tliat  time,  I  shall  endeavor  to  give  as  brief  un  account  as  possi- 
ble  of  its  origin,  progress,  and  termination. 

"  lis  first  victim,  in  all  probability,  was  Mr.  Melancton  Smith,  who  died  on  the  28lh  or 
29th  of  July,  after  an  illness  of  a  few  days.  His  case  was  said  to  have  been  attended  with 
the  most  malig-  ant  symptoms ;  but  such  was  the  general  opinitm  of  the  inha'jimnts  with 
respect  to  the  healthiness  of  our  city,  that  his  de;ilh  excited  little  or  no  alarm.  It  was  be- 
lieved that  Mr.  Smith  had  been  taken  sick  at  hi>  store,  in  Front-strcet,  near  Coenties-slip, 
and  a  few  days  after  his  death,  several  persons  were  attacked  with  sickness  in  that  vicinity. 
The  symptoms  of  their  disorders,  however,  appeared  to  be  similar  to  that  of  a  common  cold. 
They  were,  therefore,  negligent  in  obtaining  medical  aid ;  hence  the  disease  got  the  as. 
eendancy  before  they  were  aware  of  their  danger,  and  the  assistance  of  physicians  was 
called  for  when  it  was  loo  late. 

"  Whether  any  case  of  pestilential  fever  existed  in  the  earlier  part  of  August,  remote 
from  the  place  where  it  was  believed  to  have  originated,  was  not,  at  the  time,  ascertained 
to  a  certainty  j  but  of  this  there  was  no  doubt,  viz.  that  about  the  20th  of  the  month,  cases 
of  a  highly  malignant  nature  appeared  in  different  parts  of  the  city  on  the  same  day,  and  in 
the  course  of  six  or  eight  days  in  different  streets  very  remote  from  one  another.  In  par. 
ticular,  it  began  to  rage  with  great  violence  at  the  New-slip ;  in  Cliff-street  and  John-street  • 
but  more  especially  in  Rideroitroet  and  Edon's.alley,  where  not  a  family  escaped  it,  nor 
was  there  a  house,  except  two,  in  which  it  did  not  terminate  fatally  to  one  or  more  indi. 
viduals. 

"  The  Health  Commissioners  began  to  be  apprehensive  respecting  the  appearance  of  this 
pestilence  so  early  as  the  6th  of  August,  on  which  day  they  addressed  a  letter  to  the 
Mayor.  It  was  to  the  following  purport,  viz.  that  '  the  unfinished  state  of  the  docks  ia 
Front-strect,  between  Coenties  and  the  Old  slips,  generally,  had  been,  in  their  opinion,  a 
source  of  disease,  in  that  neighborhood,  last  year,  and  had  occasioned  the  death  of  several 

t=n-"-    That  ihry  casjnt^t  3ti!!i«-if  ntly  rrgret  tl 


'    ^ 


..l,,„KI., 


lir  j 


312 


NEW   YORK    COUNTY. 


^ 


■I 


tt    fe. 


t 


il 

i 


remonstrances  on  this  subject,  and  that  its  present  situation  was  likely  to  be  productive  of 
still  greater  evils  than  those  of  last  year.'  They  added,  that  several  persons  had  sickened 
in  the  neighborhood  of  these  unfinished  grounds  within  a  week,  and  with  symptoms  strik. 
ingly  characteristic  of  yellow  fever;  and  they  recommended  that  the  common  council 
would  appoint  two  of  theii  members,  with  whom  they  (the  commissioners)  would  meet, 
at  an  early  hour  on  the  ensuing  morning,  to  concert  measures  adapted  to  the  emergency 
of  the  case.  The  board  very  cheerfully  compUed  with  this  recommendation,  and  such 
measures  were  immediately  adopted  as  were  deemed  most  likely  to  check  the  progress  of 
the  growing  malady;  but  it  had  now  taking  so  deep  root,  that  it  could  neither  be  eradi- 
cated  nor  checked  by  human  means. 

"  On  the  same  day  (6th  August)  the  commissioners  issued  an  advertisement,  notifying 
their  determination  to  put  the  laws  in  force  against  those  Who  should  neglect  to  keep  the 
streets  clean  before  their  respective  doors,  &c.,  adding  that  the  street  inspectors  were  di- 
rected to  report  all  offences  of  this  nature  to  the  police,  and  that  the  penalty  against  offend, 
ers  would  be  rigidly  exacted. 

"  On  the  13th,  13th  and  14th  of  August,  there  were  heavy  showers  of  rain ;  that  on  the 
14th  commenced  at  four  in  the  morning,  and  continued  without  intermission  until  nine, 
with  considerable  thunder.  The  quantity  which  fell  during  these  five  hours,  was  supposed 
lo  have  been  greater  than  had  at  any  time  fallen,  during  the  same  space  of  time,  for  many 
years.  The  streets  were  covered  with  water  in  many  placeo  knee-deep,  and  a  vast  num. 
ber  of  cellars  were  filled  with  it. 

"  It  was  at  the  time  generally  believed,  that  tliis  excessive  rain  and  thunder  would 
have  so  purified  the  air,  that  the  city  would,  in  a  few  days,  be  totally  exempt  from  any 
cases  of  this  disorder ;  but,  alas !  our  expectations  were  dreadfully  disappointed.  It  is  well 
known,  that  stagnant  water  in  confined  places,  during  hot  weather,  will,  in  a  few  days,  ex. 
hale  a  pestilential  vapor,  which,  if  it  does  not  generate,  will  certainly  propagate  or  throw 
into  more  extensive  circulation  dangerous  diseases  which  have  already  made  their  appear, 
ance.  To  prevent  an  occurrence  of  this  kind,  the  citizens  were  repeatedly  and  most  earn, 
estly  entreated  by  the  Health  Commissioners  to  cause  the  water  to  be  removed,  and  lime 
afterward  to  be  liberally  scattered  in  their  cellars.  Although  it  might  have  been  reasona. 
bly  expected,  that  a  regard  to  self-preservation  would  have  produced  a  prompt  compliance 
with  this  recommendation,  it  is  well  known  that  many  neglected  it,  and  of  those  not  a  few 
were  amongst  the  first  victims  to  the  disease.  From  this  time,  the  number  of  deaths  almost 
daily  increased. 

"  About  the  24th  of  August,  numbers  began  to  leave  the  city,  and  many  of  those  who 
had  offices  for  the  transaction  of  business  towards  the  East  river,  moved  to  Broadway, 
which  was  deemed  more  healthy.  The  customhouse,  in  Mill-street,  and  the  Insuranpe 
Office,  in  Water-street,  were  fixed,  for  the  time,  in  the  Tontine  City  Tavern,  in  Broadway. 

"  During  the  whole  month  of  August,  the  number  of  deaths  amounted  to  three  hundred 
and  twenty-nine.  As  particular  attention  was  not  paid  by  the  sextons,  during  this  month, 
to  distinguish  those  who  fell  victims  to  the  fever  from  those  who  had  died  of  other  disor. 
ders,  it  was  difficult  to  ascertain  their  precise  numbers.  It  was  believed,  however,  that  by 
fixing  it  at  one  hundred,  it  would  not  be  far  from  the  truth.  On  the  15th  of  August,  the 
deaths  were  14 — from  which  day  the  number  continued  to  progress,  so  that  on  the  1st  of 
September  they  amounted  to  23.     The  daily  averages  during  August  was  about  12. 

"  On  the  15th  of  September  the  number  of  funerals  was  38,  on  the  19th  they  were  no 
less  than  63,  and  on  each  of  the  two  following  days  they  were  reduced  to  40 — from  which 
circumstance  hopes  were  entertained  that  our  mortal  foe  was  about  to  leave  us ;  but  we 
were  again  disappointed,  for  the  next  four  days  it  kept  fluctuating  between  41  and  50,  and 
on  the  26th  rose  up  to  60.  The  total  number  of  deaths  during  this  month  was  eleven 
hundred  and  fifty-two,  of  whom  nine  hundred  and  fifty-four  died  of  fever.  The  daily  aver- 
age  through  the  month  was  about  38. 

"  The  number  of  the  dead  on  tho  1st  of  October  was  43,  and  this  was  the  greatest  num. 
ber  during  the  whole  month.  On  the  18th  it  was  reduced  to  16,  and  on  the  21st  it  only 
amounted  to  9.  After  this  the  number  of  deaths  on  any  one  day,  during  the  existence  of 
the  calamity,  did  not  exceed  15;  and  it  is  almost  certain,  that  had  our  absent  citizens  at. 
tended  to  the  advice  of  the  Health  Committee,  dissuading  them  from  a  premature  return, 
the  death  warrant  of  the  disorder  might  have  been  dated  from  that  day.  The  whole  num. 
ber  of  funerals  in  October  was  five  hundred  and  twenty-two,  of  whom  four  hundred  and 
thirty-one  died  of  fever.    The  average  of  the  deaths,  during  this  month,  was  about  17. 

"  On  the  10th  of  November  the  deaths  were  5,  and  on  each  of  the  preceding  days  they 
were  only  4.  The  total  number  during  these  ten  days  were  83,  of  whom  thirty-nine  died 
of  yellow  fever.  The  following  address  of  the  Committee  to  the  public  now  made  ila 
appearance. 


-■■■        •  -^-  ■ 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


313 


B  productive  of 

8  had  sickened 
ymptoms  strik- 
mmon  council 

0  would  meet, 
the  emergency 
lion,  and  such 
the  progress  of 
either  be  eradi. 

ment,  notifying 
:t  to  keep  the 
ectors  were  di- 
against  offend. 

in ;  that  on  the 
ion  until  nine, 
,  was  supposed 
time,  for  many 
nd  a  vast  num. 

thunder  would 
impt  from  any 
ted.     It  is  well 

1  few  days,  ex- 
lagate  or  throw 
le  their  appear, 
and  most  earn- 
)ved,  and  lime 
',  been  reasona- 
npt  compliance 
those  not  a  few 
if  deaths  almost 

y  of  those  who 
to  Broadway, 
the  Insuran|;e 
I,  in  Broadway. 
I  three  hundred 
ing  this  month, 
of  other  disor- 
)wever,  that  by 
of  August,  the 
t  on  the  1st  of 
ibout  12. 
h  they  were  no 
0 — from  which 
ive  us ;  but  wo 
41  and  50,  and 
,th  was  eleven 
The  daily  aver. 

;  greatest  num. 
he  21st  it  only 
he  existence  of 
lent  citizens  at. 
'mature  return, 
he  whole  num. 
r  hundred  and 

9  about  17. 
ding  days  they 
thirty-nine  died 
I  now  roado  ita 


"  '  The  Health  Committee  for  thn  relief  of  the  sick  and  indigent  in  the  city  of  New  York, 
beg  leave  to  congratulate  their  fellow.citizen.«,  that  under  Divine  Providi'iico,  this  long 
afflicted  city  is  once  more  restored  to  its  usual  state  of  general  health,  and,  with  the  most 
heartfelt  pleasure,  inform  those  who  yet  remain  in  exile,  that  althougii  a  few  cases  of  the 
pestilential  fever  exist,  yet  that  by  the  hie  cold  weather  and  frost,  the  contagion  is  so  far 
destroyed,  as  to  render  the  return  of  their  families  to  the  city  perfectly  safe,  provided  they 
take  the  necessary  previous  measures  of  cleansing  and  ventilating  their  long  unnired  dwell, 
ings,  and  purifying  the  bedding  and  clothing,  which  may  have  been  left  therein  during  the 
prevalence  of  the  fever. 

"  '  It  would  have  afforded  the  Committee  much  satisfaction,  could  they  have  given  this 
invitation  at  an  earlier  period,  but  they  did  not  conceive  themselves  warranted  by  the  then 
existing  circumstances.  There  have,  until  the  present  moment,  been  several  new  cases 
of  fever,  particularly  among  those  citizens  who  returned  earlier  than  the  committee  thought 
prudent,  many  of  whom  have  fallen  victims  to  the  devouring  pestilence.  This,  among 
other  circumstances,  has  induced  the  committee,  to  withhold  this  invitation  until  the  pre. 
sent  time,  &c.' 

"  The  whole  number  of  deaths  during  this  awful  calamity,  was  two  thousand  and  eighty- 
six,  viz.  eleven  hundred  and  ten  men,  five  hundred  and  eighty.nine  women,  and  eight  hun. 
dred  and  cighty.five  children.  Of  these,  if  we  admit  that  one  hundred  died  of  the  fever  in 
August,  ita  victims  would  amoimt  to  one  thousand  five  hundred  and  twenty.four.  A  great 
many  of  our  citizens,  too,  who  fled,  were  likewise  cut  off  by  it.  Hence  it  is  probable,  that 
the  whole  number  of  deaths  would  be  between  2,400  and  2,500.  An  awful  number  in- 
deed ;  particularly  if  we  consider  that  more  than  one  third,  some  suppose  that  one  half,  of 
the  inhabitants  had  left  the  city. 

"  An  opinion  generally  prevailed,  that  the  progress  of  the  disease  varied  according  to  the 
state  of  the  atmosphere  ;  but  from  my  observations  on  this  subject,  in  the  years  1798,  1799, 
1800,1803,  1805,  and  also  in  the  present  year,  I  am  much  inclined  to  doubt  its  accuracy. 
The  pestilence  walketh  in  darkness,  and  the  wisest  of  men,  as  yet,  know  very  little  of  the 
nature  of  its  progress.  Of  this,  however,  we  may  be  certain,  that  cool  mornings  and  even- 
ings,  accompanied  by  hot  days,  contribute  greatly  to  spread  infection ;  that  in  case  of  yel- 
low  fever  having  for  some  time  existed  in  a  city,  it  is  extremely  dangerous  for  those  who 
have  fled  to  return  to  their  houses  till  the  hard  frost  shall  set  in,  and  that  a  keen  Mack  frost 
has  uniformly  and  almost  instantaneous'v  put  an  end  to  the  further  progress  of  the  disorder." 

The  following  is  an  account  of  the  yellow  fever  in  1803,  as  given 
in  an  official  letter  by  Dr.  Miller. 

"  The  commencement  of  the  disease  took  place  about  the  20th  of  .Tuly,  and  from  that 
time,  it  continued  to  prevail,  in  a  greater  or  less  degree,  till  the  end  of  October.  The  num- 
ber of  deaths,  in  this  city,  amounted  to  five  hundred  and  three;  those  at  the  Hospital  of 
Bellevue,  to  one  hundred  and  three,  and  those  at  the  Marine  Hospital  on  Staten  Island,  to 
sixty-eight,  making  a  total  of  six  hundred  and  seventy.four.  To  this  should  be  added  an 
indefinite  number,  about  fifty  or  sixty,  who  fled  from  the  city,  and  died  of  this  disease  in 
the  neighboring  country  and  villages. 

"  The  first  public  alarm  arose  from  some  fatal  cases  at  the  Coffee.House  Slip,  and  in  that 
neighborhood.  About  the  same  time,  the  disease  was  discovered  in  many  other  parts  of 
the  city,  without  any  known  intercourse  or  communication  between  the  persons  who  fell 
sick.  Although  the  number  of  cases,  even  at  the  worst  periods  of  the  epidemic,  could  not 
be  pronounced  to  be  great,  especially  if  compared  with  some  preceding  seasons,  they  were 
certainly  more  generally  diffused,  and  left  fewer  parts  of  the  city  exempt  than  on  any  former 
occasions.  Broadway  and  some  of  the  adjacent  parts  of  the  town  retained  their  healthy 
character.  The  streets  lying  near  the  margins  of  the  two  rivers,  and  some  of  those  in  the 
upper  part  of  the  city,  which  are  principally  inhabited  by  indigent,  uncleanly,  and  dissolute 
classes  of  the  community,  suffered  the  worst  ravages  of  the  disease.  The  alarm  of  the  in. 
habitants  was  very  suddenly  produced,  and  the  suspension  of  business  and  the  desertion  of 
the  city  far  exceeded  what  had  been  ever  experienced  in  former  seasons." 

The  following  respecting  the  yellow  fever  in  1805,  is  extracted 
from  a  letter  from  Dr.  E.  Miller  to  Gov.  Lewis. 

"  In  former  seasons,  it  has  been  usual  to  observe  sporadic  cases  of  this  disease,  for  several 
weeks,  before  the  commencement  of  the  epidemic.  This  was  remarkably  verified  in  the 
late  season ;  and  such  cases  deserve  the  more  attention,  as  they  furnish  the  best  means  of 
calculating  the  probability  of  approaching  pestilence.    Accordingly,  one  case  of  a  decidedly 

greater  number  in  August :  and  at  the  beginning  of  September,  they  had  become  so  nu 

40 


■'■%  r 


314 


NEW   YORK    COUNTY. 


.    ' 


!,'      '• 


merous  as  to  ascertain  the  existence  of  tlie  epidemic.  Tliroughout  September  and  October, 
the  disease  continued  to  prevail  with  more  or  less  severity,  according  to  the  fluctuating 
state  of  tlie  weather ;  but  towards  the  close  of  the  latter  month,  the  coldness  of  the  season 
had  evidently  checked  its  progress;  and  at  the  beginning  of  November,  the  city  was  nei>rly 
restored  to  its  usual  health. 

"  During  the  early  period  of  the  epidemic,  nearly  all  the  cases  took  place  on  the  eastern 
side  of  the  city,  in  Front,  Water,  and  Pearl  streets,  and  principally  below  Burling-Slip. 
They  afterward  became  more  generally  diffused.  About  the  20th  of  September,  they 
began  to  prevail  near  the  North  river.  On  the  whole,  the  low  grounds  on  the  margin  of 
the  two  rivers  certainly  produced  a  chief  part  of  the  cases.  The  number  of  deaths  in  the 
city  amounted  to  about  two  hundred ;  those  at  the  Bellevue  Hospital  to  52,  and  those  in 
the  Marine  Hospital,  sent  from  the  city,  to  twenty-eight.  The  number  of  cases  of  malig- 
nant fever  reported  to  the  Board  of  Health,  amounted  to  six  hundred.  It  is  proper,  like, 
wise,  in  estimating  the  extent  of  the  epidemic,  to  notice  an  unascertained  number,  proba- 
bly  about  forty,  who  after  their  flight  from  the  city  died  in  various  parts  of  the  country. 

"  The  source  of  this  disease  forms  a  most  interesting  subject  of  inquiry ;  on  the  success 
of  which  must  depend  all  rational  and  adequate  means  of  preventing  and  eradicating  the 
evil.  After  a  long  and  careful  investigation  of  the  subject,  I  cannot  hesitate  to  conclude, 
that  a  pernicious  exhalation  or  vapovr  floating  in  the  atmosphere,  is  the  pviniary  and  essen- 
tial cause  of  this  disease." 

The  yellow  fever  in  1822,  made  its  appearance  in  a  different 
quarter  from  that  in  which  it  had  commenced  its  depredations  in 
former  years.  It  had  uniformly  begun  somewhere  on  the  East  river  ; 
but  now  it  was  first  seen  in  Rector-street  towards  the  North  river,  a 
part  of  the  city  which  had  been  heretofore  deemed  peculiarly  un- 
healthy. The  disease  was  first  formally  noticed  by  the  Board  of 
Health  on  the  31st  of  July.  The  Board  again  met  at  12  o'clock, 
having  agreed  to  meet  every  day  at  that  hour  during  the  prevalence 
of  fever.  From  the  13th  of  July  to  the  2d  of  November,  twelve 
hundred  and  thirty-six  persons  died. 

"  On  the  same  day,  Saturday,  the  24th  August,  our  city  presented  the  appearance  of  a 
town  besieged.  From  daybreak  till  night,  one  Une  of  carts,  containing  boxes,  merchandise, 
and  eflects,  were  seen  moving  towards  Greenwich  Village  and  the  upper  parts  of  the  city. 
Carriages  and  hacks,  wagons  and  horsemen,  were  scouring  the  streets  and  filling  the  roads ; 
persons  with  anxiety  strongly  marked  on  their  countenances  and  with  hurried  gait  were 
bustling  through  the  streets.  Temporary  stores  and  ofiices  were  erecting,  and  even  on  the 
ensuing  day  (Sunday)  carts  were  in  motion  and  the  saw  and  hanmicr  busily  at  work. 
Within  a  few  days  thereafter,  the  Customhouse,  the  Post-office,  the  Banks,  the  Insurance  ofti- 
ces,  and  the  printers  of  newspapers,  located  themselves  in  the  village  or  in  the  upper  part  of 
Broadway,  where  they  were  free  from  the  impending  danger,  and  these  places  almost  in- 
stantanc^ously  became  the  seat  of  the  immense  business  usually  carried  on  in  this  great 
metropolis. 

Friday,  the  11th  of  October,  was  observed  as  a  day  of  public  hu- 
miliation and  prayer  on  account  of  the  pestilence. 

"  Immediately  after  the  address  of  the  Board  to  their  fellow-citizens  on  the  26th  October, 
the  absentees  began  to  return  to  their  respective  abodes  with  a  precipitation  almost  unpar- 
alleliul.  Forty  or  fifty  carts  and  wagons  could  be  seen  in  n  line  transporting  goods,  wares, 
merchandise,  and  household  furniture  from  the  viiiago  of  Greenwich  and  places  in  the 
outskirts  of  the  city,  to  the  stores  and  houses  from  which  they  had  been  taken  several 
weeks  before.  On  tlie  5th  November,  the  Customhouse,  Post-office,  Banks,  Insurance 
offices.  Printing  offices,  Vendue  Masters,  Merchants,  &c.,  returned  to  their  former  habita- 
tions. About  this  time,  the  i)laces  of  worship,  which  had  been  so  long  shut,  in  the  lower 
part  of  the  city,  were  re-opeued,  vessels  came  to  our  docks  as  usual,  and  a  bustle  again  be- 
came  visible  at  the  former  places  of  trade  and  commerce." 

In  July,  1832,  the  asiatic  cholera  made  its  appearance  in  this  city. 
The  following  table  is  extracted  from  the  New  York  Observer.  It 
includes  all  the  deaths  from  July  2d,  at  about  the  time  of  its  com- 
mencement, until  Oct.  19th,  when  the  pestilence  had  almost  ceased. 


i 


NEW   YORK    COUNTY. 


315 


r  and  October, 
the  fluctuating 
i  of  the  season 
;ity  was  nei'rly 

on  the  eastern 
r  Burling-Slip. 
pteinber,  they 
the  margin  of 
deaths  in  tlif 
},  and  those  in 
luses  of  nialig. 
is  proper,  like, 
lumber,  proba- 
ift  country, 
on  the  success 
3radicaiing  the 
te  to  conclude, 
lary  and  essen- 

a  different 
edations  in 
East  river ; 
rth  river,  a 
:uliarly  un- 
e  Board  of 
12  o'clock, 
prevalence 
ber,  tv^^elve 

ppearance  of  a 
3,  merchandise, 
irts  of  the  city, 
lling  the  roads ; 
nied  gait  were, 
nd  even  on  the 
)usi!y  at  work. 
Insurance  ofti- 
le  upper  part  of 
ices  almost  in- 
1  in  this  great 

:  public  hu- 

)  26th  October, 
1  ahnost  unpur- 
a;  goods,  wares, 
I  places  in  the 
I  taken  several 
nks,  Insurance 
■  former  habita- 
It,  in  the  lower 
lustle  again  be. 

in  tliis  city, 
jserver.     It 
of  its  coni- 
ost  ceased. 


City  Inspector's  Report. 


Ot;R  Estimate. 


I 


Week  ending 


Burials. 


Total 6,097 


3,496 


4,364 


The  annexed  description  of  Nev^r  York  in  1800,  was  taken  from  a 
series  of  historical  articles  relating  to  the  city,  now  being  published  in 
the  New  York  Express, commenced  two  years  since. 

"  The  fashionable  part  of  the  city,  or  west  end  of  the  town,  was  in  Wall  and  Pine  streets, 
between  Broadway  and  Pearl, — Pearl  from  Hanover  square,  (now  part  of  Old  slip,)  to 
•Tohn-strcct,  along  State-street  and  a  part  of  Broadway,  below  Wall-street.  Then  the  city 
hall  was  not  built,  and  on  the  site  where  it  now  stands  was  the  rear  of  the  almshouse — the 
hog-pen  of  which  enclosed  the  ground  now  the  most  beautiful  part  of  the  Park.  The 
change  is  truly  astonishing.  In  Wall-street,  for  example,  there  now  is  but  one  family 
residing  in  the  whole  street,  and  that  is  over  a  bank.  Hardly  an  old  building  remains, 
and  not  one  that  is  not  so  altered  as  to  be  totally  different  from  what  it  was  then.  At 
the  corner  of  Nassau-street,  stood  the  venerable  Federal  hull,  since  torn  down — a  splendid 
row  of  dwellings  was  afterward  put  up,  which  were  subsequently  torn  down  to  give  place 
to  the  new  customhouse,  now  building.  Next  below  stood  the  elegant  mansion  of  Mr. 
Verplanck,  the  brick  of  which  were  brought  from  Holland,  and  in  its  stead  is  the  Bank  of 
the  State  of  New  York.  Next  was  the  residence  of  John  Keese,  now  the  Union  Bank — less 
changed  than  any  other  building.  This,  however,  on  the  first  of  May,  is  to  be  levelled  with 
the  ground,  and  a  new  banking-house  to  be  put  up.  Between  it  and  William-street  were 
the  residences  of  Francis  B.  Winthrop  and  Charles  Wilkes — in  the  place  of  \diich  are  the 
Dry  Dock  Bank,  and  Bank  of  America.  On  the  lot  where  the  United  States  Bank  now 
stands  was  the  elegant  mansion  of  Gen.  John  Lamb,  first  collector  of  the  port,  and  father 
of  Alderman  Lamb.  This  was  considered  not  only  the  finest  house,  but  was  believed  to 
be  the  grandest  house  that  could  be  built.  On  the  opposite  side,  where  is  now  going  up 
the  massive  new  Merchants'  Exchange,  stood  the  residence  of  Thomas  Buchanan,  Mrs. 
White,  and  William  C.  Leffingwell.  Mr.  Jauncey,  an  English  gentleman  who  lived  in 
great  style,  occupied  the  building  now  rented  by  Messrs.  Dykers  &  Alstyne — his  stable  is 
the  same  building  now  used  by  the  Board  of  Brokers.  The  very  room  in  which  millions 
of  stock  are  sold  every  week  was  then  a  hay-loft. 

"  The  watch-house  was  kept  at  the  corner  of  Broad-street,  now  used  by  Robinson  for 
the  sale  of  his  caricatures.  Baker's  tavern,  one  of  the  most  noted  public  houses,  was  at  the 
corner  of  New-street — a  club  met  there  nightly  for  more  than  half  a  century.  Pine-street 
has  undergone  still  greater  changes, — from  Water.sfreet  to  Broadway,  every  house  has  been 
demolished.  Then  not  a  store  was  to  be  seen.  The  old  French  church,  the  sanctuary  of 
the  Huguenots,  stood  at  the  corner  of  Nassau, — its  surrounding  burying  yard  contained  the 
ashes  of  many  of  the  most  valued  citizens.  The  Walcotts,  Jays,  Waddinglons,  Radcliffs, 
Brinkerhoffs,  Wells,  and  a  host  of  others,  resided  in  this  street,  without  a  thought  that  in 
less  than  40,  and  even  30  years,  not  one  brick  then  standing,  would  remain  on  another. 
In  Pearl-street  were  the  fashionable  residences  of  Samuel  Denton,  John  Ellis,  John  J. 
Glover,  John  Mowett,  Robert  Lenox,  Thomas  Cadle,  John  Glendenning,  John  B.  Murray, 
Govunior  Broouie,  Auiiicw  Ogden,  Governor  Goorge  Ciintoii,  Richard  Varick,  and  a  great 


1  >M 


M^i 


^-^•' 


310 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


■i 


'i      ' 
4! 


m 


m 


i 


number  of  others.  Nearly  all  of  tliese  gentlemen  are  deceased.  We  noticed  a  few  days 
since,  one  of  the  number,  Mr.  Denton,  for  a  long  time  post  a  resident  of  Tennessee.  He 
remarked  that  he  was  absolutely  a  stranger ;  knew  no  one,  and  could  hardly  identify  a  sin- 
gle  spot.  In  Hanover  square,  stood  a  block  of  buildings  fronting  Old  slip  and  Peari-street. 
They  have  all  been  removed.  The  city  consisted  of  seven  wards,  now  increased  to  seven, 
teen." 


View  of  the  City  Hall,  New  York. 

The  city  hall*  is  one  of  the  most  prominent  buildings  in  New 
York,  standing  near  the  centre  of  the  park,  an  area  of  about  four 
acres.  Situated  in  this  spacious  area,  it  is  seen  to  great  advantage 
in  every  direction. 

"  The  building  is  of  a  square  form,  two  stories  in  height,  besides  a 
basement  story.  It  has  a  wing  at  each  end,  projecting  from  the  front, 
and  in  the  centre  the  roof  is  elevated  to  form  an  attic  story.  The 
whole  length  of  the  building  is  210  feet,  the  breadth  105,  and  the 
height  Sl^feet.  Including  the  attic  story,  it  is  05  feet  in  height.  The 
front  and  both  ends,  above  the  basement  story,  are  built  of  native 
white  marble,  from  Stockbridge,  Massachusetts ;  and  the  rest  of  the 
building  is  constructed  of  brown  freestone.  The  roof  is  covered 
with  copper,  and  there  is  a  balustrade  of  marble  entirely  round  the 
top.  Rising  from  the  middle  of  the  roof,  is  a  cupola,  on  which  is 
placed  a  colossal  figure  of  Justice,  holding  in  her  right  hand,  which 
rests  on  her  forehead,  a  balance,  and  in  her  left,  a  sword  pointing  to 
the  ground.     Justice  is  not  blindfold,  as  she  is  represented  in  Europe. 

"  There  are  four  entrances  to  the  building ;  one  in  front,  one  in  the 

*  The  above  engraving  was  copied  from  a  drawing  taken  some  years  ago.  Since  then, 
the  cupola  has  been  slightly  altered,  and  a  clock  placed  in  it.  A  small  cupola  has  also 
been  added  in  the  rear,  on  which  hangs  the  city  fire-bell.  The  city  is  divided  into  five  fire 
districts,  and  when  there  is  a  fire  the  j)articular  district  in  which  it  is  located  is  indicated  by 
the  number  of  times  which  the  bell  tolls.  For  instance,  when  it  is  in  the  first  it  tolls  once, 
in  the  second,  twice  in  succession,  and  so  on,  excepting  in  the  fifth,  which  is  indicated  by 
a  continual  tolling. 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


317 


rear,  and  one  in  each  end.  The  front,  which  is  the  principal,  is  on 
the  first  story,  to  which  there  is  access  by  a  flight  of  12  marble  steps, 
rising  from  which  there  are  16  columns  supporting  a  portico  imme- 
diately over  the  entrance,  also  composed  of  marble.  In  the  centre 
of  the  rear  of  the  building,  there  is  a  projecting  pediment.  The  en- 
trance in  this  quarter  is  also  on  the  first  story,  by  a  flight  of  freestone 
steps.  The  first  story,  including  the  portico,  is  of  the  Ionic,  the  second 
of  the  Corinthian,  the  attic  of  the  Fancy,  and  the  cupola  of  the  Com- 
posite orders. 

"  The  foundation  stone  of  this  building  was  laid  on  26th  Septem- 
ber, 1803,  during  the  mayoralty  of  Edward  Livingston,  Esq.,  and  at 
a  time  when  the  yellow  fever  prevailed  in  the  city.  It  was  finished 
in  1812,  and  the  expense,  exclusive  of  the  furniture,  amounted  to  half 
a  million  of  dollars." 

"  Fifty  dollars,"  says  the  New  York  Express,  "  were  appropriated 
to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  ceremony  of  laying  the  corner-stone. 
These  were  the  times  when  expenses  of  this  sort  were  dealt  out 
with  a  most  sparing  hand.  No  corporation  dinners  were  allowed 
and  two  to  three  thousand  dollars  expended.  When  the  corner- 
stone was  laid,  and  long  after,  the  long  building  now  standing  on 
Chamber-street,  and  in  which  various  courts  are  held,  was  the  alms- 
house. The  paupers  of  that  day  numbered  less  than  four  hundred ; 
now,  our  Bellvue  establishment  has  more  inmates  than  the  number 
of  many  of  our  most  flourishing  cities.  Three  to  four  thousand  are 
the  permanent  inhabitants  of  the  almshouse,  besides  quadruple  that 
number  who  receive  temporary  relief  from  the  commissioners.  The 
space  between,  the  almshouse  and  city  hall,  was  then  a  pig-pen,  and 
contained  hundreds  of  pigs,  fattened  by  the  wash  of  the  almshouse, 
debtor's  prison,  and  bridewell.  It  will  be  seen  that  the  hall  is  mainly 
built  of  marble ;  the  first  design  was  that  the  whole  should  be  built 
of  that  material.  At  that  time,  marble  was  high,  and  it  was  desira- 
ble to  make  a  saving.  It  was  maintained  that  the  population  would 
never,  to  any  extent,  settle  above  Chamber-street,  and  therefore,  as 
the  rear  of  the  hall  would  not  be  seen,  it  was  concluded  to  build  the 
same  of  red  freestone.  This  accounts  for  the  difference  between  the 
front  and  rear." 

The  following  shows  the  Egyptian  building,  embracing  the  halls  of 
justice,  as  it  appears  fronting  Centre-street.  The  police  courts  are 
held  here  at  all  hours  of  the  day ;  the  justices  relieving  each  other 
in  their  sittings.  This  place  may  be  considered  as  the  head-quarters 
of  the  police  officers  or  constables,  who  are  constantly  seen  going 
after,  and  returning  with  criminals  of  every  grade,  from  the  genteel 
and  accomplished  rascal,  to  his  brother  in  crime,  the  coarse  and  bru- 
tal villain.  Perhaps  in  no  other  part  of  the  country  are  seen  such 
degraded  and  disgusting  exhibitions  of  fallen  humanity,  as  in  this 
place.  Hex?:  many  culprits  of  both  sexes  are  literally  dragged  up 
to  the  tribunal  of  justice.  While  some  are  making  complaints,  others 
are  being  "  examined,"  "  sentenced,"  "  bound  over,"  or  "  reprimand- 
ed," as  the  case  may  be.     While  this  is  going  on,  the  officers  may 


iH 


318 


NEW    YORK   COUNTY. 


i!!? 


I       i 


t    t 


»a*l3 


Southern  view  of  the  Halls  of  Justice,  Centre-street. 

be  seen  leading  oil'  some  to  the  prisons,  or  tombs,  (as  tliey  arc  famil- 
iarly called,)  in  another  part  of  the  building.  The  court  of  sessions 
is  held  in  an  adjoining  part  of  the  building,  at  which  the  recorder 
presides. 

"  This  edifice  now  occupies  the  whole  of  the  block  bounded  by 
Leonard,  Elm,  Franklin,  and  (Centre  streets,  (formerly  the  corpora- 
tion yard,)  and  is  ^253  feet  3  inches  in  length,  by  200  feet  5  inches 
in  width. 

"  The  interior  combines  accommodations  for  the  courts  of  sessions, 
police,  grand  jury,  house  of  detention,  records,  city  watch,  district 
attorney,  sherift*,  clerk  of  the  court,  and  other  olHcers  belonging  to 
the  different  branches  of  the  institution,  together  with  the  necessary 
offices  for  cooking,  washing,  watering,  warming,  &:c.  The  whole 
designed  by  3Ir.  John  Haviland. 

"  The  four  facades,  as  well  as  the  entrance  hall,  arc  executed  in 
the  Egyptian  style  of  architecture,  with  Ilallowtdl  granite. 

"  The  principal  front  has  a  distyle  portico  of  four  columns,  with 
palm-leaved  capitals.  Above  the  capitals  are  square  dies,  upon 
which  rests  the  architrave,  ornamented  with  a  large  winged  globe 
encircled  by  serpents.  Tiie  architrave  is  surmounted  by  a  cornice, 
composed  of  a  bold  Scotia,  enriched  with  reeded  Triglyphs  and  a 
banded  Torus;  and  which,  being  of  the  same  height  with  that  of  the 
similarly  embellished  wings,  forms  with  them  one  continued  line. 
Moreover,  the  banded  moulding  of  the  cornice  descends  in  the  form 
of  a  roller  <»n  all  the  external  angles  of  the  edifice.  Doth  the  wings 
are  perforated  with  live  lol'ty  windows,  extending  the  height  of  two 
stories,  and  finished  with  diminished  jtilasters,  which  snpnort  a  cor- 
nice over  eacdi,  composed  simply  of  a  bold  Scotia,  enriched  with  o 
winged  globe  and  siM'pents. 

"  The  lateral  fronts  on  Leonard  and  Franklin  streets  have  each 
two  projecting  j)ylones  or  pontiles,  with  two  columns ;  the  one  on 
Leonard-street  adjoining  the  prmcipai  front,  is  liie  entrance  to  tho 


-y^t. 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


319 


upon 


i 


debtors'  ward,  and  the  opposite  one  on  F;-anklin-street  is  the  entrance 
to  the  police  ward ;  the  other  two  corresponding  porclies  next  to 
Ehn-street,  form  the  carriage  entrance  to  the  house  of  detention. 
These  porches  are  54  feet  wide,  and  their  columns  and  entablatures 
correspond  with  those  of  the  principal  front,  but  the  caps  and  shafts 
of  the  cohunns  are  less  enriched.  The  recess  in  both  these  lateral 
ironts  is  six  feet,  and  is  relieved  by  five  windows  corresponding  in 
character  with  those  of  the  principal  front,  but  of  less  proportion  and 
uurichmcnt,  the  Scotia  being  finished  with  reeded  Triglyphs  only, 
instead  of  the  winged  globe  and  serpents.  The  approach  to  the 
windows  on  these  fronts  is  guarded  against  by  a  neat  raihng  m  keep- 
ing with  the  architecture.  The  rear  or  front  on  Elm-street  havmg 
no° entrance  or  windows,  is  simply  relieved  by  seven  narrow  recesses 
in  imitation  of  embrasures,  and  a  railing  in  the  same  style  as  those 
on  the  lateral  fronts.  ,       • 

"  A  te.-vace  surrounds  the  whole  enclosure,  raised  ten  teet  above  the 
level  of  Centre-street,  from  which  you  ascend  eight  steps  of  a  trun- 
cated and  pj'ramidal  form,  to  tlie  platform  of  the  portico,  from  which 
you  ascend  also  twelve  ste[)s,  between  the  intercolumniation  of  the 
rear  columns  to  the  entrance  hall.  This  hall  is  50  feet  square  and 
25  feet  high,  supported  bv  eight  columns,  ranged  between  two  rows 
with  theii^antie  placed  on  the  opposite  walls.  These  cohunns  bear 
the  character  or  an  order  tnken  from  the  colonnade  of  the  temple  of 
Medynet  Abou.  Attached  to  the  antes  opposite  these  columns,  the 
nrchftect  originally  designed  to  place  the  Egyptian  caviatides,  so 
highlv  spukeii  of  by  the' French  artists  in  Napoleon's  great  work  on 
Egypt,  published  by  l*auckonche ;  and  he  feels  assured  that  the 
Board  will  yet  be  of  his  opinion,  and  finally  adopt  these  splendid  and 
imposing  liguirs  in  this  entrance  hall,  as  nothing  else  will  be  wanting 
to  perfect  tlie  edifice ;  their  capitals  r're  ornamented  with  the  leaves 
and  (lowers  of  the  Lotus.  The  floors  arc  arched  and  laid  in  mosaic 
of  an  Egyptian  churacter;  governed  in  form  by  the  compartments  in 
the  ceiling  to  which  each  belongs. 

"  The  principal  courts,  jury,  witness,  and  other  business  rooms,  are 
connected  with,  and  lead  into  the  entrance  hall.  On  the  left  side 
lire  doors  and  jjassages  communicating  with  the  grand  jury  room, 
oflices  for  register,  clerk  (jf  the  court,  district  attorney,  and  sherifl', 
d(  btors'  ward  and  witness'  rooms  ;  and  on  the  right  side  are  dirposed 
tlu'  mngistrates'  otHces,  court,  and  witness'  rooms,  watchmen's  dor- 
mit(U'ies\  police  court,  officers'  rooms,  and  cells  for  nightly  commit- 
ments. The  centre  leads  to  the  court  of  sessions,  (including  two  jury^ 
rooms,  and  separate  gallery  capable  of  containing  an  audience  of 
aOO  persons ;)  the  whole  well  ventilated  and  lighted,  and  in  a  situa- 
tion \\w  leiist  liable  to  be  disturbed  by  the  noise  ot  the  adjoining  streets. 

"  The  house  of  detention  is  a  distinct  and  isolated  building,  142 
feet  in  length  by  15  in  width.  It  contains  14H  cells,  divided  into  four 
distinct  clnssesior  prisoners,  including  baths,  and  rooms  for  male  and 
fi'inale,  white  and  black  vni^rants.  The  lower  cells  iire  (5  feet  » 
hicliea  wide,  11  Icct  high,  nnd  15  leet  long,  diminishing  18  inches  in 


«.4 


II 


320 


^t 


;i'i'ii 


lii'tl 

ll! 


NEW    VORK    COL'NTV. 


I       ' 


length  in  each  story ;  they  are  provided  with  cast-iron  water  closets, 
hydrant,  water  cock,  ventilators,  and  are  warmed  by  Perkins'  hot 
water  pipes,  (introduced  and  now  in  successlul  operation  in  the  new 
penitentiaries  at  Philadelphia  and  Trenton,  by  J.  Haviland,  architect.) 
The  floors,  and  ceilings,  and  galleries  are  formed  of  slabs  from  the 
Nor*h  river  flagging  ;  the  doors  and  window  jambs  of  iron  ;  and  the 
entire  cells  are  otherwise  finished  on  the  most  approved  plan  for  se- 
curity, seclusion,  ventilation,  economy  of  supervision  and  watching. 
The  corridors  are  ten  feet  wide  below,  and  widen  at  each  story  to 
19  feet  at  the  summit,  affording  a  free  ventilation  and  uninterrupted 
view  of  every  cell  door,  from  the  observatory.  A  bridge  leads  across 
from  the  house  of  detention  to  the  prisoners'  seat  in  the  courthouse. 
By  reference  to  the  specifications  and  drawings,  it  will  be  seen  that 
every  part  of  the  building  is  calculated  to  bo  executed  in  the  most 
substan^l  and  approved  manner,  with  the  best  materials  of  their 
kind :  and  that  no  pains  or  expense  is  spared  to  eflfect  all  the  desired 
objects  of  the  institution,  with  the  aid,  experience,  and  best  talent 
that  the  country  aftbrds. 

"■  The  building  is  generally  fire-proof  by  ceiUngs  and  floors  of 
arched  masonry. 

"  The  site  on  which  the  building  is  erected,  is  formed  of  made 
ground,  every  precaution  having  been  used  to  render  the  foundation 
secure  by  the  introduction  of  iron  ties,  inverted  arches,  and  heavy 
timbering.  The  whole  area  was  excavated  several  feet  below  the 
water  level,  large  timbers  were  placed  together,  and  range  timbers 
at  right  angles  with  these  laid  several  feet  wider  than  the  respective 
walls. 

"This  edifice  was  commenced  in  1836,  and  finished  during  the 
summer  of  1838."— New  York  in  1840. 


f  i 


View  of  the  Penitentiary  on  BlackweWs  island. 

The  above  is  a  view  of  the  penitentiary  on  Blackwell's  island, 
about  lour  miles  NE.  of  the  city  hall.  It  is  an  immense  stone  edifice, 
recently  erected,  partly  by  convicts.  The  main  building  is  four  stories 
high,  Burmounted  by  a  square  tower ;  the  two  wings,  each  extend- 
ing upwards  of  200  feet  froni  the  centre  building,  are  also  four  st()ries 
hiffh.  The  interior  is  fitted  up  with  rooms  for  the  areominodation 
Ui  tiic  iceepers,  workshops  in  wlunh  tlie  prisuncrs  arcobligrd  U>  labor, 


,«,.CT«,^«...,-  ...,_.,.  .. 


NKW    YORK    COI'N'I'V. 


321 


and  numerous  cells ;  the  whole  being  constructed  in  the  most  sub- 
stantial and  secure  manner.  Bridewell  is  situated  at  Bcllvue,  being 
part  of  the  building  now  used  as  the  female  penitentiary.  Crimmals 
convicted  of  petit  larceny,  «fec.,  are  confined  here ;  also  prisoners 
before  trial.  The  house  of  refuge  is  situated  about  2i  miles  N.  ot 
the  city  hall,  and  is  under  the  control  of  the  '  Society  tor  the  Re- 
formation of  Juvenile  Delinquents.'     It  was  incorporated  m  1825. 

"  Banks.— There  are  now  in  the  city  of  New  York  twenty-three 
incorporated  banks,  with  an  aggregate  capital  of  $20,361,200.  There 
are  also  incorporated  in  the  state  of  New  York  seventy-five  other 
banks,  with  an  aggregate  capital  of  $10,740,260,  makmg  in  all  ninety- 
eight  banks,  with  a  total  capital  of  $37,101,468.  All  but  eight  ot  the 
above  banks  arc  subject  to  the  Safety  Fund  Act ;  the  exceptions  are 
the  Manhattan,  Dry  Dock,  Fulton,  North  River,  and  Chemical  banks, 
in  the  city  of  New' York  ;  the  Long  Island  Bank,  Brooklyn  ;  Com- 
mercial Bank,  Albany :  and  Bank  of  Rochester,  in  the  city  of  Roch- 
ester. The  Safety  Fund  now  amounts  to  $500,000,  which  is  the 
maximum  provided  by  law.  This  fund  was  created  by  an  annual 
tax  upon  the  Safet;/  Fund  Banks,  and  in  case  of  the  failure  ot  any 
one  or  more  of  them,  it  is  liable  to  be  drawn  on  for  the  deficit. 

"  The  banks  are  open  every  day  in  the  year,  from  10  A.  M.  to  3 
P.  M.,  except  Sundays,  Christmas  day,  New  Year's  day,  the  Fourth 
of  July,  and  general'  holidays  appointed  by  legal  authority,  and  the 
Bank  of  New  York  on  Good  Fridays. 

"  The  rate  of  discount  is  0  per  cent,  per  annum,  (calculating  360 
days  to  the  year,)  excepting  when  notes  have  over  60  days  to  run. 
Three  days'  grace  are  allowed  on  all  notes,  and  the  discount  taken 
for  the  same.  When  notes  have  over  60  days  to  run,  the  banks  have 
the  privilege  of  charging  7  per  cent." 

The  following  is  an  account  of  the  great  fire  in  1835,  by  which  it 
is  estimated  that  about  twenty  millions  worth  of  property  was  de- 
stroyed. 

"  One  of  the  most  alannitiK  and  destructive  fires  ever  known  in  this  hemispliere,  broke 
out  on  Wedncsdi.v  evening,  December  16th,  1835,  in  the  premises  ot  Messrs.  Crawford  &, 
Andrews,  situate '  No.  25  McrehanUstroet,  in  this  city,  which  in  a  short  time  raged  with 
such  intensity  as  to  defy  the  exertions  of  the  firemen,  and  others,  who  with  equal  zeal  and 
prompitude  were  quickly  on  the  spot  for  the  purpose  of  stoppmg  its  ravages.  I  he  inutility 
of  nil  aid  was,  however,  soon  perceptible,  and  all  that  could  be  done,  was  to  remove  what 
could  in  haste  be  got  together,  to  such  places  as  were  deemed  beyond  the  reach  of  the  de- 
vouring  clement.  With  this  impression,  an  immense  quantity  ol  goods  were  placed,  tor 
safety  from  buildings  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  fire,  in  the  Merchants'  Lxchange  and 
Reformed  Dutch  Church,  where  it  was  presumed  they  would  remain  free  from  danger : 
alas  •  the  futility  of  human  speculation ;  but  a  short  time  had  elapsed  from  the  time  ol  such 
depo-ii  to  the  whole  being  «veloped  in  flames,  and  these  splendid  buildings  were  soon 
reduced  to  a  heap  of  ashes.  The  power  of  man  was  fruitlessly  employed  m  attempts  to 
stay  its  impetuos-ty,  which  every  minute  increased  in  the  most  alarming  monner,  spreading 
in  all  directions,  and  cousing  the  utmost  dismay  and  coiiBternation  througli  the  whole  city 
Any  attempt  to  convey  to  the  mind  a  faithful  description  of  the  awfully  grand  scene  that  pro. 
sonted  itself  to  the  view  of  those  who  were  witnesses  of  this  dreadlul  cBtastroplie,  must  ol 
necessity  bo  very  feeble,  ,r    ,      •  . 

"  The  morning  of  the  17th  of  December,  1835,  opened  upon  New  York  with  a  scene 
of  deviistation  itround,  suHicieiit  to  dismay  the  stoutest  heart.  The  tine  range  ot  buildings 
and  iplcnUid  stores  in  Exchange  pl.u-e,  i^Ienhantjitfoui,  uiiU  nil  ihs  aujoining  Btrocw  down 

41 


I!    H 


■;"  ii 


322 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


to  the  river,  lay  literally  levelled  to  the  earth,  with  their  contents  consumed ;  the  Mer. 
chants'  Exchange  and  Post-office  entirely  destroyed — the  whole  one  heap  of  smoking  ruins. 

"  A  tolerably  correct  idea  of  the  extent  of  the  devastation  may  bo  formi^d  from  the  fol- 
lowing  account,  which  appeared  the  next  morning  in  the  Courier  and  Enquirer. 

"  South-street  is  burned  down  from  Wall-street  to  Coenties  slip.  Front-street  is  burned 
down  from  Wall-street  to  Coenties  slip.  Pearl-street  is  burned  down  from  Wall-street  to 
Coenties  alley,  and  was  there  stopped  by  blowing  up  a  building.  Stone-street  is  burned 
down  from  William-street  to  No.  32  on  the  one  side  and  No.  39  on  the  other.  Beaver- 
street  is  burned  down  half  way  to  Broad-street.  Exchange  place  is  burned  down  from 
Hanover-strcet  to  within  three  doors  of  Broad-street ;  here  the  flames  were  stopped  by 
blowing  up  a  house.  Williarn-strcet  is  burned  down  from  Wall-street  to  South-street,  both 
sides  of  the  way.  Market-house  down.  Wall-street  is  burned  down  on  the  south  side, 
from  William-street  to  South-street,  with  the  exception  of  51,  53,  G5,  57,  59,  61,  opposite 
this  office.     All  the  streets  and  alleys  within  the  above  limits  are  destroyed. 

"  The  following  will  be  found  a  tolerably  accurate  statement  of  the  number  of  houses  and 
stores  now  levelled  with  the  ground  :  26  on  Water-street,  37  on  South-street,  80  on  Front- 
street,  62  on  Exchange  place,  44  on  William-street,  16  on  Coenties  slip,  3  on  Hanover 
square,  20  on  tJouverneur's  lane,  20  on  Cuyler's  alley,  79  on  Pearl-street,  76  on  Water- 
street,  16  on  Hanover-street,  31  on  Exchange-street,  33  on  Old  slip,  40  on  Stone-street, 
23  on  Beaver-street,  10  on  Jones'  lane,  38  on  Mill-street ; — Total,  674. 

"  Six  hundred  and  seventy-four  tenements.  By  far  the  greater  part  in  the  oeeupaey  of 
our  largest  shipping  and  wholesale  drygoods  merchanif,  and  filled  with  the  riehcst  prodiiets 
of  every  portion  of  the  globe.  How  estimate  the  inmiense  loss  sustained,  or  the  fearful 
consequences  to  the  general  prosperity  ? 

"  Of  the  Merchants'  Exchange  nothing  but  its  marble  walls  remain  standing. 

"Three  or  four  vessels  lying  at  the  wharves  on  South-street  were  slightly  injured  in  their 
yards  and  rigging.     They  were  all  hauled  out  into  the  river  as  soon  as  praeiicable. 

"  A  detachment  of  marines  from  the  navy-yard  under  Lieut.  Reynolds,  and  of  sailors 
under  Capt.  Mix  of  the  navy,  arrived  on  the  spot  at  two  o'clock  in  the  morning.  They 
rendered  most  valuable  service.  The  gunpowder  brought  from  the  magazine  at  Red  hook 
was  partly  under  their  charge. 

"  The  cold  during  the  whole  time  was  excessive  ;  the  thermometer  at  zeio.  It  may  be 
easily  supposed  that  this  greatly  paralyzed  the  exertion  of  the  firemen.  One  sank  under 
its  ctrects,  and  was  with  difficulty  resuscitated. 

"  Two  companies,  wiin  their  engines,  arrived  here  from  Newark,  and  rendered  very 
material  assistance. 

"  The  passengers  in  the  steamboat  coming  down  the  river,  saw  the  flames  from  the 
Highlands,  forty-five  miles  distant,  and  such  was  the  violence  of  liie  gale,  during  the  preva. 
lence  of  the  fire,  that  burning  embers  were  carried  across  the  lOiist  river  to  Brooklyn  and 
Bet  fire  to  the  roof  of  a  house  there,  which  was  however  speedily  exiinguisliud. 

"  Strong  bodies  of  cavalry  and  volunteer  infantry  were  patrolling  the  streets  near  the  fire, 
and  preserved  perfect  order  for  the  purpose  of  preventing  depredations." 

Columbia  college,  (formerly  King's  college.)  is  situated  on  a  beau- 
tiful square  between  Murray,  Barclay,  Cliurch,  and  Chapel  streets, 
in  the  city  of  New  York.  It  was  established  under  a  royal  charter 
in  1754,  which  has  been  confirmed  by  various  acts  of  the  legislature 
since  the  revolution. 

"  There  are  two  literary  societies  connected  with  the  college, 
composed  of  students  and  graduates — viz,  the  Peil/iologiaii  and  the 
PhUukxian  societies. 

"  There  is  also  connected  with  the  college,  a  grammar  school, 
subject  to  tlie  control  of  the  trustees,  and  undfr  the  direction  of  Pro- 
fessor Anthon,  as  rector.  The  school  is  composed  of  upwards  of 
200  hundred  scholars,  and  instruction  is  given  in  all  branches  neces- 
sary for  admission  into  any  college,  or  for  the  counting-house. 

"  Eight  instructers  are  constantly  employed,  besides  one  teacher  in 
French,  one  in  Spanish,  and  one  in  German  and  Itidian.  There  is 
also  a  primary  school  attached  to  this  institution,  in  which  hovs  fronn 
five  to  ten  years  are  prepared  for  the  more  advanced  classes. 


!  » 


NEW   YORK    COUNTY. 


323 


3d ;  the  Mer. 

iiioking  ruins. 

from  the  fol. 

r. 

pet  is  biirnod 

A'all-street  to 

cet  is  Imrned 

itr.    Beaver. 

down  from 
!  stopped  by 
h-street,  both 
le  south  side, 

Gl,  opposite 

)f  Iiouses  and 
80  on  I'Voiil. 
on  Hanover 
■()  on  Water- 

Stoiip-sirect, 

occupncy  of 
icst  |)roiiiicis 
or  the  fearful 


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I 


View  of  the  Customhouse,  Wall-street. 

"  By  a  statute  of  Columbia  college,  the  corporation  of  the  city  of 
New  York,  the  trustees  of  the  New  York  Public  School  Society,  the 
trustees  or  directors  of  the  Clinton  Hall  Association,  of  the  Mercantile 
Library  Association,  and  of  the  Mechanic  and  Scientific  Institutions, 
the  General  Society  of  Mechanics  and  Tradesmen,  and  such  other 
societies  as  the  board  of  trustees  may  from  time  to  time  designate, 
are  each  entitled  to  liave  always  two  s'tudents  educated  in  the  c«jllege 
free  of  all  charges  of  tuition.  Every  religious  denomination  in  the 
city  is  also  entitled  to  have  one  student,  who  may  be  designed  for  the 
ministry,  educated  free  of  all  charges.  And  every  school,  from 
■which  there  shall  be  admitted  in  any  one  year  into  the  college  four 
students,  have  the  privilege  of  sending  one  scholar,  to  be  educated 
gratuitously.  In  order  to  give  effect  to  the  privilege  in  regard  to 
the  common  schools  in  the  city,  twelve  scholars  at  one  time  receive 
gratuitous  instruction  in  the  grammar  school  preparatory  to  their 
entering  the  college." 

The  above  is  a  view  of  the  new  customhouse  as  seen  from  Wall- 
street.  This  structure  surpasses  any  building  of  its  size  in  the 
world,  both  in  the  beauty  of  its  design  and  the  durability  of  its  con- 
struction. It  is  in  the  foVm  of  a  parallelogram,  200  feet  long,  by  90 
wide ;  and  about  80  feet  in  height  from  the  bottom  of  the  foundation 
wail  to  the  top.  Brick,  granite,  and  marble  are  used  in  the  construc- 
tion; all  the  inside  walls  are  of  brick,  with  the  exception  of  those  in  the 
rotunda,  wliich  are  of  marble.  The  steps  and  stairs  throughout  are 
of  a  light-colored  granite,  employed  for  the  sake  of  durability.  At 
the  extremity  ol"  the  entrance  hall  is  the  rotunda,  or  large  circular 
apartment  to  be  used  as  the  collt'otor's  otFice.  This  is  a  most  sj)len- 
did  room  ;  the  roof  is  supported  by  10  beautiful  marble  columns,  high- 
ly polished  with  Corinthian  capitals,  30  feet  high,  and  2  feet  H  inches 
ill  (iiitnieter.  The  iliiimeter  of  the  rotunda  is  00  feet  in  the  clear, 
and  HO  leel  in  tlie  recesses.     The  largest  blocks  of  marble  used  in 


f   i 


H  . 


m 


i 


324 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


the  building  weigh  thirty-three  tons.  The  marble  slabs  for  the  roof 
weigh  300  or  400  pounds,  and  lap  over  each  other  eight  inches  with 
an  upper  and  an  under  lip,  to  allow  of  the  expansive  power,  and  to 
keep  out  the  least  particle  of  water.  The  entire  outside  of  this 
splendid  edifice  is  of  marble,  with  the  exception  of  the  granite  steps. 
There  is  not  a  particle  of  wood  work  in  any  part  of  the  building, 
and  it  is  probably  the  only  structure  in  the  world  that  has  been  erect- 
ed so  entirely  fire-proof.  This  elegant  edifice  was  commenced  in 
May,  1834,  and  finished  in  May,  1841.  The  cost,  ground  inclusive, 
was  $1,175,000— building  alone,  $9.50,000.  The  architect  is  Mr. 
John  Frazee,  and  it  will  probably  remain  for  ages  a  monument  of  his 
skill. 

The  number  of  officers  employed  in  the  customhouse  is  354,  of 
whom  nearly  200  are  inspectors.  The  amount  of  duties  received  for 
the  last  three  years  has  been  as  follows,  viz : — 

1838 $10,494,055  34 

183!) 13,970,332  49 

1840 7,557,441  36 

The  old  city  or  Federal  Hall  stood  on  the  pi-esent  site  of  the  Cus- 
tomhouse. It  was  in  its  gallery  on  Wall-street,  on  April  30th,  1789, 
that  George  Washington  was  inaugurated  the  first  President  of  the 
United  States.  The  annexed  account  of  this  ceremony  is  from  Sparks* 
Life  of  Washington  : — 

"  A  committee  of  congress,  consisting  of  three  members  of  the 
Senate  and  five  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  was  appointed  to 
meet  him  in  New  Jersey  and  attend  him  to  the  city  of  New  York. 
To  Elizabethtown  Point  came  many  other  persons  of  distinction,  and 
the  heads  of  the  several  departments  of  government.  He  was  there 
received  in  a  barge,  splendidly  fitted  up  tor  the  occasion,  and  rowed 
by  thirteen  pilots  in  white  uniforms.  This  was  followed  by  vessels 
and  boats,  fancifully  decorated,  and  crowded  with  spectators.  When 
the  President's  barge  came  near  to  the  city,  a  salute  of  thirteen  guns 
was  fired  from  the  vessels  in  the  harbor,  and  from  the  battery.  At  the 
landing  he  was  again  saluted  by  a  discharge  of  artillery,  and  was 
joined  by  the  governor  and  other  officers  of  tiie  state,  and  the  cor- 

f)oration  of  the  city.  A  procession  was  then  formed,  headed  by  a 
ong  military  train,  which  was  followed  by  the  principal  officers  of 
the  state  and  city,  the  clergy,  foreign  ministers,  and  a  great  con- 
course of  citizens.  The  procession  advanced  to  the  house  prepared 
for  the  reception  of  the  President.  The  day  was  passed  in  festivity 
and  joy,  and  in  the  evening  the  city  was  brilliantly  illuminated. 

"  The  first  public  act  of  the  President  was  that  of  taking  the  oath 
of  office.  It  was  decided  by  congress,  that  this  should  be  done  with 
some  ceremony.  In  the  morning  of  the  day  appointed,  April  30th, 
at  9  o'clock,  religious  services  suited  to  the  occasion  were  performed 
in  all  the  churches  of  the  city.  At  twelve  the  troops  paraded  before 
the  President's  door,  and  soon  al't(>rwnrd  came  the  committees  of 
congress  and  the  heads  of  departments  in  carriages,  to  attend  him  to 
the  Pederal  Hall,  where  the  two  houses  of  congress  were  assembled. 


r  the  roof 
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issemblcd. 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


325 


The  procession  moved  forward  with  the  troops  in  front,  next  the 
committees  and  heads  of  departments,  then  the  President  in  a  coach 
alone,  followed  by  the  foreign  ministers,  civil  officers  of  the  state,  and 
citizens.  Arrived  at  the  hall,  he  ascended  to  the  senate  chamber, 
and  passed  thence  to  a  balcony  in  front  of  the  house,  where  the  oath 
was  administered  to  him  in  presence  of  the  people  by  Chancellor 
Livingston.  The  President  returned  to  the  senate  chamber,  in  the 
midst  of  loud  acclamations  from  the  surrounding  throng  of  spectators, 
and  delivered  to  the  two  branches  of  congress  his  inaugural  speech. 
He  then  went  on  foot  to  St.  Paul's  church,  where  prayers  were  read 
by  the  bishop,  and  the  ceremonies  were  closed.  Tokens  of  joy  were 
everywhere  exhibited,  as  on  the  day  of  his  arrival,  and  at  night  there 
was  a  display  of  illuminations  and  fii-e-works." 


Merchant's  Exchange,  Wall-street. 

This  structure,  now  erecting  and  nearly  completed,  is  in  part  on 
the  site  of  the  Exchange  building  destroyed  by  the  great  fire  of  De- 
cember, 1835,  and  embraces  all  the  ground  between  William  and  Wall 
streets,  Exchange  place,  and  Hanover-street,  covering  the  entire  block. 
The  dimensions  are  198  feet  on  Wall-street,  171  on  William-street, 
144  on  Hanover-street,  and  196  feet  on  Exchange  place.  It  is  77  feet 
high  to  the  top  of  the  cornice,  and  124  feet  from  the  loundation  wall 
to  the  top  of  the  dome. 

The  building  when  finished  will  be  of  the  Grecian  Ionic  style  of 
architecture,  the  exterior  of  which  will  be  constructed  of  blue  Quin- 
cy  granite,  in  the  most  chaste  and  durable  manner.  In  front,  on 
Wall-street,  will  be  a  recessed  portico,  with  18  massive  columns,  38 
feet  in  height.  The  process  of  quarrying  is  curious.  The  quarry  is  in 
in  the  side  of  a  hill ;  the  ends  of  a  block  of  granite  are  cleared,  a  row  of 
holes  are  drilled  in  a  straight  line,  wedges  are  inserted,  and  an  enormous 
piece  of  stone  weighing  from  300  to  400  tons  is  thus  wedged  off  with 
ease.  Each  of  the  columns  for  the  portico  weigh  about  90  tons  in 
the  rough,  and  five  men  with  a  simple  apparatus  draw  it  out  of  the 
quarry  in  two  or  tlircj  days  to  the  place  where  the  workmen  stand 


! 


326 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


\mi 


View  of  the  New  York  University. 

ready  to  hammer-dress  it.  The  fair  market  price  of  one  of  these 
coh)mns  is  $6,000 ;  but  the  Exchange  company  pay  only  $3,000  for 
them,  dehvered  in  New  York.  These  columns  with  but  one  excep- 
tion, (that  of  a  church  at  St.  Petersburg,)  are  the  largest  in  the  world, 
being  38  feet  in  height,  and  4  feet  4  inches  in  diameter ;  and  each  of 
the  columns,  including  the  base,  cap,  and  shaft,  weighs  43  tons.  The 
exchange  room  or  rotunda  is  a  most  magnificent  apartment,  in  the  cen- 
tre of  the  building.  The  height  of  it  to  the  spring  of  the  dome  is  51 
feet,  and  above  this  the  dome  is  30  feet  high ;  the  whole  to  be  sur- 
mounted by  a  lantern  sky-light  37  feet  diameter,  and  6  feet  high.  The 
floor  is  to  be  of  fine  marble — its  diameter  is  80  feet  in  the  clear,  and 
100  feet  in  the  recesses,  forming  an  area  of  7000  square  feet,  which 
it  is  estimated  will  hold  3000  persons.  The  dom  ^  is  partly  support- 
ed by  eight  polished  Italian  marble  columns  with  Corinthian  capitals, 
executed  in  Italy;  these  are  41  feet  in  height,  including  the  cap  and 
base,  and  4  feet  8  inches  in  diameter.  There  will  also  be  many  rooms 
for  the  accommodation  of  public  and  private  offices,  so  constructed 
as  to  be  entirely  fire-proof,  under  the  superintendence  of  Mr.  Isaiah 
Rogers,  the  architect  of  the  building.  The  cost  of  the  structure  will 
be  about  $2,000,000. 

The  above  is  a  view  of  the  New  York  University,  built  in  the  col- 
legiate gothic  style,  situated  on  the  east  side  of  Washington  square. 
This  institution  was  chartered  in  1831,  and  opened  for  the  reception 
of  students  in  1832.     The  number  of  students  in  1840  was  364. 

"  This  building  has  just  been  completed,  after  a  labor  of  several 
years ;  it  is  one  hundred  feet  wide,  and  one  hundred  and  eighty  feet 
long.  In  Iront  this  oblong  is  divided  into  five  parts — a  central  build- 
ing, with  wings  flanked  by  towers,  one  rising  on  each  of  the  four 
corners  of  the  edifice.  This  central  building  or  chapel  is  superior  to 
the  rest  in  breadth,  height,  and  character ;  and  is  soiviewhat  similar 
to  tliat  of  King's  college,  Cambridge,  England ;  a  masterpiece  of 


.-2tis-; 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


327 


pointed  architecture,  and  the  model  for  succeeding  ages.  It  is  fifty- 
five  i'eet  broad,  and  eighty-live  feet  deep,  inchiding  the  octangular 
turrets,  one  of  which  rises  at  each  of  the  four  corners.  The  tvi^o 
ends  ai-e  gabled,  and  are,  as  vi'ell  as  the  sides,  crowned  with  an  em- 
battled parapet.  The  chapel  will  receive  its  jinncipal  light  from  a 
window  in  the  western  end.  This  window  is  twenty-four  feet  wide, 
and  fifty  high.  It  has  eight  lights  and  two  embattled  transoms.  The 
heads  oY  the  lights  are  cinque-foiled  in  a  plain  arch,  and  the  divisions 
:i,bove  are  (luatre-foiled.  Over  the  head  of  the  window  is  a  drip- 
stone, with  plain  returns.  From  the  central  building,  or  chapel,  wings 
project  right  and  left,  and  arc  four  stories  in  height,  flanked  by  towers 
of  five,  supported  by  angular  buttresses  of  two  stages,  running  above 
an  embattled  parapet,  and  are  at  the  top  themselves  embattled.     The 


Neiv  York  Institution  for  the  Deaf  and  Dumb. 

windows  in  the  wings  have  square  heads,  with  two  lights,  a  plain 
transom,  iind  the  upper  division  tre-foiled.  The  heads  of  the  win- 
dows are  labelled,  and  have  plain  returns.  The  lower  range  of  win- 
dows is  set  on  a  tablet,  which  serves  as  a  base,  and  the  two  ranges 
above  arc  set  on  strings,  which  return  around  the  turrets,  and  stop 
against  the  buttresses.  The  principal  entrance  is  under  the  great 
western  window,  through  a  richly  moulded  and  deeply  recessed 
portal,  Hanked  by  buttresses  of  two  stages,  the  upper  stage  set  di- 
agonally, and  rising  above  an  embattled  parapet.  The  doors  are  of 
oak,  richly  pannelled,  and  filled  with  tracery  of  open  work,  closely 
studded  with  bronze." 

"  T/ic  New  York  Institution  for  the  instruction  of  the  deaf  and 
dumb,  was  incorporated  in  1817,"  and  commenced  operations  under  its 
charter,  bv  opening  a  school  for  the  reception  of  pupils  on  the  12th 
day  of  May,  1818^  Until  the  spring  of  1829,  the  school  was  held  in 
the  building  now  called  the  new  City  Hall.  At  that  time  the  pupils 
were  transferred  to  a  large  building  erected  for  the  purposes  of  the 
institution,  on  Fiftieth-street  and  the  Fourth  Aveaue,  three  and  a  half 
miles  from  the  City  Hall.  Communication  between  the  institution 
and  the  city  is  rendered  very  easy,  by  the  cars  which  pass  on  the 
HarluMn  railroad,  (Fourth  Avenue,)  every  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes 
in  both  directions. 


l,i 


It     s 


I     I 

•  1 

It 


328 


NEW    YORK   COUNTY. 


"  The  principal  building  occupied  for  the  purposes  of  the  institution, 
is  one  hundred  and  ten  feet  by  sixty,  in  the  dimensions  of  its  plan, 
and  five  stories  in  height,  including  the  basement.  It  accommodates, 
with  some  inconvenience,  the  number  of  pupils  which  the  institution 
embraces  at  present,  with  the  teachers,  the  family  of  the  principal, 
and  such  other  persons  as  are  needed  to  assist  in  conducting  the  affairs 
of  the  establishment. 

"  The  original  charter  of  the  institution  being  about  to  expire  by 
limitation  on  the  first  day  of  April,  1837,  it  was  extended  by  the  le 
gislature,  in  the  spring  of  1836,  for  a  period  of  twenty-five  years. 

"  The  number  of  pupils  who  were  members  of  the  institution  in 
1840,  was  one  hundred  and  fifty- two.  One  hundred  and  fourteen  of 
these  are  supported  at  the  expense  of  the  state  of  New  York,  six 
at  the  expense  of  the  state  of  New  Jersey,  twelve  by  the  city  au- 
thorities, one  by  the  supervisors  of  the  county  of  Dutchess,  twelve 
by  the  funds  of  the  institution,  and  the  rest  by  their  parents  or  friends." 

The  New  York  institution  for  the  blind. — This  institution  contains 
about  fifty  blind  pupils,  who,  in  addition  to  the  school  exercises,  are 
employed  in  making  baskets,  mats,  rugs,  carpeting,  and  in  braiding 
palm-leaf  hats.     They  are  also  taught  instrumental  and  vocal  music. 

The  New  York  Historical  Society,  established  in  1809,  by  private 
contribution  and  legislative  assistance,  possesses  a  library  of  about 
10,000  volumes,  valuable  manuscripts,  coins,  &c.  The  Stuyvesant 
Institute  was  organized  in  1834,  for  the  diftiision  of  knowledge  by 
means  of  popular  lectures,  to  establish  a  cabinet  of  natural  history, 
library,  &c.  The  American  Lyceum,  for  the  promotion  of  education, 
was  founded  in  1831.  The  New  York  Society  Library  was  estab- 
lished in  1754,  and  has  35,000  volumes.  The  Apprentices'  Library 
was  established  by  the  General  Society  of  Mechanics  and  Trades- 
men in  1821,  and  has  about  12,000  volumes. 

The  Mercantile  Library  Association. — This  noble  institution  was  es- 
tablished in  1821,  since  which  time  it  has  gone  on  gradually  and 
steadily  increasing,  until  it  now  numbers  3,500  members,  and  a  splen- 
did library  of  22,500  volumes,  with  an  annual  income  of  about  #8,000. 
Connected  with  the  library  are  extensive  reading-rooms,  which  are 
supplied  with  all  the  principal  American  and  foreign  periodicals. 
Lectures  are  regularly  given  by  those  distinguished  in  the  various 
departments  of  science  or  literature.  Classes  are  also  formed  for 
instruction,  and  the  facilities  here  given  at  a  trifling  expense  to  the 
clerk  for  acquiring  a  finished  mercantile  education,  are  unequalled 
perhaps  by  any  similar  institution  in  the  world. 

The  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  was  formed  in  1807,  by 
the  legislature  of  New  York,  at  the  recommendation  of  the  regents 
of  the  University,  by  whose  immediate  government  it  is  controlled. 
The  New  York  Eye  Infirmary  was  founded  in  1820;  since  this 
period  about  17,000  persons  have  for  a  longer  or  shorter  period  been 
under  the  care  of  the  surgeons  of  this  institution.  The  New  York 
Hospital  was  founded  in  1771,  by  the  earl  of  Dunmore,  the  governor 
of  the  colony.     This  institution  has  an  annual  revenue  from  various 


iiniTwa-iniiB 


istitution, 
'  its  plan, 
imodates, 
nstitution 
principal, 
;he  affairs 

sxpire  by 
ay  the  le 
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iitution  in 
urteen  of 
York,  six 
3  city  au- 
is,  twelve 
'  friends." 
I  contains 
cises,  are 
braiding 
;al  music. 
y  private 
of  about 
tuyvesant 
fledge  by 
.1  history, 
ducation, 
.'as  estab- 
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I  Trades- 

>n  was  es- 
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1  a  splen- 
it  $8,000. 
vhich  are 
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governor 
n  various 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


329 


sources  of  about  $68,000,  the  larger  portion  of  which  is  annual  y 
expended.  The  Bloumingdale  Asylum  ior  the  insane  is  pleasantly 
situated  near  the  banks  of  the  Hudson  river,  distant  7  miles  irom  the 
cit 


oitv.  and  has  attached  to  it  40  acres  of  land,  laid  out  in  gardens, 
pleasure  grounds,  &c.,  well  adapted  for  the  unfortunate  inmates. 

The  Amencan  Academy  of  Fine  Arts,  in  Barclay-street,  was  incor- 
porated in  1808.  Napoleon,  while  first  consul,  ^presented  Mr.  Liv- 
ingston, our  ambassador  to  France,  with  a  valuable  collection  ot 
casts,  engravings,  &c.,  for  thi?  institution,  which  may  be  seen  by  the 
public  during  the  season  of  exhibition.  The  National  Academy  of 
Design  was  instituted  in  182(5.  It  is  enriched  with  manv  produc- 
tions of  American  art.  It  has  professorships  ot  Painting,  Anatomy, 
Sculpture,  and  Mythology. 

The  number  of  churches  in  the  city  is  one  hundred  and  fifty,  com- 
prised in  the  annexed  list. 

Presbyterian 34  Methodist 20  Unitarian 2 

ConKregationalist 4  Catholic i  ^f^^" ••••" , 

DutchReformed 14  Friends 4  New  Jerusalem 1 

Enisconalian      28  Lutheran 2  Morav  an i 

Kst     •••"■"•••••••••  ^  Universalist 3  Miscellaneous b 


Gothic  {late  Masonic)  Hall,  Broadway.  ' 

This  building,  lately  the  head-quarters  of  the  Whig  party  in  this 
city,  is  situated  on  the  east  side  of  Broadway,  about  60  rods  north  of 
the  Park.  The  foundation  was  commenced  on  St.  John's  day,  24th 
.Tune,  1826 ;  when  the  corner-stone  was  laid  with  all  due  ceremoriy 
bv  the  craft,  in  presence  of  thousands  of  citizens.  It  was  finished  in 
the  subsequent  year ;  the  whole  cost  being  $50,000.  The  building 
has  lately  undergone  some  alterations  internally,  and  the  name  been 
r.hanwed  to  that  of  Gothic  Hall. 
""     "  42 


s-'tii 


t 


5;  11 

%  ! 


330 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


View  of  Tammany  Hall*  and  the  adjoining  buildings. 


The  above  shows  the  appearance  of  Tammany  Hall  and  the  adia- 
cent  buildings  as  they  appear  from  the  southern  wing  of  the  City 
Hall.  lammany  Hall  has  acquired  considerable  celebrity  from 
being  the  head-quarters  of  the  democratic  party.  The  other  build- 
ings seen  on  this  block  are  mostly  newspaper  establishments:  "  The 
Sun,  "New  Era,"  "Brother  Jonathan,"  the  "  Tattler,"  and  some 
others  are  published  here.  The  office  of  the  Sun,  a  daily  paper  is 
on  the  corner  of  the  block.  This  is  the  oldest  penny  paper  in  the 
city,  having  been  commenced  towards  the  close  of  1833,  on  a  medium 
^eet,  by  Day  and  Wisner.  Two  or  three  months  afterward  the 
1  ranscript  was  begun  of  the  same  size;  by  Hayward,  Lynde,  and 
fetanley.  1  he  Herald,  by  J.  G.  Bennet.  was  the  next  living  penny 
publication :  it  was  started  in  1835.  The  New  Era,  by  Locke  and 
1  rice,  followed  m  1836.  From  5,000  to  30,000  copies  of  some  of  the 
penny  papers  are  sold  daily.  A  large  proportion  of  these  go  into  the 
hands  ot  those  who  take  no  other  paper ;  and  who,  were  it  not  for  their 

*  This  name  is  drrived  from  an  Indian  chief  or  saint,  who  is  supposed  to  have  been 
ahve  as  late  as  tho^yoar  1680.  Mr.  Heckwelder.  in  his  History,  says  Zi  all  that  is  known 
ot  him  IS  that  he  was  a  Delaware  chief,  who  never  had  his  equal.  The  fume  of  this 
great  man  extended  even  among  ihe  whites,  who  fabricated  numerous  legends  respecting 
him,  which  I  never  heard,  however,  from  the  mouth  of  an  Indian,  and  therefore  believe  to 
he  fabulous.  In  the  revolutionary  war,  his  enthusiastic  admirers  dubbed  him  a  saint,  and 
he  was  established,  under  the  name  of  St.  Tammany,  the  patron  saint  of  America.  His 
name  was  inserted  m  some  calendars,  and  his  festival  celebrated  on  the  first  day  of  May  in 
every  year.  On  that  day  a  numerous  society  of  his  votaries  walked  together  in  procession 
through  the  streets  ot  Philadelphia,  their  hats  decorated  with  bucks'  tails,  and  proceeded  to 
a  handsome  rural  place  out  of  town,  which  they  called  the  wifrwam;  where,  after  a  long 
talk,  or  Indian  speech  had  been  dehvered,  and  the  calumet  of  peace  and  friendship  had 
been  duly  BUiokeU,  they  spent  the  day  in  festivity  and  mirth." 


NEW    YORK   COUNTV. 


333 


sionally  exhibited ;  and  in  the  saloon,  which  is  a  very  tasteful  and 
airy  building,  theatrical  and  musi(;al  entertainments  are  given." 

"American  Museum. — This  excellent  institution  was  founded  in 
1810,  by  the  late  John  Scudder,  by  whose  arduous  efforts,  and  the 
persevering  exertions  of  its  more  recent  proprietors,  it  has  arose  to 
its  present  high  standing.  It  continues  daily  to  improve  in  every  de- 
partment, by  extensive  and  valuable  additions  of  the  works  of  nature 
and  artificial  curiosities,  from  all  parts  of  the  world.  Its  immense 
collections  are  well  arranged  and  beautifully  displayed  in  four  spa- 
cious saloons,  each  one  hundred  feet  in  length  ;  in  addition  to  which 
another  apartment  has  recently  been  added  of  still  larger  dimensions. 
The  Grand  Cosmorama  of  this  establishment  is  truly  a  most  splendid 
aftair,  which  for  extent  of  glasses  and  magnificence  of  views,  is  not 
surpassed  in  this  or  any  other  country.  The  views  embrace  a  great 
variety  of  subjects,  and  were  all  executed  expressly  by  Italian  artists 
of  eminence  in  their  profession.  No  labor  or  expense  has  been 
spared  to  render  this  establishment  well  deserving  a  continuance  of 
that  liberal  and  distinguished  patronage  it  has  always  received. 
The  building  is  very  high,  and  from  its  observatory  may  be  enjoyed 
some  of  the  finest  views  in  the  city,  and  of  the  beautiful  bay  and  sur- 
rounding country.  The  halls  are  well  warmed  and  ventilated,  and 
at  evening  brilliantly  lighted  with  gas,  altogether  forming  a  very  in- 
viting, agreeable  lounge,  and  at  the  same  time,  a  place  for  serious 
contemplation  and  amusement,  to  those  who  delight  in  the  study  of 
the  wonderful  works  of  nature. 

"  Peale's  Museum  and  Gallery  of  Fine  Arts. — This  establish- 
ment was  founded  in  the  year  1825,  and  has  increased  with  aston- 
ishing rapidity.  It  contains  four  spacious  apartments,  which  are 
arranged  in  the  following  order:  The  1st  contains  specimens  of 
Natural  History  in  all  its  branches,  and  its  beauty  of  arrangement, 
and  the  exquisite  style  in  which  the  articles  are  mounted,  renders  it 
one  of  the  most  interesting  places  of  public  amusement  in  the  country. 
The  2d  is  a  large  and  valuable  collection  of  Paintings,  by  eminent 
artists,  amongst  which  may  be  particularly  mentioned  a  Portrait  of 
Napoleon,  by  Le  Fevre ;  a  Magdalen,  by  Le  Bron,  together  with 
Portraits  of  at  least  150  celebrated  citizens  and  foreigners.  The  3d 
contains  a  very  superior  Cosmorama,  several  Wax  Figures  of  good 
workmanship.  Fossils,  Shells,  Minerals,  and  Miscellaneous  Curiosities." 

There  are  five  theatres  in  the  city,  viz :  Park  Theatre,  Bowery, 
Chatham,  Little  Drury,  and  Olympic.  The  National  Theatre  was 
burnt  down  the  present  year,  (1841.) 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  periodical  publications  issued  in  the 
city  of  New  York. 

"Quarterly  publications. — Literary  and  Theological  I^eview, 
Naval  Magazine,  New  York  Review  and  Quarterly  Church  Journal, 
New  York  Quarterly  Magazine,  Quarterly  Anti-Slavery  Magazine, 
Quarterly  Christian  Spectator,  Tailors'  Magazine,  United  Brethren's 
Missionary  Intelligencer. 


t   •'! 


1: 


334 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


"Monthly  publications. — American  Monthly  Magazine,  Anti- 
Slavery  Record,  Children's  Magazine,  Home  Missionary  and  Pastor's 
Journal,  Human  Rights,  Journal  of  the  American  Institute,  Knicker- 
bocker Magazine,  Ladies'  Companion,  La  Revue  Francais,  (French) 
Mechanics'  Magazine,  Missionary  Herald,  Mothers'  Magazine,  Mer- 
chants' Magazine,  National  Preacher,  New  York  Farmer  and  Amer- 
ican Gardner's  Magazine,  Parley's  Magazine,  Sailor's  Magazine, 
Sunday  School  Visiter,  Tract  Magazine,  Youth's  Friend,  Family 
Magazine. 


View  of  the  Astor  House,  Broadway. 

This  splendid  hotel,  furnished  with  magnificence  and  taste,  corres- 
ponding to  its  grandeur  and  simplicity,  is  the  largest  in  the  country, 
if  not  hi  the  world.  It  was  erected  by  John  Jacob  Astor,  at  an  ex- 
pense of  about  a  million  of  dollars,  and  opened  May  31st,  1830.  It 
is  built  of  Quincy  granite,  in  a  style  remarkably  massive,  simple,  and 
chaste,  fronts  201  feet  on  Broadway,  directly  opposite  the  park,  154 
on  Barclay-street,  and  146i  on  Vesey-street.  It  is  77  feet  in  height. 
The  dining-room  on  Barclay-street  is  100  feet  by  40,  and  194  high. 
The  house  contains  at  times  about  500  persons,  and  the  basement  is 
distributed  into  stores  ;  and  thus  the  establishment  forms  of  itself,  like 
the  Palais  Royal  of  Paris,  an  almost  independent  colony. 

The  annexed  account  of  the  completion  of  the  Erie  Canal,  October 
20th,  182.'>,  and  the  cclcb'-Uion  of  the  event  in  New  York  city,  is  ex- 
tracted fioin  newspapers  published  at  the  time. 

"  The  cnnal  connecting  tlic  great  lukos  of  North  Ainericn  with  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  is 
finished.  On  WedneHilny,  at  10  o'clock,  A.  M.,  the  waters  of  Lake  Erie  were  admitted  at 
Buffalo,  and  the  first  boat  from  the  lake  coninienot'd  its  voyngt^  to  New  York.  This  jnyf;il 
event  was  annaunred  to  the  citizens  of  the  stale  by  the  roar  of  cannon  planted  in  a  ronliii- 
ucd  line  along  the  banks  of  the  canal  and  of  the  Hudson,  ut  intervalH  of  about  eight  miles, 
and  extending  from  Hufl"Mo  to  Sandy  Hook,  a  distance  of  about  .544  miles.  The  cannon 
were  fired  in  sticceiwion,  commencing  at  Buflalo  at  the  moment  of  the  entrance  of  the  boat 
into  the  canal,  and  the  intelligence  tl\us  communicated,  rcudud  this  ciiy  iirtcisely  at  twenty 
tniimtcH  past  eleven  o'clock,  at  which  time  a  national  salute  was  fired  from  the  battery,  and 
this  ^i*k!iov.'!r!l:?f  n^.f^nt  ihst  Wi*  hiid  nrf'ivfd  thf^  int^lli^encfi  W!iB  theil  imni^ui^lely  rptiirnpj 
by  the  sumo  line  of  cannon  to  Buflalo.     Thus  the  work  is  finished ;  the  longest  canal  in 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


335 


ne,  Anti- 
i  Pastor's 
Knicker- 
(French) 
:ine,  Mer- 
nd  Amer- 
Vlairazine, 
I,  i^amily 


I*- 


ie,  corres- 
?  country, 
at  an  ex- 
1830.  It 
mple,  and 
park,  154 
in  height. 
19J  high, 
isement  is 
itself,  like 

1,  October 
::ity,  is  ex- 


tic  Ocean,  ia 
3  admitted  at 
This  joyf;il 
I  in  n  rontiii. 
t  fight  niilt>8, 
Tho  cannuii 
•c  of  the  boat 
^-ly  at  twenty 
<  battery,  and 
iiply  roturn^^d 
igest  canal  in 


the  world  is  completed,  and  completed  in  tlie  short  space  of  eight  years,  by  the  single  state 
ot"  New  York,  a  state  which  seventy  years  ago  was  a  wilderness,  thinly  peopled  by  a  little 
more  than  100,000  souls." 

CANAL  CELEBRATION. 

"  The  splendid  exhibition  in  honor  of  the  completion  of  the  Erie  Canal  took  place  on 
Friday  of  last  week,  Nov.  4th.  For  several  days  previous,  strangers  from  every  part  of  the 
surrounding  country  had  been  crowding  into  the  city  to  witness  the  interesting  event.  The 
day  was  remarkably  pleasant,  and  favorable  for  the  display.  The  following  account 
of  the  ceremonies  which  took  place  is  from  the  Daily  Advertiser ; — 

"  The  Societies. — The  procession  formed  agreeably  to  arrangement,  and  about  half-past 
ten,  moved  down  the  west  side  of  Greenwich-street  to  the  battery,  where  it  wheeled  and 
passed  up  the  east  side  of  Greenwich-street,  &c.,  in  the  following  order  : 

"  At  the  head  were  four  buglemen  on  horseback,  who  preceded  the — Agricultural  and 
Horticultural  Societies,  many  of  whose  members  wore  nosegays. — The  Journeymen  Tai- 
lors.— The  Butchers,  mounted  and  wearing  aprons,  with  the  banners  of  their  society,  and  2 
cars,  each  drawn  by  4  horses.  The  first  was  covered  with  a  roof,  di  ;rated,  and  contained 
a  calf  and  a  sheep ;  the  other  a  fine  white  ox  and  4  large  sheep,  and  over  it,  on  a  second 
stage,  a  stuffed  ox,  with  several  butchers'  boys. — The  Tanners'  boys. — The  Tanners  had  a 
car  drawn  by  four  horses,  in  which  were  several  men  at  work  tanning  and  currying  leather, 
with  hides  hanging  overhead.  The  Skinners  followed  with  a  banner,  and  then  came 
another  banner  with  four  horses,  where  u  number  of  morocco  dressers  were  at  work  on 
skins  of  all  colors. — The  Cordwainers  had  also  a  car  drawn  by  4  horses,  on  which  were  6 
or  8  men  seated  at  their  benches,  making  shoes. — The  Hatters'  Society  had  a  large  banner 
with  a  portrait  of  St.  Clement,  and  a  ear  drawn  by  six  horses,  containing  «  shop,  in  which 
eight  men  were  at  work  at  the  kettle,  and  others  employed  in  the  different  operations  of 
hat. making.  A  great  number  of  small  banners  succeeded,  bearing  the  names  of  the 
western  Lakes,  great  and  small,  and  those  of  the  principal  towns  in  the  western  part  of  the 
state  and  country ;  24  boys  marching  under  the  baimers  bearing  '  Washington,'  the  '  United 
States  of  America,'  and  a  portrait  of  Gov.  Clinton,  represented  the  states  of  the  Union. 
In  a  barouche  rode  the  two  oldest  hatters  and  journeymen  hatters  in  the  city.  Banner — 
'  The  heart  is  devoted  to  our  country.' — The  Bakers,  with  white  hats. — The  Journeymen 
Masons  came  next,  and  then  the  Coopers,  with  a  car  in  which  men  were  at  work  on  bar- 
rels,  (fee. — The  Chainnakers  had  a  large  chair  over  their  banner,  with  two  eagles  following, 
one  large  and  gilt,  with  a  miniature  chair  in  his  mouth. — The  Pottere  came  next,  and  then 
the  Saddlers,  with  a  pair  of  horses  in  harness,  and  3  fine  white  ones  with  ladies',  gentle, 
men's,  and  military  saddles,  all  of  the  most  superb  workmanship.  The  horses  were  led  by 
blacks  in  rich  Moorish  costumes — the  insignia,  implements,  &c.,  followed,  with  a  rocking, 
horse  saddled  and  bridled. — The  Shipwrights  had  the  model  of  a  hne  of  battle  ship,  mount, 
ed  on  wheels,  and  drawn  by  eight  horses.  The  officers  and  crew  were  represented  by  boys 
in  gay  dresses,  and  Hags  and  ensigns  were  hoisted  on  board.  A  banner  bore  '  Commerce  i$ 
ours;'  and  a  great  number  of  others  succeeded,  on  which  were  tho  names  of  our  distin- 
guished naval  commanders. — The  Boat.builder's  Association  had  a  model  of  a  boat  borne 
by  a  currier,  and  another  drawn  by  horses.  A  car  drawn  by  four  horses,  contained  two 
'uilf.finishtd  boats  of  considerable  size,  at  which  the  workmen  were  employed,  while 
smoke  WU8  coming  from  the  chimney  where  they  wurpcd  tin  plank  and  timber. — The 
Rope-makers  had  ii  ropewalk,  in  which  a  number  of  men  ami  1 .  ys  were  employed  in  spin, 
ning  and  laying,  nil  drawn  by  four  horses. — Thn  Comb.makera  had  also  a  shop,  and  men  at 
work,  &.C.,  and  after  them  came  the  General  Society  of  Mechanics ;  the  Cabinct-nmkriH 
with  specimens  of  furniture,  and  the  Apprentices'  Library  Association.'— The  New  York 
F'iro  Department  was  represented  by  eight  companies,  Nos.  20,  42,  15,  13,  41,  32,  7,  mid 
4,  with  their  engines,  and  several  hook  and  ladder  comiiiiiiies,  with  their  iinplemoiits  raised 
aloft,  and  handKomely  decorated. — The  Printers'  Society  had  a  car  drawn  by  horses,  on 
which  wore  mountt'd  two  presses.  These  were  kept  in  operation,  striking  off  copi(>8  of 
an  Ode,  which  were  distributed  to  the  people  from  the  car. — The  Book-biiu'r-re  had  n  laiRc 
vr)linne  hound  in  red  morocco  ond  gilt,  lai)elled  '  Frio  Canal  Statistics.' — After  a  full  band 
of  musicians  in  dresses  of  scarlet  and  gold,  came  the  members  of  Columbia  College,  dress, 
ed  in  their  Academic  gowns ;  and  then  a  great  number  of  military  officers,  and  soldiers 
from  the  dilfrriMit  city  companies,  followed  by  the  Society  of  Free  Mn«on«, — T'-^Tin  Plato 
Workers  had  a  car  diavvn  by  four  gray  horacs,  with  a  model  of  some  of  the  locks  on  tho 
canal, — a  Canal  boat,  barge,  itc,  made  of  tin. 

"  Aquatic  rrnrrssion. — At  eight  o'clock  the  citiiena  were  seen  crowding  in  all  directions 
on  bo.ird  the  various  sic-iiiil)ont.s  which  were  announced  to  compose  the  fleet  which  was  to 
pioceud  lo  ihw  ocoaii.    The  sieiiinboai  V/ashingron,  undor  the  commr.r.d  r.i  Cap:.  Bunker, 


336 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


took  tho  lead,  on  board  of  which  the  Hon.  the  Corporation,  with  the  society  of  Cincmnati 
he  Rev.  Clergy,  of  all  denominations,  the  Army  and  Naval  officers-u  1  the  consuls  of 
Foreign  nationl^-the  judges  of  all  our  courts  and  many  other  citizens  and  strangers  were 
gue  f  The  steamboa/Fulton.  James  Kent,  Chancellor  L'V.ngston,  and  se.era  others 
tere  also  employed  by  the  corporation  to  receive  other  guests,  all  which  were  filled  with 
our  most  disthiguished  citizens-The  safety  barges  Lady  Clinton  and  Lady  Van  Rensse. 
Taer,  were  most^astefuUy  festooned  with  evergreens  and  flowers,  and  were  exclusively  ap- 
propriated to  the  ladies.  At  about  10  o'clock  the  signal  was  given  for  departure,  and  the 
boate  all  proceeded  up  the  East  river,  and  formed  in  a  line,  accompanied  bj  the  cana  boa  s 
when  they  wore  round  and  proceeded  down  the  bay.  As  the  fleet  passed  the  Batte  y  they 
were  saluted  by  the  military,  the  revenue  cutter,  and  the  castle  on  Governor's  Island.  Ah 
ihev  nrocecded  they  were  joined  by  the  ship  Hamlet,  which  had  previously  been  dressed 
'liroca.tn  wTh  The  tl^gs  of  al^  nations,  and  on  board  of  which  were  the  Manne  and 
Nautical  societies,  composed  of  all  our  most  respectable  shipmaslens.  As  the  fleet  passu! 
the  Nar  ows,  the;  weri  saluted  by  Forts  Lafayette  and  Tonipkms.  They  then  proceeded 
io  the  United  States  schooner  Dolphin,  moored  within  Sandy  H"ok,  where  Gov.  Chnton 
went  through  the  ceremony  of  uniting  the  waters,  by  pouring  that  of  Lake  brie  into  tue 
Atlantic  ;  upon  which  he  delivered  the  following  address :—  ^    ,     t.  •     •    •  .     j    i 

"  •  This  solemnity  at  this  place  on  the  first  arrival  of  vessels  from  Lake  Erie,  is  intended 
to  indicate  and  commemorate  the  navigable  communication,  which  has  been  accompUsliert 
between  our  Mediterranean  seas  and  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  in  eight  years,  to  the  extent  ot 
more  timn  four  hundred  and  twentv-five  miles,  by  the  wisdom,  public  spirit,  and  energy  of 
the  people  of  the  state  of  New  Vork  ;  and  may  the  God  of  the  Heavens  and  the  earth  smilo 
most  propitiously  on  the  work,  and  render  it  subservient  to  the  best  interests  of  the  human 
race  '  Dr.  Mitchell  then  poured  the  contents  of  several  vials,  which  he  stated  contained 
the  waters  of  the  Elbe,  &c.  &c.,  and  delivered  a  long  address,  but  the  crowd  was  so  great 
that  but  few  were  able  to  hear  any  part  of  it.  The  Hon.  Mr.  Colden  presented  to  his  honor 
the  Mayor,  a  memoir  which  contains  a  brief  history  of  the  canal  from  its  commencement 
to  the  present  day.  Salutes  were  then  fired  from  the  revenue  cutter,  the  pilot  boats,  and 
several  of  the  steamboats,  and  the  procession  returned  to  the  city. 

"  On  the  return  from  the  excursion  to  Sandy  Hook,  the  atmosphere  was  nearly  clear,  and 

the  appearance  of  the  steamboats  was  truly  magnificent.    Here  were  26  of  these  vessels, 

splendidly  equipped  and  decorated,  moving  in  the  most  majestic  manner,  all  crowded  with 

passengers,  and  arranged  in  the  most  striking  order.    The  packet  ship  Hamlet,  which  was 

Lencrously  offered  by  Capt.  Chandler  for  the  use  of  the  Marine  and  Nautical  societies,  made 

H  splendid  appearance,  towed  along  in  the  line  by  steamboats,  with  her  masts  and  rigging 

decorated  by  a  fine  display  of  flags  of  all  nations.  •.  ■     .  .  j  .u  . 

"Persons  abroad  may  judge  of  the  splendor  of  the  celebration,  when  it  is  stated  that 

there  were  displayed  among  the  different  societies,  upwards  of  200  banners  and  standards 

—many  of  them  extremely  splendid,  and  a  large  number  painted  expressly  for  the  occasion. 

"  It  is  with  pleasure  we  state  that  the  two  British  packets  now  at  anchor  in  our  port,  sa- 

luted  and  cheered  the  fine  of  steamboats  as  they  passed  ;  instances  of  good  feeling  of  this 

description  should  not  be  omitted  to  be  recorded.    The  band  in  return  played  'God  save 

the  king.'     The  whole  line  of  steamboata  landed  their  paseengers  at  3  o'clock,  in  tune  for 

them  to  form  and  join  the  procession  of  their  fellow-citizens.  ^.^     u  n 

»  The  festivities  were  concluded  by  fireworks  in  the  evening,  at  the  Battery,  City  Hall, 

and  Vauxhall  Garden,  and  by  illuminations  of  some  of  the  principal  buildings  in  the  city,— 

the  City  Hall,  City  Hotel,  Theatre,  Sikes'  Hotel,  &c.    A  large  transparency  whs  ex  iibiied 

at  the  City  Hall,  repreacnting  tlie  introduction  of  Neptune  to  the  Lady  ot  the  Lukes  by 

the  Genius  of  America.  ,      i  i 

"  We  cannot  help  expressing  our  gratification,  at  observing  among  the  thousatids  we  saw 
in  the  streets  during  the  day  and  evening,  hardly  a  single  mstu.-ce  of  intoxication,  and  not 
tnie  of  uni.leasant  disturbance  ;  and  so  far  as  wo  could  learn,  iic  accident  happened  to  mar 
the  festiviiiiB  of  the  day." 

Croton  Aqueduct.— This  great  work,  designed  for  the  supply  of  the  city  of  New  York 
with  pure  and  wholesome  water,  is  at  present  constructing.  Us  whole  length  is  40J  iniles. 
Ills  a  long  brick  vault  stretching  from  Croton  to  New.  York,  descending  at  the  rale  ol 
nearly  14  inches  to  the  mile.  Iw  dimensions  arc  nliout  fi  f.ot  at  bottom  7  feet  at  '"P.  «"< 
from  8  to  10  feet  in  height.  The  foundation  is  of  stone,  well  laid,  ond  the  interstices  tillc. 
UP  with  rubble,  and  over  this  a  bed  of  concrete  conipcscd  of  cement,  broken  stone  and 
Bravel.  in  due  proportions,  well  mixed  and  combined  together,  except  where  the  earth  is 
'f  a  compact  and  dry  consistence,  whenjhe  stone  foundation  is  omitted,  and  Uie  beU  ol 
concrete  iuiUon  liiu  cunh  founUaiioii.     ihe  »ido  wuils  arc  ui  gtwt!  r-ui.tluig  »••"?•.=,  3-« 


NEW    YOniC    COUNTY. 


337 


Cincinnati, 
consuls  of 
igers  were 
eral  others 
filled  with 
an  Rensse- 
usiveiy  ap- 
re,  and  the 
lanal  boatH, 
attery  they 
Bland.  Ah 
;en  dressed 
Marine  and 
leet  passed 
;  proceeded 
ov.  Clinton 
rie  into  the 

is  intended 
complished 
e  extent  of 
1  energy  of 
earth  smile 
the  huiiiuu 
J  contained 
^as  so  great 
to  his  honor 
niencement 
t  boats,  and 

ly  clear,  and 
lese  vessels, 
owded  with 
,  which  was 
ieties,  made 
and  rigging 

fi  stated  that 
id  standards 
he  occasion, 
our  port,  SB- 
eling  of  this 
*  God  save 
,  in  time  for 

f.  City  Hall, 
1  the  city, — 
as  Gxhihiled 
lie  Lukes  by 

nnds  we  saw 
ion,  and  not 
lened  to  mar 

r  Now  York 
is  40)  miles. 
it  the  rate  of 
t  at  top,  and 
erpliees  filled 
en  stone  and 
i<  the  earth  is 
id  tlie  bed  of 


inches  thick  at  bottom,  and  27  inches  at  top.  These  walls  are  laid  in  regular  courses.  The 
bottom  of  the  aqueduct  is  an  inverted  arch,  and  the  roof  a  semicircle ;  both  arches  are 
formed  of  brick.  All  the  materials  used  are  the  most  perfect  of  their  kind,  and  every  pos- 
sible  pains  taken  in  the  construction. 

The  work  commences  at  Croton,  about  5  miles  above  the  mouth  of  the  river.  Here  is  to 
be  the  dam  which  will  back  the  river  for  several  miles,  and  will  cover,  exclusive  of  its  pres- 
ent  bed,  5  or  600  acres,  and  thus  form  the  great  reservoir,  which  will  contain  100,000,000 
of  gallons  for  each  foot  in  depth  from  the  surface.  Inasmuch  as  the  aqueduct  is  to 
maintain  a  uniform  descent,  extensive  excavations  or  tunnels  in  passing  through  hills  and 
heavy  embankments,  with  culverts  in  crossing  valleys,  are  required.  Several  of  the  tunnels 
are  cut  through  solid  rock  at  an  enormous  expense.  The  longest  tunnel  is  the  Manhattan 
hill  tunnel  near  the  village  of  Manhattanville,  on  New  York  Island ;  it  is  1,215  feet  in 

length.  .  ■  1  . 1    •        J- 

In  crossing  the  Hariaem  river  the  aqueduct  encounters  its  most  formidable  impediment. 
"  Owing  to  the  great,  depression  of  the  stream  below  the  grade  line,  and  the  peculiar  in. 
clinations  of  its  banks,  the  length  of  the  aqueduct  bridge  will  greatly  exceed  the  width  of 
the  strait  at  its  surface,  (620  feet.)  The  bridge  will  be  1,420  feet  in  length,  between  the 
pipe  chnnibers  at  either  end  ;  18  feet  in  width,  inside  of  the  parapet  walls;  and  27  feet  be- 
tween  liie  outer  edge.s  of  the  copi  "g ;  16  piers,  built  of  stone  laid  in  courses  of  uniform 
thickness.  Of  these,  G  will  be  in  the  river,  and  10  on  the  land,  (8  of  which  will  be  on  the 
Westchester  side  of  the  strait.)  The  river  piers  will  be  20  by  40  feet  at  base,  and  84  feet 
in  height,  to  the  spring  of  iho  arch;  diminishing  as  they  rise  in  height.  The  arches  will 
have  a  span  of  80  feet.  The  land  piers  will  be  proportionably  less  in  size,  their  height  va. 
rying  according  to  the  slope  of  the  banks,  and  the  span  of  these  arches  will  be  50  feet  each. 
"  The  central  height  of  the  arches  over  the  stream  is  to  be  100  feet  above  high.water 
level,  in  the  clear ;  and  the  distance  from  high  tide  to  the  top  of  the  parapet  walls  will  be 
116  feet.  The  total  elevation  of  the  structure,  from  its  base  at  the  bottom  of  the  strait  to 
the  top  of  the  parapet,  will  be  about  138  feet.  The  piers  and  abutments  will  he  carried  up 
with  pilasters  to  the  top  of  the  parapet,  with  a  projection  of  two  feet  beyond  the  face  of 
the  work.  Those  piers  to  be  erected  in  the  water,  will  commence  with  solid  rock,  upon 
which  the  earthy  bed  of  the  stream  reposes.    The  estimated  cost  of  this  structure  is 

$7.55,130.  ,    ^  .„  ,     ,    J  , 

"  The  bridge  is  intended  for  the  support  of  iron  pipes ;  and  these  will  be  laid  down,  in 
the  first  instance,  two  or  three  feet  diameter,  which  it  is  supposed  will  be  adequate  for  the 
supply  of  water  to  the  city,  for  many  years  to  come.  The  work  however  will  be  so  ar- 
ranged,  as  to  admit  the  introduction,  at  any  time  hereafter,  of  two  four-feet  pipes,  whose 
capacity  will  be  equal  to  that  of  the  grand  trunk.  The  pipes  will  be  protected  from  the 
action  of  the  frost,  by  a  covering  of  earth  four  feet  in  depth,  well  sodded  on  the  surface. 
The  aqueduct  will  discharge  its  water  into  the  northern  pipe  chamber,  whence  it  wdl  pass 
over  the  bridge  into  the  southern  chamber,  where  the  aqueduct  resumes  its  course  towards 
the  city.  At  the  distance  of  half  a  mile,  the  line  crosses  a  ravine  of  30  feet  to  the  top  line 
of  the  embankment ;  and  at  a  short  distance  beyond,  it  enters  the  Jumel  tunnel,  234  feet 
in  length ;  and  6i  miles  irom  the  city.  A  ravine  is  passed  soon  after  leaving  the  tunnel, 
25  feet  below  the  grade  line ;  and  soon  after,  another,  still  more  formidable,  presents  itself; 
whieh  re(piiied  a  foundation  of  30  feet  to  elevate  it  to  the  grade. 

"  The  water  will  be  conducted  over  the  Manhattan  valley  by  means  of  iron  pipes  or  in- 
verted  syphons.  The  depression  of  the  valley  is  105  feet  below  the  grade  line,  and  ar. 
rangenienl.H  of  pipe  ehnniberH,  on  each  side  of  the  valley,  similar  to  that  at  Hariaem  strait, 
will  be  adopted  here.  'J"he  pipes  are  to  be  laid  on  a  foundation  of  stone,  covered  with  a 
course  of  cimerete  niusoiiry,  six  inches  thick.  After  the  pipea  arc  laid,  concrete  is  to  bo 
worked  under  them,  as  a  support,  18  inches  wide,  and  12  high;  and  iho  whole  is  to  bo 
protected  with  a  covering  of  eorth,  to  guard  agaii.st  frost  and  other  injury.  The  aqueduct 
having  terminated  at  one  pipe  chamber,  on  Manhattan  hills,  it  re-comniences  at  another  (iii 
the  Asylum  Hill ;  and  after  proceeding  a  short  distance  southward,  enters  the  Asylum  Hill 
tunnel  640  feet  in  length,  which  is  the  last.  About  three  miles  from  the  southern  terminus 
of  this  Herculean  work,  the  aqueduct  commences  its  passage  over  several  streets,  the  grading 
of  which  has  a  mean  depression  below  that  of  the  aqueduct,  of  about  40  feet ;  this  vale  is 
to  be  passed  bv  a  liiidgo  of  a  corresponding  height.  The  hne  of  aqueduct  runs  100  feet 
cast  of  the  Niiiih  avenue;  and  on  the  lantl,  extending  from  one  street  to  the  other,  n 
foundation  wall  is  to  ho  built  of %ufruient  width  and  height  to  support  the  miueducf.  Over 
the  ciirriage  way  and  side-walks  of  each  Ptreet,  there  will  be  circular  arches  turned.  Nine. 
tyj>ixlli  street,  being  100  feet  wide,  will  have  two  arches  of  27  feel  span,  for  the  carriage 
wiiy  :  and  one  arrh  of  14  feet  sp*n,  on  earh  side,  for  the  i«idc.*alks.  The  other  streets 
Ueiiig  only  6U  le(!t  in  width,  will  earn  hnve  an  arch  "f  30  Inti  npiui  f«r  iho  carri.igi-  way, 
und  Olio  on  ouch  side  of  10  feet  span.    The  breadth  ovei  the  arches  to  be  34  feet. 

43 


338 


NEW    TORK    COUNTY. 


IT 


"  On  the  whole  line  there  will  be  ventilators  placed  at  intervals  of  one  mile  apart ;  and 
between  each,  triangular  cavities,  designed  for  the  erection  of  additional  ventilators,  are 
left,  covered  with  flag  stone,  and  their  location  indicated  by  marble  slabs.  Some  of  the 
ventilators  can  be  used  as  waste  weirs  and  as  entrances  into  the  aqueduct.  The  next  im- 
portant  work  is  the  receiving  reservoir,  38  miles  by  the  line  of  the  aqueduct  from  its  north, 
ern  terminus.  It  covers  35  acres  of  ground,  divided  into  two  sections.  The  north  section 
to  have  20  feet  of  water  when  full,  and  the  south  25  feet ;  the  whole  reservoir  will  con. 
tain  about  160,000,000  of  gallons.  From  this  reservoir  the  water  will  be  conveyed  through 
the  Fifth  avenue  to  the  distributing  basin,  of  about  5  acres,  holding  20,000,000  of  gallons, 
at  Murray  Hill,  in  Forty.second  street,  by  means  of  pipes  30  inches  in  diameter.  From 
Murray  Hill  the  water  will  be  conveyed  to  the  city  by  the  ordinary  distributing  pipes.  The 
difference  of  level  between  the  basin  at  Murray  Hill  and  the  pool  at  Croton,  is  about  46 
feet,  being  a  fraction  less  than  14  inches  to  the  mile. 

"  About  26  miles  of  the  aqueduct  are  now  (April,  1840,)  completed,  and  several  other 
detached  sections  are  nearly  so.  It  must  not,  however,  be  inferred  that  the  work  still  to  be 
done  is  of  but  small  amount ;  on  the  contrary,  the  most  difficult  and  expensive  portions  of 
it  remain  to  be  performed.  According  to  the  engineer's  report,  the  whole  work,  with  the 
exception  of  the  bridge  over  Harlaeni  strait,  will  be  completed  and  ready  for  use  in  the 
spring  of  1842.  The  completion  of  the  bridge  cannot  be  expected  before  the  close  of 
1843 ;  and  it  may  a.iJ  will  probably  be  still  further  delayed.  To  diminish  this  delay,  it  is 
proposed  to  erect  a  temporary  conduit  pipe  of  suitable  dimensions,  as  soon  us  the  coffer 
dams  at  Harlaem  will  admit  of  it,  by  which  means  the  city  may  have  the  benefit  of  the 
water,  two  or  three  years  before  a  supply  could  be  hud  by  the  Harlaem  aqueduct  bridge. 

•'  The  original  estimate  of  cost  of  this  great  work,  was  $4,718,197  ;  but  it  will  not  fall 
short  of  $10,000,000  ;~$3,924,650  08  having  been  expended  at  the  date  of  the  last  re- 
port,  January  lat,  1840." 


Northern  view  of  Harlem  Tunnel. 

Harlem  8,  Yorkville  5,  and  Manhattanville  9  miles  from  the  City 
Hall,  are  small  villages  on  Manhattan  Island,  and  included  within  the 
city  limits.  The  New  York  and  Harlem  railroad  commences  at  the 
City  Hall  and  extends  to  Fordham  in  Wcstchesfrr  county,  12j  milt^s 
from  the  city.  By  a  late  act  of  the  legislature,  (May  T,  1841,)  the 
company  have  the  privilege  of  extending  it  tp  the  north  line  of  West- 
chester county.  "  The  road  is  laid  with  a  double  track,  and  is  tra- 
versed for  nearly  three-lburtlis  of  its  length,  by  steam  power.  Owing 
to  th^  npt'uH'ir  nature  oi  the  irrounf!  ;i!ui  llin  necessity  for  inai'ituin- 
ing  a  nearly  level  grade,  for  a  considt  table  part  of  the  line,  long  and 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


389 


ivi 


%i 


heavy  cuts  and  embankments  were  required,  which  augmented  the 
cost  of  construction  far  beyond  that  of  any  other  similar  work  in 
this  country.  The  whole  cost  of  the  work,  including  depots,  motive 
and  other  power,  &c.,  amounted  to  $1,100,000  or  $137,500  per  mile. 
The  receipts  for  fare  by  the  company,  during  the  year  ending  De- 
cember 31st,  1839,  were  $99,811.  Notwithstanding  the  great  num- 
ber of  persons  conveyed  on  this  road,  about  1,200,000  annually,  the 
directors  have  not  as  yet  declared  a  dividend,  and  up  to  the  1st  of 
January,  1840,  the  stockholders  had  not  received  a  dollar  from  the 
work.  The  tunnel  through  which  the  line  passes,  is  the  most  costly 
portion,  as  well  as  the  most  attractive  feature  of  the  road.  Among 
the  thousands  who  are  almost  daily  conveyed  through  it,  a  vast  ma- 
jority is  impelled  by  a  desire  to  examine  the  '  tunnel,'  which,  though 
excavated  at  an  immense  cost,  ($90,000,)  contributes,  in  no  small  de- 
gree, to  increase  the  revenues  of  the  company.  The  tunnel  is  cut 
through  solid  rock,  which  chiefly  consists  of  quartz  and  hornblende 
of  such  a  compact  texture,  that  masonry  is  entirely  dispensed  with, 
even  at  the  ends.  It  extends  along  the  Fourth  Avenue  from  91st  to 
94th  streets,  and  is  595  feet  in  length,  24  in  width,  and  21  in  depth 
from  the  crown  of  the  arch.  The  fare  on  this  road  is  as  follows  :  to 
27th  street,  G[  cents ;  to  Yorkville,  5  miles,  12i  cents  ;  to  Harlem,  8 
miles,  18J  cents  ;  and  to  Fordham,  12i  miles,  25  cents." 

"  Peter  Stuyvesant, 
Ae  last  of  the  Dutch  gov- 
ernors in  New  York,  de. 
serves  to  be  kept  in  re. 
membrance.  He  began 
his  administration  in  1647 ; 
and  he  exerted  all  his  en- 
ergies to  prevent  the  en- 
croachments of  the  Eng. 
Fac-timUt  of  Peter  Stugvetant'i  atgnaturt.  hsh  and   Swedes,  on  the 

territory  under  his  command.  He  was  more  successful  with  the  latter  than  the  former.  In 
1655,  he  obliged  the  Swedes,  at  a  place  in  Delaware  bay,  now  called  New  Castle,  to  swear 
allegiance  to  the  Dutch  authority.  But  in  1664,  Colonel  Nichols,  with  an  English  fleet, 
arrived  at  New  York,  then  called  New  Amsterdam,  and  compelled  Governor  Stuyvesant 
and  his  whole  colony  to  surrender  to  their  invaders.  He  however  remained  in  the  country 
until  his  death." — Blake'a  Biographical  Dictionary. 

"  His  remains  '  rest  in  hope'  near  by,  in  the  family  vault,  once  constructed  within  the 
walls  of  the  second  built  Reformed  Dutch  church,  which,  for  pious  purposes,  he  had  built  at 
his  personal  expense  on  his  own  farm.  The  church  is  gone,  but  the  place  is  occupied  by 
the  present  church  of  St.  Mark.  On  the  outside  wall  of  this  letter  church  is  the  original 
atone  designating  the  body  of  him  whose  rank  and  titles  stood  thus  described,  to  wit : 

'  In  this  vault,  lies  buried 

PETRUS    STUYVESANT, 

late  Captain  General  and  Commander-in-chief  of  Amsterdam, 

in  New  Netherland,  now  called  New  York,  and  the 

Dutch  West  India  Islands. 

Died  in  August,  A.D.  1682,  aged  eighty  years.'" 


ong  and 


"Philip  Livinoston  was  born  at  Albany,  in  Jnnuory,  1716.  He  wos  educated  at  Yale 
College,  in  Connecticut,  where  ho  graduoted  in  1737.  Ho  then  directed  his  attention  to 
comniercisl  nunuitii:  and,  by  his  integrity,  sagacity,  and  comprehensive  views,  laid  tha 
foundation,  and  erected  the  superstructure  of  extraordmary  prosperity. 


m. 


ij    i 


ir 


340 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


"  He  commenced  his  career  in  public  life  in  1754,  as  an  alderman  of  the  east  ward  of 
the  city  of  New  "V  ork ;  and,  in  1759,  was  returned  by  the  freeholders  of  this  city  as  a 
member  of  the  assembly.  In  this  body,  he  soon  became  conspicuous  for  his  talents  and 
devotedness  to  the  interests  of  the  people.  In  1769,  he  declined  nn  election  for  New  York, 
and  was  returned  a  member  of  the  house  for  the  manor  of  Livingston.  His  liberal  views, 
and  powerful  exertions  in  defending  the  rights  of  the  citizens,  soon  after  rendered  him  ob. 
noxious  to  the  governor;  and,  as  a  majority  of  the  assembly  were  now  under  the  influence 
of  the  crown,  his  seat  in  the  house  was  vacated,  by  a  vote  of  that  body,  on  the  plea  of 
non-residence. 

"  Mr.  Livingston  was  chosen  a  member  of  tlie  first  congress,  which  met  at  Philadelphia, 
1774.  He  was,  the  following  year,  appointed  president  of  the  provincial  congress,  assem- 
bled  at  New  York.  In  1776,  in  conjunction  with  his  colleagues,  he  affixed  his  signature 
to  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  in  behalf  of  the  state  of  New  York. 

"  During  the  recesses  of  the  general  congress,  he  rendered  important  services  in  the  or- 
ganizafion  of  the  state  government.  In  May,  1778,  he  took  his  seat  in  congress  for  the 
last  time.  Although  feeble  in  body,  and  low  in  health,  he  consented  to  forego  all  consider- 
ations but  those  of  patriotism;  .ud,  at  a  distance  from  his  family,  willingly  devoted  to  his 
country  the  last  hours  of  his  life.  He  expired  on  the  12th  of  June,  at  the  age  of  sixty-two 
years." 


^^^^  ^y^^ 


t'lU-Mtmile  of  Witliam  I.iviiigstun's  signature. 


"  William  Livingston,  L  L.  D.,  governor 
of  New  Jersey,  was  born  in  the  city  of  New 
York  about  the  year  1723,  and  was  graduated 
at  Yale  College,  in  1741.  He  studied  law, 
and  possessing  an  understanding  of  great  en- 


ergy,  a  brilliant  imagination,  and  a  retentive  memory,  and  devoting  himself  assiduously  to 
the  cultivation  of  his  mind,  he  soon  rose  to  distinction  in  the  profession.  He  early  exhib. 
ited  himself  an  able  and  zealous  advocate  of  civil  and  religious  liberty,  and  employed  his 
pen  in  vindicating  the  rights  of  the  colonies  against  the  arbitrary  claims  of  the  Britisli. 
After  enjoying  several  important  offices  in  New  York,  he  removed  to  New  Jersey,  and  as 
a  representative  of  that  state  was  one  of  the  most  distinguished  of  the  congress  of  1774. 
On  the  formation  of  a  new  constitution  for  that  state  in  1776,  he  was  appointed  the  first 
governor,  and  was  annually  re-elected  to  the  office  till  his  death  in  1790.  He  was  eharac. 
»erized  by  simplicity  in  his  manners,  and  ease,  amiableness,  and  wit  in  his  social  intercourse. 
His  writings  display  uncommon  vigor,  keenness,  and  refinement,  and  are  often  eloquent. 
He  devoted  himself,  during  the  revolution,  ardently  to  the  cause  of  his  country,  and  did 
much  by  the  shrewdness  and  severity  of  his  writings  both  to  encourage  his  countrymen  and 
exasperate  the  British. 


"Robert  Fxtlton,  eminent 

-  -•  -  as  the  inventor  of  steamboats, 

y^  j^       ^^  ■^r~^       y*  was  born  in  the  town  of  Litde 

///       .y^r"^  ( '^r/L.^-^^^^-'*  ^-— Cn     Britain,     Lancaster     county, 

yZ-y^rl'  ^^   ^^  C^     Pennsylvania,  1765.    His  pa- 

'  '    rents,  who  were  Irish,  were 

respectable,  and  ^^-t  him  a 
common  English  tUi  ■  auon  at 
Lancaster.  He  eai^  exhibited 
V^tiimU  of  Robtri  FiUtor'f  ^ignatwt.  a  superior  talent  f.  .  mechan- 

ism  and  painting,  and  in  his  eightef.i.h  year  established  himself  in  the  latter  ni^ployment  in 
Philadelohia,  and  obtained  much  cr?-  :  and  emolument  by  his  portra.i.  i.i!  landscapes. 
On  entenr.[f  his  22d  year  he  went  to  England,  for  the  purpose  of  improvi.  „  his  knowledge 
of  that  art,  and  was  received  into  the  family  of  Mr.  West,  with  whom  h '  -, 'Ont  several 
years,  and  cultivated  a  wa  in  friendship.  After  leaving  that  family,  he  em;!' .  j  ..  ttvo  years 
in  Devonshire  as  a  painter,  and  there  became  acquainted  with  the  duke  of  f.'.hli  f  water 
and  Lord  Stanhope,  the  former  famous  for  his  canals,  and  the  latter  for  his  lovt  i  f  the  me- 
chanic aria.  He  soon  turned  his  attention  to  mechanics,  pariiiidariy  to  the  i'  ,.;><•  -iment 
of  inland  navigation  by  canals,  and  the  use  of  stoum  for  the  propelling  of  buu  .^ ,  and  in 
1794  obtained  patents  for  a  double  inclined  plane,  to  be  used  for  transportation,  and  an  iii- 
strument  to  be  employed  in  excavating  canals.  He  at  this  time  professed  himself  a  civil 
engineer,  and  published  a  treatise  on  canal  navigation.  He  soon  after  went  to  France, 
and  obtained  a  patent  from  the  government  for  the  improvements  ho  had  invented.  He 
epent  the  succeeding  seven  years  in  Pans,  in  the  family  of  Mr.  Joel  Uarlow,  dunng  which 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


341 


ast  ward  of 
lis  city  as  a 
talents  and 
New  York, 
beral  views, 
red  him  ob- 
be  influence 
the  plea  of 

'hiladelphia, 
ress,  assem- 
is  signature 

es  in  the  or- 
ress  for  the 
all  consider, 
voted  to  his 
of  sixty.two 


D.,  governor 
city  of  New 
Eis  graduated 
studied  law, 
of  great  en- 
isiduovsly  to 
early  exhib- 
mploycd  his 
the  British, 
rsey,  and  as 
ess  of  1774. 
ited  the  first 
was  cliarac- 
intercourse. 
in  eloquent, 
try,  and  did 
ntrytnen  and 


'ON,  eminent 
steamboats, 
>wn  of  Little 
ter  county, 
)5.  His  pa- 
Irish,  were 
Rnvfi  him  a 
edisenuon  at 
i'i>  exhibited 
f  .  mechan- 
sployment  in 
landscapes. 
i  knowledge 
.,mnt  several 
•is  two  years 

'c  uf  the  me. 
r.-y.-ovoment 
Ou'x ;  and  in 
I,  and  an  in. 
lUtfelf  a  civil 
;  to  France, 
vented.  He 
luring  which 


period  he  made  himself  acquainted  with  the  French,  Italian,  and  German  languages,  and 
soon  acquired  a  knowledge  of  the  high  mathematics,  physics,  chemistry,  and  perspective. 
He  soon  turned  his  attention  to  submarine  navigation  and  explosion,  and  in  1801,  under 
the  patronage  of  the  first  consul,  constructed  a  plunging  boat,  and  torpedoes,  (differing  ma. 
terially  from  Bushnel's  invention,  with  which  he  was  acquainted,)  with  which  he  performed 
many  experiments  in  the  harbor  of  Brest,  demonstrating  the  practicability  of  employing 
subaquatic  explosion  and  navigation  for  the  destruction  of  vessels.    These  inventions  at. 
tracted  the  attention  of  the  British  government,  and  overtures  were  made  to  him  by  the 
ministry  which  induced  him  to  go  to  London,  with  the  hope  that  they  would  avail  them- 
selves of  his  machines ;  but  a  demonstration  of  their  efficacy  which  he  gave  the  ministry, 
by  blowing  up  a  vessel  in  their  presence,  led  them  to  wish  to  suppress  the  invention  rather 
lliaii  eucounige  it ;  and  accordingly  they  declined  patronising  him.    During  this  penod  he 
also  made  many  efforts  to  discover  n  method  of  successfully  using  the  steam  engine  for  the 
propelling  of  boats,  and  as  early  as  1793,  made  such  experiments  as  inspired  hnn  with  great 
coiiii.lcnce  i-  ='8  practicability.    Robert  R.  Livingston,  Esq.,  chancellor  of  New  York,  and 
minister  of  the  United  States  to  the  French  court,  on  his  arrival  in  France,  induced  hnn  to 
renew  his  attention  to  this  subject,  and  embarked  with  him  in  making  experiments  for  the 
purpose  of  satisfying  themselves  of  the  possibility  of  employing  steam  in  navigation.     Mr. 
Fulton  engaged  with  intense  interest  in  the  trial,  and  in  1803,  constructed  a  boat  on  the 
river  Seine,  at  their  joint  expense,  by  which  he  fully  evinced  the  practicabihty  of  propelling 
boats  by  that  agent.    He  immediately  resolved  to  enrich  his  country  with  this  invaluable 
discovery,  and  on  returning  to  New  York  in  1806,  commenced,  in  conjunction  with  Mr. 
Livingston,  the  construction  of  the  first  Fulton  boat,  which  was  launched  in  the  spring  of 
1807  from  the  ship.yard  of  Charies  Browne,  New  York,  and  completed  in  August.    This 
boat,  which  was  called  the  Clermont,*  demonstrated  on  the  first  experiment,  to  a  host  of, 
at  first  incredulous,  but  at  length  astonished  spectators,  the  correctness  of  his  expectations, 
and  the  value  of  his  invention.    Between  this  period  and  his  death  he  superintended  the 
erection  of  fourteen  other  steam  vessels,  and  made  great  improvements  in  their  construction." 
"  I  myself,"  says  Judge  Story,  "  have  heard  the  illustrious  inventor  relate,  in  an  animated 
and  affecting  manner,  the  history  of  his  labors  and  discouragements :— '  When,'  said  he, '  I 
was  building  iny  first  steamboat  at  New  York,  the  project  was  viewed  by  the  public  either 
with  indifference  or  with  contempt  as  a  visionary  scheme.     My  friends  indeed  were  civil, 
but  they  were  shy.    They  listened  with  patience  to  my  explanations,  but  with  a  settled 
cast  of  incredulity  on  tlieir  countenances.    I  felt  the  full  force  of  the  lamentation  of  the 
poet, — 

"  Truths  would  you  teach,  to  save  a  sinking  land, 
All  shun,  none  aid  you,  and  few  understand," 
As  I  had  occasion  to  pass  daily  to  and  from  the  building  yard  while  my  boat  was  in  pro. 
gress,  I  have  often  loitered  unknown  near  the  idle  groi\)8  of  strangers  gathering  in  little 
circles,  and  heard  various  inquiries  as  to  the  object  of  this  i;ew  vehicle.     The  language  was 
uniformly  that  of  scorn,  sneer,  or  ridicule.    The  loud  laugh  rose  at  my  expense,  the  dry 
jest,  the  wise  calculation  of  losses  and  expenditures ;  the  dull  but  endless  repetition  of  the 
Falton  folly.     Never  did  a  single  encouraging  remark,  a  bright  hope,  or  a  warm  wish, 
cross  my  path.     Silence  itself  was  but  politeness  veiling  its  doubts  or  hiding  its  reproaches. 
At  length  the  day  arrived  when  the  experiment  was  to  be  got  into  operanon.     To  me  it 
was  a  tnost  trying  and  interesting  occasion.    I  invited  many  friends  to  go  on  board  to  wit. 
ness  the  first  succeesful  trip.    Many  of  them  did  me  the  favor  to  attend  as  a  matter  of  per- 
sonal respect ;  but  it  was  manifest  they  did  it  with  reluctance,  fearing  to  be  partners  ot  my 
mortification  and  not  of  my  triumph.    I  was  well  aware  that  in  my  case  there  were  many 
reasons  to  doubt  of  my  own  success.    The  machinery  (hke  Fitch's  before  him)  was  new 
and  ill  made ;  and  many  parts  of  it  were  constructed  by  mechanics  unacquainted  with  such 
work,  and  unexpected  difficulties  might  reasonably  be  presumed  to  present  themselves  from 
other  causes.    The  moment  arrived  in  which  the  word  was  to  be  given  for  the  vessel  to 
move.     My  friends  were  in  groups  on  the  deck.    There  was  anxiety  mixed  with  fear 
among  thrni.    They  were  silent,  sad,  and  weary.     I  read  in  their  looks  nothing  but  disaster, 
and  almost  repented  of  my  efforts.    The  signal  was  given,  and  the  boat  moved  on  a  short 
distance  and  then  stopped,  and  became  immovable.    To  the  silence  of  the  preceding  mo- 
ment  now  succeeded  murmurs  of  discontent,  and  agitations,  and  whispers,  and  shrugs.    I 
could  hear  distinctly  repeated,  "  /  told  you  it  was  so ;  it  is  a  foolish  scheme ;  I  wish  ve 
were  well  out  of  it."    I  elevated  myself  upon  a  platform  and  addressed  tlm  assembly 
■tated  tliat  I  knew  not  what  waa  the  matter;  but  if  they  would  be  qui.       iid  indulge 


I 
ma 


*  So  named  from  tho  seat  of  the  Livingston  family. '  (See  Clermont,  Columbia  county.) 


343 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


for  half  an  hour,  I  would  either  go  on  or  abandon  the  voyage  for  that  time.  This  short 
respite  was  conceded  without  objection.  I  went  below  and  examined  the  machinery,  and 
discovered  that  the  cause  was  a  slight  maladjustment  of  some  of  the  work.  In  a  short 
period  it  was  obviated.  The  boat  was  again  put  in  motion.  She  continued  to  move  on. 
All  were  still  incredulous.  None  seemed  willing  to  trust  the  evidence  of  their  own  senses. 
We  left  the  fair  city  of  New  York ;  we  passed  through  the  romantic  and  ever-varying 
scenery  of  the  Highlands ;  we  descried  the  clustering  houses  of  Albany ;  we  reached  its 
shores ;  and  then,  even  then,  when  all  seemed  achieved,  I  was  the  victim  of  disappoint, 
ment.  Imagination  superseded  the  influence  of  fact.  It  was  then  doubted  if  it  could  be 
done  again  ;  or  if  done,  it  was  doubted  if  it  could  be  made  of  any  great  value.'  " 


The  Clermont;'  Pulton'tfirtt  Ameriean  Steamboat. 


"  Fulton  obtained  a  patent  for  his  inventions  in  navigation  by  steam  in  February,  1809,  and 
another  for  some  improvements  in  1811.  In  the  latter  year  he  was  appointed  by  the  legis. 
iature  of  New  York,  one  of  the  commissioners  to  explore  a  route  for  a  canal  from  the  great 
lakes  to  the  Hudson,  and  engaged  with  zeal  in  the  promotion  of  that  great  work.  On 
the  commencement  of  hostilities  between  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain  in  1812,  he 
renewed  his  attention  to  submarine  warfare,  and  contrived  a  method  of  discharging  guns 
under  water,  for  wliich  he  obtained  a  patent.  In  1814  he  contrived  an  armed  steam-ship 
for  the  defence  of  the  harbor  of  New  York,  and  also  a  submarine  vessel,  or  plunging  boat, 
of  such  dimensions  as  to  carry  100  men,  the  plans  of  which  being  approved  by  government 
he  was  authorized  to  construct  tliem  at  the  public  expense.  But  before  completing  either 
of  those  works,  he  died  suddenly,  February  24th,  1815.  His  person  was  tall,  slender,  and 
well  formed,  his  manners  graceful  and  dignified,  and  his  disposition  generous.  His  attain. 
ments  and  inventions  bespeak  the  high  superiority  of  his  talents.  He  was  an  accomplished 
painter,  was  profoundly  versed  in  mechanics,  and  possessed  an  invention  of  great  fertility, 
and  which  was  always  directed  by  an  eminent  share  of  good  sense.  His  style  as  a  writer 
was  perspicuous  and  energetic.  To  him  is  to  be  ascribed  the  honor  of  inventing  a  method 
of  successfully  employing  the  steam  engine  in  navigation,  an  invention  justly  considered 
one  of  the  most  important  which  has  been  made  in  modem  ages,  and  by  which  he  rendered 
himself  both  a  perpetual  and  one  of  the  greatest  benefactors  of  mankind.  He  was  not  in- 
deed  the  first  who  conceived  it  to  be  possible ;  others  had  believed  its  practicability,  and 
made  many  attempts  to  propel  boats  by  steam,  but  having  neither  his  genius,  his  knowledge, 
nor  his  perseverance,  they  were  totally  unsuccessful.  Mr.  Fulton  waa  familiarly  acquainted 
with  many  of  the  most  distinguished  literary  and  political  characters  both  of  the  United 
States  and  of  Europe,  was  a  director  of  the  American  academy  of  fine  arts,  and  a  member 
ot  several  literary  and  philosophical  societies." 


f  «?n^'^"°T^''^  ^''^"""STON,  judge  of  the  supreme  court  of  the  United  States,  was  the  son 
ot  William  Livingston,  governor  of  New  Jersey,  and  was  born  in  the  city  of  New  York, 
November  25th,  1757.  He  entered  Princeton  college,  but  in  1776  left  it  for  the  field,  and 
bccams  one  ot  the  family  oi  General  Schuyler,  commandef  of  iho  northern  army.    He  was 


NEW    YORK   COUNTY. 


343 


afterward  attached  to  the  suite  of  general  Arnold,  with  the;  rank  of  n'ajor,  and  shared  in 
the  honors  of  the  conquest  of  Burgoyne.  In  1779  he  accompanied  Mr.  Jay  to  the  court 
of  Spain  as  his  private  secretary,  and  remained  abroad  about  three  years.  On  his  return 
he  devoted  himself  to  law,  and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  April,  1783.  His  talents  were 
happily  adapted  to  the  profession,  and  soon  raised  him  into  notice,  and  ultimately  to  emi- 
nence. He  was  called  to  the  bench  of  the  supreme  court  of  the  state  of  New  York,  Jan- 
uary  8th,  1802,  and  in  November,  1806,  was  transferred  to  that  of  the  supreme  court  of 
the  United  States,  the  duties  of  which  station  he  discharged  with  distinguished  faithfulness 
and  ability  until  his  death,  which  took  place  during  the  sittings  of  the  court  at  Washington, 
March  18th,  1823,  in  the  66ih  year  of  his  age.  He  possessed  a  mind  of  uncommon  acute- 
ness  and  energy,  and  enjoyed  the  reputation  of  an  accomplished  scholar,  an  able  pleader  and 
jurist,  an  upright  judge,  and  a  liberal  patron  of  learning. 


^/^ 


>::^<?^ 


<^J^^^ 


FaMimile  of  Richard  Montgomery' s  signature. 

"Richard  Montgomery,  a  major-general  in  the  army  of  the  United  States,  was  born  in 
the  north  of  Ireland,  in  1737.  He  possessed  an  excellent  genius,  which  was  matured  by  a 
fine  education.  Entering  the  army  of  Great  Britain,  he  successfully  fought  her  battles,  with 
Wolfe,  at  Quebec,  in  1759 ;  and  on  the  very  spot  where  he  was,  afterward,  doomed  to  fall, 
when  fighting  against  her,  under  the  banners  of  freedom. 

"  He  early  imbibed  an  attachment  to  America ;  and,  after  his  arrival  in  New  York,  pur- 
chased  an  estate,  about  one  hundred  miles  from  the  city,  and  married  a  daughter  of  Judge 
Livingston.  When  the  struggle  with  Great  Britain  commenced,  as  he  was  known  to  have 
an  ardent  attachment  to  liberty,  and  had  expressed  his  readiness  to  draw  his  sword  on  the 
Bide  of  the  colonies,  the  command  of  the  continental  forces,  in  the  northern  department, 
was  intrusted  to  him  and  Gen.  Schuyler,  in  the  fall  of  1775. 

"  By  the  indisposition  of  Schuyler,  the  chief  command  devolved  upon  him  in  October. 
After  a  succession  of  splendid  and  important  victories,  he  appeared  before  Quebec.  In  an 
attempt  to  storm  the  city,  on  the  last  of  December,  this  brave  commander  fell,  by  a  dis. 
charge  of  grape-shot,  both  of  his  aids  being  killed  at  the  same  time.  In  his  fall,  there  was 
every  circumstance  united,  that  could  impart  fame  and  glory  to  the  death  of  a  soldier." 

"  General  Montgomery  was  gifted  with  fine  abilities  and  had  received  an  excellent  educa- 
tion.  His  military  talents  especially  were  great ;  his  measures  were  taken  with  judgment 
and  executed  with  vigor.  The  sorrow  for  his  loss  was  heightened  by  the  esteem  which  his 
amiable  character  had  gained  him.  At  the  period  of  his  death  he  was  only  thirty-eight 
years  of  age." 

"  William  Alexan- 
DER,  Lord  Stirling,  a 
major-general  in  tP ' 
service  of  the  United 
States  during  the  revo- 
lutionary  war,  was  born 
in  the  city  of  New 
fVK-«tmi7«  of  Lord  Stirling')  signature.  York,    but    passed    a 

portion  of  his  life  in  New  Jersey.  Ho  was  generally  styled  through  courtesy  Lord  Stirling, 
in  consequence  of  being  considered  by  many  as  the  rightful  heir  to  the  title  and  estates  of 
an  earldom  in  Scotland,  from  which  country  his  father  came,  though  the  government  re- 
fused  to  acknowledge  the  son's  claim  when  he  repaired  to  Great  Britain  in  pursuit  of  this 
inheritance.  He  was  early  remarkable  for  his  fondness  for  mathematics  and  astronomy,  in 
which  sciences  he  made  considerable  progress. — Throughout  the  revolution  he  acted  an  im- 
portant part,  and  distinguished  himself  particularly  in  the  battles  of  Long  Island,  German, 
town,  and  Monmouth.  In  the  first,  he  was  taken  prisoner,  after  having,  by  a  bold  attack 
upon  a  corps  commanded  by  Cornwallis,  effected  the  escape  of  a  large  part  of  his  detach, 
meat.  In  the  second,  his  division,  with  the  brigades  of  Generals  Nash  and  Maxwell,  formed 
the  corps  de  reserve ;  and  in  the  last  he  commanded  the  left  wing  of  the  American  army. 
He  was  always  wannly  attached  to  General  Washington,  and  the  cause  which  he  had  es. 
puused.    Ho  died  at  Albany,  Jan.  lulli,  1783,  aged  57  years,  leaving  behind  him  the  repu- 


V^^^'^^ 


II 


I 


344 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


tation  of  a  brave,  discerning,  and  intrepid  officer,  and  an  honest  and  a  learned  man."- 
Enclyclopedia  Americana, 


CD-^^  ■;4^z^n^:^M^^^r^ 


Fac-.drnile  of  Alexander  Hamilton's  signature. 


"  Alexander  Hamilton  was  born  in  1757,  in  the  island  of  Nevis,  West  Indies.  His 
father  was  a  native  of  England,  and  his  mother  of  the  island.  At  the  age  of  sixteen,  he 
()ecaine  a  student  of  Columbia  college,  his  mother  having  emigrated  to  New  York.  He 
had  not  been  in  that  institution  more  than  a  year,  before  he  gave  a  brilliant  manifestation 
of  the  powers  of  his  mind  in  the  discussion  concerning  the  rights  of  the  colonies.  In  sup. 
port  of  these  he  published  several  essays^which  were  marked  by  such  vigor  and  maturity 
of  style,  strength  of  argument,  and  wisdWin  and  compass  of  views,  that  Mr.  Jay,  at  that 
time  in  the  meridian  of  life,  was  supposed  to  be  the  author.  When  it  had  become  neces. 
sary  to  unsheath  the  sword,  the  ardent  spirit  of  young  Hamilton  would  no  longer  allow  him 
to  remain  in  academic  retirement;  and  before  the  age  of  nineteen  he  entered  the  American 
army  in  the  rank  of  captain  of  artillery.  In  this  capacity  he  soon  attracted  the  attention 
of  the  commander-in-chief,  who  appoin'ed  him  his  aid-de-camp,  with  the  rank  of  lieutenant, 
colonel.  This  occurred  in  1777,  when  he  was  not  more  than  twenty  years  of  age.  From 
this  time  he  continued  the  inseparable  companion  of  Washington  during  the  war,  and  was 
always  consulted  by  him,  and  frequently  by  other  public  functionaries,  on  the  most  impor- 
tant occasions.  He  acted  as  his  first  aid-de-canip  at  the  battles  of  Brandywine,  German- 
town,  and  Monmouth,  and  at  the  siege  of  Yorktown  he  led,  at  his  own  request,  the  detach- 
ment that  carried  by  assault  one  of  the  enemy's  outworks,  October  14, 1781.  In  this  affair 
he  displayed  the  most  brilliant  valor. 

"  After  the  war,  Col.  Hamilton,  then  about  twenty-four,  commenced  the  study  of  the  law, 
as  he  had  at  that  time  a  wife  and  family  depending  upon  him  for  support.  He  was  soon 
admitted  to  the  bar.  In  1782,  he  was  chosen  a  member  of  congress  from  the  state  of  New 
York,  where  he  quickly  acquired  the  greatp-5t  influence  and  distinction,  and  was  always  a. 
member  and  sometimes  chairman  of  those  committees  to  which  were  confided  such  subjects 
as  were  deemed  of  vital  interest  to  the  nation.  The  reports  which  he  prepared  are  remark- 
able for  the  correctness  and  power  which  characterize  every  efibrt  of  his  pen.  At  the  end 
of  the  session  he  returned  to  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  the  city  of  Now  York,  and 
became  eminent  at  the  bar.  In  1786,  he  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  legislature  of  his 
state,  and  was  mainly  instrumental  in  preventing  a  serious  collision  between  Vermont  and 
New  York,  in  consequence  of  a  dispute  concerning  territorial  jurisdiction.  He  was  elected 
a  delegate  from  New  York  to  the  convention  which  was  to  meet  at  Philadelphia,  in  order 
to  form  a  constitution  for  the  United  States.  As  the  doors  of  the  convention  were  closed 
during  its  sitting,  and  its  records  were  never  given  to  the  world,  it  is  not  possible  to  state 
the  precJHe  part  which  he  acted  in  that  body.  It  is  well  ascertained,  however,  that  the 
country  is  at  least  as  much  indebted  to  him  for  the  excellences  of  the  constitution  as  to  any 
other  niember  of  the  illustrious  assembly.  Hamilton  and  Madison  were  the  chief  oraclia 
and  artificers.  After  the  adoption  of  the  constitution  by  the  convention,  he  associated  him- 
self  with  Mr.  Madison  and  Mr.  Jay,  for  the  purpose  of  disposing  the  public  to  receive  it 
with  favor.  The  essays  which  they  wrote  with  that  design,  addressed  to  the  people  of 
New  York  during  the  years  1787  and  1788,  are  well  known  under  the  name  of  the  Fed. 
eralist,  and  contributed  powerfully  to  produce  the  effect  for  which  they  were  composed. 
The  larger  portion  of  them  was  written  by  Hamilton.  In  1788,  he  was  a  member  of  the 
Stale  convention  of  New  York,  which  met  to  deliberate  on  the  adoption  of  the  federal 
constitution,  and  it  was  chiefly  in  consequence  of  his  efforia  that  it  was  accepted.  On  the 
organization  of  the  federal  government  in  1789,  he  was  appointed  to  the  office  of  secretary 
of  the  treasury.  This  was  a  situation  which  required  the  exercise  of  all  the  great  powers 
of  his  mind,  for  the  pubhc  credit  was  at  that  time  at  the  lowest  state  of  depression  ;  and  as 
no  statistical  account  of  the  country  had  ever  been  attempted,  its  fiscal  resources  were 
wholly  unblown.  But  before  Hamilton  retired  from  the  post,  which  he  did  after  filling  it 
■oiuewhat  more  than  tive  years,  he  had  raised  the  public  credit  to  a  height  altogether  un- 


mmm 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


345 


precedented  in  the  history  of  the  country ;  and  by  the  admirable  system  of  finance  which  he 
established,  had  acquired  the  reputation  of  one  of  the  greatest  hnanc.ers  of  the  age.    His 
official  reports  to  congress  are  considered  as  masterpieces,  and  the  principles  which  he  ad- 
vocated in  them  still  continue  to  exercise  a  great  influence  m  the  revenue  department  ot 
the  American  government.    Whilst  secretary  of  the  treasury,  he  was  ex  officio  one  of  the 
cabineT counsellors  of  President  Washington;  and  such  was  the  confidence  reposed  by 
tha  grearman  in  his  integrity  and  ability,  that  he  rarely  ventured  upon  any  executive  act 
of  momenrwithout  his  concurrence,    He  was  one  of  the  principal  advisers  ot  the  procla- 
marion  of  neutrality  issued  by  Washington  in  1793,  in  consequence  of  the  attempt  made 
"v  them  mster  of  France  to  cause  the  United  States  to  take  par  with  his  country  in  the 
war  heT  raging  between  it  and  England.    This  measure  he  defended  in  a  senes  o  essays. 
Ider  the  sjnature  of  Parificus,  which  were  successful  in  giving  it  popularity.     In  1795 
Ham  Iton  Sned  his  office  and  retired  to  private  life,  in  order  to  be  better  able  to  support 
a  numeroiL  flily  by  the  practice  of  his  profession.     In  1798,  however,  when  an  invasion 
wLTppre^ended  from  the  French,  and  a  provisional  army  had  been  called  mto  the  held 
hirpubhc  services  were  again  required.    President  Adams  had  offered  the  chief  command 
of  the  provisional  army  to  Washington,  who  consented  to  accept  m  case  Hamilton  shou  d 
be  chosen  second  in  command,  with  the  title  of  inspector-general.    This  was  according  y 
done,  and  in  a  short  time  he  succ,  eded  in  bringing  the  orgamzation  and  disciphne  of   he 
army  to  a  high  degree  of  excellence.     On  the  death  of  Washington  in  1799,  he  succeeded 
of  course  to  The  chief  command.    The  title  of  lieutenanUgeneral,  however,  to  which  he  was 
then  entitled,  was  from  some  unexplained  cause  never  conferred  on  Uiin. 

"When  the  army  was  disbanded  after  the  cessation  of  hostthties  between  the  United 
States  and  France,  General  Hamilton  returned  again  to  the  bar  and  continued  to  practise 
wkL  increased  reputation  and  success  until  1804.     In  June  of  that  year  he  reeeived  a  note 
from  Col.  Burr.— between  whom  and  himself  a  political  had  become  a  personal  enmity,— 
in  which  he  was  required,  in  offensive  language,  to  acknowledfre  or  disavow  certain  ex- 
pressions  derogatory  to  the  latter.    The  tone  of  the  note  was  such  as  to  cause  him  to  refuse 
fo  d^  ^ther,  and  a  challenge  was  the  consequence.     July  11   the  parties  met  at  Hoboken 
opposite  New  York,  on  the  Jersey  side  of  the  Hudson,  and  on  the  first  fire  Hamilton  fell 
mortally  wounded,  on  the  same  spot  where,  a  short  time  previously,  his  eldest  son  had  been 
ki°ed  in  a  duel.    He  lingered  until  the  afternoon  of  the  following  day,  when  he  expired. 
The  sensation  which  this  excited  throughout  the  United  States  had  never  been  exceeded 
on  this  continent.     Men  of  all  parties  felt  that  the  nation  was  depnved  of  its  greatest  orna- 
ment.    His  transcendent  abilities  were  universally  acknowledged.    Every  citizen  was  ready 
to  express  confidence  in  his  spirit  of  honor  and  his  capacity  for  public  service.    Of  al  the 
coadjutors  and  advisers  of  Washington,   HamUton  was  undoubtedly  the  one  in   whose 
sagacity  and  judgment  he  reposed  the  greatest  confidence,  whether  in  the  military  or  in  the 
civil  career;  and  of  all  the  American  statesmen  he  displayed  the  most  comprehensive  un- 
derstanding,  and  the  most  varied  ability,  whether  applied  to  subjects  practical  or  speculative. 
A  collection  of  his  works  was  issued  in  New  York  in  three  octavo  volumes,  some  years 
after  his  death.    His  style  is  nervous,  lucid,  and  elevated ;  ho  excels  in  reasomng  founded 
on  general  principles  and  historical  experience.     General  Hamilton  was  regarded  as  the 
head  of  the  Federalists  in  the  party  divisions  of  the  American  rcpubhc.    He  was  accused 
of  having  preferred  in  the  convention  that  framed  the  Federal  constitution,  a  government 
more  akin  to  the  monarchical ;  he  weakened  the  federal  party  by  denouncing  President 
Adams,  whose  administration  he  disapproved,  and  whose  fitness  for  office  he  questioned. 
But  his  general  course  and  his  confidential  correspondence,  show  that  he  earnestly  desired 
to  preserve  the  constitution,  when  it  was  adopted,  and  that  his  motives  were  Patriotic  in 
his  proceedings  towards  Mr.  Adams.    Certain  it  is,  that  no  man  labored  more  faithfully, 
skilfully,  and  efficiently  in  organizing  and  putting  into  operation  the  federal  government.  — 
Encyclopedia  Americana. 

The  annexed  inscriptions  are  copied  from  monuments  in  this  city. 
The  monument  of  Emmet  is  in  St,  Paul's  churchyard,  that  of  Mont- 
gomery is  placed  in  front  of  the  church  itself.  The  monuments  of 
Alexander  Hamilton  and  Captain  James  Lawrence,  are  m  the  old 
Trinity  churchyard ;  and  the  one  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kunze,  is  m  the 
Lutheran  graveyard  adjoining  the  Episcopal  burying-ground  m  Hud- 
son-street. 

Tlio  monument  erected  to  the  memory  of  Thomas  Addis  Emmet,  consists  f..  rtnp.  p.nUre 

44 


846 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


block  of  white  marble,  about  thirty  feet  in  height.    On  ita  face  fronting  Broadway  is  a  me- 
dallion likeness  of  Emmet,  in  bas-relief,  below  which  is  the  following  inscription. 

"  In  memory  of  Thomas  Addis  Emmet,  who  exemplified  in  his 
A  conduct,  and  adorned  by  his  integrity,  the  poHcy  and  the  principles 

r%  of  the  United  Irishmen—'  To  forward  a  brotherhood  of  affection,  a 

I    '  community  of  rights,  an  identity  of  interests,  and  a  union  of  power 

I  among  Irishmen  of  every  religious  persuasion,  as  the  only  means 

I  of  Ireland's  chief  gjod,  an  impartial  and  adequate  representation  in 

an  Irish  parliament.'  For  this  (ipysterious  fate  of  virtue !)  exiled 
from  his  native  land,  in  America,  the  land  of  freedom,  he  found 
a  second  country,  which  paid  his  love,  by  reverencing  his  genius. 
Learned  in  our  laws,  and  the  laws  of  Europe,  in  the  literature  of  our 
times,  and  in  that  of  antiquity,  all  knowledge  seemed  subject  to  his 
use.  An  orator  of  the  first  order ;  clear,  copious,  fervid,  alike  pow. 
erful  to  kindle  the  imagination,  touch  the  affections,  and  sway  the 
reason  and  the  will ;  simple  in  his  tastes,  unassuming  in  his  man- 
ners,  frank,  generous,  kind-hearted,  and  honorable  ;  his  private  life 
was  beautiful,  aa  his  public  career  was  brilliant. — Anxious  to  per- 
petuate the  name  and  example  of  such  a  man,  alike  by  his  genius, 
his  virtues,  and  his  fate ;  consecrated  to  their  affections  by  his  perils, 
his  sacrifices,  and  the  deeper  calamities  of  his  kindred,  in  a  just  and 
holy  cause ;  his  sympathizing  countrymen  erected  this  monument 
and  cenotaph.  Born  at  Cork,  April  twenty-fourth,  1764;  he  died 
in  this  city,  November  fourteenth,  1827." 

A  figure  of  an  Ameritan  eagle  is  seen  beneath  this  inscription 
resting  on  the  Irish  harp,  which,  as  an  emblem  of  the  condition  of 
Ireland,  is  represented  as  unstrung ;  and  surmounting  these  are  two 
hands  clasped  together,  on  the  bracelet  of  one  of  which,  are  the 
stars  of  our  Union,  on  that  of  the  other  a  wreath  of  shamrock.  The 
following  Latin  inscription  is  on  the  face  towards  the  church. 

"  M  +  S.  Thomas  Addis  Emmet,  qui  ingenio  illustri,  studiis  al- 
tioribus,  moribus  integris,  dignum  se  prsestabat  laudibus  illis,  \]\k 
Emmet  s  juonumtn  .  ygyerentiSi,  illo  amore  qu2e  semper  eum  viventem  prosequebantur ; 
et  subitli  illo  erepto  morte,  universee  in  luctum  civitatis  se  effuderunt.  Quum  raro  extiterit 
vir  naturffive  dotibus,  doctrinaeve  subsidiis  omnibus  illo  instructior  ;  turn  eloquently  alt&  illft. 
et  ver&  qualem  olim  mirabantur  Roma  Atheneeque,  prsecipue  alios  anteibat ;  gravis,  rarius, 
vehemens,  fervidus,  omnes,  animi  motus  sic  regere  norit,  uti  eos  qui  audirent  quo  vellet  et 
invitos  impelleret.  Hibornii  natus,  dilectam  sibi  patriam  diu  subjectam  alieno,  servis  tan- 
turn  ferendo  jugo  ad  hbertatem,  ad  sua  jura  vocare  magno  est  a  usus  animo ;  at  preeclara  et 
consilia  et  vota  fefellere  fata.  Spe,  non  animo,  dejectus  nobilis  exul ;  et  hiec  Americana 
libens  respublica  ilium  excepit,  civemque,  sibi  gratulans  adscivit ;  dein  hsc  civitas  illi  domus, 
hffic  patria  fuit,  hsc  glorinm  illi  auxit,  hsec  spiritus  ultimos  recepit.  Meerentium  civium 
voluntas  hoc  exegit  monumcntum." 

The  following  inscription  in  the  ancient  Irish  character  and  language  faces  Fulton-strcet. 
"  He  contemplated  invaluable  benefits  for  the  land  of  his  birth ;  he  gave  eclat  to  the  land 
of  his  death ;  and  received,  in  return,  her  love  and  admiration." 


"  This  monument  is  erected  by  the  order  of  congress,  25th  Jan.,  1776,  to  transmit  to  pos- 
terity a  grateful  remembrance  of  the  patriotism,  conduct,  enterprise,  and  perseverance,  of 
Maj.  Gen.  Richard  Montgomery,  who  after  a  series  of  successes  amid  the  most  discour- 
aging difiiculties,  fell  in  the  attack  on  Quebec,  31st  Dec,  1775,  aged  37  years.— The  State 
of  New  York  caused  the  remains  of  Maj.  Gen,  Richard  Montgomery  to  be  conveyed  from 
Quebec  and  deposited  beneath  this  monument  the  8th  day  of  July,  1818." 


"  In  memory  of  Captain  James  Lawrence,  of  the  United  States  navy,  who  fell  on  the 
Ist  day  of  June,  1813,  in  the  32d  year  of  his  age,  in  the  action  between  the  frigates  Chesa- 
peake  and  Shannon.  He  had  distinguished  himself  on  various  occasions,  but  particularly 
when  commanding  the  sloop  of  war  Hornet,  by  capturing  and  sinking  his  Britannic  Majes- 
ty's  sloop  of  war  Peacock,  after  a  desperate  action  of  14  minutts.  His  bravery  in  action  was 
only  equalled  by  his  modesty  in  triumph  and  his  magnanimity  to  the  vanquished.  In  private 
life,  be  waa  a  jjentleiimn  of  the  most  generous  and  endearing  qualities,  and  so  ackaowledged 


NIAGARA    COUNTY. 


347 


, .       ur  .1,  ii,of  fli«  whole  nation  mourned  his  loss,  and  the  enemy  contended 

was  his  public  worth  that  the  whole  "f  tion  n  .         ri,j^    jj         ^^ose  remams  are 

..Dan.  12.  3.  Die  lehrer  aber  werden^-chten  ^^^^  tV^lr^DotrdeTkenThrrs 
viele  zur  gerechtigkeit  we.sen,  ^'«  ^'^f  ™KisTora  Kv^rdoctor  der  theologie,  professor 
unvergeslichen  lehrers  des  herrn  J°«f 'i^^^^f^ii.ui^eit  jm  New  Yorker  staat,  und  seit 
der  oriental  sprachen,  senior  der  Luthenschen  geist  ichkeit  m  i>e  ^.^^^^ 

23  jahren  prediger  der  Deuitseh  L"<he"«;;he»  S^^'";  "  Er  wurde  gebohren  im  jahr,  1744, 
stein  als  ein  zeichen  widmet  ihrer  verehrung  "'°"''°^-    ,  j^o  h»iu,i9t 
entschlief  den  24  July,  1807,  so  das  sich  sem  alter  aut  64  jahre  beluust. 

"Hier  liegt  ein  knecht  des  hernn  der  seinen  Jesum  hebte 
Ihm  treu  war  bis  in's  grab,  und  m^^nf^e  seel  gewan 
Dr'um  denkt  zu  curen  treat,  die  ench  sein  todt  betrubte 
Wie  trefen  ihm  einsl  dort  hey  unserm  Jesus  an. 
Translation.-D.n.  12,  3.     And  they  that  be  wise  shall  shine  as  the  bright^ess^of  the 
firmament,  and  they  that  turn  many  '»  "ghteo"sness  as^l^^e   tars    ore^er        ^ 
the  memory  of  their  never  to  be  forgoten  f^^iancL^rin  the  State  of  New  York,  and 
sorof  the  oriental  languages,  senior  of  the  Luthera"  de^^^^^  york,  this 

for  23  years  pastor  of  the  German  Lutheran  '^l^ereg^X^^om  of  their  veneration  and 
stone  is  dedicated  by  the  people  "^ J- ^f .  ^f ';f;,iV4  j^^^^^^^^^  in  the  64  year  of  his 
love     He  was  born  in  the  year  1  (44,  and  tell  asleep  ^*  Juiy, 

find  him  with  our  Jesus. 

erected  this  monument  m  testimony  of  their  "^^^P^*;"™^^^^  wisdom,  whose  talents  and 
into  dust.    He  died  July  12th,  1804,  aged  47." 


NIAGARA  COUNTY. 

Nta«ara  county  was  taken  from  Genesee  in  1808.    Greatest  length 
E  and  W  aoTbreldth  N.  and  S.  21  miles.     The  ^ori  Niagara 
i,'  of  Indian  origin,  and  signifies  across  the  neck  or  strait      The 
streams  areVwind  with  the  exception  of  Eighteen  Mile,  Johnson  s 
and  Tonawanta  creeks,  and  Niagara  river,  are  inconsiderable      In 
me  exdusive  of  the  occupants  of  Forts  Niagara  and  Schlos  e  , 
here'  wa    but  one  white  family  in  the  territory  now  forming  this 
county     The  proposed  line  for  a  ship  canal,  from  the  Niagara  river 
above  the  Falls  to  Lewiston,  lies  wholly  withm  the  county,  com- 
mencing near  Gill  creek  and  the  site  of  old  Fort  Sch  osser.     A  rail- 
Toad  r"ms  from  Lockport  and  another  from  Buffalo  to  the  Niagara 
Falls.     A  branch  has  been  made  from  Lewiston  to  intersect  the 
Lockport  and  Niagara  Falls  railroad,  a  ftance  of  about  2  m^les.   The 
Erie  canal  enters  the  Tonawanta  creek  near  its  mouth.     1  he  creeK 


I   J 


348 


NIAGARA    COUNTY. 


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is  used  for  12  mries  as  a  canal  by  a  tow-path  on  its  bank.  At  Pen- 
dleton village,  the  canal  leaves  the  creek  and  turns  in  a  northeasterly 
direction  across  the  mountain  ridge,  with  a  deep  cut  oi  about  three 
miles  through  rock  averaging^O  feet ;  and  then  descendmg  60  feet, 
by  five  doub!3  combined  locks  of  12  feet  each,  it  passes  out  of  the 
county  south  of  the  Ridge  road.  The  county  is  divided  into  12 
towns.     Pop.  31,114. 

Cambria,  organized  in  1808,  as  part  of  Genesee  county,  and  then 
embracing  the  whole  country  now  forming  Niagara  county ;  from 
Albany  288  miles.  Pekin,  10  miles  W.  from  Lockport,  is  a  small 
settlement  on  the  route  of  the  railroad,  on  elevated  ground,  having  a 
fine  prospect  to  the  northward.     Pop.  2,;'.00. 

Hartland,  organized  in  1812;  bounds  since  changed  ;  from  Alba- 
ny 270  miles.  Hurtland,  10  miles  NE.  from  Lockport,  and  Johnson 
Creek  14  miles,  are  small  villages  on  the  Ridge  road.     Pop.  2,301. 

Levviston,  taken  from  Cambria  in  1813;  from  Albany  293  miles. 
Lewiston  village,  upon  the  river,  was  surveyed  in  1813  ;  it  is  7  miles 
N.  of  Niagara  Falls,  27  from  Bufliilo,  7  S.  of  Lake  Ontario,  18  W. 
of  Lockport,   80   from   Rochester.     Pop.  2,543.     It   lies   opposite 
Queenston,  U,  C.     It  is  the  port  of  entry  for  the  Niagara  collection 
district,  and  is  on  the  Ridge  road,  elevated  about  a  hundred  feet 
above  the  river,  at  the  foot  of  tiie  mountain  ridge  portage,  and  at  the 
Jiead  of  the  navigation,  and  contains  about  70  dwellings.     The  chief 
export  is  lumber.     Steamboats  from  the  lake  touch  daily  at  the  land- 
ing.    Th  re  is  a  ferry  across  the  river  at  Queenston,  the  passage 
of  which,  though  safe,  is  somewhat  appalling  by  reason  of  the  rapitUty 
and  eddies  of  the  stream.     In  the  central  })art  of  this  town,  aow 
intersected  by  the  Niagara  Falls  and  Lockport  -ailroad,  "  8  mi)es 
below  the  falls  and  3  miles  back  from  the  river,  is  the  reservation  of 
the  Tuscarora  Indians,  containing  2  miles  in  width  by  4  in  length, 
(about  5,000  acres,)  of  very  excellent  land.     They  consist  of  about 
300  souls ;  have  a  Presbyterian  church  of  50  members,  a  resident 
clergyman,  and  a  school  teacher,  and  a  temperance  society  of  more 
than  100  members.     They  are  under  the  care  of  the  American  Board 
of  Forei<,'n  Missions.     Their  village  is  delightfully  situated  on  a  nigh 
bank,  commanding  an  extensive  prospect  of  the  surrounding  country 
and  of  Lake  Ontario.     These  Indians  came  from  North  Carolina 
about  the  year  1712,  and  joined  the  confederacy  of  the  Five  Nations, 
themselves  making  the  sixth.     They  formerly  held  a  very  valuable 
interest  in  land  in  North  Carolina,  but  have  recently  sold  it  and  divided 
ihe  proceeds  equally  among  themselves.     Many  of  them  are  in  very 
prosperous  circumstances ;  in  1834,  one  man  raised  and  gatiiered  50 
acres  of  wheat.     Visiters  at  the  fails  have  been  in  the  habit  of  going, 
sometimes  in  crowds,  to  this  village  on  the  Sabbath  ;  but  the  Indians, 
with  their  missionary  liave  often  expressed  their  desire  that  visiters 
would  not  interrupt  them  at  that  time." 

The  following  is  a  northern  view  taken  near  the  steamboat  landing 
at  Lewiston,  p.howing  in  the  distance  Queenston  Heights,  distinguished 
aa  tl>o  )iu«ti»>.ii round  during  tlie  war  of  1812.     On  the  summit  of  the 


■wi  '■ 


' 


NIAGARA    COUNTT. 


349 


Lewiston  Landing,  and  Queenston  Heights,  U.  C. 


elevated  ground,  370  feet  above  the  river,  is  seen  Gen.  Brock  s  mon- 
ument, constructed  of  freestone,  at  the  expense  of  th^  provincial  gov- 
ernment.  The  base  is  20  feet  square,  and  the  shaft  rises  126  teet 
from  the  ground  ;  from  this  eminence  the  country  around,  including 
the  picturesque  lake  and  river  scenery,  may  be  seen  lor  fitty  miles. 
The  following  is  the  inscription  on  the  monument. 

"  The  IPEi'-lnturp  of  Upper  Cnnn.ia  has  dedicated  this  monument  to  thr  many  civil  and 
niilitnry  Bervices  of  the  late  Sm  James  Brock,  Knigiit  commander  of  th  Mo.t  Honorable 
Order  of  the  Bath,  Provincial  i^ieutenant  Governor  and  Major-genernl  commandm^  His 
Majesty's  forces  therein.  He  fell  in  action,  o  the  1.3th  of  October.  1812.  honored  and 
beloved  by  those  whom  he  governed,  and  deplored  by  his  Sovereign,  to  whose  services  his 
In-o  had  been  devoted.  His  remainH  are  deposited  i.i  thi-.  vault,  as  also  l"™-de.c,unp. 
Lieutenant-colonel  John  McDonald,  who  died  of  his  wounds  the  14  of  October,  1«U, 
received  the  day  before  in  action." 

Gen.  Brock  was  killed  at  a  spot  about  80  rods  down  the  hill,  in  a 
northwestern  direction  from  the  monument,  near  a  cherry-tree.     He 
was  a  brave  otficer,  and  fell  at  the  head  of  his  men  while  cheering 
them  on  to  action.     It  is  stated  that  when  leading  on  his  men,  he 
laid  his  hand  on  his  breast    exclaiming,  "  Here  is  a  breast  for  your 
yankee  haJh— shoot  me  if  you  can  ;"  when  mortally  wounded,  soon 
after,  he  took  off  his  cravat  and  told  one  ofliis  aids  to  deliver  it  to  his 
sister.     He  was  at  first  interred  in  the  northeastern  bastion  of  tort 
George,  and  a  24  pound  American  cannon,  captured  with  Hull, 
place'd   at   his   head.     His   remains   were   removed  to   Queenston 
IJcMf'hts,  on  one  of  the  anniversaries  of  the  battle.— On  the  night  ot 
the  nth  of  April,  1840,  some  evil-minded  and  unknown  persons  tn- 
ileavored  to  blow  up  the  monument  by  gunpowder.    This  disgracciul 
attempt  was  partially  successful ;  the  keystone  over  the  door  was 
thrown  out,  and  the  structure  itself  waa  cracked  up  to  nearly  two 
thirds  of  its  height.— The  following  account  of  the  battle  ol  Queens- 
ton is  from  the  Albany  Gazette,  Oct.  20th,  1812. 

••  At  four  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  13th  ip-t.  Col.  Solomon  Vijn  R"'TI;."* 'J* 
UeaU  of  300  niilitia,  and  Lieut.  Col.  Chmiic,  at  the  head  o<  300  rrBulam  of  the  13ih  rep. 


>*\ 


"i 


iifw'i  1 


l>».  ! 


350 


NIAGARA    COUNTY. 


\^ 


ment,  embarked  in  boats  to  dislodge  the  British  from  the  heights  of  Queenston.  They 
crossed  under  cover  of  a  battery  of  two  eighteen  and  two  six  pounders.  1  heir  movement 
was  discovered  almost  at  the  instant  of  their  departure  from  the  American  shore.  The 
detachments  landed  under  a  heavy  fire  of  artillery  and  musketry.  Col.  Van  Rensselaer 
received  a  wound  through  his  right  thigh  soon  after  landing,  but  proceeded  on  until  he 
received  two  other  flesh  wounds  in  his  thigh  and  ihe  calf  of  one  of  his  legs,  and  a  severe 
contusion  on  one  of  his  heels,  when  he  ordered  the  detachments  to  march  on  and  storm 
the  first  battery,  and  was  himself  carried  off  the  field.  The  order  for  storming  was  gallantly 
executed,  and  a  severe  conflict  ensued.  Lieut.  Col.  Christie  received  a  severe  wound  in 
his  hand,  but  got  over  the  works.  At  this  time  both  parties  were  reiniorced.  The  enemy 
soon  gave  way  and  fled  in  every  direction.  Maj.  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  crossed  over  to 
sustain  the  attack,  and  ascended  ihe  heights  of  Queenston,  where  he  was  attacked  with 
great  fury  by  several  hundred  Indians,  who  however  were  soon  routed  and  dnven  into  the 
woods.  The  reinforcements  ordered  over  from  the  Amencan  side  began  to  move  tardily, 
and  finally  stopped.  This  induced  the  major-general  to  remrn,  in  order  to  accelerate  their 
movements.  He  mounted  a  horse  and  used  every  exertion  in  his  power  to  urge  on  tiie 
reinforcements,  but  in  vain  ;  whereupon  the  general  perceiving  that  a  strong  reinlorcement 
was  advancing  to  support  the  British,  ordered  a  retreat,  but  before  the  order  reached  Brig. 
Gen  Wadsworth,  the  battle  was  renewed  by  the  enemy  with  great  vigor  and  increased 
num'bei-s  which  compelled  the  Americans,  whose  strength  and  ammunition  were  neariy 
exliauste'd  by  hard  fighting  for  eleven  hours,  and  with  very  little  intermission,  to  give  way. 
The  number  of  killed  is  considerable  on  both  sides,  but  the  Americans  have  lost  many 
prisoners  including  about  60  officers,  most  of  whom  are  wounded.  Among  the  prisoners 
arc  Lieut.  Cols.  Scott,  Christie,  and  Fenwick,  of  the  United  States  troops ;  Gen.  Wads, 
worth  and  Col.  Stranahan  of  the  militia.  Maj.  Gen.  Brock,  of  the  British,  is  among  tlio 
slain  and  his  aid-de.camp  mortally  wounded.  The  whole  number  of  Americans  said  to 
have  been  engaged,  is  about  l,(iOO,  of  which  900  were  regular  troops  and  700  militui.— 
On  the  14th,  an  arrangement  was  made  between  Maj.  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  and  Gen. 
Sheafe  for  the  liberation  of  all  the  militia  prisoners  on  parole,  not  to  serve  during  the  war." 

The  following,  from  the  Albany  Register,  Extra,  contains  some 
additional  particulars. 

"  A  largo  body  of  the  enemy  got  behind  a  stone  guard-house,  in  which  was  mounted  a 
pair  of  heavy  ordnance.  Two  eighteen  pounders  were  directed  against  it,  which  raked 
them  severely,  and  at  the  8lh  shot  tumbled  up  a  heap  of  men  and  dismounted  one^gun. 
They  fled  behind  .Judge  Hamilton's  store-house  ;  but  our  eighteens  raked  them  from  thence 
and  they  fled.  By  this  time,  about  ten  o'clock,  the  enemy's  fire,  except  one  gun  out  of 
reach,  was  silenced,  and  victory  seemed  complete.  The  general  had  passed  over  to  the 
heights,  but  sent  back  to  urge  on  the  troops  which  were  passing  over  to  head  the  columns. 
At  this  time,  however,  the  enemy  received  a  reinforcement  of  several  hundred  ot  Cluppe- 
wav  Indians,  and  eommeneed  an  attack  with  great  fury.  The  rifle  and  the  uayonet  iiad 
scacely  put  them  to  route,  and  drove  them  to  the  woods,  when  they  were  joined  by  a  large 
reinforcement  of  regulars  from  Fort  George.  They  renewed  the  attack,  and  the  conflict 
became  tremendous.  It  lasted  about  half  an  hour,  when  our  valiant  Spartan  band,  who 
had  waded  through  blood  anticipating  ^  .etory,  being  exhausted  in  strength  and  ammunition, 
were  obliged  to  yield  the  day.     They  I.  ■    fought  eleven  hours  without  intermission.' 

The  loss  of  the  Americans  in  this  affair  in  killed,  wounded,  and 
missing,  was  estimated  at  1,000;  of  this  number  about  90  are  sup- 
posed to  have  been  killed.  The  militia,  previous  to  the  action,  insisted 
on  being  led  on  against  the  enemy  tt)  drive  them  from  the  Niagara 
peninsula,  so  that  they  could  return  home.  Many  of  them  threatened 
to  leave  the  camp  unless  led  to  immediate  action.  After  the  com- 
mencement of  the  battle,  the  sight  of  the  wounded,  as  they  were 
brought  across  the  river  covered  with  blood,  and  the  groans  of  the  dy- 
ing, cooled  their  military  ardor.  They  now  ap|)eared  lo  Kave  made  the 
discovery  that  the  constitution  did  not  require  them  to  go  beyond  the 
limits  of  the  United  States.  Rather  than  cross  over  to  an  enemy's 
country,  be  shot  at,  with  a  chance  of  being  killed,  or  made  cripples 
for  life,  they  determined  to  forego  their  chance  of  obtaining  military 


NIAGARA    COUNTY. 


351 


honors.  It  is  said  that  several  hundred  of  the  militia,  after  they  had 
crossed  over  to  the  Canadian  shore,  availed  themselves  of  the  dark- 
ness and  other  facilities  to  hide  themselves  in  the  clefts  ot  the  rocks, 
where  they  remained  in  concealment  during  the  day,  and  were  only 
drasrred  by  the  legs  from  their  lurking  places  by  the  British  troops, 
afterthe  surrender  of  the  fighting  part  of  the  Americans. 

LocKPORT,  formed  from  Royalton  and  Cambria  in  1824 ;  centrally 
distant  from  Albany  by  canal  333,  from  Rochester  W.  63,  from  Buf- 
falo E.  30  miles,  by  road  24,  and  from  Niagara  Falls  20  miles.  Top. 
of  the  town,  9,162.  Lockport  village,  incorporated  in  1829,  was 
founded  in  the  spring  of  1821,  by  Mr.  Sherard  Comstock,  deceased, 
who  surveyed  his  farm  of  100  acres  into  town  lots.  The  hrst  fiouse 
was  erected  by  Joseph  Langdon,  additions  were  soon  made  to  the 
village  plat,  and  in  1822  it  became  the  county  town. 


Northeastern  view  of  the  lochs  at  Lockport. 

The  above  is  a  view  of  the /i;p  double  lodes  on  the  Erie  canal, 
(from  which  the  village  derives  its  name,)  and  part  of  the  buildings 
in  the  vicinity.  A  new  set  of  locks  by  the  side  of  those  represented 
in  the  engraving  arc  now  constructing,  which  will  give  increasod 
facility  to  the  passage  of  boats.  The  village  contains  about  .'■)00 
houses,  9  cliurcli<!S,'and,  according  to  ♦he  census  of  1840,  .'»,711 
inhabitants.  Its  buildings,  both  public  and  ))rivate,  are  mostly  built 
of  the  excellent  stone  which  is  here  quarried.  There  is  a  bank  nnd 
two  newspaper  cstablishnionts.  The  manufacture  of  flour  is  an  im- 
portant branch  of  business  in  this  place.  The  great  nbundancc  ot 
water  (h-rived  fron^  T/.tke  Erie,  which  is  brought  through  the  deep 
cut  to  the  brow  of  the  ridge,  and  all  around  the  basin,  is  used  for 


V*      ^'      • 


353 


NIAGARA    COUNTY. 


!  '  JIT        >-*■   511 


1    >•         • 

!      „ 


.it 


various  mills  and  factories.  The  waste  water  of  these  mills,  and  of 
the  locks  of  the  sixty  feet  mountain  ridge,  after  it  has  fulfilled  its 
hydraulic  operations  in  its  descent  to  the  basin,  is  there  retained  by  a 
dam  across  the  ravine,  and  forms  the  head  or  fountain  to  fill  the  long, 
or  sixty-five  mile  level,  and  as  such  is  chiefly  relied  on,  though  the 
Oak  orchard,  the  Genesee,  and  other  feeders  are  useful  in  their  place. 
"  The  upper  part  of  the  village  is  about  80  feet  above  the  level  of 
the  basin  and  long  level  of  the  canal.  In  moving  up  in  a  boat  to  the 
head  of  the  basin  to  enter  the  chain  of  double  locks,  which  are  ar- 
ranged in  the  most  massive  style  side  by  '  3,  in  huge  chambers, 
with  stone  steps  in  the  centre,  guarded  by  ircxi  railings  for  safety  and 
convenience,  the  gates  of  the  lock  are  closed  after  the  boat  is  in  the 
chamber,  and  the  roaring  and  sudden  influx  of  the  water  from  the  lock 
above,  in  three  or  four  minutes  raises  the  boat  to  the  level  of  the  lock 
above ;  and  this  is  repeated  five  times,  the  adjoining  side  lock  being, 
perhaps,  employed  in  letting  a  boat  pass  down  the  lock  to  the  basin 
and  canal.  The  boat  having  in  this  manner  risen  up  GO  feet  in  five 
lifts,  the  passenger  finds  before  him  a  vista  of  several  miles,  bounded 
on  either  hand  by  walls  of  the  solid  limestone  rock,  25  to  30  feet 
high,  and  very  appropriately  called  the  '  Deep  rock  cutting  at  Lock- 
port:  " 

New  Fane,  taken  from  Wilson,  Hartland,  and  Somerset  in  1824  ; 
from  Albany  270  miles.  Kempsville,  a  small  village  on  Lake  Ontario, 
12  miles  N.  of  Lockport,  is  a  place  of  considerable  trade  for  lumber, 
wheat,  &c.  Charlotte,  or  New  Fane  Centre,  is  7  niilus  from  Lock- 
port.    New  Fane  is  a  post-office.     Pop.  2,375. 

Niagara  was  taken  from  Cambria  in  1812,  by  the  name  of  Schlos- 
ser ;  it  was  changed  in  1810.  The  village  of  Niagara  Falls  is  situated 
at  the  celebrated  Falls  of  Niagara  river,  lat.  43°  0'  N.,  long.  2°  0'  W. 
The  village  wcs  laid  oat  by  Augustus  Porter,  Esq.,  and  others,  in 
1805.  It  was  at  first  called  Manchester,  afterward  Niagara  Falls. 
The  village  contains  2  churches,  2  splendid  hotels,  and  3  other  pub- 
lic houses,  2  pviblic  schools,  80  dwellings  of  all  kinds,  and  500  inhabit- 
ants. Distance  from  Albany  290  miles,  New  York  440,  BuflUlo  22, 
Lockport  18,  Chillicothe,  Ohio,  403,  Kingston,  U.  C,  200,  Montreal 
388,  Quebec  508,  Detroit  332,  Cincinnati  408,  and  Washington  703 
miles.     Pop.  1,201. 

"  Tlio  river  Niagara  is  35  miles  in  length,  and  flows  northerly  ; 
about  midway  between  the  two  lakes  it  separates  into  two  channels, 
forming  Cirand  Island.  A  short  distance  below  the  union  of  these 
(rhanncis  are  the  falls  of  Niagara,  the  grandest  cataract  in  the  world. 
Half  a  mile  above  the  falls  the  river  is  a  furious  rapid,  which  sweeps 
away  to  ceitain  destruction  every  thing  involved  in  it.  The  river  is 
here  thr(x>  (punters  of  a  mile  broad,  and  Iroin  this  point  it  rushes 
down  with  increased  velocity  to  the  fall,  where  it  leaps  in  an  immense 
mass  down  a  perpendicular  precipice  100  feet  in  depth,  with  a  roar 
heard  in  favorable  states  o<  the  wind  an  '  atmosphere,  5,  10,  20  or 
even  30  miles.  The  cataract  forms  an  irregular  «v'nncircle,  the 
deepest  hollow  of  which  is  called  Horse-shoe  Full,  and  is  on   the 


NIAGARA    COUNTY. 


353 


View  of  Niagara  Falls  from  the  American  side. 

Canada  side.     At  the  brink  of  the  fall  stands  a  small  island,  called 

Goat  Island,  which  .r^aratcs  the  Canada  from  the  American  tall.     A 

bridge  is  thi-ow.  across  the  falls  from  the  American  s.de  to  he  .slanrh 

On  tlie  British  side.  .  few  yards  below,  is  a  pn>l<;ction  called  1  able 

Rock,  eom.nandm..  a  magnificent  view  ot  the  tails.     I-  rum  this  rock 

a  spiral  sta.n-ase  leads  down  to  the  foot  ot  the  cataract,  where  v.s  t- 

<>rs  may  pass  under  the  fall  between  the  sheet  of  water  and  the  rock. 

The  path  leads  far  under  the  excavated  bank  of  the  nver.  whui  in 

some  places  forms  a  roof  overhanging  30  or  40  feet      "^^^^^ff 

such  an  in.mense  mass  of  water  produces  violent  whirls  m  the  air, 

and  the  spray  is  driven  out  with  such  force  that  no  one  can  approach 

the  edge  of  the  cataract  without  being  drenched  to  the  skin,      t  is 

difhcult  even  to  draw  a  breath  here,  and  in  entering  this  trrmniuous 

cavern.  tluTe  is  danger  of  being  blinded  by  the.  str.mg  driving  showers 

"  surav.     Tlie  -re'aU-st  distance  to  which  it  is  possible  to  pass  witfiui 

^V^''^'      -'"...   ,.^  X-...     The  banks  ot  the  rrcr  for 


L''  h'    ■ 


this  shcc 


CI  ui   Wdl'-;i      li*    <»* -^     '  ■- 


0   feet, 
45 


354 


NIAGARA    COUNTY. 


fr    *-r 


several  miles  below  the  falls  are  perpendicular  precipices  of  rock,  and 
there  is  every  reason  to  believe  that  the  cataract  was  formerly  much 
further  down  the  river,  the  rock  having  gradually  worn  away  to  the 
present  spot.  A  cloud  of  spray  is  continually  rising  from  the  foam 
of  water,  and  exhibiting  in  the  sunshine  a  brilliant  rainbow." 

The  above  view  of  the  falls  was  taken  from  the  ferry,  and  shows 
on  the  left  of  Goat  Island,  and  near  to  the  spectator,  the  American 
fall,  and  to  the  right  of  the  island  and  in  the  distance,  the  Crescent  or 
Horse-shoe  fall.  The  cataract  on  the  American  side  is  164,  and  on 
the  Canada  side  158  feet  in  height.  The  stone  tower  seen  in  the 
view  is  connected  with  Goat  Island  by  the  Terrapin  bridge,  a  struc- 
ture 300  feet  in  length,  and  projecting  10  feet  over  the  falls.  This 
tower,  45  feet  in  height,  with  winding  steps  to  the  top,  was  erected  in 
1833,  from  which,  or  from  the  end  of  the  bridge,  the  view  is  awfully 
sublime.  Apart  from  the  falls,  this  whole  region  is  one  of  deep  inter- 
est, from  the  other  natural  curiosities  and  the  historical  reminiscences 
with  which  it  is  connected.  The  visiter  should  not  fail  to  visit  the 
whirlpool  in  the  Niagara  river,  3  miles  below  the  village.  "  A  mile 
from  the  whirlpool,  the  road  runs  within  a  few  feet  of  the  river's 
bank,  where  a  deep  and  gloomy  chasm  is  rent  or  worn  out  of  the 
rock.  This  is  called  the  Devil's  Hole,  and  the  small  stream  which 
crosses  the  road  and  falls  into  the  chasm,  is  the  Bloody  Run."  In 
1759,  during  the  old  French  and  Indian  war,  a  detachment  of  100 
British  regulars,  who  were  conveying  provisions,  in  wagons,  to  Fort 
Schlosser,  were  here  surprised  by  a  party  of  Indians  in  ambuscade. 
"  Many  of  the  soldiers  were  killed  at  the  first  discharge,  and  the 
others  were  thrown  into  hopeless  confusion.  The  Indians  fell  like 
tigers  upon  the  drivers,  tomahawked  them  in  their  seats,  and  threw 
them  under  foot.  The  wagons  were  backed  off  the  precipice,  and 
men  and  cattle  fell  with  their  loading  in  one  dismembered  and  muti- 
lated mass  below.  Some  threw  themselves  from  the  bank,  and  fell 
mangled  and  dying  on  the  rocks ;  others  lodged  in  the  branches  of 
the  trees,  where  they  rcmair  od,  disabled,  until  the  affray  was  over, 
when  the  savages,  at  their  leisure,  despatched  them."  The  brook 
that  courses  the  bank  ran  red  with  the  blood  of  the  slain.  Only  four 
escaped  to  relate  the  horrible  fate  of  their  companions.  Pieces  of 
wagons  and  other  relics  of  this  bloody  affray  remained  in  this  vicinity 
until  within  a  few  years,  but  have  now  mouldered  away. 

The  imniediatc  vicinity  of  the  falls  is  rendered  memorable  on  ac- 
count of  its  being  the  place  where  a  number  of  bloody  battles  were 
fought  during  the  last  war.  The  battle  of  Chippewa  was  fought  on 
the  0th  of  July,  1814,  at  the  village  of  that  name,  on  the  Canada  side, 
about  two  miles  from  the  falls.  In  .Tuly,  the  British  and  American 
forces  being  near  each  other,  Gen.  Ripley  ordered  Gen.  Scott  to 
make  an  advance  on  Chippewa. 

"  On  the  morning  of  the  fourth,  (tcncral  Scott  advanced  with  his  hrigudo  nnd  rorps  of 
artillery,  nnH  took  a  position  on  the  Chippewa  plain,  half  •  mile  in  front  of  the  viiluKc,  his 
rij/ht  resting  on  the  river,  and  his  front  protected  by  a  ravine.  The  British  were  cnrampcd 
III  force  lit  tlic  villiiKc  In  the  eveiinij^  Uenirnl  Hrown  joined  him  with  the  reBerve  under 
Gofiorai  Ripley,  and  the  artiilcrjr  commanded  by  Major  Hinnman.    General  rortcr  arrived 


i 


.        ;    »  .^- 


NIAGARA    COUNTY. 


355 


-.1  .v,n  -NTow  Ynrk  and  Pennsylvania  volunteera,  and  a  number  of  In- 
the  next  mormng  wuh  he  New  ^  ^^^^  ^^^  British  commenced  a  finng 

dians  of  the  Six  Nations.    t.ariy  m  «^^  ^^^  „f  ^^       hastily  retreated,  leaving 

on  the  pickets.  Captain  T'^,*^"'^J^_^°  General  Brown  instantly  ordered  him  to  retire 
one  of  his  men  ^^^^.'^''tTrttf  n  £dle  to  aLsu^e  the  command  of  the  picket,  lead  it 
from  the  army,  and  directed  Captam  ^'Jdle  to  bbsu  accomplished  without  losa. 

back  to  the  giomid,  and  bring  "^  '^^^^""XancTd  taking  the  woods  in  order  to  conceal 
At  four  in  the  afternoon,  General  P"--'"  f J^"""'^^^^^^^ 

his  approach,  and  in  the  hope  °f  ^nnging  their  pcketaand^^^^^  ^^  ^^^  ^^^ 

march  and  the  A-erican  camp  In  hatf  an  hour  J^  ^d^^^^^^^^^  ^^^^^  ^ear  Chippewa, 
ish  in  the  woods  on  the  left.  These  were  a™ J."'  *^^  General  Scott,  with  his  brigade 
,net  the  whole  British  force  ^PP>-°'^«'^'"g;Xn  in  f^on  of  the  American  encampment,  and 
and  Towson's  artillery,  met  them  on  theplmn,  in  front  ot  tM  a  command  gave 

was  directly  engaged  in  close  action  ^/'^ 'h|^"^»'n  T/-„k  w^  uncovered.    Cap. 

wav,  and  fled  in  every  direction,  by  ^^ich  Scott  slef^^Bank  was  enury  ^^^  ^^^ 

taiA  Harris,  with  his  dragoons,  was  ordered  to  ^'"P'J'f^;"^''''^*'''^  General  Ripley  passed 
tlieni  in  fro'nt  of  the  camp.  The  reserve  ^e>-«  ""^  ""^J"/^  "P'turbeS  h  s  wL  effected, 
to  the  woods  in  left  of  the  "^/o  gain  he  rear  cJ^O^^  Thdr  wKe  line  now  fell  back  and 
General  Soott  had  compelled  »»e  IJ.i'-li  to  retire,     i  ^^^  jg_ 

were  eagerly  pursued  by  the  Americans.  As  «°;"'^,;i'"y;;S  their  workfin  disorder, 
soending  towards  the  village,  their  l'"«\broke,  and  they  ,ega,^^^^^^ 

The  American  troops  pursued  ""''l^'^Ssl/l  ft  tlXnd^ed^^^  on'the  ground, 
desisted  and  returned  to  their  camp,     ^he  Bntwli  let   two  n  ^^^^ 

nincty-four  wounded,  beside  those  in  the  earb^  part  of  ll^^^^^^^^\^^^^^  ^^^  ,^,  hun- 

to  the  camp,  and  f''"rt^'^^PV«^"7^^„2^'',,^Xr,  •„"« St.  0/ tAeLtc  War. 

dred  and  sixty-eight  wounded  and  missing.  —FerKtn  s  um.  oj  i  ,        ,  ,   ^„    .,  ^ 

The  battle  of  Bridgeicater  or  Lundy's  Lane  v^^s  fought  on  the 
25th  of  July  The  principal  scene  of  this  bloody  action,  was  at  an 
Ob  cmv  road,  called  Lundy's  Lane,  about  half  a  mile  westward  from 
the  Nh-ira  cataract.  "  the  thunder  of  the  cannon,  the  roaring  of 
he  iH  Is"  he  incessant  discharge  of  musketry,  the  gmans  of  the  dying 
\ml   vounS  lur^      the  six  hours  in  which  the  parties  were  engaged 

•r  lose  combat,  hei|htened  by  the  -^--f  "-rwi^MnX'annai: 
ni-rht  aff;)rded  such  a  scene  as  is  rarely  to  be  met  with  m  the  annals 

0  s L "  ter!    The  evening  was  calm,  and  the  moon  shone  wrth 

1  stre  when  not  enveloped  in  clouds  of  smoke  from  the  firing  of  the 
con  enint  a^-mies."  Since  the  retreat  of  the  enemy  Irotn  Chippewa, 
they  an-e^cTved  reinforcements  of  troops  ft  om  L^^d  Wellington  s 
arnwin  Spain ;  and  on  the  25th  of  July,  encamped  on  a  hill,  with 
the  design  of  attacking  the  Americans  the  next  mommg. 

..On  th.  '>^,th  ult    the  army  under  the  command  of  Major  Gen.  Brown  encamped  above 
'  Un  tlie  ~.)in  un.,  UK!  aiiii^  AtAPM    information  was  received  that 

^vT'^^^^^^7^^^^^'  aoi  rods  from  .his  position  on  an  eminence. 
Tl  e  .t.;,  y-  un  i  al  force  was  .inch  superior  t,  Gen.  Scott's ;  his  hne  --  «^  ;'[^«"f "  ; 
Jnd  I.    sill  "l  a  disposition  .0  flanl..--In  order  ^'^ ^^'--^^■^l^^'^J^'^^^^Z^^ 

Hmw.    oerceiviiiK  th.t  the  enemv's  artillery  was  most  destruclivo,  decided  to  storia  the 
battery'  CaT.Mille^^       hero  of  Magagua.  wa.  ordered  to  this  enterprise  ;  he  approached 

"    •  In  roceivin7thi«  oH^HV^o^n.  Brown,  Col.  Miller  calmly  surveyed  the  poBilion,  and 


356 


NIAGARA    COUNTY. 


the  enemy's  cannon  with  a  quick  step,  and  delivered  his  fire  within  a  few  paces  of  the 
enemy's  Hne  ;  who,  after  receiving  two  or  three  rounds  and  a  vigorous  charge,  retired  to  the 
bottom  of  the  hill,  and  abandoned  his  cannon.  Only  one  piece  was  brought  off  the  field 
for  want  of  horses.  The  enemy  now  gave  way  and  retreated ;  they  were  followed  some 
distance.  Our  army  was  now  employed  in  securing  the  prisoners  and  bringing  off  the 
wounded. — The  cessation  however  was  short :  Lieut.  General  Drummond  is  supposed  to 
have  arrived  at  this  interval  with  a  reinforcement.  The  enemy  renewed  the  action,  whilst 
our  troops  were  busily  employed  in  clearing  the  ground  of  the  wounded ;  but  the  gallant 
Americans  formed  with  alacrity,  and  after  a  close  engagement  of  20  minutes,  the  enemy 
were  repulsed.  The  army  now  effected  the  removal  of  nearly  if  not  all  of  the  wounded, 
and  retired  from  the  ground,  it  being  nearly  12  o'clock  at  night ;  they  returned  to  their  en. 
campment  in  good  order.  On  the  morning  of  the  28th,  our  forces  under  Generals  Ripley 
and  Porter,  reconnoitred  the  enemy  near  the  battle  ground,  returned  and  burnt  the  Bridge, 
water  mills,  and  all  the  enemy's  barracks,  and  the  bridge  at  Chippewa,  and  passed  up  the 
river  to  Fort  Erie,  where  they  made  a  stand.  The  enemy's  force  engaged  must  have  been 
nearly  5,000 ;  ours  short  of  that  number.  Major.Gen.  Riall  was  wounded,  and  taken  in 
the  rear  of  his  army  by  Cai)t.  Ketchuni,  together  with  one  of  his  aids,  the  other  being  killed. 
"  Major.Gen.  Brown  was  severely  wounded  in  the  thigh  (besides  a  contusion  on  his  body) 
in  the  hottest  of  the  action,  but  continued  to  command  until  the  enemy  retreated.  Brig. 
Gen.  Scott  was  also  severely  wounded  by  a  grape  in  the  shoulder,  besides  a  severe  bruise 
occasioned  by  a  shell  or  cannon  "hot,  having  lost  2  horses,  killed.  Col.  Brady  22d  infan- 
try;  Majors  .fessup  25th,  Leavenworili  9th,  M'Nicl  11th;  Brigade.niajor  Smith;  Lieuts. 
Campbell  and  Smouck,  artillery;  Lieut.  Wortli, aid  to  Gen.  Scott;  Lieut. Carnpllth;  together 
with  many  others,  whose  names  we  have  not  learnt,  were  wounded,  some  badly. — The 
loss  of  the  enemy  in  killed  and  wounded,  was  rising  800,  exclusive  of  200  regulars  and  20 
officers  prisoners.  Our  loss  in  killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  is  from  6  to  700.  Major 
M'Farland  23d,  Capt.  Ritchie,  artillery,  Cupts.  Kinney  and  Goodrich,  Lieut.  Bigelow,  infan. 
try,  and  several  other  officers,  killgd  ;  Capt.  S|)encer,  aid  to  Major-Gen.  Brown,  supposed  to 
be  mortally  wounded  ;  Major  Stanton,  of  the  New  York  volunteers.  Adj.  Pew,  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania  volunteers,  killed.  Major  Camp,  of  the  stall',  lost  two  horses  on  the  field,  but  es. 
caped  a  wound.     The  9th,  11th,  and  25th,  suffered  very  severely." 


a 


View  of  Schlosser  Landing,  Niagara. 

The  above  is  a  northern  view  of  the  steamboat  landing  at  Porter's 
storehouse,  commonly  called  Schlosser  Landing,  upwards  of  two 

answered,  "  I  will  try,  sir!"  which  expression  was  afterward  the  motto  of  his  regiment, 
During  the  battle  in  the  evening,  Capt.  Ambrose  Spencer,  son  of  the  chief.justice  of  New 
YorH  and  aid  to  Gen.  Brown,  wna  despatched  with  orders  to  one  of  the  regiments ;  when 
about  to  deliver  them,  he  suddenly  found  himself  in  contact  with  a  British  corps ;  with  great 
coolness  and  a  firm  air,  he  inquired  what  reginumt  is  this  ?  On  being  answered,  the  Royal 
Scots,  he  iminediately  replied,  "  Hoyal  &o?.s',  remain  as  you  are."  Tiie  commandant  of  "tlio 
corps,  supposing  the  ordi^rs  came  fr(;ni  his  commanding  general,  immediately  halted  his  re. 
giment,  and  Captain  Spencer  rodo  off.  Ciiptnin  Spenrer  was  afterward  mortally  woimded, 
and  taken  prisoner.^   Ciipt.  Loring,  tiie  aid  of  Gen.  Drummond,  was  also  taken  prisoner 


NIAGARA    COUNTY. 


357 


miles  from  the  falls.  The  site  of  old  Fort  Schlosser  is  nearly  a 
me  below  the  landing :  it  was  anciently  a  stoccade  built  upon  baijks 
slightly  raised  above  the  plain.  The  steamboat  Caroline,  the  bum- 
n?  of  which  has  caused  so  much  sensation  on  the  W'/[,«' ^^y  ^^e- 
^de  the  store-house  .epresented  in  the  engravmg.  Part  of  the  village 
of  Chippewa,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Niagara  river,  is  seen  on  the 
rhrht  in  the  extreme  distance.  Navy  Island,  so  celebrated  as  a  place 
of  resort  for  the  Canadian  patriots,  or  rebels,  as  they  are  a  te^^^^^^^^ 
called,  is  seen  to  the  left  beyond  the  s  ore-house.  The  following  is 
extracted  from  "  De  Veaux's  Falls  of  Niagara. 

»  About  the  middle  of  the  month  of  December,  1837,  twenty-eight  men,  ?""«?;% ^a- 
nadifi^rwith  Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer  -d  William  Lyon  Mackenz.e^^  ^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

and  provisions.    They  staid  on  the  island  for  one  month,  and  then,  at  the  r  own  cnoice 
feft  i?.  and  not  in  fear  of  their  opponents.    Opposite  to  ,hem,  -Jf^'^fj'^£3^;;/tl 

lZL::tlZ:%Ut,  saw  something  advancing  on  ^^ojater  He  hade^u^^^^ 
he  could  aive  the  alarm,  a  body  of  armed  men  rushed  on  board,  shot  at  the  sentinel  ana 
nil  thev  m^t  c  ying-'  Cut  th.m  down ."  '  Givt  no  quarter P  No  arms  were  on  board  of 
i  boatTna  atS  was  expected;  and  no  resistance  was  made.  Some  got  on  shor  u 
muro^  oLrs  were  severely  cut  and  dangerously  wounded.  0"\'"'*"X  boat  The  v 
tKh^rf,  and  twelve  were  missing,  either  killed,  or  burnt  and  sunk  with  he  boat.  Th  y 
towed  the  boat  out  in  the  river,  and  set  it  on  fire  ;  the  flame  ^u^t  forth ,  it  dnhedj^owly. 
«nH  its  blaze  shone  far  and  wide  over  the  water  and  adjacent  shores.  On  the  l^anaaa  siae, 
a"a  dsSnce  above  Chippewa,  was  burning  a  large  light,  as  a  signal  to  those  engaged  .a 
£e  ex  eSn      In  a  short  time,  an  astounding  shout  came  booming  "-^  ^^  ™;^ 

peared!    Many  of  the  wrecked  and  charred  remains  were,  the  next  morning,  floatmg  m 
the  current  and  eddies  belo  V  the  falk," 

Pendleton,  taken  from  Niagara  in  1827 ;  from  Albany  284  miles. 
Pendleton  is  a  small  village,  7  miles  SW.  from  Lockport,  at  the  junc- 
tion of  the  Erie  canal  with  the  Tonawanta  creek.     Pop.  1,098. 

Porter,  taken  f-om  Cambria  in  1812;  from  Albany  304  miles 
Pop.  2,175.  Youngstown,  port  of  delivery  on  the  Niagara  river,  1 
mile  above  Lake  Ontario,  19  miles  NW.  from  Lockport,  has  about 

'^^TlTelbllowing  is  a  distant  view  of  Fort  Niagara  as  seen  ^om  near 
the  lighthouse  5n  the  British  side.     The  engravmg  fr«"\™  ^  ^^ 
^    ,„„  ,,r.w.c.A  «rn«  niihlished  durincT  the  last  war,  and  shows  its 


"f  1 


^  ■•#■ 


'iH  . 


I: 


358 


NIAGARA   COUNTY. 


Distant  view  of  Fort  Niagara. 


Ifisiani  vi<^u^  ^j - 

.nd  the  -atcs  of  the  fort  were  open  and  ungu*^^^^    ^^^^  ^f  the  garrison 

were  killed;  twenty-seven  V^^^^^?\  ^^^^ov^-.n^  interesting  historica 
Zi  military  stores  were    aken.  J^ejollow^^g^,^  ^^^^^  ^^.  ^^^^^^^^ 
account  of  this  place,  is  taken  Horn 
published  in  1839.  ^^s  enclosed  by 

p.,i..u™,  by  M.  D;,*  "k^trBri".!.,  under  Si,  WiJ-^  '^tag  ..dti.y  u.  p,ovo 

the  Bociety  of  those  vvhose  only  distmc'      ^^^^  ^^.^^^  ^     ""^rT^fnon  and  countenanced. 

surrounding  Indians,  ot  whom  they  w  ^^^^^  them,  with  ^"'"^^.f . J  'je  the  Indians 

sent  of  the  Ind.an.  to  bmld  a  -'^^^^-^^^.^^^^  ^^^  .een  n.ade  ^«f ''y^^j^^'^;!    Jtd   .dvanced 


NIAGARA    COUNTY. 


359 


a  British  force 
rt  by  surprise, 
er  was  absent, 
he  result  of  the 
of  the  garrison 
irge  quantities 
sting  historical 
Is  of  Niagara, 

30t  was  enclosed  by 
1725,  the  fort  was 
n     The  capture  has 
ig  authority  to  prove 
ic  19th  of  December, 
,  1815,  again  surren- 
'and  crime,  as  for  any 
hands  of  the  French, 
lose  and  impregnable 
any  years  after,  clear 
..    During  the  Amen 
I'nrelenting,  and  cruel, 
ierers  and  miscreants, 
nts.    There,  civilized 
refinement  mingled  in 
mahawk  and  scalpmg- 
and  the  most  unholy 
on  and  countenanced, 
ven  years,  they  sallied 
usquehannahs.    It  was 
3  they  returned  to  feast, 

tit  of  land  at  the  mouth 
which  is  a  very  strong 
.'onsiderable,  though  not 
force  was  inferior  to  the 
19     They  obtained  con- 
ome  of  their  officers,  to 
r  and,  while  the  Indians 
i'ght,  they  had  advanced 
Ivcs  against  the  savagus, 
idernble  strength.    U  had 


Its  bastions,  ravines  ;  its  ditch  and  pickets ;  its  curtains  and  counterscarp ;  its  covered  way, 
drawbridge,  raking-batteries ;  its  stone  towers,  laboratory,  and  magazine  ;  its  mess-hoiise, 
barracks,  bakery,  and  blacksmith  shop ;  and,  for  worship,  a  chapel,  with  a  large  ancient 
dial  over  the  door,  to  mark  the  hourly  course  of  the  sun.  It  was,  indeed,  a  little  city  of 
Itself,  and  for  a  long  period  the  greatest  place  south  of  Montreal,  or  west  of  Albany.  The 
fortifications  originally  covered  a  space  of  about  eight  acres.  At  a  few  rods  from  the  barrier 
gate,  was  the  burying  ground;  it  was  filled  with  memorials  of  the  mutability  of  human  life; 
and  ovt  r  the  portals  of  the  entrance  was  painted,  in  large  and  emphatic  characters,  the 
word  '  REST.' 

"  It  is  generally  believed,  that  some  of  the  distant  fortresses  of  France  were  often  con- 
verted  into  state  prisons,  as  well  as  for  defensive  purposes.  There  was  much  about  Fort 
Niagara,  to  establish  the  belief  that  it  had  been  used  as  such.  The  dungeon  of  the  mess, 
house,  called  the  black.hole,*was  a  strong,  dark,  and  dismal  place  ;  and  in  one  corner  of 
the  room  was  fixed  the  apparatus  for  strangling  such  unhappy  wretches  as  fell  under  the 
displeasure  of  the  despotic  rulers  of  those  days.  The  walls  of  this  dungeon,  from  top  to 
bottom,  had  engraved  upon  them  French  names,  and  mementos  in  that  language.  That 
the  prisoners  were  no  common  persons  was  clear,  as  the  letters  and  emblems  were  chiselled 
out  in  good  style.  In  June,  1812,  when  an  attack  was  momentarily  expected  upon  the  fort 
by  a  superior  British  force,  a  merchant,  resident  at  Fort  Niagara,  deposited  some  valuable 
articles  in  this  dungeon.  He  took  occasion,  one  night,  to  visit  it  with  a  light ;  he  examined 
the  walls,  and  there,  among  hundreds  of  French  names,  he  saw  his  own  family  name  en- 
graved  in  larf;e  letiers.  He  took  no  notes,  and  has  no  recollection  of  the  other  names  and 
memorials;  he  intended  to  repeat  his  visit,  and  to  extend  his  examination,  but  other  avoca 
tions  caused  the  subject  to  be  neglected  ;  and  it  was  not  brought  to  mind  again  until  of  late 
years,  when  all  was  changed.  In  further  corroboration  that  Fort  Niagara  had  witnessed 
scenes  of  guilt  and  foul  murder,  was  the  fact  that,  in  1805,  it  became  necessary  to  clear  out 
tin  old  sink  attached  to  the  mess-house.  The  bones  of  a  female  were  found  therein,  evi- 
dently,  from  the  place  where  discovered,  the  victim  of  some  atrocious  crime. 

"  There  were  many  legendary  stories  about  the  fort.  In  the  centre  of  the  mess-houso 
was  a  well  of  water,  but,  it  having  been  poisoned  by  some  of  the  former  occupants,  in  lat- 
ter years  the  water  was  not  used ;  and  it  was  a  story  with  the  soldiers,  and  believed  by 
the  superstitious,  that  at  midnight  the  headless  trunk  of  a  French  general  officer  was  often 
seen  sitting  on  the  curb  of  the  old  well,  where  he  had  been  murdered,  and  his  body  thrown 
in ;  and,  according  to  dreamers  and  money-diggers,  large  treasures,  both  in  gold  and  silver, 
liave  been  buried  in  many  of  the  nooks  and  corners  of  the  old  fort.  Many  applications 
used  to  be  made  to  the  American  officers,  to  dig  for  monej^  and  persons  have  been  known 
to  come  from  a  considerable  distance  for  that  purpose.  The  requests  were,  of  course, 
refiised." 

RoYALTON,  taken  from  Hartland  in  1817  ;  from  Albany  268  miles. 
Middleport  12,  Gasport  6,  and  Reynales  Basin  7|  miles  E.  from 
Lockport,  are  all  small  villages  on  the  canal.  Royaiton  Centre  is  a 
small  village  centrally  located.     Pop.  3,557. 

SoMKRSKT,  taken  from  Hartland  in  1823;  from  Albany  280,  from 
Lockport,  NE.,  14  miles.  Somerset  is  a  small  settlement  near  the 
lake  shore.     Pop.  1,741. 

Wheatfield,  recently  taken  from  Niagara.  The  village  of  Tona- 
wanda,  in  Erie  county,  is  partially  on  the  SW.  angle  of  the  town  on 
both  sides  of  the  Tonawanda  creek,  and  on  the  lines  of  the  Buffalo 
and  Niagara  Falls  railroad  and  Eric  canal.     Pop.  1,048. 

Wilson,  taken  from  Porter  in  1818 ;  from  Albany  294  miles. 
Wilson  is  a  small  village,  13  miles  NW.  from  Lockport,  and  1^  miles 
from  Lake  Ontario,  upon  the  lake  road.     Pop.  1,753. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


IM 


U 


|3.2 

^  1^ 


12.5 
22 


- 

1.25      U      16 

-* 6"     

► 

tM 


moiugi'apnic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


33  WIST  MAIN  STRUT 

WHSTIR.N.Y.  MSIO 

(71«)  173-4303 


S: 


:1>^ 


iV 


iV 


:\ 


\ 


^ 


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lip 


r 


^ 


360 


ONEIDA    COUNTY. 


■^ 


li 


ONEIDA  COUNTY. 

Onkida  county  was  taken  from  Herkimer  in  1789 ;  since  much  re- 
duced by  the  formation  of  other  counties.  Oneida  is  a  corruption  of 
the  Indian  word  Oneiyuta,  signifying  upright  or  standing  stone. 
Greatest  length  N.  and  S.  47,  greatesi  breadth  E.  and  W.  40  miles. 
From  New  York  NW.  252,  from  Albany  107  miles.  The  surface 
has  just  diversity  and  unevenness  enough  to  firm  a  pleasing  variety, 
and  to  supply  brisk  streams  of  pure  water,  and  a  salubrious  atmos- 
phere. Hardly  a  farm  is  without  perpetual  streams  and  brooks. 
The  northeast  and  southern  parts  approach  a  hilly  character,  a  wa- 
ving surface  with  an  easy  swell ;  the  northwest  part  is  tolerably  level, 
and  the  central  richly  variegated  with  easy  undulations.  The  soil  is 
of  various  qualities,  but  everywhere  rich  and  productive.  The  cot 
ton  and  woollen  manufactures  are  carried  on  here  more  extensively 
than  in  any  other  county  in  the  state.  The  Erie  canal  crosses  this 
county,  following  the  south  side  of  the  Mohawk  river  to  Rome,  and 
there  turns  southwestward  into  Madison  county.  This  section  of  the 
canal  is  part  of  the  long  level  69i  miles  in  length,  extending  from 
Frankfort  in  Herkimer  county  to  Syracuse  in  Onondaga.  The  route 
of  the  Chenango  canal,  which  unites  the  Susquehannah  river  with  the 
Erie  canal,  leaves  the  latter  at  Utica,  passing  thence  into  the  valley 
of  the  Oriskany,  and  thence  follows  the  same  into  the  county  of  Mad- 
ison. Another  canal  is  also  commenced,  uniting  the  Black  river  with 
the  Erie  canal ;  it  leaves  the  latter  at  Rome,  and  follows  thence  up 
the  valley  of  the  Moh^^vk,  and  crosses  the  dividing  rid^e  between 
the  waters  of  the  same  and  the  Black  river  in  the  town  ol  Boonville. 
Parts  of  the  Utica  and  Schenectady,  and  Utica  and  Syracuse  railroads, 
are  in  this  county.  The  county  buildings  are  located  at  Whitesbo- 
rough,  Utica,  and  Rome.  The  county  is  divided  into  25  towns  and 
the  city  of  Utica.     Pop.  85,346. 

Annsville,  taken  from  Lee,  Florence,  Caindcn,  and  Vienna,  in 
1823;  from  Albany  112,  from  Rome  NW.  10  miles.  Pop.  1,765. 
Taberg  is  a  small  post  village. 

Au(JU8TA,  organized  in  1798,  and  settled  in  1794 ;  Oriskany  Falls 
or  Casety  Hollow,  21  miles,  and  Augusta  18  miles  SW.  from  Utic", 
are  small  villages.  The  Oriskany  Falls,  a  cascade  of  50  or  60  feet, 
arc  at  Casety  Hollow.  The  Chenango  canal  passes  through  the  vil- 
lage.    Knox's  Corners  is  a  small  settlt'inent.    Pop.  2,175. 

Boonville,  taken  from  Lcyden  of  Lewis  county  in  1805;  NW. 
from  Albany  110  miles.  Boonville,  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town 
on  the  Black  river  road,  ^'y  jniles  N.  from  Utica,  contains  about  40 
dwellings.     Ava  is  a  post-otfice.     Pop.  5,519. 

Bbidgewateb,  organized  in  1797  as  part  of  Herkimer  county ;  from 
Albany  81  miles.  Bridgewater,  an  incorporated  village  upon  the 
Unadilla  river,  18  miles  S.  from  Utica,  has  about  40  dwellings.  Pop. 
1.418. 


-M 


ONEIDA    COUNTY. 


361 


e  much  re- 
rruption  of 
iing  stone. 
(.  40  miles, 
rhe  surface 
ng  variety, 
ious  atmos- 
nd  brooks. 
LCter,  a  wa- 
rably  level, 
The  soil  is 
The  cot 
extensively 
crosses  this 
Rome,  and 
ction  of  the 
nding  from 
The  route 
^er  with  the 
)  the  valley 
ity  of  Mad- 
I  river  with 
s  thence  up 
ge  between 
{  Boonville. 
50  railroads, 
;  Whitesbo- 
I  towns  and 

Vienna,  in 
Pop.  1,765. 

skary  Falls 
from  Uticn, 
)  or  60  feet, 
ugh  the  vil- 

805 ;  NW. 
3f  the  town 
ns  about  40 

unty;  from 
e  upon  the 
llings.   Pop. 


Camden,  taken  from  Mexico  in  Oswego  county  in  1799 ;  from  Al- 
bany 127  miles.  This  town  was  settled  about  1808  by  New  England 
farmers.  Camden,  17  miles  NW.  of  Rome,  was  incorporated  in  1834, 
and  contains  about  50  dwellings.     West  Camden  is  a  post-office. 

Pop.  2,329.  .,         ^      ^  , , 

Deerfield,  organized  in  1798  ;  from  Albany  100  miles.  Deerfield 
village  is  connected  with  Utica  by  a  causeway  a  mile  m  length,  and 
a  bridge  across  the  Mohawk.  North  Gage  is  a  ipost-office.  Pop. 
3,120.     The  soil  on  the  river  flats  in  this  town  is  of  great  fertility. 

Florkwce,  the  NW.  town  of  the  county,  was  taken  from  Camden 
in  1805 ;  from  Albany  121,  from  Rome  28,  and  from  Utica  43  miles. 
Pod   1  259. 

Floyd,  taken  from  Steuben  as  part  of  Herkimer  county  in  1796 ; 
from  Albany  100  miles.  Floyd's  Comers  is  a  small  settlement  12 
miles  NW.  from  Utica.  This  town  was  named  after  William  Floyd, 
one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence.     Pop.  1,741. 


Distant  view  of  Hamilton  College,  Kirhland. 

KiRKi-AND  was  taken  from  Paris  in  182'7.  It  was  settled  by  Moses 
Foote,  Esq.,  in  company  with  ten  families,  in  1787.  It  has  a  fertile 
soil,  and  its  surface  is  diversified  with  hills  and  valleys.  Pop.  2,984. 
Clinton,  the  principal  settlement  in  this  town,  is  9  miles  from  Utica, 
on  the  Chenango  canal.  The  village  consists  of  about  50  dwellings, 
1  ('ongregational,  1  Baptist,  and  1  Universalist  church,  2  academies, 
and  2  seminaries  for  Ibmaies.  The  annexed  engraving  shows  the  ap- 
pearance of  the  Hamilton  college  buildings  as  seen  from  the  canal  in 
Clinton  village,  about  one  mile  and  a  half  distant,  beautifully  situated 
on  a  commanding  eminence  westward  of  the  Oriskany  vall^,  over- 
looking the  village,  having  a  delightful  distant  jprospcct.  The  col- 
lege  buildings  consist  of  three  stone  buildings  tour  stories  high,  for 
study,  lodging-rooms,  a  chapel,  President's  dwelling-house,  boarding 
and  servants'  house,  and  41  acres  of  land.  This  institution  was  estab- 
lishod  in  1812.  The  original  cost  of  the  college  grounds  and  build- 
inira  was  about  $80,000.     "The  college  in  1834  raised  by  subscrip- 

*  46 


362 


ONEIDA   COUNTY. 


tion  the  sum  of  $50,000 ;  forming  a  fund  for  the  payment  of  the  sal- 
aries of  the  officers.  William  H.  Maynard,  who  died  in  Sept.  1832, 
bequeathed  to  it  $20,000,  to  endow  a  professorship  of  law ;  and  S. 
N.  Dexter,  Esq.,  of  Whitestown,  in  1836,  gave  $15,000  for  endowing 
a  professorship." 

The  annexed  is  a  view  of  the  "  Clinton  Liberal  Institute"  in  the 
village  of  Clinton.    This  building  is  built  of  gray  stone  96  by  52  feet. 


Clinton  Liberal  Institute,  Kirkland. 

four  stories  in  height  besides  the  basement.  The  building  for  the  fe- 
male  department  is  of  wood,  40  by  25  feet,  2  stories.  This  institu- 
tion was  incorporated  in  1834,  and  placed  under  the  visitation  of  the 
Regents  of  the  University  in  1836. 

The  Rev.  Samuel  Kirkland,  from  whom  this  town  derives  its  name, 
was  the  son  of  Rev.  Mr.  Kirkland,  of  Norwich,  Connecticut.  This 
devoted  missionary  was  for  a  time  a  member  of  Mr.  Wheelock's 
school,  and  afterward  finished  his  education  at  the  college  in  New 
Jersey,  where  he  graduated  in  1765.  The  next  year,  (1766,)  he 
commenced  his  mission  among  the  Oneldas,  laboring  and  living  with 
them  and  endearing  himself  to  them  by  his  attention  and  efforts  to  do 
them  good.  Upon  the  breaking  out  of  the  revolutionary  war,  the 
Six  Nations,  with  the  exception  of  the  Oneidas,  who  were  mostly  un- 
der the  influence  of  Mr.  Kirkland,  joined  the  British  cause.  The  in- 
testine war  which  now  took  place  forced  Mr.  Kirkland  to  remove 
his  family  from  this  region,  but  he  himself  continued  his  labors  among 
the  Oneidas  as  opportunities  offijred,  and  by  his  influence  a  firm  friend- 
ship was  maintained  between  them  and  the  Americans.  During  a 
portion  of  the  war  he  officiated  as  chaplain  to  the  American  forces 
m  the  vicinity ;  he  also  accompanied  the  expedition  of  Gen.  Sullivan, 
in  1779,  through  the  western  part  of  the  state. 

After  the  conclusion  of  the  war,  the  state  of  New  York,  in  con- 
sideration of  his  valuable  services  during  the  revolution,  granted  to 
him  the  lands  lying  in  the  town  of  Kirkland,  known  as  Kirkland's 
patent,  upon  a  portion  of  which.  Hamilton  College  stands.  To  these 
lands  he  removed  his  family  in  1792,  and  fixed  his  residence  near  the 


of  the  sal- 

5ept.  1832, 

w ;  and  S. 

endowing 

ate"  in  the 
by  52  feet, 


for  the  fe- 
his  institu- 
tion of  the 

s  its  name, 
cut.  This 
Vheelock's 
ge  in  New 
(1766,)  he 
iving  with 
fforts  to  do 
y  war,  the 
mostly  un- 
.  The  in- 
to remove 
)ors  among 
irm  fricnd- 
During  a 
lean  forces 
1.  Sullivan, 

irk,  in  con- 
grnnted  to 
Kirkland's 
To  these 
ce  near  the 


ONEIDA    COUNTV. 


363 


village  of  Clinton,  where  he  continued  till  his  death,  March  28th, 
1808,  in  the  sixty-seventh  year  of  his  age.  The  labors  of  Mr.  Kirk- 
land  among  the  Oneidas,  were  in  many  instances  attended  with  hap- 
py consequences ;  a  large  portion  of  the  nation  ultimately  professed 
to  believe  in  the  Christian  religion,  and  many  of  them  appeared  de- 
voted Christians,  among  whom  was  the  venerable  chief  Skenandoa. 
About  the  year  1791,  Mr.  Kirkland  conceived  the  project  of  estab- 
lishing a  seminary  which  should  be  accessible  to  the  Indian  youth 
as  well  as  the  whites.  Through  his  exertions  a  charter  of  incorpo- 
ration was  obtained  for  the  institution  in  1793,  under  the  name  of 
"  Hamilton  Oneida  Academy."  In  1794  a  building  was  erected, 
which  for  many  years  afterward  continued  to  be  known  as  Oneida 
Hall,  till  the  seminary  was  raised  to  the  rank  of  a  college,  with  the 
style  of  Hamilton  college.  Mr.  Kirkland  was  a  generous  benefactor 
of  this  institution,  and  expended  much  of  his  time  and  means  in  pro- 
moting its  interests. 

The  following  account  of  the  death  of  Skenandoa,  the  Oneida 
chief,  and  the  "  white  man's  friend,"  was  published  in  the  Utica  Pa- 
triot, March  19th,  1816.     In  a  few  particulars  it  is  abridged. 

"  Died  at  his  residence,  nenr  Oneida  Castle,  on  Monday,  11th  inst.,  Skenandoa,  the  cel- 
ebrated Oneida  chief,  aged  110  years  :  well  known  in  the  ware  which  occurred  while  we 
were  British  colonies,  and  in  the  contest  which  issued  in  our  independence,  as  the  undevi- 
ating  friend  of  the  people  of  the  United  States.  He  was  very  savage  and  addicted  to 
drunkenness*  in  his  youth,  but  by  his  own  reflections  and  the  benevolent  instruction  of  the 
late  Rev.  Mr.  Kirkland,  missionary  to  his  tribe,  he  lived  a  reformed  man  for  more  than 
sixty  years,  and  died  in  Christian  hope.  From  attachment  to  Mr.  Kirkland  he  had  always 
expressed  a  strong  desire  to  be  buried  near  his  minister  and  father,  that  he  might  (to  use 
his  own  expression,)  '  Go  up  with  him  at  the  great  resurrection.'  At  the  approach  of  death, 
after  listening  to  the  prayers  which  were  read  at  his  bed-side  by  his  greaugrandda\ighter, 
lie  again  repeated  the  request.  Accordingly,  the  family  of  Mr.  Kirkland  having  received 
infonnation  by  a  runner  that  Skenandoa  was  dead,  in  compliance  with  a  previous  promise, 
sent  assistance  to  the  Indians  that  the  corpse  might  be  carried  to  the  village  of  Clinton  for 
burial.  Divine  service  was  attended  at  the  meeting-house  in  Clinton  on  Wednesday  at  2 
o'clock,  P.  M.  An  address  was  made  to  the  Indians  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Backus,  President  of 
Hamilton  college,  which  was  interpreted  by  Judge  Deane,  of  Westmoreland.  Prayer  waa 
then  offered  and  appropriate  psalms  sung.  After  service,  the  concourse  which  had  assem- 
bled from  respect  to  the  deceased  chief,  or  from  the  singularity  of  the  occasion,  moved  to 
the  grave  in  the  following  order : — 

Students  of  Hamilton  College, 

CORPSE, 

Indians, 

Mrs.  Kirkland  and  family. 

Judge  Deane, — Rev.  Dr.  Norton — Rev.  Mr.  Ayre, 

Officers  of  Hamilton  College, 

Citizens. 

"  Afler  interment,  the  only  lurviving  son  of  the  deceaaed,  Mlf-moved,  rstumed  thuka, 
through  Judge  Deane  as  interpreter,  to  the  people  /or  the  respect  shown  to  hii  father  on 
the  occasion,  and  to  Mrs.  Kirkland  and  family  for  their  kind  and  friendly  ottention. 

"  Skenandou's  pereun  was  toll,  well  made,  and  robust.    His  countenance  waa  intelligent, 

*  In  the  year  1755  Skenandoa  was  present  at  a  treaty  made  in  Albany.  At  night  ha 
was  excessively  drunk,  and  in  the  morning  found  himself  in  the  street,  stripped  of  all  hia 
ornamenta  and  every  article  of  clothing.  Hia  pride  revolted  at  his  self-degradation,  and  ht 
resolved  that  he  would  never  again  deliver  himaelf  over  to  the  ji^ier  of  utrong  water. 


|( 


^  Ariikmrnum.'^ 


864 


ONEIDA    COUNTY. 


and  displayed  all  the  peculiar  dignity  of  an  Indian  chief.  In  his  youth  he  was  a  brave  and 
intrepid  warrior,  and  in  his  riper  years  one  of  the  noblest  ccnsellors  among  the  North 
American  tribes ;  he  possessed  a  vigorous  mind,  and  was  alike  sagacious,  active,  and  perse, 
vering.  As  an  enemy,  he  was  terrible.  As  a  friend  and  ally,  he  was  mild  and  gentle  in 
his  disposition,  and  faithful  to  his  engagements.  His  vigilance  once  preserved  from  massa. 
ere  the  inhabitants  of  the  little  settlement  at  German  Flats.  In  the  revolutionary  war  his 
influence  induced  the  Oneidas  to  take  up  arms  in  favor  of  the  Americans.  Among  the  In- 
dians  he  was  distinguished  by  the  appellation  of  tlie  '  white  man's  friend.* 

"  Aldjough  he  could  speak  but  httle  English,  and  in  his  extreme  old  age  was  blind,  yet 
his  company  was  sought.  In  conversation  he  was  highly  decorous ;  evincing  tliat  he  had 
profited  by  seeing  civilized  and  polished  society,  and  by  minghng  with  good  company  in 
his  better  days. 

"  To  a  friend  who  called  on  him  a  short  time  since,  he  thus  expressed  himself  by  an  in. 
terpreter:  'I  am  an  aged  hemlock.  The  winds  of  an  hundred  winters  have  whistled 
through  my  branches ;  I  am  dead  at  the  top.  The  generation  to  which  I  belonged  have 
run  away  and  left  me :  why  I  live,  the  Great  Good  Spirit  only  knows.  Pray  to  my  Jesus 
that  I  may  have  patience  to  wait  for  my  appointed  time  to  die.' 

"  Honored  Chief!  His  prayer  was  answered;  he  was  cheerful  and  resigned  to  the  last. 
For  several  years  he  kept  his  dress  for  the  grave  prepared.  Once  and  again,  and  again,  he 
came  to  Clinton  to  die :  longing  that  his  soul  might  be  with  Christ,  and  his  body  in  the 
narrow  house  near  his  beloved  Christian  teacher.  While  the  ambitious  but  vulgar  great, 
look  principally  to  sculptured  monuments  and  to  riches  in  the  temple  of  earthly  fame ; 
Skenandoa,  in  the  spirit  of  the  only  real  nobility,  stood  with  his  loins  girded,  waiting  the 
coming  of  the  Lord." 

The  following  inscriptions  are  copied  from  monuments  in  the 
Hamilton  College  grave-yard : — 

"  Skenandoa.  This  monument  is  erected  by  the  Northern  Missionary  Society,  in 
testimony  of  their  respect  for  the  memory  of  Skenandoa,  who  died  in  the  peace  and  hope 
of  the  gospel,  on  tlie  11th  of  March,  1816.  Wise,  eloquent,  and  brave,  he  long  swayed 
the  councils  of  his  tribe,  whose  confidence  and  affection  he  eminently  enjoyed.  In  the 
war  which  placed  the  Canadas  under  the  crown  of  Great  Britain  he  was  actively  engaged 
against  the  French :  in  that  of  the  revolution,  he  espoused  that  of  the  colonies,  and  ever 
afterward  remained  a  firm  friend  to  the  United  States.  Under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Kirkland  he  embraced  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel,  and  having  exhibited  their  power  in 
a  long  Ufe  adorned  by  every  Christian  virtue,  he  fell  asleep  in  Jesus  at  the  advanced  age  of 
one  hundred  years." 


"  H.  S.  E.  Azel  Backus,  STD.,  vir  pietate  insignia  omni  doctrina  excultus,  Evangelii 
minister  fervidus  et  priBclanis  CoIIcgii  Hamiltonensis  fuit  Prceses  semper  dilligentissiinua 
et  alumnis  carissimus.  In  eo,  summa  in  homines  benevolentia,  misericordia  incorrupta 
fides,  nudaque  Veritas :  co^jux  superstes  dolet.  Et  omnes  quibus  vivens  ille  fuit  natus. 
Lugcnt  et  plorant. — Memorise  Preesidis  dilectissimi  et  venerandi,  ciu'atores  CoIIegii  HamiU 
tonensis  :  Hoc  monumentum  prosuerunt. — Ecclesiaj  apud  Bethlem,  Conn.,  Pastor  Annos 
xxii,  Coll.  Ham.  Prceses  iv. — De  vita  decessit  Die  Dec.  duodetricesimo,  Anno  Domini, 
MDCCCXVI.    JEuLll." 

[Here  lies  buried,  Azel  Backus,  DD.,  a  man  of  remarkable  piety  and  learning,  a  zealous 
minister  of  the  gospel,  a  distinguished  President  of  Hamilton  College  ;  a  man  of  extraor- 
dinary diligence,  and  greatly  endeared  to  the  members  of  the  institution.  In  him  were 
conspicuous  the  highest  benevolence  towards  his  fellow  men,  uncorruptible  integrity,  and 
uncompromising  truth.  His  wife  survives  to  lament  his  loss  :  and  all  who  knew  him  mourn 
also.  The  corporation  of  Hamilton  College  have  erected  this  monument  to  the  memory  of 
their  beloved  and  venerated  President.  He  was  pastor  of  the  church  in  Bethlem,  Conn., 
23  years.  President  of  Hamilton  College,  4.  He  departed  this  life  December  2tith,  AD. 
181G,  aged  5S2  years.] 


"  H.  S.  Quod  potuit  mori  Sethi  Norton,  A.M.,  Linguarum  Professoris  in  CoUegio  Ham- 
iltonensi ;  Sui  brevem  vita;  curaum  Literis  deditus  cum  magno  studio  PrKceptoris  Peritissi. 
mus  et  carissimuB  cucurrit.  Et  in  mediis  laboribus  maximo  sui  desiderio  subitse  morti  sue 
cubuit  Dec.  7th,  1818,  iGtatis  Anno  40.  Linguarum  fuit  Professor  Annoa  6.  Cuntores 
CoUegii  Hamiltonensis  Hoc  monumentum  ponendum  curaverunt." 


tlQC 


ONEIDA   COUNTY. 


365 


s  a  brave  and 
•ng  the  North 
re,  and  perse, 
and  gentle  in 
i  from  massa- 
>nary  war  his 
mong  the  In- 

vaa  blind,  yet 
g  that  he  had 
1  company  in 

3elf  by  an  in. 
ave  whistled 
elonged  have 
r  to  my  Jesus 

3d  to  the  last, 
and  again,  he 
is  body  in  the 
vulgar  great, 
earthly  fame ; 
1,  waiting  the 


Its  in  the 


•  Society,  in 
ace  and  hope 
I  long  swayed 
jyed.  In  the 
ively  engaged 
lies,  and  ever 
y  of  the  Rev. 
heir  power  in 
anced  age  of 


tuB,  Evangelii 
Uigentissiinus 
lia  incorrupta 
le  fuit  natus. 
ullegii  Hamil. 
Pastor  Annos 
.nno  Domini, 

ing,  a  zealous 
in  of  eztraor. 
In  him  were 
integrity,  and 
w  him  mourn 
le  memory  of 
ihlem.  Conn., 
ler  28th,  AD. 


'oUegio  Ham. 
toris  Peritissi. 
tm  morti  sue- 
i.    Cuntorea 


f"  Here  is  buried  all  that  was  mortal  of  Seth  Norton,  M.A.,  Professor  of  Languages  in 
Hamilton  College.  Devoted  to  learning,  he  ran  his  brief  career  with  great  zeal  as  an  in. 
structor,  skilful  and  endeared  to  all.  In  the  midst  of  his  labors,  he  was  overtaken  by  sud. 
den  death,  to  the  great  lamentation  of  those  who  knew  him.  He  died  December  7,  1818, 
in  the  40th  year  of  his  age.  He  was  Professor  of  Languages  during  six  years.  The  cor- 
poration  of  Hamilton  College  have  erected  this  monument."] 

Lek,  taken  from  Western  in  1811 ;  from  Albany  115,  from  Rome 
N.  8  miles.  Stokes  or  Nisbet's  Comers  and  Portage  are  villages, 
Lee  and  Delta  post-offices.    Pop.  2,936. 

Marcy,  taken  from  Deerfield  in  1832 ;  from  Utica  NW.  centrally 
distant  7  miles.     Pop.  1,799. 

Marshall,  taken  from  Kirkland  in  1819;  from  Albany  110,  from 
Rome  S.  16  miles.  Marshall,  Canning,  and  Deansville  are  post  vil- 
lages. The  Waterville  branch  of  the  Oriskany  falls  here  within  half 
a  mile  50  feet.  There  is  in  the  valley  a  remnant  of  the  Brothertown 
Indians,  some  of  whom  are  comparatively  civilized  and  wealthy. 
Pop.  2,251. 

New  Hartford,  taken  from  Whitestown  in  1827 ;  from  Albany 
100  miles.  New  Hartford,  a  substantial  village  near  the  line  of  the 
Chenango  canal,  4  miles  SW.  from  Utica,  contains  about  100  dwel- 
lings, a  number  of  mills  and  manufacturing  establishments.  Middle 
Settlement,  6i  miles  from  Utica,  is  a  small  settlement.     Pop.  3,819. 

Jedediah  Sanger,  Esq.,  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  the  village 
of  New  Hartford.  "  He  possessed  an  active,  vigorous,  and  enter- 
prising mind,  governed  and  controlled  by  unimpeachable  integrity, 
and  a  high  sense  of  moral  obligation,  placed  him  at  once  in  a  con- 
spicuous station  among  the  inhabitants  of  the  vicinity.  Immediately 
after  his  establishment,  he  erected  a  grist-mill  on  the  site  of  the  pres- 
ent paper-mill  in  the  village  of  New  Hartford,  then  the  second  mill 
established  in  the  vicinity.  By  a  judicious  and  liberal  encourage- 
ment to  emigrants,  and  particularly  mechanics,  he  succeeded  in  build- 
ing up  a  village,  which,  for  many  years,  contested  the  palm  of  supe- 
riority and  importance  with  any  of  her  neighbors.  The  office  of 
first  judge  of  Oneida  county  he  continued  to  hold  from  its  organiza- 
tion until  the  year  1810.  He  several  times  occupied  a  seat  in  the 
legislature,  and  in  the  various  offices  in  which  he  was  called  to  act, 
served  with  equal  credit  to  himself  and  usefulness  to  the  community. 
To  his  beneficence  the  Episcopal  church  in  New  Hartford  is  indebted 
for  a  valuable  permanent  fund  to  aid  in  the  support  of  its  minister." 

The  Rev.  Dan  Bradley  was  settled  as  a  pastor  in  this  place  in 
1791,  and  continued  his  care  of  the  church  for  several  years.  He 
was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Johnson ;  and  in  honor  of  the  occa- 
sion of  his  induction  to  the  pastoral  office,  according  to  a  custom 
which  sounds  singular  in  our  ears,  but  which  was  introduced  from 
New  England,  the  exercises  were  concluded  by  an  ordination  ball. 

The  following  anecdote,  having  a  connection  with  the  first  court 
held  in  this  county,  is  taken  from  a  publication  in  a  pamphlet  form  by 
William  Tracy,  Esq.,  entitled  "  Notices  of  Men  and  Events,  connect- 
ed with  the  early  history  of  Oneida  county :" — 


sffi 


ill  i  ¥OT"n-nirMim'7'iiiia 


i    I 


366 


ONEIDA    COUNTY. 


•'  On  the  19th  of  January,  1793,  an  act  was  passed  authorizing  every  alternate  term  of 
the  court  of  common  pleas  of  Herkimer  county  to  be  held  at  such  place  in  Whitestown, 
as  should  by  the  courts  be  directed  by  orders  to  be  entered  in  the  minutes.  The  first  court 
held  in  this  county  under  this  provision  was  held  in  a  barn,  in  New  Hartford,  belongmg  to 
the  late  Judge  Sanger,  (New  Hartford  then  forming  a  part  of  the  town  of  Whitestown,)  m 
the  month  of  October,  in  the  year  1793,  Judge  Staring  presiding,  and  the  late  Judge  Piatt, 
then  clerk  of  the  county  of  Oneida,  officiating  as  clerk.  The  shenff  of  Herkimer  county 
at  that  day  was  a  Colonel  Colbraith— an  Irishman,  who,  in  the  war,  had  done  some  service 
to  his  adopted  country,  and  had  acquired  his  title  as  a  militia  officer  since  the  peace.  His 
education  had  not  been  conducted  with  especial  reference  to  the  usages  of  what  is  techni- 
caily  called  good  society  ;  and  indeed,  his  manners  bore  unequivocal  evidence  that  they 
originated  from  a  native  mind  of  genuine  good  humor  and  a  most  capacious  soul,  rather 
than  from  the  arbitrary  rules  of  a  professor  of  polite  breeding.  A  gentleman  who  attended 
the  court  as  a  spectator  informed  me  that  the  day  was  one  of  the  damp,  chilly  days  we  fre- 
quenih-  have  in  October,  and  that  in  the  afternoon  and  when  it  was  nearly  night,  in  order 
to  com'fort  themselves  in  their  by  no  means  very  well  appointed  court-room,  and  to  keep 
their  vital  blood  at  a  te'mperature  at  which  it  would  continue  to  circulate,  some  of  the  gen. 
tlemen  of  the  bar  had  induced  the  sheriff  to  procure  from  a  neighboring  inn  a  jug  of  spir. 
its.  This,  it  must  be  remembered,  was  before  the  invention  of  temperance  societies,  and 
we  may  not,  therefore,  pass  too  hasty  an  opinion  upon  the  propriety  of  the  measure.  Upon 
the  jug  appearing  in  court,  it  was  passed  around  the  bar  table,  and  each  of  the  learned 
counsellors  in  his  turn  upraised  the  elegant  vessel  and  decanted  into  his  mouth,  by  the  sim- 
piest  process  imaginable,  so  much  as  he  deemed  a  sufficient  dose  of  the  delicious  fluid. 
While  the  operation  was  going  on,  the  dignitaries  on  the  bench,  who  were  no  doubt  sut- 
fering  quite  as  much  from  the  chilliness  of  the  weather  as  their  brethren  of  the  bar,  had  a 
little  consultation,  when  the  first  Judge  announced  to  the  audience  that  the  court  saw  no 
reason  why  they  should  continue  to  hold  open  there  any  longer  and  freeze  to  death,  and 
desired  the  crier  forthwith  to  adjourn  the  court.  Before,  however,  this  functionary  could 
commence  with  a  single, '  Hear  ye,'  Colonel  Colbraith  jumped  up,  catching,  as  he  rose,  the 
jug  from  the  lawyer  who  was  complimenting  its  contents,  and  holding  it  up  towards  the 
bench,  hastily  ejaculated—'  Oh  no,  no,  no.  Judge— don't  adjourn  yet— take  a  little  gin. 
Judge— that  Will  keep  you  warm- 'tant  time  to  adjourn  yet ;'  and  suiting  the  action  to  the 
word,  he  handed  his  Honor  the  jug.  It  appeared  that  there  was  force  in  the  Sheriffs  ad- 
vice ;  for  the  order  to  adjourn  was  revoked,  and  the  business  went  on." 

Paris  was  taken  from  Whitestown  in  1792 ;  from  Albany  85  miles. 
This  town  was  named  by  the  inhabitants  in  grateful  acknowledg- 
ment of  the  kindness  of  Mr.  Isaac  Paris,  a  merchant  of  Fort  Plain, 
who  in  the  year  of  scarcity,  1789,  supplied  them  with  Virginia  corn 
on  a  liberal  credit,  and  finally  accepted  payment  in  such  produce  as 
they  were  enabled  to  supply.  Famine  is  now  the  least  dreaded  here 
of  all  evils.  Paris  Hill  has  about  30  dwellings.  Paris  Furnace  and 
Paris  Hollow  are  small  villages.  Sauquoit,  on  the  creek  9  miles  south 
from  Utica,  is  a  manufacturing  village,  containing  about  100  dwel- 
lings. Near  this  village  is  a  burning  spring.  Large  quantities  of 
limestone  are  obtained  here,  and  used  for  building  materials  at  Utica 
and  elsewhere.    Pop.  2,844. 

Rbmben,  taken  from  Norway  in  1798  ;  bounds  since  altered ;  from 
Albany  100  miles.  Settlements  were  made  in  this  town  in  1798  by 
22  families.  Remsen  village,  in  the  southern  part  of  the  town,  is  17 
miles  north  from  Utica.    Pop.  1,648. 

Rome,  one  of  the  shiretowns  of  Oneida  county,  was  incorporated  in 
1796.  The  surface  of  the  township  is  bvel  or  gently  undulating, 
and  watered  by  the  Mohawk  river,  and  by  Wood  and  Fish  creeks. 
The  village  of  Rome,  occupying  the  site  of  old  Fort  Stanwix,  was 
incorporated  in  1819.  The  two  first  white  families  who  located 
themselves  at  this  spot,  were  those  of  two  men  from  German  Flats, 


ONEIDA    COUNTY. 


367 


mate  temi  of 
Whitestown, 
rhe  first  court 
belonging  to 
litestown,)  in 
)  Judge  Piatt, 
kimer  county 
some  service 
3  peace.  His 
'hat  is  techni. 
mce  that  they 
IS  soul,  rather 
who  attended 
y  days  we  fre- 
light,  in  order 
I,  and  to  keep 
le  of  the  gen- 
.  a  jug  of  spir- 
societies,  and 
iasure.  Upon 
)f  the  learned 
h,  by  the  sim- 
leiicious  fluid, 
no  doubt  suf- 
the  bar,  had  a 
court  saw  no 
to  death,  and 
ctionary  could 
IS  he  rose,  the 
ip  towards  the 
.e  a  little  gin, 
3  action  to  the 
e  SherifTs  ad. 


y  85  miles. 
;knowledg- 
Fort  Plain, 
rginia  corn 
produce  as 
eaded  here 
urnace  and 
miles  south 
;  100  dwel- 
iiantities  of 
lis  at  Utica 

ered;  from 
in  1798  by 
town,  is  17 

trporated  in 
undulating, 
ri'ish  creeks, 
anwix,  was 
^ho  located 
rman  Flats, 


named  Roof  and  Brodock,  who  settled  at  the  landing  place  on  the 
Mohawk  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Stanwix,  to  gain  a  livelihood  by 
assisting  in  the  transportation  of  goods  destined  for  the  Indian  trade, 
across  the  carrying  place  from  the  river  to  Wood  creek.  They  held 
no  title  to  their  lands,  but  occupied  them  under  a  contract  for  their 
purchase  from  Oliver  Delancy,  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Oriskany 
patent,  who  was  afterward  attainted  of  treason.  This  little  outpost, 
however,  was  broken  up  during  the  revolutionary  war.  The  first 
regular  settlement  of  Rome  was  by  emigrants  from  the  New  England 
states. 


Southern  view  of  Rome. 

The  above  is  a  southern  view  of  part  of  the  village  as  viewed  from 
the  railroad  track.  The  building  seen  on  the  right  having  four  chim- 
neys is  but  a  few  yards  distant  Irom  the  central  part  of  the  fortifica- 
tions of  the  old  fort,  the  cellar  of  whicli  is  still  to  be  seen.  The 
Black  river  canal  passes  a  few  rods  this  side  of  the  buildings  seen  in 
the  engraving ;  the  Erie  canal  is  about  half  a  mile  westward  of  the 
village.  Mohawk  river  and  Wood  creek,  at  this  place,  approach 
within  a  mile  of  each  other;  in  1797,  a  canal  was  completed  between 
the  two  streams,  thus  connecting  the  waters  of  the  Mohawk  with 
those  of  Lake  Ontario.  The  village  consists  of  upwards  of  300 
dwellings,  2  Presbyterian,  2  Baptist,  1  Episcopal,  and  1  Methodist 
church,  an  academy  incorporated  in  1835,  a  bank,  printing  office 
iind  a  number  of  select  schools.  The  United  States  arsenal  anc 
barracks,  sufficient  for  a  regiment,  wore  erected  here  in  1813,  under 
the  direction  of  Maj.  James  Dalliba.  Rome  is  situated  on  the  sum- 
mit level  between  the  ocean  and  Lake  Ontario,  four  hundred  and 
thirty-five  feet  above  tide  at  Albany;  lat.  43°  12';  long.  1°  27'  W. 
from  New  York.  Distant  from  Albany  112,  from  Utica  12  miles. 
Pop.  5,680. 

Fort  Stanwix,  named  from  Gen.  Stanwix,  was  originally  erected 
in  the  year  1758,  during  the  French  war.  It  occupied  a  position 
commanding  the  carrying  place  between  the  navigable  waters  of  the 
Mohawk  and  Wood  creek,  and  was  regarded  as  the  key  to  the  com- 


\i      i 


m 


■  1  i 

lui 

'i  1 1  „ 


i 


i ! 


368 


ONEIDA    COUNTY. 


munication  between  Canada  and  the  settlements  on  the  Mohawk. 
"  It  was  originally  a  square  fort,  having  four  bastions  surmounted  by 
a  broad  and  deep  ditch,  with  a  covert  way  and  glacis.    In  the  centre 
of  the  ditch  a  row  of  perpendicular  pickets  was  planted,  and  another 
horizontal  row  fixed  around  the  ramparts.    But  although  the  princi- 
pal fortress  had  been  erected  at  the  enormous  expense  for  those  times 
of  $266,400,  yet  at  the  commencement  of  the  revolutionary  war  the 
whole  was  in  ruins.    On  the  incursion  of  Burgoyne  from  Montreal 
towards  Albany,  a  detachment  of  the  invading  forces,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Col.  St.  Leger,  consisting  of  200  British  troops,  a  regiment 
of  loyalists,  and  a  large  body  of  Indians  under  Br^t,  the  greai  cap- 
tain of  the  Six  Nations,  went  up  the  St.  LawrenceTthen  to  Oswego, 
and  from  thence  to  Fort  Stanwix.    From  this  point  it  was  intended 
to  pass  down  the  Mohawk  and  join  the  forces  of  Burgoyne  at  Albany. 
Gen.  Schuyler,  who  had  the  command  of  the  northwestern  frontier, 
sent  Col.  Dayton  to  repair  the  works  at  Fort  Stanwix.    He  seems  to 
have  done  little  towards  effecting  this  object ;  he  however  thought 
proper  to  change  its  name  to  Fort  Schuyler,  which  name  it  retained 
during  the  war.     Gen.  Peter  Gansevoort  was  afterward  sent  to 
supply  his  place.    On  the  3d  of  August,  Col.  St.  Leger  arrived  be- 
fore the  fort  with  his  whole  force,  consisting  of  a  motley  collection 
of  British  regulars,  Hessians,  Tories,  and  about  one  thousand  Indians. 
The  garrison,  under  Col.  Gansevoort,  consisted  of  about  750  men. 
Soon  after  his  arrival,  St.  Leger  sent  a  flag  into  the  fort  with  a  ma.ni- 
festo,  advising  submission  to  the  mercy  of  the  king,  and  denouncing 
severe  vengeance  against  those  who  should  continue  in  their  *  unnatu- 
ral rebellion.'    This  manifesto  produced  no  effect  on  the  brave  garri- 
son, who  had  determined  to  defend  the  fortress  to  the  last  extremity. 
At  the  time  of  the  battle  of  Oriskany,  [see  Whitestown,]  when  Gen. 
Herkimer  was  advancing  to  the  relief  of  the  fort,  a  diversion  was 
made  in  his  favor,  by  a  sortie  of  250  men,  under  the  command  of 
Col.  Willet.    Such  was  the  impetuosity  of  Willet's  movements,  that 
Sir  John  Johnson  and  his  regiment,  who  lay  near  the  fort  with  his 
Indian  allies,  sought  safety  in  flight.    The  amount  of  spoil  found  m 
the  enemy's  camp  was  so  great  that  Willet  sent  hastily  for  wagons 
to  convey  it  away.     The  spoil  thus  captured,  twenty  wagon  loads, 
consisted  of  camp  equipage,  clothing,  blankets,  stores,  &c.,  five 
British  standards,  and  the  baggage  and  papers  of  most  of  the  officers. 
For  this  brilliant  exploit,  congress  directed  that  Col.  Willet  should  be 
presented  with  an  elegant  sword  in  the  name  of  the  United  States. 

The  siege  of  the  fort  still  continued,  and  the  situation  of  the  garri- 
son, though  not  desperate,  began  to  be  somewhat  critical.  Col.  Wil- 
let and  Maj.  Stockwell  readily  undertook  the  hazardous  mission  ot 
passing  through  the  enemy's  lines  to  arouse  their  countrymen  to  their 
relief.  After  creeping  on  their  hands  and  knees  through  the  enemy's 
encampment,  and  adopting  various  arts  of  concealment,  they  pursued 
their  way  through  swamps  and  pathless  woods,  until  they  arrived 
safely  at  German  Flats,  and  from  thence  to  the  head-quarters  of 
Gen.  Schuyler,  then  commanding  the  American  army  at  Stillwater 


ONEIDA    COUNTY. 


369 


Mohawk, 
unted  by 
he  centre 
1  another 
le  princi- 
ose  times 
'  war  the 
Montreal 
the  com- 
regiment 
real  cap- 
Oswego, 
intended 
t  Albany. 
I  frontier, 
seems  to 
r  thought 
t  retained 
i  sent  to 
•rived  be- 
collection 
1  Indians. 
750  men. 
h  a  mani- 
mouncing 
•  *  unnatu- 
ive  garri- 
jxtremity. 
^hen  Gen. 
rsion  was 
imand  of 
lents,  that 
;  with  his 
1  found  in 
»r  wagons 
jon  loads, 
&c.,  five 
le  officers, 
should  be 
.  States, 
the  garri- 
Col.  Wil- 
tnission  of 
3n  to  their 
e  enemy's 
sy  pursued 
jy  arrived 
uarters  of 
Stillwater 


Gen.  Arnold  was  immediately  despatched  with  a  body  of  troops  to  the 
relief  of  Col.  Gansevoort.*     As  he  was  advancing  up  the  Mohawk, 
he  captured  a  tory  by  the  name  of  Hon-yost  Schuyler,  who  being  a 
spy,  was  condemned  to  death.     Hon-yost  "  was  one  of  the  coarsest 
and  most  ignorant  men  in  the  valley,  appearing  scarce  half  removed 
from  idiocy ;  and  yet  there  was  no  small  share  of  shrewdness  in  his 
character."     He  was  promised  his  life  if  he  would  go  to  the  enemy, 
particularly  the  Indians,  and  alarm  them  by  announcing  that  a  large 
army  of  the  Americans  was  in  full  march  to  destroy  them,  &c.    Hon- 
yost  being  acquainted  with  many  of  the  Indians,  gladly  accepted  the 
offer ;  one  of  his  jjrothers  was  detained  as  a  hostage  for  his  fidelity, 
and  was  to  be  hung  if  he  proved  treacherous.     A  friendly  Oneida 
Indian  was  let  into  the  secret,  and  cheerfully  embarked  in  the  design. 
Upon  Hon-yost's  arrival,  he  told  a  lamentable  story  of  his  being 
taken  by  Arnold,  and  of  his  escape  from  being  hanged.     He  showed 
them  also  several  shot-holes  in  his  coat,  which  he  said  were  made  by 
bullets  fired  at  him  when  making  his  escape.    Knowing  the  character 
of  the  Indians,  he  communicated  his  intelligence  to  them  in  a  mysteri- 
ous and  imposing  manner.   When  asked  the  number  of  men  which  Ar- 
nold had,  he  shook  his  head  mysteriously  and  pointed  upward  to  the 
leaves  of  the  trees.    These  reports  spread  rapidly  through  the  camps. 
Meantime  the  friendly  Oneida  arrived  with  a  belt  and  confirmed  what 
Hon-yost  had  said,  hinting  that  a  bird  had  brought  him  intelligence 
of  great  moment.     On  his  way  to  the  camp  of  the  besiegers  he  had 
fallen  in  with  two  or  three  Indians  of  his  acquaintance,  who  readily 
engaged  in  furthering  his  design.     These  sagacious  fellows  dropped 
into  the  camp  as  if  by  accident :  they  spoke  of  warriors  in  great  num- 
bers rapidly  advancing  against  them.     The  Americans,  it  was  stated, 
did  not  wish  to  injure  the  Indians,  but  if  they  continued  with  the 

«  A  short  time  previous  to  the  investment  of  the  fortress  the  following  singular  incident 
occurred.—"  Capt.  Greg  wont  with  two  of  his  soldiers  into  the  woods  a  short  distance  to 
shoot  pigeons  ;  a  party  of  Indians  started  suddenly  from  concealment  in  the  bushes,  shot 
them  all  down,  tomahawked  and  scalped  them,  and  left  them  for  dead.  The  captain,  after 
some  time  revived,  and  perceiving  his  men  were  killed,  himself  robbed  of  his  scalp,  and 
suffering  extreme  agony  from  his  numerous  wounds,  made  an  effort  to  move  and  lay  his 
bleeding  head  on  one  of  the  dead  bodies,  expecting  soon  to  expire.  A  faithful  dog  who 
accompanied  him  manifested  great  agitation,  and  in  the  tendcrest  manner  licked  his 
wounds,  which  afforded  him  great  relief  from  exquisite  distress.  He  then  directed  the  dog, 
as  if  a  human  being,  to  go  in  search  of  some  person  to  come  to  his  relief.  The  animal, 
with  every  appearance  of  anxiety,  ran  about  a  mile,  when  he  met  with  two  men  fishing  in 
the  river,  and  endeavored  in  the  most  moving  manner,  by  whining  and  piteous  cries,  to 
prevail  on  them  to  follow  him  into  the  woods.  Struck  with  the  singular  conduct  of  the  dog, 
they  were  induced  to  follow  him  part  of  the  way,  but  fearing  some  decoy,  or  danger,  they 
were  about  to  return,  when  the  dog,  fixing  his  eyes  on  them,  renewed  his  entreaties  by  his 
cries,  and  taking  hold  of  their  clothes  with  his  teeth,  prevailed  on  them  to  follow  him  to  the 
fatal  spot.  Such  was  the  remarkable  fidelity  and  sagacity  of  this  animal.  Capt.  Greg  was 
immediately  carried  to  the  fort,  where  his  wounds  were  dressed ;  he  was  afterward  re- 
moved  to  our  hospital,  and  put  under  my  care.  He  was  a  most  frightful  spectacle,  the 
whole  of  his  scalp  was  removed  ;  in  two  places  on  the  fore  part  of  his  head,  the  tomahawk 
had  penetrated  through  the  skull ;  there  was  a  wound  on  his  back  with  the  same  mstru. 
ment,  besides  a  wound  in  his  side  and  another  through  his  arm  by  a  musket  ball.  This 
unfortunate  man,  after  suffering  extremely  for  a  long  time,  finally  recovered,  aiid  appeared 
to  be  well  satisfied  in  having  his  sculp  restored  to  him,  though  uncovered  with  hair.  '— 
Thacher's  Military  Journal. 

47 


It      '  I !' ''!! " 


370 


ONEIDA    COUNTY. 


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11 


British  they  must  all  share  one  common  fate.  The  Indians  were 
thoroughly  alarmed,  and  determined  on  an  immediate  flight,  being 
already  disgusted  with  the  British  service.  Col.  St.  Leger  exhorted, 
argued,  and  made  enticing  oflfers  to  the  Indians  to  renjain,  but  all  in 
vain.  He  attempted  to  get  them  drunk,  but  they  refused  to  drink. 
When  he  found  them  determined  to  go,  he  urged  them  to  move  in 
the  rear  of  his  army ;  but  they  charged  him  with  a  design  to  sacri- 
fice them  to  his  safety.  In  a  mixture  of  rage  and  despair,  he  broke 
up  his  encampment  with  such  haste,  that  he  left  his  tents,  cannon,  and 
stores  to  the  besieged.  The  friendly  Oneida  accompanied  the  flying 
army,  and  being  naturally  a  wag,  he  engaged  his  companions  who 
were  in  the  secret,  to  repeat  at  proper  intervals  the  cry,  "  Thei/  are 
coming !  they  are  coming  /"  This  appalling  cry  quickened  the  flight 
of  the  fugitives  wherever  it  was  heard.  The  soldiers  threw  away 
their  packs ;  and  the  commanders  took  care  not  to  be  in  the  rear. 
After  much  fatigue  and  mortification,  they  finally  reached  Oneida 
Lake ;  and  there  probably,  for  the  first  time,  felt  secure  from  the 
pursuit  of  their  enemies.  From  this  place  St.  Leger  hastened  with 
his  scattered  forces  back  to  Oswego,  and  thence  to  Montreal. 

Hon-yost,  after  accompanying  the  flying  army  as  far  as  the  estuary 
of  Wood  creek,  left  them  and  returned  to  Fort  Schuyler,  and  gave 
the  first  information  to  Colonel  Gansevoort  of  the  approach  of  Ar- 
nold. From  thence  he  proceeded  to  German  Flats,  and  on  presenting 
himself  at  Fort  Dayton  his  brother  was  discharged.  He  soon  after 
rejoined  the  British  standard,  attaching  himself  to  the  forces  under 
Sir  John  Johnson. 

The  following  inscriptions  are  copied  from  monuments  in  the  vil- 
lage graveyard. 

"In  memory  of  the  Hon.  Joshua  Hathaway, more  than  40  years  a  resident  of  this  town. 
He  was  born  at  Suffield,  Ct.,  Aug.  13,  1761 ;  graduated  at  Yale  college  in  1787,  and  died 
at  Rome,  Dec.  8,  1836. — '  Requiescat  in  pace.' — As  a  husband  and  father,  ever  worthy, 
loved,  and  venerated.  As  a  |nBn  and  Christian,  upright  and  exemplary ;  a  friend  to  the 
needy  and  the  injured ;  and  a  father  in  the  church.  As  a  magistrate  and  judge,  by  the 
grace  of  God,  an  executor  of  justice,  and  maintainur  of  the  truth, '  a  terror  to  evil-doers,  and 
praise  to  such  as  did  well.'  As  a  patriot,  he  bore  arms  in  two  wars  for  his  country ;  and 
sustained  at  all  times  the  cause  of  the  people  with  zeal  and  fidelity.  As  a  citizen,  ever 
active  and  enterprising  for  the  benefit  of  our  common  country,  and  among  the  foremost  for 
the  improvement  of  this  favored  portion  of  it ;  to  him  was  assigned  the  honor  of  breaking 
ground  on  commencing  that  great  and  beneficial  work,  the  Erie  canal,  July  4th,  1817.  In 
the  various  relations  of  life,  he  fulfilled  its  duties  as  in  the  fear  of  God,  with  faithfulness, 
ability,  and  honesty  of  purpose.    He  died  lamented — '  the  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed.' " 


"  To  the  memory  of  Capt.  Samuel  Perkins,  who  departed  this  life  at  the  United  States 
arsenal,  Rome,  Dec.  30,  1837,  in  the  75th  year  of  his  age.  He  entered  the  service  of  his 
country  during  the  war  of  the  revolution,  when  he  was  but  14  years  old,  and  served  till  its 
independence  was  gained.  He  was  actively  engaged  in  the  Indian  campaign  of  179.5, 
undf  Gen.  Wayne.  He  also  participated  in,  and  rendered  valuable  services  during  the 
late  war  with  Great  Britain.  After  which,  retiring  from  active  duties,  he  held  for  18  years 
the  station  of  ordnance  storekeeper,  and  died  in  the  pubhc  service.  In  every  situation 
of  his  life  was  remarkably  exemplified  tliat  just  sentiment,  '  an  honest  man  is  the  noblest 
work  of  God.' " 

Sanoerfield,  taken  from  Paris  in  1795 ;  from  Albany  94,  SW.  from 
Utica  18  miles.    It  was  settled  in  1793,  and  named  after  Judge  Jede- 


ONEIDA    COUNTY. 


371 


lians  were 
ight,  being 
r  exhorted, 
I,  but  all  in 
d  to  drink, 
to  move  in 
m  to  sacri- 
r,  he  broke 
annon,  and 
1  the  flying 
inions  who 
"  They  are 
d  the  flight 
irew  away 
in  the  rear, 
icd  Oneida 
e  from  the 
itened  with 
■eal. 

the  estuary 
•,  and  gave 
ach  ofAr- 
presenting 
!  soon  after 
)rces  under 

3  in  the  vil- 


It  of  thia  town. 
1787,  and  died 
,  ever  worthy, 
I  friend  to  the 
I  judge,  by  the 
evil-doers,  and 
I  country ;  and 
a  citizen,  ever 
le  foremost  for 
or  of  breaking 
4th,  1817.  In 
th  faithfulness, 
St  is  blessed." " 

!  United  States 
!  service  of  his 
d  served  till  its 
Daign  of  1795, 
ces  during  the 
lid  for  18  years 
every  situation 
1  is  the  noblest 

,SW.  from 
udge  Jede- 


diab  Sanger,  one  of  the  primitive  settlers  in  this  part  of  the  country. 
In  1804,  it  was  annexed  to  Oneida  county.  Waterville,  in  the  north 
part  of  the  town,  contains  about  70  dwellings,  and  is  adorned  by  a 
handsome  public  square.  Sangertield  is  a  small  settlement.  Pop. 
2,251. 

Steuben,  principally  settled  by  Welsh  emigrants,  and  taken  from 
Whitestown  when  part  of  Herkimer  county  ;  NW.  from  Albany 
110,  from  Utica  N.  20,  and  from  Rome  NE.  15  miles.     Pop.  1,993. 

The  principal  part  of  this  town  was  granted  by  the  state  to  Baron 
Steuben,  for  his  services  during  the  revolutionary  war.  He  resided 
here  on  his  farm  until  his  death.  He  was  buried  beneath  an  ever- 
green he  had  selected  to  overshadow  his  grave.  Afterward  a  new 
road  was  laid  over  the  spot,  and  his  remains  were  removed  to  a 
neighboring  grove  in  this  town,  situated  about  7  miles  NW.  of  the 
Trenton  Falls. 


Grave  of  Baron  Steuben. 

His  grave  is  protected  by  a  neat  monument  erected  in  1826  by 
private  subscription,  and  shown  in  the  above  engraving.  On  it  is 
the  brief  inscription.  Major  General  Frederick  William  Augustus 
Baron  de  Steuben.  Baron  Steuben  resided  in  a  log  house  about  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  south  of  his  burial  place.  He  lived  there  during  the 
summers  and  cultivated  his  farm,  but  in  the  winters  resided  in  New 
York.    The  following  sketch  is  from  Allen's  Biographical  Dictionary. 

"  Frederick  William  Baron  de  Steuben,  a  major-general  in  the  American  army,  was 
a  Prussian  officer,  who  served  many  years  in  the  armies  of  Frederick  the  Great,  was  one 
of  his  aids,  and  had  held  the  rank  of  lieutenant-general.  He  arrived  in  New  Hampshire 
from  Marseilles  in  November,  1777,  with  strong  recommendations  to  congress.  He  claimed 
no  rank,  and  only  requested  permission  to  render  as  a  volunteer  what  services  he  could  to 
the  American  army.  He  was  soon  appointed  to  the  office  of  inspector-general,  with  the 
rank  of  major-general.  He  established  an  uniform  system  of  manoeuvres,  and  by  his  skill 
and  persevering  industry  effected,  during  the  continuance  of  the  troops  at  Valley  Forge,  a 
most  important  improvement  in  all  ranks  of  the  army.  He  was  a  volunteer  in  the  action 
at  Monmouth,  and  commanded  in  the  trenches  of  Yorktown  on  the  day  which  concluded 
the  struggle  with  Great  Britain.  He  died  at  Steuben,  New  York,  November  28,  1795. 
He  was  an  accomplished  gentleman  and  a  virtuous  citizen,  of  extensive  knowledge  and 
snund  judgment.  An  abstract  of  his  system  of  discipline  was  published  in  1779,  and  in 
1784  he  published  a  letter  on  the  subject  of  an  established  militia  and  military  arrange- 
ments." 


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372 


ONEIDA    COUNTY. 


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The  annexed  inscription  to  the  memory  of  Baron  Steuben,  adorns 
an  elegant  tablet  on  the  wall  of  the  German  Lutheran  church  in  the 
city  ot  New  York. 

"  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Fredektck  William  Augustus  Baron  Steuben,  a  German ; 
knight  of  the  order  of  Fidelity ;  aid-de.camp  to  Frederick  the  Greai,  king  of  Prussia ;  major, 
general  and  inspector-general  in  the  revolutionary  war ;  esteemed,  respected,  and  supported 
by  Washington.  He  gave  military  skill  and  discipline  to  the  citizen  soldiers,  who,  fulfilling 
the  decrees  of  heaven,  achieved  the  independence  of  the  United  States.  The  highly  polished 
manners  of  the  baron  were  graced  by  the  most  noble  feelings  of  the  heart.  His  hand,  open 
as  day  for  melting  charity,  closed  only  in  the  strong  grasp  of  death.  This  memorial  is 
inscribed  by  an  American,  who  had  the  honor  to  be  his  aid-de-camp,  the  happiness  to  be 
his  friend.    Ob.  1795. 

The  baron  was  a  man  of  strong  feelings,  subject  to  sudden  bursts 
of  passion,  but  ever  ready  to  atone  for  an  injury.  The  following 
anecdotes  are  illustrative  of  the  generosity  of  his  disposition.  At  a 
review,  he  directed  an  officer  to  be  arrested  for  a  fault  which  he 
thought  he  had  been  guilty  of.  On  being  informed  of  his  innocence, 
he  directed  him  to  be  brought  forward,  and  in  the  presence  of  all  the 
troops,  and  with  the  rain  po-iring  upon  his  uncovered  head,  asked 
his  forgiveness  in  the  following  words.  "  Sir,  the  mistake  which  was 
made,  might,  by  throwing  the  line  into  confusion,  have  been  fatal  in 
the  presencQ  of  an  enemy.  I  arrested  you  as  its  author,  but  I  have 
reason  to  believe  I  was  mistaken ;  and  that  in  this  instance  you  were 
blameless.  I  ask  your  pardon.  Return  to  your  command ;  I  would 
not  deal  unjustly  by  any ;  much  less  by  one  whose  character  as  an 
officer  is  so  respectable." — ^"  After  the  capture  at  Yorktown,  the  su- 
perior officers  of  the  American  army,  together  with  their  allies,  vied 
with  each  other  in  acts  of  civility  and  attention  to  the  captive  Brit- 
ons. Entertainments  were  given  by  all  the  major-generals,  except 
Baron  Steuben.  He  was  above  prejudice  or  meanness,  but  poverty 
prevented  him  from  displaying  that  liberality  towards  them  which 
had  been  shown  by  others.  Such  was  his  situation,  when,  calling  on 
Col.  Stewart,  and  informing  him  of  his  intention  to  entertain  Lord 
Coruwallis,  he  requested  that  he  would  advance  a  sum  of  money,  as 
the  price  of  his  favorite  charger.  '  'Tis  a  good  beast,'  said  the  baron, 
'  and  has  proved  a  laithful  servant  through  all  the  dangers  of  the 
war  ;  but,  though  painful  to  my  heart,  we  must  part.  Col.  Stewart 
immediately  tendered  his  purse,  recommending  the  sale  or  pledge  of 
his  watch,  should  the  sum  it  contained  prove  insufficient.  '  My  dear 
friend,'  replied  the  baron,  •  'tis  already  sold.  Poor  North  was  sick, 
and  wanted  necessaries.  He  is  a  brave  fellow,  and  possesses  the 
best  of  hearts.  The  trifle  it  brought  is  set  apart  for  his  use.  My 
horse  must  go — so  no  more.  I  beseech  you  not  to  turn  me  from  my 
purpose.  I  am  a  major-general  in  the  service  of  the  United  States ; 
and  my  private  convenience  must  not  be  put  in  a  scale  with  the  duty 
which  my  rank  imperiously  calls  upon  me  to  perform.' " 

Trenton  was  organized  in  1707,  as  part  of  Herkimer  county; 
NW.  from  New  York  238,  from  Albany  93,  from  Utica  N.  13,  from 
Rome  20  miles.     The  inhabitants  are  principally  of  New  England 

d^^^^w%^      tV%^^ttr^\\    *ViAi*A    OHMS    mr\wv%a     r\w     iH'm     ari/^i»rk4      lliti#»M    fi^r\¥V\    \^r\\\af%A 


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EN,  a  German ; 
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lis  memorial  is 
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the  original  purchasers  from  the  state.  Trenton,  an  incorporated 
village  on  the  road  to  Martinshurg,  and  2  miles  SW.  from  the  falls, 
South  Trenton,  9  miles  irom  Utica,  Holland  Patent,  and  Prospect, 
16  miles  from  Utica,  are  all  small  villages.     Pop.  3,178. 


Trenton  Falls,  at  Trenton. 

The  Trenton  Falls  on  the  West  Canada  creek,  on  the  east  line  of 
the  town  and  county,  are  highly  picturestjuc  and  sublime.  The  river 
descends  in  a  high,  narrow,  and  rocky  d(!ll  by  a  succession  of  cata- 
racts, the  most  magnificent  of  which  are  the  High  Falls,  2  miles  NW. 
from  the  village  of  Trenton.  This  cataract  is  one  hundred  and  nine 
feet  in  height,  descending  by  three  different  sheets,  respectively  thirty- 
seven,  eleven,  and  forty-eight  feet  fall,  besides  a  connecting  slope  or 
rapids  between.  The  rocks  that  bind  the  stream  below,  rise  perpen- 
dicularly from  100  to  130  feet,  capped  by  evergreens  of  spruce,  fir, 
hemlock,  and  sublimely  finish  a  landscape  of  uncommon  beauties.  The 
rocks  are  of  a  dark  limestone,  and  contain  large  quantities  of  petrified 
marine  shells,  &c.  &c.  These  falls  are  much  visited,  being  within  two 
or  three  hours'  ride  from  the  city  of  Utica,  and  there  is  here  a  hotel 
for  the  accommodation  of  visiters. 

Utica  city  comprehends  the  former  town  and  village  of  that 
nme,  taken  from  Whitestown  in  1817.  It  was  incorporated  a  city 
in  1832,  and  divided  into  forr  wards.  Its  population  in  1830,  was 
8,323;  in  1840,  12,810.  Ihe  land  on  which  the  city  is  situated 
is  a  rich  alluvion,  rising  gently  from  the  south  side  of  the  Mohawk 
river,  and  was  formerly  covered  with  a  gigantic  growth  of  forest 
trees.  It  is  quite  a  central  point  for  roads,  canals,  &c.,  to  various 
parts   of  the  state^     Distance   from  Albany  i^B   miles*  from   New 


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York  241,  from  Buffalo  202,  from  Rochester  140,  from  Oswego  76, 
from  Sacketts  Harbor  94,  from  Ithaca  96,  and  from  Ogdensburg 
145  miles.  It  contains  14  churches — 3  Presbyterian,  2  Methodist,  2 
Baptist,  1  Episcopal,  1  Dutch  Reformed,  1  Welsh  Presbyterian,  1 
Catholic,  1  Friends,  1  Bethel,  and  1  Univorsalist.  There  are  3  banks, 
with  an  aggregate  capital  of  one  million  and  a  half  of  dollars.  The 
buildings  are  generally  very  good,  the  stores  large  and  splendid. 
There  are  nine  periodical  publications,  including  newspapers,  4 
academies  or  high  schools,  and  numerous  moral,  religious,  benevolent, 
and  scientific  associations. 

The  first  building  erected  within  the  limits  of  Utica  was  a  mud 
fort,  constructed  during  the  old  French  war.  It  was  situated  between 
Main-street  and  the  banks  of  the  river,  a  little  eastward  of  Second- 
street,  and  named  Fort  Schuyler,*  in  honor  of  Col.  Schuyler,  an 
uncle  of  Gen.  Philip  Schuyler  of  the  revolution. 

"  The  settlement  of  Utica  commenced  at  an  early  period,  but  was 
not  prosecuted  with  the  vigor  that  the  neighboring  settlements  were. 
Whitestown  was  regarded  as  the  great  central  point  of  the  whole 
region  up  to  the  years  1793  or  1794.  At  this  period  quite  a  village 
had  grown  up  there,  while  Utica,  or  old  Fort  Schuyler,  as  its  site 
was  then  called,  could  boast  of  but  three  houses.  About  this  time 
the  public  attention  was  directed  to  Rome,  as  the  probable  future 
metropolis  of  the  state.  Its  local  position  favored  the  idea.  It  occu- 
pied the  portage  or  carrying  place  between  the  Mohawk  and  Wood 
creek,  which  discharging  through  Oneida  lake  into  Lake  Ontario, 
formed  a  channel  of  communication  between  the  Hudson  and  the 
whole  chain  of  western  lakes.  The  connecting  the  two  streams  by 
a  navigable  canal,  which  was  projected  at  a  very  early  day,  and 
was  accomplished  by  the  Western  Inland  Lock  Navigation  Com- 
pany, which  was  chartered  in  1792,  encouraged  the  belief,  that  that 
site  must  become  the  focus  of  the  business  ot  the  country.  And  for 
several  years  the  growth  of  Rome  warranted  the  expectation.  The 
location  of  the  Seneca  turnpike  road  first  operated  to  change  the 
current  of  business  and  divert  it  to  this  location.  This  event  took 
place  in  the  year  1800,  and  the  crossing  of  the  river  at  this  point 
rendered  it  immediately  important  as  a  place  of  deposit  and  of  trade. 
A  steady  and  healthful  growth  ensued,  and  the  aid  and  influence  of 
enlightened  and  enterprising  men  in  the  various  walks  of  life,  con- 
tributed very  shortly  to  render  it  the  leading  place  of  business  in  the 
neighborhood.  Its  present  name  was  given  to  it  in  1798,  when  it 
was  incorporated  as  a  village,  and  it  has  since  then  continued  its 
municipal  capacity  until  the  present  day.  The  first  church  gathered 
in  this  city  was  organized  under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  Bethuel  Dodd, 
as  a  branch  of  the  church  at  Whitestown,  in  the  year  1794.  The 
style  of  the  corporation  was — "  The  United  Presbyterian  Societies  of 
Whitestown  and  old  Fort  Schuyler."    Previous  to  that  time,  although 


*  Fort  Stanwix,  at  Rome,  during  the  revolutionary  war  had  ili  name  changed  to  Fort 
Sehuvlar :  lhei«  two  ara  aometimfla  confounded  in  hintnrv. 


ONEDIA    COUNTY. 


375 


Dswego  76, 
Dgdensburg 
lethodist,  2 
ibyterian,  1 
ire  3  banks, 
liars.  The 
d  splendid, 
^papers,  4 
benevolent, 

was  a  mud 
ed  between 
of  Second- 
chuyler,  an 

3d,  but  was 
nents  were. 
-  the  whole 
te  a  village 
r,  as  its  site 
Jt  this  time 
(able  future 
a.  It  occu- 
and  Wood 
ke  Ontario, 
Dn  and  the 
streams  by 
y  day,  and 
aticn  Com- 
ef,  that  that 
\  And  for 
ition.  The 
change  the 
event  took 
t  this  point 
id  of  trade, 
nfluonce  of 
jf  life,  con- 
incss  in  the 
)8,  when  it 
mtinued  its 
ih  gathered 
huel  Dodd, 
794.  The 
Societies  of 
le,  although 

tianged  to  Fort 


the  people  of  Whitestown  had  employed  a  clergyman,  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Hillyer,  whom  I  have  already  mentioned,  they  had  not  settled  a 
pastor.  Mr.  Dodd  was  ordained  pastor  of  the  United  Societies. 
The  union  of  the  two  churches  continued  for  more  than  twenty 
years,  under  the  pastorates  of  Mr.  Dodd  and  his  successor,  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Carnahan.  They  were  the  first  Presbyterian  churches  organ- 
ized west  of  the  city  of  Albany,  those  at  Clinton  and  New  Hartford 
being  Congregational  in  their  forms  of  government.  The  Episcopal 
church  in  this  city  was  gathered  in  1798,  and  its  present  church 
edifice  erected  in  1803." — Tracy's  Lectures. 

The  following  inscriptions  are  copied  from  monuments  in  the  grave- 
yard at  Utica. 

"  Erected  by  the  Utica  lodge,  Oneida  chapter,  and  Utica  encampment,  in  memory  of 
Ezra  S.  Cozier,  Esq.  An  upright  magistrate,  a  kind.hearted  friend,  an  honest  man.  He 
fell  a  victim  to  his  exertions  in  the  cause  of  benevolence  during  the  epidemic  cholera,  17th 
August,  1832,  aged  47  years." 


"  Here  lie  the  bodies  of  Dr.  .Tohn  Cochrane,  director-general  of  the  military  hospitala 
of  the  United  States  in  the  revolutionary  war,  and  Gertrude,  his  wife.  The  former  died 
in  April,  in  the  year  1807,  in  the  77th  year  of  his  age,  and  the  latter  in  March,  in  the  year 
1813,  in  the  89th  year  of  her  age. — This  monument  is  erected  by  their  sons,  James  and 
Walter  L.  Cochran." 


"  In  memory  of  John  Hughes,  a  native  of  South  Wales,  who  departed  this  life  Septera- 
ber3d,  A.D.  1831,iE.  62. 

Mewn  rhyfel  bu'fe  yma'n  hir  ~ 

Yn  colli  ac  yn  ennill  tir ; 
Ond'  nawr  gorphenodd  ar  ei  waith, 
Acaeth  yn  deg  i  ben  ei  daith." 

Vernov,  taken  from  Westmoreland  in  1802;  from  Albany  116 
miles.  This  town  was  settled  in  1797.  About  one  fifth  of  the  town 
belongs  to  the  Oneida  Indians,  forming  part  of  their  reservation,  and 
comprising  their  principal  settlements  near  the  Oneida  village  on  the 
Oneida  creek.  Oneida  Castleton,  22  miles  SW.  from  Utica  and  16 
from  Rome,  has  about  25  dwellings,  and  a  church  belonging  to  the 
Indians,  who  number  about  200.  On  the  south  side  of  the  turnpike 
road,  at  the  entrance  of  the  village,  is  the  ancient  council  grove  of 
the  Six  Nations,  consisting  of  about  50  large  white  walnut-trees,  still 
in  full  vigor.  Vernon,  upon  the  Skanandoa  creek,  17  miles  SW.  from 
Utica,  contains  an  academy,  a  female  seminary,  and  about  80  dwell- 
ings. Vernon  Centre,  2  miles  S.  from  Vernon,  has  about  25  dwell- 
ings.    Pop.  3,043. 

VERONA,  taken  from  Westmoreland  and  Augusta  in  1802;  from 
Albany  113,  from  Rome  centrally  distant  SW.  9  miles.  The  town 
formed  part  of  the  Oneida  reservation,  but  was  purchased  in  1796, 
by  the  state  from  the  Indians.  Pop.  4,504.  Durhamville,  New 
London.  Verona,  Verona  Centre,  Skanandoa,  and  Andover,  are  villa- 
ges.    The  sulphur  springs  near  Andover  are  in  high  repute. 

Vienna,  originally  named  Orange,  afterward  changed  to  Bengal, 
and  finallv  to  Vienna :  taken  from  Camden  in  1807 ;  from  Albany 


376 


ONEIDA   COUNTY. 


1! 


\\\ 


125,  from  Rome  W.  17  miles.     Settled  in  1802,  by  New  Englanders 
Vienna,  McConnelsville,  and  Pine,  are  post-offices.    Pop.  2,530. 

Western,  taken  from  Steuben,  as  part  of  Herkimer  county  in 
1797;  from  Albany  109,  from  Rome  NE.  8  miles.  Western  and 
Big  Brook  are  post-offices.     Pop.  3,488. 

Westmoreland,  taken  from  Whitestown  in  1792;  from  Albany 
105  miles.  Rock  iron  ore  is  here  found  in  abundance,  and  is  exten- 
sively wrought.  Hampton,  9  miles  W.  from  Utica  and  7  S.  from 
Rome,  contains  about  30  dwellings.  Lairdsville  is  a  small  village, 
and  Republican  the  name  of  a  post-office.     Pop.  3,105. 

The  first  settlement  of  this  town  was  commenced  in  1786,  by 
James  Dean,  Esq.,  a  name  distinguished  in  the  history  of  Oneida 
county.  He  was  a  native  of  New  England,  the  child  of  religious 
parents,  who  educated  him  for  the  purpose  of  being  a  missionary 
among  the  Indians.  At  the  age  of  eleven  he  was  sent  among  t.he 
Indians  on  the  Susquehamiah,  in  order  to  acquire  their  language,  and 
gain  a  knowledge  of  their  habits  and  manners :  he  afterward  was  u 
student  in  Dartmouth  college.  On  the  breaking  out  of  hostilities  in 
1775,  Mr.  Dean  was  appointed  to  the  office  of  Indian  agent,  with  the 
rank  of  a  major  in  the  army,  and  during  the  revolutionary  war  con- 
tinued his  services.  For  most  of  the  time,  his  duties  were  performed 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Oneida.  At  the  close  of  the  war  the  Oneidas 
granted  him  a  tract  of  land,  two  miles  squai-e,  near  Rome,  where  he 
removed  in  1784  and  commenced  its  improvement.  He  afterward 
effected  an  exchange  with  the  nation  for  a  tract  in  Westmoreland, 
where  he  removed  in  1786,  and  resided  till  his  death,  in  1832.  He 
was  appointed  a  judge  in  the  county  courts,  and  filled  various  other 
public  offices.  Two  or  three  years  after  the  removal  of  Mr.  Dean 
to  Westmoreland,  an  incident  occurred,  which  furnishes  a  parallel  to 
the  rescue  of  Capt.  Smith  by  Pocahontas  in  the  early  days  of  Vir- 
ginia. 

"  An  institution  existed  among  tlie  Indians  for  the  punishment  of  a  murderer,  answering 
in  some  respects  to  the  Jewish  code.  It  became  the  duty  of  the  nearest  relative  of  the  de- 
ceased  to  pursue  him,  and  avenge  his  brother's  death.  In  case  the  murder  was  perpetrated 
by  a  member  of  a  different  tribe,  the  offence  demanded  that  the  tribe  of  the  murdered  man 
should  require  the  blood  of  some  member  of  the  offending  tribe.  This  was  regarded  as  a 
necessary  atonement,  and  as  absolutely  requisite  to  the  happiness  of  the  deceased  in  the 
world  of  spirits,  and  a  religious  duty,  and  not  as  a  mere  matter  of  vengeful  gratification. 
At  the  period  to  which  I  have  referred,  an  Indian  had  been  murdered  by  some  unknown 
white  man,  who  had  escaped.  The  chiefs  thereupon  held  a  consultation  at  Oneida  to  de- 
terniino  wnat  was  to  be  done.  Their  deliberations  were  held  in  secret,  but  through  the 
friendship  of  one  of  the  number,  Mr.  Dean  was  advised  of  what  was  going  on.  Frcun  iho 
office  that  he  had  held,  and  the  high  standing  he  maiiitiiined  among  the  white  men,  it  was 
urged  ill  the  council  that  he  was  the  proper  person  to  sacritice  in  atoneinent  for  the  oiience 
committed.  The  question  was,  however,  a  very  difficult  one  to  dispose  of.  He  liad  lieeii 
adopted  into  the  tribe,  and  wm  held  to  be  a  son,  and  it  was  argued  by  many  of  the  chiefs 
that  he  could  now  be  no  more  respontiible  for  the  oOlmce  than  one  of  the  natives  of  the 
tribe,  and  that  his  sacrifice  would  not  furnish  the  i)rop(!r  atonement.  For  several  days  the 
matter  was  delinted  and  no  decision  was  arrived  at.  While  it  was  undetermined,  he  con- 
tinued to  hope  for  the  best,  and  his  friendly  informant  kept  him  constantly  advised  of  all 
that  was  done.  At  first  he  reflected  upon  the  propriety  of  his  leaving  the  country  and  es. 
caping  from  the  danger.  But  his  circumstances,  together  with  the  hope  of  a  favorable  issue 
of  the  question  in  the  council,  induced  him  to  remain.  He  had  erected  a  small  house  which 
lie  was  occupying  with  his  wife  and  two  chiidreu,  one  an  infant,  and  it  was  idle  to  think 


ONEIDA   COUNTV. 


377 


Bnglanders 
2,530. 
r  county  in 
Western  and 

•om  Albany 
nd  is  exten- 
d  7  S.  from 
nail  village, 

In  1786,  by 
f  of  Oneida 
of  religious 
missionary 
among  the 
nguage,  and 
ward  was  a 
lostilities  in 
nt,  with  the 
ry  war  con- 
3  performed 
the  Oneidas 
e,  where  he 
e  afterward 
!Stmoreland, 
1832.  He 
arious  other 
if  Mr.  Dean 
a  parallel  to 
lays  of  Vir- 


erer,  answering 
lative  of  the  de. 
was  perpetrated 
!  murdered  man 
18  regarded  as  a 
leceased  in  the 
ul  gratification, 
some  unknown 
It  Oneida  tu  de. 
)ut  tliron^ili  the 
on.  From  tlio 
lite  men,  it  wns 
t  lor  the  oti'enro 
He  had  lit'pn 
ny  of  the  chiefs 
le  natives  of  the 
leverul  days  the 
rniined,  he  con. 
y  advised  of  nil 
country  and  es- 
.  favorable  issue 
all  house  whirli 
'hi  idle  to  think 


of  removing  them  without  exciting  observation  and  perhaps  causing  a  sacrifice  of  all.  As 
the  council  continued  its  session  for  several  days,  his  hopes  of  a  favorable  decision  bright- 
ened. He  however  kept  the  whole  matter  to  himself,  not  even  mentioning  it  to  his  wife, 
and  prepared  himself  for  any  emergency  which  might  befall  him.  One  night  after  he  had 
retired  to  bed,  he  was  awoke  by  the  sound  of  the  death  whoop,  at  a  short  distance  from  his 
house.  He  then  for  the  first  time  communicated  to  his  wife  his  fears  that  a  party  were  ap- 
proaching  to  take  his  life.  He  enjoined  it  upon  her  to  remain  quiet  with  her  children  in 
the  room  where  they  slept,  while  he  would  receive  the  council  in  an  adjoining  one  and  en. 
deavor  to  avert  their  determination,  trusting  to  Providence  for  the  result.  He  met  the  In- 
dians at  the  door,  and  seated  them  in  the  outer  room.  There  were  eighteen,  and  all  chiefs 
or  head  men  of  tl\e  nation.  The  senior  chief  informed  him  that  they  had  come  to  sacritice 
him  for  the  murder  of  their  brother,  and  that  he  must  now  prepare  to  die.  He  replied  to 
them  at  length,  claiming  that  lie  was  an  adopted  son  of  the  Oneidas  ;  that  it  was  unjust  to 
require  his  blood  for  the  wrong  committed  by  a  wicked  white  man ;  that  he  was  not  ready 
to  die,  and  that  he  could  not  leave  his  wife  and  children  unprovided  for.  The  council  lis- 
tened to  him  with  profound  gravity  and  attention,  and  when  he  sat  down,  one  of  the  chiefs 
replied  to  him.  He  rejoined,  and  used  every  argutnent  his  ingenuity  could  devise  in  order 
to  reverse  their  sentence.  The  debate  continued  a  long  time,  and  the  hope  of  escape  grew 
fainter  and  fainter  as  it  proceeded.  At  length  he  had  nearly  abandoned  himself  to  the 
doom  they  had  resolved  upon,  when  he  heard  the  pattering  of  a  footstep  without  the  door. 
All  eyes  were  fixed  upon  the  door.  It  opened  and  a  squaw  entered.  She  was  the  wife  of 
the  senior  chief,  and  at  the  time  of  Mr.  Dean's  adoption  into  the  tribe  in  his  boyhood,  she 
had  taken  him  as  her  son.  The  entrance  of  a  woman  into  a  solemn  council,  was,  by  In- 
dian etiquette,  at  war  with  all  propriety.  She,  however,  took  her  place  near  the  door,  and 
all  looked  on  in  silence.  A  moment  after,  another  footstep  was  heard,  and  another  Indian 
woman  entered  the  council.  This  was  a  sister  of  the  former,  and  she  too  was  the  wife  of 
a  chief  then  present.  Another  pause  ensued,  and  a  third  entered.  Each  of  the  three  stood 
wrapped  closely  in  her  blanket,  but  said  nothing.  At  length  the  prcsidhig  chief  addressed 
them,  telling  them  to  begone  and  leave  the  chiefs  to  go  on  with  their  business.  The  wife 
repFied,  that  the  council  must  change  their  determination  and  let  the  good  white  man — 
their  friend — her  own  adopted  son,  alone.  The  command  to  be  gone  was  repeated,  when 
each  of  the  Indian  women  threw  off  her  blanket  and  showed  a  knife  in  her  extended  hand, 
and  declared  that  if  one  hair  of  the  white  man's  head  was  touched,  ihey  would  each  bury 
their  knives  in  their  own  heart's  blood.  The  strangeness  of  the  whole  scene  overwhelmed 
with  amazement  each  member  of  the  council,  and  regarding  the  unheard-of  resolution  of 
the  women  to  interfere  in  the  matter  as  a  sort  of  manifestation  of  the  will  of  the  Great 
Spirit  that  the  white  man's  life  should  not  be  taken,  their  previous  decree  was  reversed  on 
the  spot,  and  the  life  of  their  victim  preserved." — Tracy's  Lectures. 

Whitestown  was  organized  in  1788.  It  lies  on  the  west  side  of 
the  Mohawk,  having  an  undulating  surface  with  broad  and  fertile 
valleys.  It  is  drained  by  the  Oriskany  and  Sauquoit  creeks,  on  which 
are  numerous  mil]§  of  various  kinds.  Oriskany,  Whitesborough,  and 
Yorkville  are  post  villages.  Pop.  5,1 5t5.  Whitesborough,  the  prin- 
cipal village,  is  near  the  confluence  of  Sadaquada  or  Sauquoit  creek 
with  the  Mohawk,  contains  about  100  dwelling-houses,  2  churches, 
an  academy,  and  the  Oneida  Institute.  Distant  100  miles  from  Al- 
bany; 4  from  Utica,  and  12  from  Rome. 

The  following  is  a  SW.  view  of  the  Oneida  Institute,  as  seen  from  the 
Erie  canal,  which  passes  a  short  distance  from  these  buildings.  The 
"Oneidgi  Institute  of  Science  and  Industry,"  was  founded  in  1827; 
incorporated  in  1829.  "  The  design  of  this  Seminary  is  to  furnish 
means  to  obviate  the  evils  resulting  to  students  from  the  usual  appli- 
cation to  a  cour.se  of  professional  study,  and  the  attendant  depriva- 
tion of  bodily  exercise.  The  plan  that  the  Seminary  has  established 
to  efl^ect  this,  is  to  blend  productive  manual  labor  with  the  course  of 
study.  Three  hours  labor  per  day  is  required  of  each  student  in  the 
young  men's  department,  and  somewhat  less  of  each  in  the  juvenile 
department.     The  farm  consists  of  the  flat  on  the  left  bank  of  the 

48 


i  ' 

d'^ ' 

h- 

m 

ii     ■ 

m%  ^. 

H 

fP 

"  -  :'M 


\^  i 


¥ 


.ill  I 


878 


ONEIDA   COUNTY. 


t!  ■ 


Southwest  view  of  Oneida  Institute,  Whitestown. 

Sauquoit,  and  contains  114  acres.  The  chief  building  upon  it  when 
purchased,  was  a  large  two  story  wood  house  to  which  a  wing  has 
been  appended,  and  which  is  now  occupied  by  the  juvenile  depart 
ment.  The  other  principal  buildings,  which  are  all  of  wood,  with 
stone  basements,  are  as  follows :  two  of  82  by  32  feet,  and  one  48 
by  48  feet,  all  of  three  stories,  including  the  basements.  The  latter 
includes  the  chapel,  with  seats  for  250  persons.  The  library  con- 
tains upwards  of  1,000  volumes;  and  in  the  reading-room  are  files 
of  newspapers  from  various  parts  of  the  United  States.     The  ex- 

S3nse  for  instruction,  room  rent,  fuel,  and  contingences  per  year,  $28. 
oard  at  $1,05  per  week,  $54,60  per  year.     Total  $82,60. 
Immediately  after  tlic  revolutionary  war,  Hugh  White,  a  native  of 
Middlctown,  Conn.,  Zephaniah  Piatt,  Ezra  L'Hommedieu,  and  Me- 
lancthon  Smith,  became  joint  proprietors  of  Sadaquada  Patent.     It 
was  agreed  among  tlie  proprietors,  that  they  should  meet  on  the  land 
in  the  summer  of  1784,  and  make  a  survey  and  partition  of  it.    Judge 
White,  having  determined  to  make  this  place  his  home,  he  accord- 
ingly, in  the  month  oi"  May  in  that  year,  left  his  n^^ive  place,  accom- 
panied by  his  four  sons,  all  of  whom  had  arrived  at  manhood,  a 
daughter,  and  daughter-in-law.     The  party  sailed  to  Albany,  there 
crossed  the  carrying  place  to  Schenectady,  and  procuring  a  batteau, 
ascended  the  Mohawk,  and  arrived  in  June  at  the  mouth  of  the  Sau- 
quoit creek.     They  there  erected  a  shanty  for  their  temporary  accom- 
modation, while  surveying  and  dividing  the  lands.    Upon  obtaining  the 
partition  Judge  White  proceeded  to  tne  erection  of  a  log  house :  the 
site  fixed  upon  was  upon  the  bank  which  forms  the  eastern  boundary 
of  the  village  green  in  Whitesborough,  just  on  the  right  of  the  Indian 
path  which  led  from  old  Fort  Schuyler  to  Fort  Stanwix.     He  re- 
mained at  this  house  with  his  sons  until  winter,  cutting  away  the 
forest  and  making  preparations  for  the  ensuing  season.    In  January, 
he  returned  to  Connecticut,  and  brought  his  wife  and  the  remainder 
of  his  family.     Four  years  after  this,  he  erected  the  house  still  standing 
on  the  southeastern  corner  of  the  village  green  of  which  the  annexed 
is  a  representation.    He  continued  to  occupy  it  until  a  year  or  two 


I 


ONEIDA   COUNTY. 


379 


)on  it  when 
a,  wing  has 
nile  depart 
wood,  with 
and  one  48 
The  latter 
ibrary  con- 
)m  are  files 
.  The  ex- 
r  year,  $28. 

a  native  of 
lu,  and  Me- 
Patent.  It 
on  the  land 
f  it.  Judge 
,  he  accord- 
ace,  accom- 
manhood,  a 
Ibany,  there 
g  a  batteau, 
of  the  Sau- 
rary  accom- 
btaining  the 
house :  the 
n  boundary 
»f  the  Indian 
He 


ix. 


re- 


s  away  the 
In  January, 
e  remainder 
itill  standing 
the  annexed 
ear  or  two 


House  of  Judge  White,  Whitestown. 

previous  to  his  death,  when  he  removed  to  the  dwelling  owned  by 
him  upon  the  hill,  where  he  died  April  16th,  1812.  At  the  organiza- 
tion of  Herkimer  county,  he  was  appointed  a  judge,  and  afterward 
performed  the  duties  of  the  same  office  in  Oneida  county. 

For  the  first  two  years  of  Judge  White's  residence  at  Whitesbo- 
rough,the  nearest  mill  was  situated  at  Palatine,  a  distance  of  about  forty 
miles.  This  distance  was  traversed  by  an  Indian  path  impassable  to 
a  wheel-carriage.  The  want  of  animal  food  induced  the  first  settlers 
to  salt  down  a  barrel  or  two  of  the  breasts  of  pigeons,  which  they  sepa- 
rated fi-om  the  remainder  of  these  birds,  which  were  here  caught  in  great 
numbers.  In  the  year  1786,  the  settlement  of  Whitestown  had  so  far  in- 
creased, that  its  inhabitants  formed  a  religious  society,  and  employed 
as  a  minister  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hillyer,  of  Orange,  New  Jersey,  and  or- 

ganized  the  first  Presbyterian  church  formed  in  the  state  west  of  Al- 
any.  In  1788,  when  Whitestown  was  organized,  its  limits  were 
laid  off  by  a  line  crossing  the  Mohawk  at  a  small  log  cabin  which 
stood  upon  the  site  occupied  by  the  railroad  depot  in  Utica,  and  run- 
ning north  and  south  to  the  boundaries  of  the  state,  and  comprehend- 
ing all  the  state  lying  westward — a  territory  which  at  present  is 
inhabited  by  more  than  a  million  of  inhabitants.  The  first  town 
meeting  was  held  in  a  bam  owned  by  Needham  Maynard,  Esq.,  on 
the  road  leading  from  Whitesborough  to  Middle  Settlement. 

For  a  number  of  years  after  Judge  White's  arrival  quite  a  number 
of  the  Oneida  Indians  resided  in  his  vicinity.  The  following  interest- 
ing incident,  which  took  place  during  this  period,  is  copied  from 
Tracy's  Lectures. 

"  An  old  chief,  named  Han  Yerry,  who,  «'•  -<ng  the  war,  hod  acted  with  the  royal  party, 
and  now  resided  at  Oriskany  in  a  log  wig\  ^hich  stood  on  this  side  of  the  creek,  just 
back  of  the  house,  until  recently,  occupied  tjy  Mr.  Charles  Green,  one  day  called  at  Judge 
White's  with  his  wife  and  a  mulatto  woman  who  belonged  to  him,  and  who  acted  as  his 
interpreter.  After  conversing  with  him  a  little  while,  the  Indian  asked  him — Are  you  my 
friend  ?  Yes,  said  he.  Well,  then,  said  the  Indian,  do  you  believe  I  am  your  friend  ? 
Yes,  Han  Yerry,  replied  he ;  I  believe  you  are.  The  Indian  then  rejoined— Well,  if  you 
are  my  friend,  and  you  believe  I  am  your  friend,  I  will  tell  you  what  I  want,  and  then  I 

.U-ll  t_~u.  ...Uoih^ir  »/><i  anonlr  >nia  urnnia       AnA  what  in  it  that  ynii  want  7  8i)id  Mr.  White. 


.f^ 


ll 


ih-    '■! 


380 


ONEIDA    COUNTY. 


The  Indian  then  pointed  to  a  little  grandchild,  the  daughter  of  one'of  his  sons,  then  be. 
tween  two  and  three  years  old,  and  said, — My  squaw  wants  to  take  this  pappoose  home 
with  US  to  stay  one  night,  and  bring  her  home  to-morrow :  if  you  are  my  friend,  you  will 
now  show  me.  The  feelings  of  the  grandfather  at  once  uprose  in  his  bosom,  and  the 
child's  mother  started  with  horror  and  alarm  at  the  thought  of  intrusting  her  darhng  prat, 
tier  with  the  rude  tenants  of  the  forest.  The  question  was  full  of  interest.  On  the  one 
hand,  the  necessity  of  placing  unlimited  confidence  in  the  savage,  and  intrusting  the  weU 
fare  and  the  life  of  his  grandchild  with  him ;  on  the  other,  the  certain  enmity  of  a  man  of 
influence  and  consequence  in  his  nation,  and  one  who  had  been  the  open  enemy  of  his 
countrymen  in  their  recent  struggle.  But  he  made  the  decision  with  a  sagacity  that 
showed  that  he  properly  estimated  the  character  of  the  person  he  was  dealing  with.  He 
believed  that  by  placing  implicit  confidence  in  him,  he  should  command  the  sense  of  honor 
which  seems  peculiar  to  the  uncontaminated  Indian.  He  told  him  to  take  the  child ;  and 
as  the  mother,  scarcely  sufiering  it  to  be  parted  from  her,  relinquished  it  into  the  hands  of 
the  old  man's  wife,  he  soothed  her  fears  with  his  assurances  of  confidence  in  their  promises. 
That  night,  however,  was  a  long  one ;  and  during  the  whole  of  the  next  morning  many  and 
often  were  the  anxious  glances  cast  up  the  pathway  leading  from  Oriskany,  if  possible  to 
discover  the  Indians  and  their  little  charge,  upon  their  return  to  its  home.  But  no  Indians 
came  in  sight.  It  at  length  became  high  noon ;  all  a  mother's  fears  were  aroused :  she 
could  scarcely  be  restrained  from  rushing  in  pursuit  of  her  loved  one.  But  her  father  re- 
presented to  her  the  gross  indignity  which  a  suspicion  of  their  intentions  would  arouse  in 
the  breast  of  the  chief;  and  half  frantic  though  she  was,  she  was  restrained.  The  after- 
noon slowly  wore  away,  and  still  nothing  was  seen  of  her  child.  The  sun  had  nearly 
reached  the  horizon,  and  the  mother's  heart  had  swollen  beyond  further  endurance,  when 
the  forms  of  the  friendly  chief  and  his  wife,  bearing  upon  her  shoulders  their  little  visiter, 
greeted  its  mother's  vision.  The  dress  which  the  child  had  worn  from  home  had  been  re- 
moved, and  in  its  place  its  Indian  friends  had  substituted  a  complete  suit  of  Indian  gar- 
ments, so  as  completely  to  metamorphose  it  into  a  little  squaw.  The  sequel  of  this  adven- 
ture was  the  establishment  of  a  most  ardent  attachment  and  regard  on  the  part  of  the  In- 
dian  and  his  friends  for  the  white  settlers.  The  child,  now  Mrs.  Eells  of  Missouri,  the 
widow  of  the  late  Nathaniel  Eells  of  Whitesboro,  still  remembers  some  incidents  occurring 
on  the  night  of  her  stay  in  the  wigwam,  and  the  kindness  of  her  Indian  hostess." 

Oriskany  village  is  about  3  miles  NE.  from  Whitesborough,  at  the 
confluence  of  Oriskany  creek  with  the  Mohawk :  it  has  about  60 
dwellings,  a  number  of  mills,  and  2  woollen  factories,  viz.  the  Oris- 
kany, first  incorporated  in  1804,  and  the  Dexter.  The  Erie  canal 
and  the  railroad  between  Utica  and  Syracuse  pass  through  this  vil- 
lage. The  battle  of  Oriskany,  in  which  Gen.  Herkimer  received  a 
mortal  wound,  was  fought  about  two  miles  in  a  western  direction 
from  the  village. 

On  the  advance  of  the  British  forces  under  Lieut.  Col.  St.  Leger 
to  the  siege  of  Fort  Schuyler,  (Stanwix,)  at  Rome,  General  Herkimer 
summoned  the  militia  of  Tryon  county  to  the  field  to  march  to  the 
succor  of  the  garrison.  On  the  5th  of  Aug.,  1777,  he  arrived  near 
Oriskany  with  a  body  of  upwards  of  800  men,  all  eager  to  meet  the 
enemy.  On  the  morning  of  the  6th  of  August,  Gen.  Herkimer  de- 
termined to  halt  till  he  had  received  reinforcements,  or  at  least  until 
the  signal  of  a  sortie  should  be  received  from  the  fort.  His  officers, 
however,  were  eager  to  press  forward ;  high  words  ensued :  during 
which  his  two  colonels  and  other  officers  denounced  their  commander 
to  his  face  as  a  tory  and  a  coward.  "  The  brave  old  man  calmly 
replied  that  he  considered  himself  placed  over  them  as  a  father,  and 
that  it  was  not  his  wish  to  lead  them  into  any  difficulty  from  which 
he  could  not  extricate  them.  Burning  as  they  now  seemed  to  meet 
the  enemy,  he  told  them  roundly  that  they  would  run  at  his  first  ap- 
pearance^    But  his  remonstrances  were  unavailing';    Their  clamor 


I 


ONEIDA   COUNTY. 


381 


ons,  then  be. 
ppoose  home 
end,  you  will 
Botn,  and  the 
darUng  prat. 
On  the  one 
ting  the  wel. 
r  of  a  man  of 
enemy  of  his 
sagacity  that 
ig  with.  He 
ense  of  honor 
le  child ;  and 
the  hands  of 
leir  promises, 
ing  many  and 
f  possible  to 
Jt  no  Indians 
aroused :  she 
her  father  re- 
uld  arouse  in 
.  The  after. 
n  had  nearly 
urance,  when 
r  little  visiter, 
had  been  re. 
f  Indian  gar- 
af  this  adven. 
art  of  the  In. 
Missouri,  the 
nts  occurring 

!S." 

igh,  at  the 
about  60 
.  the  Oris- 
Erie  canal 
;h  this  vil- 
received  a 
I  direction 

St.  Leger 
Herkimer 
rch  to  the 
"ived  near 
3  meet  the 
kimer  de- 
least  until 
is  officers, 
d:  during 
jmmander 
an  calmly 
ather,  and 
om  which 
d  to  meet 
is  first  ap- 
iir  clamor 


increased,  and  their  reproaches  were  repeated,  until,  stung  by  impu- 
tations of  cowardice  and  a  want  of  fidelity  to  the  cause,  and  some- 
what irritated  withal,  the  general   immediately  gave  the  order — 
♦  march  on !'    The  words  were  no  sooner  heard  than  the  troops  gave 
a  shout,  and  moved,  or  rather  rushed  forward."    Col.  St.  Leger 
having  heard  of  the  advance  of  Gen.  Herkimer,  determined  to  attack 
him  in  an  ambuscade.     The  spot  chosen  favored  the  design.     There 
was  a  deep  ravine  crossing  the  path  which  Herkimer  was  traversing, 
"  sweeping  towards  the  east  in  a  semi-circular  form,  and  bearing  a 
northern  and  southern  direction.     The  botton#of  this  ravine  was 
marshy,  and  the  road  crossed  it  by  means  of  a  causeway.     The 
ground,  thus  partly  enclosed  by  the  ravine,  was  elevated  and  level. 
The  ambuscade  was  laid  upon  the  high  ground  west  of  the  ravine." 
The  British  troops,  with  a  large  body  of  Indians  under  Brant,  disposed 
themselves  in  a  circle,  leaving  only  a  narrow  segment  open  for  the 
admission  of  Herkimer's  troops.     Unconscious  ot  the  presence  of  the 
enemy.  Gen.  Herkimer  with  his  whole  force,  with  the  excepUon  of 
the   rear-guard,  found  themselves   encompassed  at  the   onset — the 
foe  closing  up  the  gap  on  their  first  fire.     Those  on  the  outside  fled 
as  their  commander  had  predicted;  those  within  the  circle  were 
thrown  into  disorder  by  the  sudden  and  murderous  fire  now  poured 
in  upon  them  on  all  sides.    Gen.  Herkimer  fell  wounded  in  the  early 
part  of  the  action,  and  was  placed  on  his  saddle  against  the  trunk  of 
a  tree  for  his  support,  and  thus  continued  to  order  the  battle.     The 
action  having  lasted  more  than  half  an  hour,  in  great  disorder,  Her- 
kimer's men  formed  themselves  into  circles  to  repel  the  attacks  of  the 
enemy,  who  were  now  closing  in  upon  them  from  all  sides.     From 
this  moment  their  resistance  was  more  effective.     The  firing  in  a 
great  measure  ceased ;  and  the  conflict  was  carried  on  with  knives, 
bayonets,  and  the  butt-ends  of  muskets.     A  heavy  shower  of  rain 
now  arrested  the  work  of  death ;  the  storm  raged  for  an  hour,  and 
the  enemy  retired  among  the  trees,  at  a  respectful  distance,  having 
suffered   severely,  notwithstanding  the  advantages   in   their  favor. 
During  this  suspension  of  the  conflict,  Gen.  Herkimer's  men,  by  his 
direction,  formed  themselves  into  a  circle  and  awaited  the  movements 
of  the  enemy.     In  the  early  part  of  the  battle,  whenever  a  gun  was 
fired  by  a  militiaman  from  behind  a  tree,  an  Indian  rushed  up  and 
tomahawked  him  before  he  could  reload.     To  counteract  this,  two 
men  were  stationed  behind  a  single  tree,  one  only  to  fire  at  a  time — 
the  other  to  reserve  his  fire  till  the  Indian  ran  up  as  before     The  fight 
was  soon  renewed,  but  by  this  new  arrangement  the  Indians  suffered 
so  severely  that  they  began  to  give  way.     A  reinforcement  of  the 
enemy  now  came  up,  called  Johnson's  Greens.     These  men  were 
mostly  royalist,  who  having  fled  from  Tryon  county,  now  returned 
in  arms  against  their  former  neighbors.    Many  of  the  militia  and  the 
Greens  knew  each  other,  and  as  soon  as  they  advanced  near  enough 
for  recognition,  mutual  feelings  of  hate  and  revenge  raged  in  their 
bosoms.     The  militia  fired  upon  them  as  they  advanced,  and  then 
springing  like  tigers  from  iheir  covers,  attacked  them  with  tiicir  bay= 


i  m. 


,    'M 


it 


'•*•  !l 


i\^ 


'.-UM 


"■•I  = 


382 


ONEIDA    COUNTY. 


ilf 


onets  and  butts  of  their  muskets ;  or  both  parties  in  closer  contact 
throttled  each  other  and  drew  their  knives — stabbing,  and  sometimes 
literally  dying  in  each  other's  embrace." 

This  murderous  conflict  did  not  continue  lon^ :  the  Indians  seeing 
with  what  resolution  the  militia  continued  the  hght,  and  finding  their 
own  numbers  greatly  diminished,  now  raised  the  retreating  cry  of 
"  Oonah  /"  and  fled  in  every  direction  under  the  shouts  of  the  surviv- 
ing militia,  and  a  shower  of  bullets.  A  firing  was  heard  in  the  dis- 
tance from  the  fort :  the  Greens  and  Rangers  now  deemed  that  their 
presence  was  nece*ary  elsewhere,  and  retreated  precipitately,  leav- 
ing the  victorious  militia  of  Tryon  county  masters  of  the  field. — 
"  Thus  ended,"  (says  Col.  Stone  in  his  Life  of  Brant,)  "  one  of  the 
severest,  and,  for  the  numbers  engaged,  one  of  the  most  bloody  bat- 
tles of  the  revolutionary  war."  The  loss  of  the  militia,  according  to 
the  American  account,  was  two  hundred  killed,  exclusive  of  wounded 
and  prisoners.  The  British  claimed  that  four  hundred  of  the  Ameri- 
cans were  <killed  and  two  hundred  taken  prisoners.  "  The  loss  of 
the  enemy  was  equally  if  not  more  severe,  than  that  of  the  Ameri- 
cans." Gen.  Herkimer,  though  wounded  in  the  onset,  bore  himself 
during  the  six  hours  of  conflict,  under  the  most  trying  circumstances, 
with  a  degree  of  fortitude  and  composure  worthy  of  admiration. 
"  At  one  time  dui'ing  the  battle,  while  sitting  upon  his  saddle,  raised 
upon  a  little  hillock,  being  advised  to  select  a  less  exposed  situation, 
he  replied — '  I  will  face  the  enemy.'  Thus  surrounded  by  a  few  men, 
he  continued  to  issue  his  orders  with  firmness.  In  this  situation,  and 
in  the  heat  of  the  onslaught,  he  deliberately  took  his  tinder  box  from 
his  pocket,  lit  his  pipe,  and  smoked  with  great  composure."  After 
the  battle  was  over,  he  was  removed  from  the  field  on  a  litter,  and 
was  conveyed  to  his  house,  below  the  Little  Falls  on  i\\c.  IMolniwk. 

The  following  inscriptions  are  copied  from  monumeuiSi  m  the 
Whitesborough  grave-yard. 

"  Here  sleep  the  mortal  remains  of  Hugh  White,  who  was  bom  5th  February,  1733,  at 
Middletown,  Connecticut,  and  died  16th  April,  1812.  In  the  year  1784,  he  removed  to 
Sedngh  quale,  now  Wliitesborough :  where  he  was  the  first  white  inhabitant  in  the  state  of 
New  York  west  of  the  German  settler'  the  Mohawk.  He  was  distinguished  for  energy 
and  deo'-ior  of  character;  and  may  ju  be  regarded  as  a  Pa^riarcA  who  led  the  children 
of  New  F.ngu;rtd  into  the  wilderness,  ^is  a  magistrate,  a  citizen,  and  a  man,  his  character 
for  trutii  cii  i  -tegrity  was  proverbial.  This  hiunble  monument  is  reared  and  inscribed  by 
the  afi'ectiord'.  pyiUier  of  his  joys  and  his  sorrows,  May  15, 1826." 


"  To  the  memory  of  the  Rev.  Bethuel  Dodd,  first  pastor  of  the  United  Presbyterian  So- 
ciety  of  Wliitestown  and  Utica.  Born  1767,  died  1804 ;  and  of  Sarah  his  wife,  born  1768, 
died  1828.  In  the  year  1794,  they  emigrated  from  Orange,  New  Jersey,  to  this  village. 
Mr.  Dodd  assisted  in  forming  the  first  Presbyterian  church  west  of  Albany,  and  spent  the 
remainder  of  a  short  but  useful  career  in  the  upbuilding  of  this  branch  of  his  Master's 
kingdom." 


ONONDAGA  COUNTY. 


383 


loser  contact 
id  sometimes 

idians  seeing 
finding  their 
iating  cry  of 
)f  the  surviv- 
d  in  the  dia- 
led that  their 
)itately,  leav- 
■  the  field. — 
"  one  of  the 
t  bloody  bat- 
according  to 
!  of  wounded 
)f  the  Ameri- 
"  The  loss  of 
f  the  Ameri- 
bore  himself 
rcumstances, 
:  admiration, 
saddle,  raised 
sed  situation, 
»y  a  few  men, 
situation,  and 
der  box  from 
iure."  After 
)  a  litter,  and 
0  Moh?f  wk. 


neiits 


the 


ebruary,  1733,  at 
4,  he  removed  to 
nt  in  the  state  of 
uished  for  energy 
)  led  the  children 
lan,  his  character 
and  inscribed  by 


Presbyterian  So- 
I  wife,  born  1768, 
r,  to  this  village, 
ny,  and  spent  the 
h  of  his  Master's 


I 


ONONDAGA  COUNTY. 

Onondaga  county  was  taken  from  Herkimer  in  1794;  bounds 
since  altered  by  the  formation  of  other  counties  from  it.    Greatest 
length  N.  and  S.  36,  greatest  breadth  E.  and  W.  28  miles.    Cen- 
trally distant  from  New  York  280  miles,  from  Albany  135  miles. 
This  county,  though  not  extensive,  embraces  a  most  important  portion 
of  the  territory  of  this  state.    Here  are  the  salt  springs,  an  mex- 
haustible  source  of  immense  wealth ;  beds  of  gypsum  or  plaster,  ot 
vast  extent,  hydraulic  lime  and  common  limestone.    Surface  is  diver- 
sified.   The  northern  portion  of  the  county  is  level ;  the  centre  and 
southern  rolling,  and  rising  in  some  places  into  hills.     The  soil  is 
generally  good,  and  in  some  portions  excellent,  and  under  hi^h  culti- 
vation.   Large  crops  of  wheat  and  Indian  corn  are  annually  raised. 
Both  are  greatly  aided  by  the  use  of  plaster.     The  principal  lakes 
are  Oneida,  Skaneateles,  Onondaga,  and  Otisco.     The  Rome  sum- 
mit, or  long  level  of  the  Erie  canal,  G9i  miles  in  length,  has  its  west- 
ern extremity  near  Syracuse.     The  county  forms  part  of  the  military 
tract,  and  settlements  were  first  made  here  in  the  spring  of  1788, 
whilst  composing  part  of  Whitestown,  Oneida  county.    The  county 
is  divided  into  18  towns,  of  which  Lysander,  Manlius,  Marcellus, 
Onondaga,  and  Pompey  were  organized  by  general  sessions  in  1789. 
Pop.  67,915. 

Camillus,  organized  in  1789:  from  Albany  141  miles.  Camillus 
has  about  60  dwellings.  This  village  is  connected  with  the  Erie 
canal  by  a  feeder.  Belleisle,  on  the  canal  6  miles  W.,  and  Amboy  7 
miles  W.  from  Syracuse,  are  small  settlements.    Pop.  3,957. 

Cicero,  organized  in  1807 ;  from  Albany  143,  from  Syracuse  NE. 
10  miles.  Cicero  is  a  small  village.  On  the  bank  of  the  Seneca  river, 
opposite  Brewerton  post-office,  in  the  north  part  of  the  town,  are  the 
remains  of  an  old  French  fort.     Pop.  2,464. 

Clay,  taken  from  Cicero  in  1827;  from  Albany  151,  from  Syra- 
cuse N.  1 1  miles.  Clay  and  Euclid  are  names  of  post-offices.  Pop. 
2,852. 

De  Witt,  taken  from  Manlius  in  1835 ;  from  Albany  1128  miles. 
Jamesville,  7  miles  SE.  from  Syracuse,  has  about  45  dwellings.  Or- 
ville  is  a  small  village.     Pop.  2,802. 

Elbridge,  taken  from  Camillus  in  1829 ;  from  Albany  169  miles. 
Elbridge,  15  miles  W.  from  Syracuse,  has  about  60  dwellings.  Near 
this  village  are  Indian  remains,  the  largest  of  which,  upon  a  hill,  has 
an  area  of  about  three  acres,  surrounded  by  a  ditch  and  wall  of  earth. 
It  is  said  that  a  large  limestone  was  found  here,  having  writing  upon 
it  in  an  unknown  character,  and  that  from  a  well  within  the  wall, 
many  mouldering  human  bones  have  been  taken.  Jordan,  on  the 
canal,  12  miles  W.  from  Syracuse,  is  an  incorporated  village  having 
about  150  dwellings.  Elbridge  has  about  60  dwellings.  Peru  and 
WcllinfTton  are  small  settlements.     Pop.  4.647. 


t*\. 


r  > 


t 


5| 


i 


384 


0N0:4DAGA    COUNTY. 


Fabius,  organized  in  1798 ;  from  Albany  125,  from  Syracuse  SE. 
18  miles.  The  remains  of  ancient  forts  are  found  here,  and  beneath 
the  earth  human  bones.  Franklinville  is  a  large  village,  and  Apulia 
has  about  40  dwellings.     Pop.  2,562. 

Lafayette,  taken  from  Pompey  and  Onondaga  in  1825;  from 
Albany  134,  from  Syracuse  S.  11  miles.  Lafayette  and  Cardiff  are 
small  post  villages.     Pop.  2,600. 

Lysander,  from  Albany  152  miles.  Baldwins vi lie,  on  the  Seneca 
river,  12  miles  NW.  from  Syracuse,  is  a  manufacturing  village  con- 
taining 80  or  100  dwellings.  Plain ville,  Lysander,  Betts  Corners, 
and  Little  Utica,  are  villages.     Pop.  4,036. 

Manlius,*  in  common  with  many  other  towns  in  this  section,  was 
originally  divided  by  the  surveyor-general  into  lots  one  mile  square, 
which  were  drawn  as  bounty  lands  by  revolutionary  soldiers ;  and 
hence  it's  name,  after  a  celebrated  Roman  general,  is  very  appropriate. 
The  town  throughout  is  fertile,  the  southern  part  being  uneven,  the 
northern  level ;  and  is  crossed  both  by  the  canal  and  railroad.  It  is 
well  watered  by  the  Limestone  and  Butternut  creeks,  the  former  of 
which  runs  through  nearly  its  whole  length.  Its  principal  exports 
are  grain,  plaster  of  Paris,  and  water  lime.     Pop.  5,509. 

About  100  iods  south,  and  about  a  mile  NW.  of  the  village  of 
Manlius,  are  found  mineral  springs,  which  are  much  resorted  to  by 
people  living  near  them.  At  the  latter  place  there  are  three  foun- 
tains, within  a  few  feet  of  each  other,  the  waters  of  which  differ  very 
decidedly  in  their  sensible  properties.  \  boarding-house  for  the  re- 
ception of  guests  was  kept  here  by  its  former  proprietor,  connected 
with  which  were  bathing  places,  swings,  &c.  At  both  these  springs, 
but  more  particularly  than  at  eitner,  upon  the  bank  of  the  Limestone 
creek  about  100  rods  NW.  of  the  latter,  are  found  specimens  of  cal- 
careous tufa,  petrified  leaves,  and  fragments  of  wood,  some  of  which, 
for  their  perfection,  have  been  deposited  in  the  cabinet  of  Y  ait  col- 
lege, New  Haven,  Connecticut. 

The  first  white  inhabitant  of  this  town  was  David  Tripp,  who 
moved  here  with  his  family  about  the  year  1790.  He  lived  in  a  log 
cabin  nearly  a  mile  N  W.  of  the  present  village  of  Manlius,  his  near- 
est neighbor  being  probably  Gen.  A.  Danforth,  at  Onondaga,  10 
miles  distant.  When  he  settled  here,  being  surrounded  with  wilder- 
ness, it  was  with  great  dilficulty  that  he  could  procure  the  food 
necessary  for  the  subsistence  of  his  family,  until  he  could  raise  it 
from  the  soil  by  his  own  labor.  At  one  time,  the  only  article  of 
food  which  they  had  for  three  months,  with  the  exception  of  wild 
roots  and  milk,  was  a  bushel  of  corn,  which  he  brought  from  Herki- 
mer, 55  miles,  on  his  back.  Soon  after  Mr.  Tripp  became  located  in 
this  town,  several  persons  formed  a  settlement  at  Eagle  village,  a 
mile  E.  of  the  present  village  of  Manlius.  The  first  wedding  in  town 
was  celebrated  about  the  1st  of  July,  1794,  in  the  open  yarn  in  front 
of  Mr.  Foster's  tavern  in  this  settlement.    It  was  on  "  a  training  day," 

*  For  the  account  of  this  iavrn  ihc  authors  afc  itidcbicd  to  Azafiaii  Binilh,  M.  D. 


ONONDAGA    COUNTY. 


385 


racuse  SE. 
ind  beneath 
and  Apulia 

1825;  from 
Cardiff  are 

the  Seneca 
village  con- 
;ts  Corners, 

section,  was 
nile  square, 
Idiers ;  and 
ippropriate. 
uneven,  the 
road.  It  is 
e  former  of 
pal  exports 

!  village  of 
sorted  to  by 
three  foun- 
i  differ  very 
!  for  the  re- 
,  connected 
ese  springs, 
I  Limestone 
nciis  of  cal- 
le  of  which, 
if  YaHi  col- 

Tripp,  who 
/ed  in  a  log 
IS,  his  ncar- 
ondaga,  10 
vith  wilder- 
re  the  food 
uld  raise  it 
r  article  r)f 
ion  of  wild 
rom  Herki- 
e  located  in 
e  village,  a 
linj^  in  town 
ard  in  front 
lining  day," 

W.  D. 


and  the  soldiers  of  the  company  who  met  there  for  parade,  formed  a 
hollow  square,  in  the  centre  of  which  Cyrus  Kinne,  Esq.,  united  in 
"  wedlock's  holy  bonds"  Mr.  Billy  McKee  to  Miss  .Tenny  MulhoUand. 
It  is  somewhat  remarkable  that  this  couple  met  with  violent  deaths 
about  twelve  years  ago,  and  but  a  few  months  from  each  other. 

The  first  frame  dwelling  erected  in  town  was  built  near  Mr. 
Tripp  s,  by  Conrad  Lower,  in  1792.  He  brought  the  floor  boards 
from  Palatine,  and  the  other  boards  from  Danforth's  mill,  which  was 
erected  on  Butternut  creek  the  same  season.  Not  havmg  a  sufficient 
quantity  of  nails,  his  son  was  sent  to  Oriskany,  33  miles,  alter  some, 
and  returned  with  46  pounds  on  his  back.  The  house  built  by  him 
constitutes  part  of  the  dwelling  now  occupied  by  Salmon  Sherwood. 
The  first  saw-mill  in  the  present  town  was  erected  at  the  eastern 
Limestone  falls,  by  Phineas  Stevens  in  1793,  and  the  first  grist-mill  by 
William  Ward,  near  the  western  extremity  of  the  present  village  ol 
Manlius,  in  the  summer  and  fall  of  1794. 


View  in  the  central  part  of  Manlius. 

The  lot  assigned,  at  the  time  of  the  original  division  of  this  town 
l)y  the  survevor-gencral,  for  the  support  of  the  gospel  and  of  com- 
mon scliools,'was  sot  apart  by  the  town  for  the  latter  object,  and  was 
sold  May  2,  1814,  for  $tl2,l  14.42.  When  De  Witt  was  sot  off  from 
Manlius,  this  fund  was  divided,  and  the  present  town  of  Manlius  re- 
ceived for  its  share  S7,7.-)2.42.  This  fund  is  invested  in  bonds  and 
mortgages  paying  7  per  cent,  interest;  and  the  annual  income,  $542.07, 
is  divided  among  the  school  districts,  in  addition  to  the  proper  share 
of  money  which  the  town  receives  from  the  state. 

The  principal  village,  called  Manlius  after  the  name  of  the  town,  is 
situated  3  miles  S.  of  the  Erie  canal  at  Hulls  landing,  and  about  5 
inih's  from  the  railroad.  It  i«  10  miles  from  Syracuse,  and  134  from 
Albany,  and  contained,  in  1830,  472  male,  and  51?  female  inhabit- 
ants. Its  present  population  is  estimated  at  between  11  and  12 
hinulrod.  Annexed  is  a  cut  of  the  village  ;  the  building  with  an  attic 
and  cupola  is  the  academy,  the  church  to  the  right  of  it  is  the  Pres- 
byterian, and  the  one  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  street  the  Episcupu' 

^  40 


V   4, 1 


386 


ONONDAGA    COUNTY. 


I     ' 


lian.  This  church  is  the  oldest  in  the  place,  and  formerly  stood  on 
the  top  of  the  steep  hill  east  of  the  academy,  (not  seen  in  the  view,) 
from  whence  it  was  removed  on  wheels  to  its  present  location  a  few 
years  since,  with  its  steeple,  bell,  organ,  &c.,  without  jarring  it  so 
much  as  to  remove  a  squiue  foot  of  plastering.  The  Baptist  and 
Methodist  churches  are  not  seen  from  this  point.  The  latter  was 
originally  ornamented  with  a  spire,  but  as  it  was  thought  by  some  of 
the  congregation  to  betoken  spiritual  pride,  it  was  torn  down  soon 
after  it  was  built,  and  in  its  place  was  substituted  the  present  low  tower. 
The  two  story  and  a  half  building  near  and  to  the  right  of  the  acade- 
my, was  formerly  a  tavern,  and  is  made  up  in  part  ot  the  oldest  frame 
in  the  village.  The  cupolas  in  the  distance  belong  to  cotton  mills,  of 
which  there  are  3  in  the  place,  known  as  the  Limestone,  Manlius, 
(carried  on  by  an  incorporated  company,)  and  Cold  Spring  factories. 
The  first  of  them — owned  by  Azariah  Smith,  who  moved  to  this  place 
I'rom  Middlefield,  Mass.,  June  2,  1807,  and  has  traded  in  the  three 
story  building  on  the  right  side  of  the  street  in  the  above  cut  since 
.luly  4,  1816 — is  the  largest,  having  2,004  spindles,  and  manufactures 
annually  about  500,000  yards  of  brown  sheetings  and  shirtings. 
There  are  also  in  this  village  3  flouring  mills,  3  coach  factories,  2 
furnaces,  &c. 

The  Manlius  academy  was  incorporated  April  13,  1835,  with  nine 
trustees,  who  are  authorized  to  fill  vacancies  in  their  number.  It  has 
already  attained  the  rank  of  fifth  in  the  literary  institutions  of  this 
senate  district,  and  received  in  1840  from  the  regents  of  the  univer- 
sity $316.65,  as  its  portion  of  the  state  literature  fund.  The  number 
of  students  during  that  year  was  274,  02  of  whom  studied  languages. 

The  following  ministers  have  filled  the  pulpits  in  this  plnce  in  order,  viz :  Rev.  Messre. 
Clark,  Davis,  Pardee,  Wm.  J.  Bulkeley,  Dyer,  Burton,  H,  Hickox,  James  Selkrigg,  A.  S. 
Hollister,  Jesse  Pound,  Appleton,  and  Davis,  the  Episcopalian;  Rev.  Messrs.  Reed,  Olds, 
Somtiel  Hopkins,  Hczekiah  Woodruff",  Ralph  Cushnmn,  Hiram  Kellogg,  John  Ingersoll, 
Talcott  Bates,  Carlos  Smith,  Am/i  Benedict,  and  John  J.  Slocum,  the  Presbyterian  ;  Rev. 
Messrs.  Charles  Morton,  D.  Bellamy  and  McCarthy,  the  Baptist.  The  Methodist  ministers, 
as  they  biennially  change,  arc  not  mentioned. 

The  first  newspaper  printed  in  the  county  of  Onondaga,  was  published  in  this  village  by 
Mr.  Abraham  Romain,  under  th-  title  of  the  "  Derne  (jazettc."  The  first  number  was 
issued  in  the  spring  of  IHOO,  nnd  a  contemporaneous  effort  was  made  to  change  the  nnmn 
of  the  village  to  Derne;  this  effort  however  failed,  nnd  'he  paper  was  discontinued  after  a 
little  more  than  a  year,  for  want  of  sntlicient  support.  Since  that  time  there  have  been 
puliliahed  here  several  newspapers.  The  Manlius  Times,  Manlius  Republican,  Onondaga 
Reiuililican,  Manlius  Repository,  and  Onondaga  Flugg.  The  Manlius  Repository  com- 
menced in  1H30,  and  reached  its  fifth  volume. 

James  ().  Rockwell,  a  young  man  of  considerable  reputation,  author  of  a  pnze  poem,  in 
one  of  the  ainnials,  foriiicrly  associate  editor  of  u  newspaper  in  Boston,  and  afterward  of  one 
in  Providence,  in  wiiicli  city  he  died,  was  a  native  of  this  plac(\  His  parents  being  in 
indigent  circumstances,  he  was  employed  when  a  small  lad  in  the  Manlius  factory,  at  which 
time  his  happy  genius  for  rhyming  was  first  obser\'ed.  While  employed  in  tending  a  pick- 
ing machine,  he  made  a  small  book,  on  <.ch  right  hand  page  of  which  was  a  picture  of 
different  parts  of  the  factory,  nnd  on  l'..  j^posite  page  u  verse  describing  it.  On  the  out- 
side was  a  fr(mt  view  of  the  factory  w"  ;;,.  overseer  on  the  foreground,  dragging  a  boy 
towards  the  door,  and  under  it  this  vorso — 


The  factory  life 
If  full  of  strife  : 
1  uwn  I  biio  it  lieoriy  | 


And  every  boy 
That  they  employ 

Wiii  uwn  liie  same,  or  noariy. 


ONONDAGA    COUNTY. 


387 


srly  stood  on 
in  the  view,) 
cation  a  few 
jarring  it  so 
Baptist  and 
\e  latter  was 
t  by  some  of 
Ti  down  soon 
it  low  tower. 
)f  the  acade- 
oldest  frame 
tton  mills,  of 
ne,  Manlius, 
ng  factories, 
to  this  place 
in  the  three 
re  cut  since 
lanufactures 
id  shirtings. 
1  factories,  2 

15,  with  nine 
iber.  It  has 
tions  of  this 
'  the  univer- 
The  number 
d  languages. 

z :  Rev.  Messrs. 

Selkrigg,  A.  S. 
are.  Reed,  Olds, 

John  Itigersoll, 
sbyterian ;  Rev. 
hodiat  ministers, 

n  this  village  by 
irst  number  wns 
han^;e  the  nnmn 
oniinued  after  a 
hvrii  li.Tve  been 
lioHM,  Onundiigii 
Icpository  com- 

a  prize  poem,  in 
ilicrwurd  of  one 
parcnta  being  in 
actory,  ot  which 
tending  a  pick, 
was  a  picture  of 
it.  On  the  otit- 
dragging  a  boy 


r  nearly. 


Fayetteviile,  2i  miles  N.  of  Manlius  village,  is  situated  on  a  feeder 
to  the  Eric  canal,  and  contains  about  100  houses.  It  has  4  churches, 
1  Presbyterian,  1  Baptist,  1  Methodist,  and  1  Episcopalian.  It  has 
an  incorporated  academy,  which  received  from  the  literature  fund  of 
the  state  in  1840,  $183.39.  The  principal  business  men  are  engaged 
in  the  purchase  and  forwarding  of  produce  brought  from  the  country 
south  of  the  canal  to  this  place. 

The  other  settlements  are  Kirkville  and  Manlius  Centre,  on  the 
canal.  Eagle  village,  referred  to  in  the  above  history  of  the  town, 
Hartsville,  and  Matthews  Mills. 

MARCELLua  has  a  hilly  surface  with  a  soil  of  fertile  loam  ;  centrally 
situated  from  Albany  157,  and  from  Syracuse  SW.14  miles.  The  vil- 
lage of  Marcellus  has  about  75  dwellings,  3  churches,  and  a  number 
of  mills  of  various  kinds.     Clinionville  is  a  post-office.     Pop.  2,727. 

Perhaps  the  most  remarkable  case  on  record  of  devotional  somni- 
um,  so  called,  is  that  of  Miss  Rachel  Baker  of  this  town.  A  full  his- 
tory of  her  case  may  be  found  in  the  Transactions  of  the  Physico- 
Medical  Society  of  New  York,  vol.  I.  p.  395.  Rachel  Baker  was 
born  at  Pelham,  Massachusetts,  May  29,  1794.  Her  parents  were 
pious  persons,  and  early  taught  her  the  importance  of  religion.  From 
childhood  she  appearetl  to  possess  a  contemplative  disposition ;  but 
her  mind  was  not  vigorous,  nor  was  she  much  disposed  to  improve 
it  by  reading.  At  the  age  of  nine  years  she  removed  with  her  pa- 
rents to  the  town  of  Marcellus  in  the  state  of  New  York.  From 
that  time  she  said  "  she  had  fn^quontly  strong  convictions  of  the  im- 
portance of  eternal  things,  and  the  thoughts  of  God  and  eternity 
would  make  her  tremble." — In  .Time,  1811,  while  on  a  visit  to  the 
town  of  Scipio,  she  was  deeply  aflected  in  witnessing  the  baptism  of 
a  young  lady,  and  from  that  period  was  impressed  with  a  stronger 
conviction  of  her  own  sinfulness.  On  her  return  to  Marcellus,  she 
endeavored  to  suppress  her  religious  anxiety,  but  in  vain  ;  her  anguish 
of  mind  was  fully  depicted  in  her  countenance. 

On  the  evening  of  the  28th  of  November,  while  she  was  sitting  in 
a  chair,  apparently  asleep,  she  began  to  sigh  and  groan  as  if  in  ex- 
cessive pain.  She  had  s<aid  a  short  time  before  that  she  would  live 
only  a  little  while,  and  as  she  now  repeated  the  expression,  her  parents 
were  apprehensive  that  she  was  dying.  This  evening  she  talked 
incoherently ;  but  manifested  in  what  she  said  much  religious  concern. 
She  continued  almost  every  night  talking  in  her  sleep  till  the  27  Jan., 
1812.  On  that  evening,  soon  after  she  had  fallen  asleep,  she  was 
seized  with  a  fit  of  trembling,  shrieked  aloud  and  awoke  in  great 
terror.  Horror  and  despondency  overwhelmed  her  with  the  dread 
of  a  miserable  eternity,  and  of  her  speedy  and  inevitable  doom.  But 
these  agonizing  feelings  were  soon  succeeded  by  a  calm ;  her  mind 
became  tranquil,  and  in  her  nightly  devotions,  which  were  now  regu- 
lar and  coherent,  she  poured  forth  a  spirit  of  meekness,  gratitude,  and 
love.  From  this  time  the  whole  tenor  of  her  soul  seemed  lo  be 
changed.  She  was  incapable  of  expressing  her  sentimtMits  clearly 
when  awake ;  but  her  sleeping  exercises  were  so  solemn  and  im- 


>fi*> 


It 


388 


ONONDAGA    COUNTY. 


i*s 


pressive,  that  few  who  heard  them  doubted  that  they  were  the  genuine 
fruits  of  repentance,  piety,  and  peace. 

Dr.  Mitchell,  in  describing  Miss  Baker's  case,  says,  "  the  latter 
of  these  remarkable  affections  of  the  human  mind,  (Somnium  cum 
religione,)  i.  e.  sleep  with  religion,  belongs  to  Miss  Rachel  Baker, 
who  for  several  years  has  i.e'^n  seized  with  somnium  of  a  religious 
kind  once  a  day  with  great  regularity.     These  daily  paroxysms 
recur  with  wonderful  exactness,  and  from  long  prevalence  have  now 
become  habitual.     They  invade  her   at  early  bedtime,  and   a   fit 
usually  lasts  about  three  quarters  of  an  hour.     A  paroxysm  has  been 
known  to  end  in  35  minutes,  and  to  continue  98.     The  transition 
from  the  waking  state  to  that  of  somnium  is  very  quick,  frequently  in 
quarter  of  an  hour,  and  sometimes  even  less.     After  she  retires  from 
company  in  the  parlor,  she  is  discovered  to  be  occupied  in  praising 
God  with  a  distinct  and  sonorous  voice.  .  Her  discourses  are  usually 
pronounced  in  a  private  chamber,  for  the  purpose  of  delivering  them 
with  more  decorum  on  her  own  part  and  with  greater  satisfaction  to 
her  hearers.     She  has  been  advised  to  take  the  recumbent  posture. 
Her  face  being  turned  towards  the  heavens,  she  performs  her  nightly 
devotions  with  a  consistency  and  fervor  wholly  unexampled  in  a 
human  being  in  a  state  of  somnium.     Her  body  and  limbs  are  mo- 
tionless, they  stir  no  more  than  the  trunk  and  extremities  of  a  statue  : 
the  only  motion  the  spectator  perceives  is  that  of  her  organs  of  speech, 
and  an  oratorical  inclination  of  the  head  and  neck,  as  if  she  was  intently 
engaged  in  performing  an  academic  or  theological  exercise.     Ac- 
cording to  the  tenor  and  solemnity  of  the  address,  the  attendants  are 
affected  with  seriousness.     She  commences  and  ends  with  an  address 
to  the  throne  of  grace,  consisting  of  proper  topics  of  submission  and 
reverence,  of  praise  and  thanksgiving,  and  of  prayer  for  herself,  her 
friends,  the  church,  the  nation,  for  enemies,  and  the  human  race  in 
general.     Between  these  is  her  sermon  or  exhortation.     She  begins 
without  a  text,  and  proceeds  with  an  even  course  to  the  end,  embel- 
lishing it  sometimes  with  fine  metaphors,  vivid  descriptions^  and  poeti- 
cal quotations.     There  is  a  state  of  the  body  felt  like  groaning,  sob- 
bing, or   moaning,   and  the  distressful  sound  continues  from  two 
minutes  to  quarter  of  an  hour.     This  agitation,  however,  does  not 
wake  her ;  it  gradually  subsides,  and  she  passes  into  a  sound  and 
natural  sleep,  which  continues  during  the  remainder  of  the  night.     In 
the  morning  she  wakes  as  if  nothing  had  happened,  and  entirely  igno 
rant  of  the  scenes  in  which  she  has  acted.     She  declares  she  knows 
nothing  of  her  nightly  exercises  except  from  the  information  of  others. 
With  the  exception  of  the  before-mentioned  agitation  of  body  and 
exercise  of  mind,  she  enjoys  perfect  health.     In  October,  1814,  Miss 
Baker  was  brought  to  New  York  by  her  friends,  in  hopes  that  her 
soinnial  exercises,  (which  were   considered   by  some   of  them  as 
owing  to  disease,)  might  by  the  exercise  of  a  journey  and  the  novelty 
of  a  large  city  be  removed.     But  none  of  these  means  produced  the 
desired  effect.     Her  acquaintances  stated  that  her  somnial  exercises 
took  place  ovary  night  regularly,  except  in  a  few  instances  when 


3  the  genuine 

"the  latter 
omnium  cum 
ichel  Baker, 
f  a  religious 
r  paroxysms 
ce  have  now 
n,  and  a  fit 
sm  has  been 
lie  transition 
frequently  in 

retires  from 
(1  in  praising 
s  are  usually 
ivering  them 
atisfaction  to 
aent  posture, 
s  her  nightly 
ampled  in  a 
nbs  are  mo- 
3  of  a  statue : 
ns  of  speech, 
!  was  intently 
[ereise.  Ac- 
ttendants  are 
,h  an  address 
bmission  and 
r  herself,  her 
iman  race  in 
She  begins 
3  end,  embel- 
ns>  and  poeti- 
roaning,  sob- 
os  from  two 
ver,  does  not 
a  sound  and 
he  night.  In 
entirely  igno 
es  she  knows 
tion  of  others, 
of  body  and 
r,  1814,  Miss 
opes  that  her 

of  them  as 
d  the  novelty 
produced  the 
nial  exercises 
itances  when 


ONONDAGA    COUNTY. 


389 


interrupted  by  severe  sickness,  from  the  time  they  commenced  m 
1812.  In  September,  1816,  Dr.  Sears,  by  a  course  of  medical  treat- 
ment, particularly  by  the  use  of  opium,  prevented  a  recurrence  oi 

her  nightly  exercises.  .,         /-.       j         w    *  un    „ 

Onondaga  is  from  Albany  135  miles.  Onondaga  West  Hill,  a 
villa<re  and  formerly  the  county  seat,  4  miles  SW.  ot  Syracuse,  con- 
tains^about  50  dwellings.  Onondaga*  Hollow,  an  incorporated  vil- 
larre,  has  about  GO  dwellings.  South  Onondaga  and  INavarino 
ai^  small  villages.  Pop.  5,662.  The  Onondaga  castle,  or  the  coun- 
cil-house of  the  remnant  of  the  Onondagas,  is  m  a  rich  tract  in 


Council-house  of  the  Onondagas. 

the  Hollow,  3  miles  S.  of  the  village  of  Onondaga  Hollow,  on  a 
small  reservation  of  theirs,  and  contains  about  50  houses  on  a  street 
of  a  mile  or  more  in  length.  Their  dwellings  arc  built  of  hewn  logs, 
the  spaces  of  which  arc  filled  with  masoned  mortar  work,  and  are 
quite  comfortable.  The  above  view  represents  a  portion  of  their 
village  with  their  new  council-house,  which  is  the  building  seen  on 
the  nght  with  three  chimneys.  The  old  council-house,  now  in  ruins, 
is  seen  on  the  left.  There  are  at  present  remaining  not  far  from  300 
souls.  The  first  white  settler  in  this  county  was  a  Mr.  Webster, 
who  came  here  in  1786,  and  settled  in  the  Hollow  among  the  Indians. 
They  gave  him  a  tract  of  a  mile  square.  He  then  opened  a  small 
shop,  married  a  squaw,  and  became  domesticated  among  the  savages. 
In  1788,  he  obtained  permission  of  the  Onondagas  for  Messrs.  Asa 
Danforth  and  Comfort  Tyler  to  establish  themselves  at  Onondaga 
Hollow. 

"  It  was  in  this  '  hollow'  that  the  principal  town  and  castle  of  the  Onondaga  Indians,  in 
the  prouder  days  of  that  nation  stood  ;  and  the  poor  remains  of  that  once  warlike  and 
haughty  member  of  the  Oquanuschioni,  or  the  aniphyctionic  Ituguc  of  the  Five  Nationn, 
numbering  a  few  hundred  souls,  are  yet  dragging  out  their  lingering  existence  in  the  same 
vullcv  a  sliorl  distance  to  the  south  of  the  village  1  have  just  mentioned. 

"  The  hiatory  of  the  Onondaga  nation,  to  aay  nothing  of  their  own  legends  antecedent  to 
the  discovery  and  settlement  of  the  country  by  the  '  pale  faces,'  is  full  of  interest.  It  waa 
the  central  nation  of  the  great  confederacy,  the  terror  of  whose  orms  was  almost  co-exten- 

»  Ommdaga  is  an  Indion  word,  signifying  a  swump  under  or  at  tho  foot  of  a  liill  or 
niouutuin. 


.«»« 


1  *  vl 


I*- 


390 


ONONDAGA   COUNTY. 


sive  with  the  northern  and  eastern  division  of  the  continent,  and  whose  actual  domain  at 
one  time  extended  from  the  Sorel,  south  of  the  great  lakes,  to  the  Mississippi  west,  thence 
east  to  the  Santee,  and  coastwise  back  to  the  Hudson.  The  great  council-fire  of  the  con- 
federacy  was  in  the  special  keeping  of  the  Onondagas,  and  by  them  was  always  kept  bum. 
ing.  The  territory  proper  of  the  confederacy'extended  from  Albany  to  Lake  Erie,  and  was 
called  the  Long  House.  The  Mohawks  kept  the  eastern  door,  and  the  Senecas  the  west. 
tern.  On  the  arrival  of  ambassadors  from  either  direction,  the  keepers  of  the  doors  de- 
manded  their  business.  If  of  minor  or  trifling  consequence,  a  council  of  the  tribe,  by 
whom  the  ambassadors  were  received,  disposed  of  the  matter.  But  if  by  such  council 
judged  to  be  of  sufliciont  weight  and  importance  to  demand  the  consideration  of  a  national 
council,  the  messengers  were  conducted  to  the  great  council-fire  at  Onondaga,  where  the 
Congress  of  the  confederacy  was  convoked. 

"  The  Onondagas  have  been  distinguished  both  as  orators  and  warriors.  In  their  early 
intercourse  with  the  'pale  faces,'  they  brought  forward  orators  of  great  ability ;  and  some  of 
the  finest  passages  that  have  been  preserved  of  Indian  eloquence,  fell  from  the  lips  of  Gar. 
angula,  Thiircnsera,  Dccnnesora,  and  Sndekanaghtie,  nil  chiefs  of  the  Onondaga  nation. 
Indeed,  during  more  than  a  century  subsequent  to  the  invasion  of  Onondaga  by  the  French 
in  169G,  Red  Jacket  and  Fanner's  Brother  only  have  equalled  the  oratorical  efforts  of  the 
more  ancient  chiefs  whom  I  have  named.  By  the  ancient  unwritten  constitution  of  the 
confederacy,  the  Onondagas  were  entitled  to  furnish  the  grand  sachem,  or  principal  civil 
chief,  while  the  principal  war  chiefs  were  to  be  supplied  by  the  Mohawks.  But  the  great 
warrior  of  the  confederacy,  towards  the  close  of  the  17th  century,  was  an  Onondaga  named 
Black  Kettle,  called  by  the  French  historians  La  Chaudiere  Noire.  He  led  his  Indians 
with  Colonel  Schuyler  in  1690,  against  the  French  settlements  on  the  north  of  Lake  Cham- 
jilain,  and  repulsed  De  Calheres,  the  governor  of  Montreal,  who  came  against  him  with  a 
superior  force.  He  next  attacked  and  defeated  a  French  expedition  sent  against  the  Indi. 
ans  at  Niagara,  and  subsequently  carried  the  war  into  Canada,  with  immense  loss  and  dam- 
age to  the  French  settlements.  Enraged  at  the  success  of  Black  Kettle,  the  French  gov. 
crnor,  having  made  prisoner  of  one  of  his  warriors,  put  him  to  death  by  the  most  horrible 
tortures  But  the  captive  witiistood  the  most  exquisite  tortures  with  the  utmost  firmness — 
siuging  ais  achievements  while  they  broiled  his  feet,  burnt  his  hands  with  red  hot  irons,  cut 
and  wrung  off  his  joints,  and  pulled  out  the  sinews  ;  and  to  close  all,  liis  scalp  was  torn  off, 
and  red  hot  sand  poured  upon  his  head  ! 

"  This  atrocious  deed  by  civilized  men  again  re-awakened  the  vengeance  of  Black  Kettle, 
and  the  French  had  speedy  cause  to  lament  with  the  deepest  bitterness  their  own  atrocity. 
A  detachment  of  Senecas  being  soon  afterward  in  the  neighborhood  of  Quebec,  Black 
Kettle,  with  a  company  of  Onondagas,  placed  himself  at  their  head.  In  1692  he  fell  upon 
the  island  of  Montreal,  carrying  his  arms  to  the  gates  of  the  citadel.  This  brave  chief 
continued  the  war  until  the  year  1697,  when,  being  decoyed  into  Canada  under  the  pre. 
text  of  a  desire  to  negotiate  a  peace,  he  was  treacherously  nmrdercd  by  a  party  of  Algon. 
kins  engaged  for  that  purpose.  His  country,  however,  had  been  ravaged  by  the  French 
the  year  before  his  death ;  and  as  the  history  of  this  first  known  invasion  of  Onondaga 
Hollow  is  interesting,  I  will  give  it  in  detail.  In  the  year  1696,  Count  Frontenac,  one  of 
the  most  efficient  and  politic,  as  well  perhaps  as  the  most  cruel  of  the  French  governors  in 
Canada,  attempted  to  detach  the  Five  Nations  from  the  friendship  of  the  English  colony 
and  negotiate  a  separate  peace. 

"  With  this  view,  through  the  agency  of  the  Jesuits,  the  count  succeeded  in  persuading 
the  Indians  to  call  a  grand  council  of  their  chiefs  at  the  old  council-fire  in  Onondaga,  to 
which  he  despatched  messengers  with  his  proposals.  There  were  eighty  sachems  present, 
and  the  council  was  opened  by  Sagdekanaghtie.  The  French  commissioners  labored  assid- 
uously to  accomplish  their  purpose,  and  the  conference  continued  several  days.  But  a  mes. 
senger  from  Albany  informed  the  chiefs  that  a  separate  peace  would  displease  the  English, 
and  the  proposals  were  thereupon  promptly  rejected.  Shortly  afterward,  the  count  deter- 
miiiod  to  avenge  himself  upon  the  Five  Nations,  for  having  preferred  the  preservation  of 
their  good  faith  and  honor  to  the  peace  which  ho  had  proffered.  For  this  purpose  he  as- 
semblcd  all  his  disposable  troops,  amounting  to  four  battalions,  with  the  Indians  in  his  si^r. 
vice  and  under  his  control,  and  departed  from  Montreal  on  the  9th  of  July,  1696.  In  ad- 
dition to  small-arms,  they  took  with  them  two  light  pieces  of  cannon,  two  mortars,  a  supply 
of  grenades,  &,c.  After  a  wearisome  march  of  twelve  days,  during  which  the  utmost  cir- 
cumspection  was  necessary  to  avoid  ambuscades,  the  count  reached  the  foot  of  Lake  Ca- 
darackui,  (now  called  Ontario,)  and  crossed  thence  in  canoes  to  the  estuary  of  the  Oih. 
wego  river,  which  flows  from  the  northern  extremity  of  the  Onondaga,  or  Salt  Lake — the 
Onondaga  flowing  into  the  southern  end  near  the  great  salt  licks.  "The  expedition  cau- 
tiously ascended  liio  Ushwtigo,  and  crossed  the  Malt  Lake,  kcepmg  strong  Bcouta  on  the 


I 


ONONDAGA    COUNTY. 


391 


stual  domain  at 
pi  west,  tlience 
fire  of  the  con. 
vays  kept  burn- 
e  Erie,  and  was 
necas  the  west, 
if  the  doors  de- 
f  the  tribe,  by 
by  such  council 
an  of  a  national 
laga,  where  the 

In  their  early 
y ;  and  some  of 
the  lips  of  Gar- 
londaga  nation. 
I  by  the  French 
al  e/Torts  of  the 
istitution  of  the 
r  principal  civil 

But  the  great 
londaga  named 
led  his  Indians 
of  Lake  Cham. 
inst  him  with  a 
gainst  the  Indi- 
3  loss  and  dam. 
he  French  gov. 
le  most  horrible 
nost  firmness — 
id  hot  irons,  cut 
lip  was  torn  off, 

jf  Black  Kettle, 
ir  own  atrocity. 
Quebec,  Black 
>92  he  fell  upon 
'his  brave  chief 
I  under  the  pre- 
jarty  of  Algon- 
by  the  French 
1  of  Onondaga 
mtenac,  one  of 
ch  governors  in 
English  colony 

d  in  persuading 
1  Onondaga,  to 
ichems  present, 
s  labored  assid. 
ys,  But  a  mes. 
isc  the  English, 
ho  count  deter- 
preservation  of 

purpose  he  as. 
Hans  in  his  eer. 
,  1696.  In  ad. 
ortars,  a  supply 

the  utmost  cir. 
ot  of  Lake  Ca. 
jry  of  (he  0»h. 
Salt  Lake — th« 
pxnedition  cnu. 
g  Hcouta  on  the 


flanks,  to  prevent  any  surprise  that  might  be  attempted  by  a  crafty  enemy.  This  precau. 
tionary  measure  was  the  more  necessary,  inasmuch  as  the  Indians,  against  whom  they 
were  marching,  with  their  wonted  chivalry,  had  given  the  French  notice  that  they  were 
apprized  of  their  hostile  approach.  A  tree  had  been  discovered  by  one  of  the  scouts,  on 
the  trunk  of  which,  the  savages  had  painted  a  representation  of  the  French  army  on  its 
march,  and  at  the  foot  of  the  tree  two  bundles  of  rushes  had  been  deposited,  serving  at 
once  as  a  note  of  defiance,  and  giving  the  invader  to  understand  that  he  would  be  com- 
pelled to  encounter  as  many  warriors  as  there  were  rushes  in  the  bundles.  These,  being 
counted,  were  found  to  number  fourteen  hundred  and  forty-four. 

"  The  castle  of  the  Onondagas  was  situated  in  the  midst  of  the  deep  and  beautiful  valley 
to  which  we  have  already  referred,  ond  through  which  the  Onondaga  river  winds  its  way 
to  the  lake.  Count  Frontenac,  with  his  motley  forces,  had  made  a  halt  near  the  licks,  and 
thrown  up  some  temporary  defences.  The  site  of  the  castle  was  but  five  or  six  miles  re. 
moved  from  the  French  camp.  It  was  a  sacred  spot  in  the  eyes  of  the  Indians,  as  the  seat 
of  the  grand  councils  which  had  for  ages  regulated  the  affairs  of  the  fierce  and  wild  dc. 
mocracy  of  the  Five  Nations.  They  had,  therefore,  resolved  to  defend  it  to  the  last ;  and 
their  women  and  children  had  been  sent  from  the  rude  village  deeper  into  the  shades  of 
the  forest.  Circumstances,  however,  changed  this  determination  on  the  morning  of  the 
day  upon  which  Count  Frontenac  intended  to  advance.  Two  of  the  Hurons  deserted  from 
the  forces  of  the  count,  and  gave  the  Onondagas,  to  whose  assistance  neither  of  their  as- 
eociate  tribes  had  yet  arrived,  such  an  appalling  description  of  the  French,  that  they  dared 
not  remain  and  give  battle. 

"  Yonnondio's*  army,  they  said,  was  like  the  leaves  on  the  trees — more  numerous  than 
the  pigeons  that  fly  to  the  north  after  the  season  of  the  snows.  They  were  armed,  they 
said,  with  great  guns  that  threw  up  huge  balls  towards  the  sun  ;  and  when  these  balls  fell 
into  their  castle,  they  would  explode  and  scatter  fire  and  death  everywhere." 

The  Onondagas,  having  applied  the  brand  to  their  dweUings,  re- 
treated into  the  wilderness.  The  Count  Frontenac,  astonished  at  the 
sight  of  the  ascending  columns  of  smoke,  as  they  rose  in  curling  folds 
towards  the  sky,  moved  rapidly  forward.  But  it  was  to  obtain  an 
empty  conquest.  The  huts  and  rude  works  of  the  Indians  were  al- 
ready in  ashes.  An  old  venerable-looking  chief,  whose  head  had  been 
whitened  by  the  snows  of  more  than  a  hundred  winters,  by  his  own 
desire  was  left  behind.  He  was  found  seated  by  the  trunk  of  a  syc- 
amore, and  was  tortured  in  a  horrible  manner  by  Frontenac's  Indians. 
He  bore  their  inflictions  with  stoical  inditference,  and  died  as  became 
an  Indian  warrior. 

"  With  the  retreat  of  the  French,  the  Onondagas  repossessed  themselves  of  their  beauti. 
ful  valley  and  rebuilt  their  town  and  cnstle.  They  moreover  maintained  their  rank  and 
position  down  to  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  of  the  revolution.  During  the  old  French 
war,  which  resulted  in  the  conquest  of  Canada  by  the  English  and  provincials,  the  Onon- 
dagas  sustained  their  part  under  the  influence  and  conduct  of  Sir  William  Johnson  ;  and 
when  the  war  came  on,  they  with  the  family  of  the  deceased  baronet  espoused  the  cause 
of  the  crown. 

"  In  the  year  1779,  their  country  was  invaded  and  ravaged  by  the  direction  of  General 
James  Clinton,  by  a  detachment  of  regular  troops  under  the  immediate  command  of  Col. 
onel  Van  Schaick.  As  in  the  case  of  the  former  invasion,  the  Indians  retired  before  supc. 
rior  numbers,  and  their  town  and  castle  were  again  destroyed  by  fire.  But  little  blood  was 
shed,  one  Indian  only  being  killed ;  and  that  little  was  sorely  avenged  by  the  Onondaga 
warriors,  who  fell  upon  the  se'tlement  of  Cobleskill,  in  a  few  weeks  thereafter.  With  the 
return  of  peace,  however,  the  Onondagas  became  the  friends  of  the  United  States,  and 
during  the  late  war  with  England,  some  of  their  warriors  were  engaged  on  the  side  of  the 
Americans,  in  the  Niogara  campaign.  Their  principal  warrior,  Lo  Fort,  was  the  leader  of 
tlie  Indiann  in  the  battle  of  Chippewa.  His  son,  an  educated  and  respectable  man,  yet  re. 
sides  with  the  remains  cf  his  people  in  their  native  valley." — New  York  Commercial  Ad. 
vertiter. 

*  The  name  by  which  the  Five  Nations  deFignated  the  French  governor. 


k  '   4yj! 


»^i- 


r      'i 


.1^ 


ii- 


lii.^' '  .it-.-i  «■'  i-.'reM£m 


392 


OXONDAGA    COUNTY. 


!  I 


Otisco,  taken  from  Pompey,  Tully,  and  Marcellus  in  1806 ;  from 
Albany  140,  from  Syracuse  !SW.  14  miles.  Otisco  Lake  in  this  town 
derives  its  name  from  the  Indian  word  Otisco,  signifying  "  decreased 
waters."     Amber  and  Otisco  Centre  are  post  villages.     Population, 

1,906.  ,  .    . 

PoMPEY  has  a  hilly  surface  and  a  fertile  sandy  clay  loam  ;  it  is  cen- 
trally situated  from  Albany  146,  and  SE.  from  Syracuse  14  miles. 
Pop.  4,371.  Pompey,  Pompey  Hill,  Oran,  and  Delphi,  are  post  villa- 
ges. Pompey  Hill,  on  an  eminence  which  overlooks  the  country 
lor  a  great  distance,  contains  about  70  dwellings,  a  Baptist  and  Pres- 
byterian church,  and  an  academy.  "  About  two  miles  south  of  Man- 
lius  square  in  the  town  of  Pompey,  are  the  remains  of  a  town,  which 
extended  three  quarters  of  a  mile  from  north  to  south,  and  half  a  mile 
from  east  to  west.  Large  spots  of  black  mould  in  regular  intervals, 
and  a  few  paces  apart  in  which  are  ashes,  mark  out  the  sites  of  the 
houses."  Here  were  three  forts  of  circular  or  elliptical  forms,  form- 
ing a  triangle  which  protected  the  approaches.  Near  Delphi,  in  the 
southeast  part  of  the  town,  are  two  falls  70  feet  perpendicular ;  near 
this  place  are  the  remains  of  three  ancient  works.  The  largest  con- 
tains six  acres,  and  has  a  triangular  form.  It  had  a  ditch,  rampart, 
and  gateway ;  the  others  also  have  ramparts,  ditches,  and  entrances. 
There  were  many  graves  within  the  largest  fort,  over  and  around 
which  were  trees  200  years  old.  With  human  bones  were  found 
axes,  brass  kettles,  gun-barrels,  Spanish  coins,  &c. 

The  following  account  of  a  French  colony  located  in  this  town  in 
the  year  1666,  is  from  a  memoir  by  De  Witt  Clinton,  on  the  antiqui- 
ties of  western  New  York.  He  derived  the  account  partly  from  a 
manuscript  journal  of  one  of  the  Jesuits,  and  partly  from  the  sachems 
of  the  Six  Nations : — 

"  From  the  Jesuit's  journal  it  appears  that  in  the  year  1666,  at  the  request  of  Karakontie, 
an  Onondaga  chieftain,  a  French  colony  was  directed  to  repair  to  his  village  for  the  purpose 
of  teaching  the  Indians  the  arts  and  sciences,  and  endeavor  if  practicable  to  civilize  and 
Christianize  them.  We  learn  from  the  sachems  that  at  this  time  the  Indians  had  a  fort,  a 
short  distance  above  the  village  of  Jamesville,  on  the  banks  of  a  small  stream  near ;  a  little 
above  which,  it  seems  the  Chief  Karakontie  would  have  his  new  friends  set  down.  Ac- 
cordingly they  repaired  thither,  and  commenced  the  labor,  in  which  being  greatly  aided  by  the 
savages,  a  few  months  only  were  necessary  to  the  building  of  a  small  village. 

"This  little  colony  remained  for  three  years  in  a  very  peaceable  and  flourishing  situation, 
during  which  time  much  addition  was  made  to  the  establishment,  and  among  others  n  small 
chapel,  in  which  the  Jesuit  used  to  collect  the  barbarians  and  perform  the  ritea  and  cere- 
monies  of  his  church.  About  this  time,  (1669,)  a  party  of  Spaniards,  consisting  of  twenty- 
three  persons,  arrived  at  the  village,  having  for  guides  some  of  the  Iro(iuois,  who  had  been 
taken  captives  by  soine  of  the  southern  tribes.  It  appears  evident  that  this  party  came  up 
the  Mississippi,  passed  Pittsburg,  and  on  to  Olean  Point,  where,  leaving  their  canoes,  they 
travelled  by  land.  They  had  been  informed  that  there  was  a  lake  to  the  north  whose  bo' 
torn  was  covered  with  a  substance  shining  and  white,  which  they  took  from  the  Indians' 
description  to  be  silver. 

"  Having  arrived  at  Onondaga  Lake  and  the  Frejich  village,  and  finding  no  silver,  they 
seemed  bent  on  a  quarrel  with  the  French,  whom  they  charged  with  having  bribed  the  In- 
dians, BO  that  they  would  not  tell  them  where  the  silver  might  be  found.  A  compromise  was 
finally  effected,  they  agreed  that  an  ecjual  number  of  Spimiards  and  French  should  bo  sent 
on  an  exploring  expedition.  The  Iiuliuns  seeing  these  strangers  prowling  the  woods,  with 
various  instruments,  suspected  some  design  to  be  in  operation  to  deprive  them  of  their 
country.   This  jealousy  was  inuch  increased  by  the  accusation  of  the  Europeans  tbonigclv«». 


806;  from 
a  this  town 
'  decreased 
Population, 

;  it  is  cen- 
e  14  miles. 

post  villa- 
he  country 
t  and  Pres- 
ith  of  Man- 
)wn,  which 

half  a  mile 
r  intervals, 
sites  of  the 
)rms,  form- 
ilphi,  in  the 
lular ;  near 
argest  con- 
h,  rampart, 
[  entrances, 
and  around 
xere  found 

his  town  in 
the  antiqui- 
irtly  from  a 
;he  sachems 


of  Karakontie, 
for  the  purpose 
;  to  civilize  and 
na  had  a  fort,  a 
m  near;  a  little 
Kt  down.  Ac- 
itly  aided  by  the 
e. 

ishing  situation, 
g  others  a  Binall 
I  rites  and  ct-rc 
sting  of  twenty. 
,  who  had  been 
I  party  came  up 
jir  canoes,  ihey 
orth  whose  bo'- 
uni  the  Indianti' 

;  no  silver,  they 
y  bribed  the  In- 
omproinise  was 
I  should  be  sent 
the  woods,  with 
e  them  of  their 
ians  thomPc!v««, 


I 


ONONDAGA    COUNTY. 


393 


The  Spaniards  told  the  Indians  that  the  only  object  of  the  French  was  to  tyrannize  over 
them.  The  French,  on  the  other  hand,  asserted  that  the  Spaniards  were  laying  a  plan  to 
rob  them  of  their  lands.  r  ,     ,      ,  •     j-       •  i. 

"  The  Indians  by  this  time  becoming  jealous  ot  both,  determmed  m  private  council  to 
rid  themselves  of  these  intruders.  Having  privately  obtained  the  assistance  of  the  Oneidas 
and  Cayugas,  they  agreed  upon  the  time  and  manner  of  attack.  A  little  belore  daybreak 
on  AlLSaints'  Day,  IGlii),  the  little  colony,  together  with  the  Spaniards,  were  aroused  from 
their  slumbers  by  the  discharge  of  fire-arms  and  the  war-whoop  of  the  savages.  Kvcry 
house  was  immediately  fired  or  broken  open,  and  such  as  attempted  to  escape  Irom  tho 
flames  were  killed  by  the  tomahawk  ;  and  not  one  of  the  colonists  or  Spamuids  were  lelt 
alive  to  relate  the  sad  disaster." 

This  history  accounts,  in  the  opinion  of  its  author,  for  the  appear- 
ance at  this  place  of  a  small  village,  the  evident  remains  ot  a  black- 
smith's shop.  In  several  other  places  in  the  county,  says  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Adams,  in  his  manuscript  history,  the  remains  of  blacksmiths' 
shops  have  been  discovered,  and  in  some  instances  the  tools  used  by 
the  trade.  A  blacksmith's  vice  was  found  buried  deep  in  the  ground 
on  a  farm  in  Onondaga  Hollow,  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  south 
of  the  turnpike.  But  the  existence  of  a  fort  near  this  spot,  every  ves- 
tige of  wiiich  is  nearly  obliterated,  readily  accounts  for  these  relics 
of  civilization.  In  the  cultivation  of  the  lands  lyin^  upon  the  Onon- 
daga crock,  innumerable  implements  of  war  and  ot  husbandry  have 
been  found,  scattered  over  a  territory  of  four  or  live  miles  in  length. 
Swords,  gun-barrels,  gun-locks,  bayonets,  balls,  axes,  hoes,  &c.,  have 
been  found.  A  stone  was  found  in  the  town  of  Pompey,  (now  in  the 
Albany  museum,)  about  fourteen  inches  long  by  twelve  broad  and 
eight  inches  in  thickness.  It  has  in  the  centre  a  ligure  of  a  tree  with 
a  serpent  climbing  it,  with  the  following  inscription  on  each  side : — 

Leo  X  De  5  I'S 


VIx  1520    I    t 


n 


We  have  here  the  true  chronology  of  the  Pontificate  of  Leo  X., 
and  probably  the  year  in  which  the  inscriptions  were  made.  The  in- 
scription may  be  thus  translated,  "  Leo  X.,  by  the  grace  of  God ; 
sixth  year  of  his  Pontificate,  1520."  The  stone  was  doubtless  de- 
signed as  a  sepulchral  monument.  LS.,  signified  the  initials  ot  the 
name  of  the  person  buried;  the  cross,  that  he  was  a  Catholic;  and 
the  hiverted  n,  some  other  emblem  which  is  now  in  a  great  measure 
cifaced.  Mr.  Adams  considers  that  it  is  not  incredible  that  this  stone 
was  carved  by  a  Spaniard,  on  or  near  the  spot  where  it  was  found. 
Florida  was  discovered  by  the  Spaniards  as  early  as  1502.  Possibly 
some  adventurers  of  this  nation,  allured  by  the  story  of  a  lake  at  the 
north  whose  bottom  was  lined  with  silver  [the  salt  at  Salina  springs,] 
traversed  this  region  in  pursuit  of  their  darling  object ;  one  of  the 
number  dying  here,  the  survivor  or  survivors  may  have  placed  this 
monument  over  his  remains. 

Salina  was  taken  from  Manlius  and  Onondaga  in  1809.  Ihe 
township  consists  of  the  land  reserved  by  the  law  of  the  state  for  the 
use  of  the  salt  springs,  and  8  or  9  lots  of  the  original  township  ot 
Manilas.  Onondaga  Lake,  6  miles  long,  with  an  average  width  ot 
one  mile,  extends  into  the  centra!  pnrt  of  this  town.   The  water  trom 

50 


Ir 


^Lk'i 


304 


ONONDAGA    COUNTY. 


1 


li  II 


which  the  salt  is  made  rises  in  the  marshes  around  its  borders,  or  in 
the  margin  of  the  lake.  The  population  of  the  town,  including  Syra- 
cuse and  the  other  villages  in  its  vicinity,  is  11,012. 


Southeastern  view  of  Salina  village. 

The  above  is  a  southeastern  view  of  the  village  of  Salina  and  salt- 
works, as  viewed  from  an  elevation  called  Prospect  Hill,  which  rises 
on  the  eastern  side  of  Syracuse  village.  The  Oswego  canal,  which 
forms  a  junction  with  the  Erie  canal  at  Syracuse,  is  seen  on  the  left. 
The  lake  is  seen  in  the  distance.  The  central  part  of  Salina  is  one 
and  a  half  miles  north  of  Syracuse.  It  is  probable  that  the  two  vil- 
lages in  the  course  of  a  few  years,  by  the  increase  of  population,  will 
be  blended  into  one.  Salina  village  lies  upon  a  plain  rising  near  the 
centre  of  the  marsh.  It  contains  3  churches,  a  bank,  and  86  salt 
manufactories.  In  1839  the  amount  of  salt  inspected  in  this  village 
was  1,283,204  bushels.  The  village  of  Liverpool  is  about  4.}  miles 
north  of  Syracuse,  on  the  lake  and  Oswego  canal,  consisting  of  about 
60  dwellings ;  the  amount  of  salt  inspected  here  in  1839,  was  859,733 
bushels.  Geddes  village  was  incorporated  in  1832;  it  is  pleasantly 
situated  2  miles  west  from  Syracuse,  at  the  head  of  the  lake.  The 
amount  of  salt  inspected  here  in  1839,  was  249,245  bushels.  The 
amount  inspected  at  Syracuse,  was  472,558  bushels. 

The  annexed  is  a  western  view  in  the  central  part  of  Syracuse,* 

♦Syracuse  is  a  remarkable  instance  of  the  rapidity  of  growth  of  some  of  our  western 
villages.  The  following,  from  the  pen  of  the  editor  of  the  N.  Y.  Commercial  Advertiser, 
who  visited  the  place  in  1820,  and  again  in  1840,  is  well  worthy  of  perusal : — 

"  It  was  only  in  the  autumn  of  1820,  the  year  in  which  the  middle  and  firsf-construct. 
ed  section  of  the  Erie  canal  was  opened  for  navigation,  that  your  humble  servant  made  the 
passage  from  Utica  to  this  place,  in  a  rude  boat,  alone  with  Mr.  Form  an,  a  distance  of 
sixty  miles.  The  country  at  that  time,  from  Rome  to  Salina,  was  wild.  The  canal  pierced 
the  wilderness  at  Rome  only  to  emerge  therefrom  at  this  pla-'e.  The  land  almost  the  en- 
tire distance  was  low,  marshy,  and  cold.  The  forests,  most  of  the  distance  evergreen, 
were  deep  and  dank  ;  and  the  advancing  settlers  had  eschewed  the  region  as  unfit  for  cuj- 
tivation.  But  the  clearing  for  the  canal  let  in  a  stretch  of  daylight,  which  enabled  people 
to  see  more  distinctly.  The  marshes  and  swamps  were  to  a  considernble  extent  drained 
by  the  eanal ;  and  its  banks,  iiiatead  of  the  shades  oi  a  gloomy  forest,  now  for  the  most 


I 


ONONDAGA   COUNTY. 


395 


trders,  or  in 
ading  Syra- 


na  and  salt- 
which  rises 
anal,  which 
on  the  left, 
alina  is  one 
the  two  vil- 
jlation,  will 
ng  near  the 
and  86  salt 
this  village 
ut  4i  miles 
ng  of  about 
vas  859,733 
5  pleasantly 
lake.  The 
ihels.     The 

Syracuse,* 

)f  our  western 
;ial  Advertiser, 

first-construct- 
■vant  made  the 
,  a  distance  of 
B  canal  pierced 
almost  the  en- 
nee  evergreen, 
IS  unfit  for  cul- 
enabled  people 
extent  drained 
w  for  ilie  moot 


Western  view  in  the  central  part  of  Syracuse. 

showing  the  Erie  canal,  the  Syracuse  House,  and  some  other  build- 
ings in  the  vicinity.  This  village,  which  now  has  a  city-like  appear- 
ance, was  incorporated  in  1825,  contains  about  700  houses,  the  county 
buildings,  1  Episcopal,  1  Presbyterian,  1  Methodist,  and  1  Baptist 
church,  a  bank,  and  2  newspaper  establishments.     The  Syracuse 

part  refresh  the  sight  by  the  prospect  of  a  welUettled  country,  smihng  under  the  hand  of 
well. rewarded  industry. 

"  Mr.  P'ormnii  was  in  one  sense  the  father  of  the  canal.  That  is,  being  a  member  of  the 
legislature  in  1807,  (I  think  that  was  the  year,  but  have  not  the  journals  by  me,)  he  moved 
the  first  resolution  of  inquiry  upon  the  subject  of  opening  a  channel  of  artificial  navigation 
from  the  Hudson  river  to  the  great  lakes.  And  from  that  day  until  the  completion  ofthat 
stupendous  work,  in  1825,  his  exertions  were  unremitting  and  powerful  in  the  cause.  Pass- 
ing as  the  canal  does,  close  by  the  head  of  Onondaga  lake,  within  the  toss  of  a  biscuit  of 
some  of  the  salt  springs,  and  within  two  miles  of  the  principal  and  strongest  fountain,  at 
Saliiil,  Mr.  Forman  saw  the  immense  advantages  which  the  site  of  this  place  presented  for 
a  town ;  with  the  completion  of  the  middle  section  of  the  canal,  Syracuse  was  begun.  At 
the  period  of  my  first  visit,  but  a  few  scattered  and  indifferent  wooden  houses  had  been 
erected,  amid  the  stumps  of  the  recently  felled  trees.  I  lodged  for  a  night  at  a  miserable 
tavern,  thronged  by  a  company  of  salt-boilers  from  Salina,  forming  a  group  of  about  as 
rough-looking  specimens  of  humanity  as  I  had  ever  seen.  Their  wild  visages,  beards  thick 
and  long,  and  matted  hair,  even  now  rise  up  in  dark,  distant,  and  pichiresque  perspective 
before  me.  I  passed  a  restless  night,  disturbed  by  strange  fancies,  as  I  yet  well  remember. 
It  was  in  October,  and  a  flurry  of  snow  during  the  night  had  rendered  the  morning  aspect 
of  the  country  more  dreary  than  the  evening  before.  The  few  houses  I  have  already  de. 
scribed,  standing  upon  low  and  almost  marshy  ground,  and  surrounded  by  trees  and  en- 
tangled  thickets,  presented  a  very  uninviting  scene.  •  Mr.  Forman,'  said  I,  •  do  you  call 
this  a  village  ?  It  would  make  an  owl  weep  to  fly  over  it!'  '  Never  mind,'  tatd  he  m  re. 
ply, '  you  will  live  to  see  it  a  city  yet.'  /.,.,. 

"  These  words  were  prophetical.  The  contrast  between  the  appearance  of  the  town  then 
and  now,  is  wonderful.  A  city  it  now  is,  in  extent,  and  the  magnitude  and  durability  of 
its  buildings,  albeit  it  may  not  boast  of  a  mayor  and  common  council  to  oppress  the  people 
by  insupportable  assessments,  and  partake  of  turtle  and  champagne  for  the  benefit  of  the 
poor.  But  as  I  glanced  upward,  and  around,  upon  splendid  hotels,  and  rows  of  mwsive 
buildings  in  all  directions,  and  the  lofty  spires  of  churches  glittering  in  the  sun,  and  tnu 
versed  the  extended  and  well-built  streets,  thronged  with  people  full  of  life  and  activity— 
the  canal  basins  crowded  with  boats  lading  and  unlading  at  the  large  and  lofty  stone  ware- 
houses  upon  tlie  wharves— the  ch.inge  .seemed  like  one  of  enchantment." 


Wn 


\i  ' 


4«i;l 


*     !  i 


i 


'  < 
it 


i 


306 


ONONDAGA    COUNTY. 


academy  is  a  fine  brick  edifice  4  stories  high,  with  an  observatory, 
spacious  grounds,  &c.  The  Syracuse  House  is  of  brick,  4  stories 
high,  and  is  one  of  the  most  splendid  establisliments  of  the  kind  in  the 
state.  Syracuse  is  133  miles  from  Albany,  by  the  canal  171,  278  from 
New  York,  99  from  Rochester,  and  from  Utica  61  miles.  This  town 
embraces  the  principal  salt  springs  and  salt-works  of  the  state,  with 
the  Onondaga  or  salt  lake.  "  These  salt  springs  were  known  to  the 
aboriginal  inhabitants,  who  communicated  their  knowledge  to  the 
white  settlers.  One  of  the  latter  about  50  years  since,  with  an  Indi- 
an guide  in  a  canoe,  descended  the  Onondaga  creek,  and  by  the  lake 
approached  the  spring  on  mud  creek.  Salt  water  was  at  that  time 
obtained  by  lowering  to  the  bottom,  four  or  five  feet  below  the  sur- 
face of  the  fresh  water  of  the  lake,  an  iron  vessel ;  which  filling  in- 
stantly with  the  heavier  fluid,  was  then  drawn  up.  In  this  way,  by 
boiling  the  brine,  a  small  quantity  of  brownish-colored  and  very  im- 
pure salt  was  obtained.  With  the  settlement  of  the  country  the  vi- 
cinity was  explored  and  many  other  sources  of  brine  discovered. 
Wells  were  then  sunk,  generally  to  the  depth  of  18  feet.  There  was 
a  great  difference  in  the  strength  of  water  which  they  afforded,  va- 
rying with  seasons,  and  diminishing  in  draught  nearly  one  third. 
With  the  introduction  of  hydraulic  machinery  for  pumping  in  1822, 
a  more  rapid  influx  of  brine  was  produced,  and  a  new  era  in  the  man- 
ufacture. A  difference  of  opinion  prevails  as  to  the  source  of  the 
brine.  The  general  opinion  is,  that  beds  of  rock  salt  exist  here  as  at 
other  salt  springs.  Borings  have  been  made  at  several  points ;  in 
one  instance  to  the  depth  of  250  feet,  without  finding  fossil  salt.  But 
the  very  important  fact  was  elicited,  that  the  strength  of  the  brine 
increased  with  the  depth  of  the  well.  The  salt  beds  in  Cheshire, 
England,  were  discovered  about  160  years  since,  in  boring  for  coal 
at  about  125  feet  below  the  surface ;  and  since  have  been  penetrated 
to  twice  that  depth.  But  the  salt  mines  of  Wilielska,  near  Cravocia, 
in  Poland,  are  worked  at  the  depth  of  750  feet ;  and  those  at  •Epe- 
ries  at  950  feet.  The  failure  therefore  to  discover  salt  beds  here 
should  not  discourage  further  efforts.  Should  beds  of  rock  salt  be 
discovered  and  rendered  accessible,  this  source  of  wealth  must  be 
greatly  enlarged.  The  salt  beds  near  Norwich,  England,  produce 
more  than  150,000  tons  annually — nearly  three  times  as  much  as  the 
annual  products  of  the  Onondaga  springs.  The  salt  at  Salina  is 
manufactured  by  evaporation  by  the  sun,  or  artificially.  By  the 
slower  process  of  the  former,  the  coarse  salt  is  made,  and  the  fine  by 
the  rapid  evaporation  produced  by  fire." 

The  following  cut  is  a  representation  of  a  field  of  salt  vats  near 
Syracuse  for  the  manufacture  of  coarse  salt.  In  the  distance  is  seen 
a  pump  house,  from  which  the  brine  is  conducted  to  each  of  the  vats 
by  a  succession  of  bored  logs.  The  vats  are  about  16  feet  in  length, 
by  7  in  width,  and  are  arranged  in  continuous  rows  for  a  great  dis- 
tance, as  above  represented.  Between  the  rows  alleys  run  sufficiently 
wide  to  admit  the  passage  of  a  horse  and  cart.  On  each  side  and 
parallel  willi  the  vats,  there  is  a  hue  of  light  roofs  which  can  be 


ONONDAGA   COUNTY. 


397 


1 


shoved  off  and  on  at  pleasure,  to  permit  the  rays  of  the  sun  to  act 
upon  the  waters  or  to  avert  the  rain.  As  the  salt  precipitates,  it  as- 
sumes the  form  of  beautiful  crystals,  like  the  various  trinkets  fre- 
quently made  for  the  ladies'  fairs,  &c. ;  the  action  of  shovelling  the 
salt  into  carts  destroys  the  crystals,  when  of  course  the  elegance  of 
form  vanishes.  These  vats  with  their  sheds  cover  enough  ground  in 
the  vicinity  to  make  several  moderate  sized  farms,  and  the  beams 
of  the  sun  reflecting  from  their  roofs  cause  them  to  appear  in  the  dis- 
tance not  unlike  the  surface  of  a  lake. 

Tlie  fine  salt  requires  more  skill  in  the  manufacture.  For  this  pur- 
pose rough  wooden  structures  are  erected  about  70  feet  in  length, 
and  25  feet  in  breadth.  The  annexed  view  of  the  inside  of  one  of 
these  salt  manufactories  was  taken  at  the  entrance,  and  shows  imme- 


View  of  a  field  of  salt-vats,  Salina. 

diately  in  front  the  commencement  of  the  oven  which  runs  the  remain- 
ing length  of  the  building.  On  top  of  it  are  the  boilers,  arranged  in  two 
parallel  rows,  generally  numbering  from  15  to  25  boilers  in  each  row, 
which  are  supplied  with  the  brine  by  a  cylindrical  hollow  log  with 
faucets.  This  log  leads  from  a  reservoir  in  the  rear  of  the  building, 
which  in  its  turn  is  filled  by  tubular  logs,  connecting  with  the  pump 
house,  which  in  some  cases  is  a  mile  or  more  distant.  There  are  in 
the  whole  many  miles  of  aqueduct  logs,  which  are  generally  con- 
structed of  pine.  On  entering  one  of  these  works  at  night  the  view 
is  interesting.  Clouds  of  vapor  are  continually  ascending  from  the 
numerous  boilers,  and  partially  obscuring  the  forms  of  the  attendants. 
Huge  piles  of  salt  of  snowy  whiteness  in  the  bins  each  side  of  the 
building  are  beheld  laying  in  contact  with  the  rough,  dingy  walls, 
while  the  fire  from  the  furnace,  shedding  a  partial  light  over  the 
whole,  renders  it  a  striking  scene. 

"  There  are,  however,  various  modes  of  applying  artificial  heat  in 
the  manufacture  of  salt,  other  than  that  employed  in  the  ordinary 
process  of  boiling  in  kettles.  In  one  arrangement,  tubes  heated  by 
steam  pass  through  a  vat  or  vats  of  considerable  extent,  the  brine 
having  been  previously  freed  from  its  insoluble  impurities,  by  being 


>*»«■ 


398 


ONONDAGA    COUNTY. 


Internal  view  of  a  salt  manufactory,  Salina. 

allowed  to  remain  lor  some  time  in  the  cistern,  or  by  the  addition  of 
lime.  This  furnishes  salt  in  fine  cubic  crystals  of  great  purity,  es- 
pecially in  those  parts  of  the  vats  which  are  at  some  distance  from 
the  immediate  source  of  heat." 

The  springs  from  which  the  v/orks  are  supplied  are  pierced  througli 
the  alluvial  and  terminate  on  gravel.  The  strength  of  the  brine  is 
graduated  on  the  following  standard :  fresh  water  being  placed  at  0°, 
and  water  perfectly  saturated  with  salt  at  100°.  According  to  this, 
the  "  old  spring"  stands  at  50°,  and  the  "  new"  at  70°.  In  each  cubic 
foot  of  water  there  is  about  2i  ounces  of  "  bitterns,"  or  impure  de- 
posit composed  of  lime,  iron,  tfec.  Fourteen  pounds  of  salt  arc  man- 
ufactured from  a  cubic  foot  of  the  water  from  the  strongest  spring. 

The  salt-works  are  quite  a  source  of  revenue  to  the  state,  as  it  re- 
ceives 2  mills  a  bushel  f-^r  pumping  the  water,  and  0  cents  duty  on 
the  salt  made.  The  amount  annually  manufactured  is  three  millions 
of  bushels ;  and  the  number  of  men  employed  in  the  four  villages  of 
Geddes,  Liverpool,  Salina,  and  Syracuse,  about  three  thousand. 

Account  of  a  French  Colony  e»tabli»ked  at  Onondaga,  in  1656,  under  the  autpieea  of 

Le  Sieur  Dupuys." 

"  The  Jesuit  Dablon  had  eBtaWished  himself  at  Onondaga  in  the  character  of  a  miMion- 
ary.  He  arrived  here  in  the  montii  of  September,  1C55.  In  March  of  the  following  year, 
he  in  company  with  a  numerous  escort  of  savages,  made  the  voyage  to  Quebec  for  the  pur- 
pose  of  persuading  M.  de  Laiison  to  estabiinh  a  French  colony  at  Onondaga.  He  arrived 
there  in  the  beginning  of  April,  and  had  no  diflicully  in  getting  M.  De  Lauson  to  enter  into 
his  views.  Fifty  Frenchmen  were  selected  to  go  and  form  the  proposed  establishment,  and 
the  Sieur  Dupuys,  an  officer  of  the  garrison,  was  appointed  their  commandant.  Father 
Francis  Le  Mercier,  Superior  General  of  the  Catholic  Miseions,  was  desirous  of  conducting 
in  person  those  whom  he  had  destined  to  establish  the  first  Irocpiois  church,  who  were 
Fathers  Freemen,  Mosnard,  and  Dulilon.  Their  departure  was  fixed  for  the  7th  of  May, 
and  although  the  crop  had  been  lighter  than  usual,  ihey  gave  Dupuys  provisions  sufficient 
to  lost  him  a  whole  year,  with  grain  enough  to  enable  him  to  sow  the  land. 

"  The  news  of  this  enlcrpriHe  being  spread  all  around,  gave  the  Mohawks  much  concern. 


•  Copied  from  a  MS.  Hiatory,  by  the  Rev.  J.  W.  Adaim,  of  SyruuM. 


^ 


■ 


addition  of 
it  purity,  es- 
istance  from 

ced  through 
the  brine  is 
jlaced  at  0°, 
ding  to  this, 
n  each  cubic 
•  impure  de- 
lit  arc  man- 
est  spring- 
ate,  as  it  re- 
?nts  duty  on 
iree  millions 
r  villages  of 
)usand. 

\e  autpiceg  of 

ter  of  a  mifision- 
I  following  yenr, 
■bee  for  tfie  pur- 
ga.  He  arrived 
ion  to  enter  into 
ablishment,  and 
mdant.  Father 
18  of  conducting 
urch,  who  were 
the  7th  of  May, 
'iaions  sufficient 

i  much  concern, 

MUM. 


ONONDAGA    COUNTY. 


309 


and  revived  their  jealousy  towards  the  Onondagas.  A  general  council  of  all  the  tribe  was 
called  to  deliberate  upon  this  affair,  which  seemed  to  them  of  great  importance,  and  the 
conclusion  was,  that  all  their  resources  must  be  put  in  requisition  to  oppose  the  new  estab- 
lishment. A  party  of  400  men  was  immediately  raised,  and  orders  were  given  them  either 
to  disperse  or  cut  to  pieces  the  company  of  M.  Dupuys.  They  failed,  however,  to  accom. 
plish  their  object,  and  only  revenged  themselves  upon  some  straggling  canoes,  which  were 
pillaged,  and  a  part  of  those  who  conducted  them  were  wounded.  After  a  short  stay  at 
Three  Rivers  and  at  Montreal,  M.  Dupuys  left  the  latter  place  on  the  8th  of  June,  and  the 
same  day  fell  in  with  a  party  of  Mohawks,  whom  he  pillaged  as  a  reprisal  for  the  outrage 
related  above. 

"  On  the  29th  of  the  same  month,  towards  9  o'clock  in  the  evening,  they  heard  in  the 
camp  the  voice  of  a  man  groaning.  The  commandant  ordered  the  dnim  to  be  beat,  and  im- 
mediately  they  perceived  a  savage  approaching  in  great  distress.  He  was  a  Huron,  who 
had  escaped  after  the  expedition  of  the  isle  of  Orleans.  The  skin  of  his  body  was  half 
roasted,  and  for  seventeen  days  he  had  taken  no  nourishment,  except  some  wild  fruits 
which  he  had  gathered.  The  Onondagas  who  accompanied  the  French,  made  him  a  drink 
which  soon  restored  the  tone  of  his  stomach.  They  then  gave  him  some  provisions  and 
sent  him  on  to  Quebec. 

"  The  remainder  of  the  voyage  was  prosperous,  except  that  they  suffered  from  a  scarcity 
of  provisions,  which  had  been  very  badly  managed.  They  had  calculated  as  usual  upon  find- 
ing  an  abundance  of  fish  and  game.  Both  however  failed,  and  the  French,  who  were  unac- 
customed to  fasting  like  the  Indians,  would  have  perished  with  hunger,  had  not  the  Onon- 
dnga  sachems  sent  to  meet  them  some  canoes  loaded  with  provisions.  They  learnt  from 
these  Indians,  that  a  great  number  of  th.i  Iroquois  of  all  the  tribes,  were  awaiting  their  ar. 
rival  on  the  shores  of  the  Lake  Gannentaha.  M.  Dupuys,  therefore,  prepared  himself  to 
make  his  entrance  into  the  lake  as  imposing  as  possible.  Before  arriving  at  the  place 
where  the  savages  were  stationed,  he  put  ashore  5  small  pieces  of  ordnance,  and  had  them 
discharged.  He  then  re-embarked,  and  rowing  in  beautiful  order,  entered  the  lake,  where 
in  less  than  an  hour  he  made  two  discharges  of  all  his  musketry.  He  was  received  by  the 
sachems  and  such  as  were  with  them  awaiting  his  arrival  with  the  greatest  apparent  cor- 
diality  and  respect.  They  were  welcomed  with  harangues,  feasts,  songs,  and  dances,  and 
with  every  demonstration  of  joy  which  the  savages  were  capable  of  giving.  On  the  follow, 
ing  day,  which  was  the  12th  of  July,  a  solemn  mass  was  offered  and  the  Te  Deum  sung. 
The  sachems  then  made  presents,  as  they  were  accustomed  to  do  in  treaties  of  alliance,  and 
on  the  16th  the  French  all  united  in  celebrating  the  Eucharist.  On  the  day  following  they 
commenced  building  huts,  and  Father  Mercier  went  to  visit  the  village  of  th(  Onondagas, 
where  he  was  received  with  great  ceremony.  On  the  24th  a  general  council  was  held,  at 
which  the  Jesuits,  Mercier  and  Chaumont,  explained  the  views  of  the  French  and  solicited 
their  kind  regards  to  their  new  neighbors.  They  also  endeavored  to  enlighten  their  minds 
on  the  subject  of  religion,  and  produced  so  great  an  impression  as  to  render  it  necessary  to 
enlarge  the  chapel  which  had  been  built  nearly  a  year  before,  more  than  one  half.  They 
experienced  in  the  month  of  August  excessive  heat,  which  produced  much  sickness ;  but 
by  the  kind  attention  of  the  savages  all  the  disorders  were  eased  in  a  short  time. 

"  This  last  mark  of  uffcction  from  these  people  persuaded  the  more  credulous  of  them  to 
believe  that  they  might  rely  upon  them  in  all  cases ;  but  the  more  prudent  of  them  thought 
it  necessary  to  make  use  of  precaution  at  least  against  their  inconstancy  ;  and  these  were 
found  in  the  end  to  have  pursued  the  wisest  course,  for  two  years  had  not  elapsed  before 
they  wore  compelled  by  the  perfidy  of  the  savages  to  abandon  their  settlement  and  return 
to  Montreal.  A  conspiracy  which  extended  itself  through  the  Iroquois  cantons  was  formed 
against  them,  and  unequivocal  indications  of  hostility  were  soon  given.  Three  Frenrhmeii 
were  scalped  near  Montreal  by  the  confederates,  and  other  hostilities  committed,  which  left 
no  doubt  in  the  minds  of  the  French  of  their  intention  to  destroy  the  new  colony.  In  the 
month  of  Feb.,  16r)8,  numerous  bands  of  Mohuwks,  Oneidas,  and  Onondagas,  had  taken 
the  field  equipped  for  war.  Dupuys  was  informed  of  all  that  transpired  by  a  converted  In- 
dian.  He  found  himself  greatly  embarrassed,  and  indeed  sbw  no  means  of  oxtricatinf: 
himself  from  the  difTicuIiy  without  much  trouble  and  at  great  hazard.  To  fortify  hinisfjf 
and  sustain  a  siege  would  be  only  to  put  off  his  niin  and  not  prevent  it,  for  he  had  no  sue- 
cor  to  hope  for  from  Quebec,  or  it  would  not  be  able  to  reach  him  in  time.  It  would  be. 
come  necessary  sooner  or  later  to  yield  or  die  fighting,  or  at  leimil:  to  perish  of  hunger  and 
misery. 

"  To  effect  his  escape  M.  Dupuys  required  first  to  construct  some  csnoes,  for  they  hrid 
not  taken  tho  precaution  to  reserve  any.  But  to  work  at  them  publicly  would  be  to  sn- 
nounce  his  retreat,  and  thereby  render  it  impossible.  Something  must  be  resolved  on  iiia. 
msiiiateiy,  iuid  ine  curniniiiiuant  uiinpied  ih«  fnilowint;  plan.    Ii«  iniiuvuiittoly  ani  ia 


'Hi 


W' 


M. 


mNI' 


Ss  "J 


.    -^"w 


400 


ONONDAGA   COUNTY. 


express  to  M.  D'AiUebout  to  inform  him  of  the  conspiracy.  He  then  gave  orders  for  the 
construction  of  some  small  light  batteaux ;  and  to  prevent  the  Iroquois  from  gettmg  wind  ot 
it,  he  made  his  people  virork  in  the  garret  of  the  Jesuit's  house,  which  was  larger  and  more 
retired  than  the  others.  ,.        ^     ,        ... 

"  This  done,  he  warned  all  his  people  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  depart  on  the 
day  which  he  named  to  them,  and  he  supplied  each  one  with  provisions  sufficient  for  the 
voyage,  and  charged  them  to  do  nothing  in  the  mean  time  to  excite  the  suspicions  oi  the 
Iroquois.  It  only  remained  now  to  concert  measures  for  embarking  so  secretly  that  the 
savages  should  have  no  knowledge  of  their  retreat  until  they  should  have  advanced  so  far 
as  not  to  fear  pursuit,  and  this  they  accomplished  by  a  stratagem  singular  enough. 

"A  certain  young  Frenchman  who  had  acquired  great  influence  with  the  Indians,  had 
been  adopted  into  one  of  their  most  respectable  families.  According  to  the  custom  of  the 
Indians,  whoever  was  adopted  by  them  became  entitled  to  all  the  privileges  that  belonged 
to  native  members  of  the  family.  This  young  man  went  one  day  to  his  adopted  father,  and 
told  him  that  he  had  on  the  night  before  dreamed  of  one  ot  those  feasts  where  the  guests 
eat  every  thing  that  is  served,  and  that  he  desired  to  have  one  of  the  kind  made  for  the  vil- 
lage ;  and  he  added,  that  it  was  deeply  impressed  upon  his  mind  he  should  die  if  a  sing  e 
thing  were  wanting  to  render  the  feast  just  such  a  one  as  he  described.  1  he  Indian  gravely 
replied  that  he  should  be  exceedingly  sorry  to  have  him  die,  and  would  therefore  order  the 
repast  himself  and  take  care  to  make  the  invitations,  and  he  assured  him  that  nothing  sliould 
be  wanting  to  render  the  entertainment  every  way  such  an  one  as  he  wished.  The  young 
man  having  obtained  these  assurances,  appointed  for  his  feast  the  19th  of  March,  wlucii 
was  the  day  fixed  upon  for  the  departure  of  the  French.  All  the  provisions  which  the 
families  through  the  village  could  spare  were  contributed  for  the  feast,  and  all  the  Indians 

were  invited  to  attend.  .       ,     ^       ,  •.    .        . 

"  The  entertainment  began  in  the  evening,  and  to  give  the  French  an  opportunity  to  put 
their  boats  into  the  water  and  to  load  them  for  the  voyage  without  being  observed,  the 
drums  and  trumpets  ceased  not  to  sound  around  the  scene  of  festivity. 

"  The  boats  having  now  been  launched  and  every  thing  put  in  readiness  for  a  departure, 
the  young  man,  at  the  signal  agreed  upon,  went  to  his  adopted  father  and  said  to  him,  that 
he  pitied  the  quests,  who  had  for  the  most  part  asked  quarter,  thst  they  might  cease  eating, 
and  give  themselves  to  repose,  and  adding,  that  he  meant  to  procure  for  every  one  a  good 
night's  sleep.  He  began  playing  on  the  guitar,  and  in  less  than  a  quarter  of  an  hour  every 
Indian  was  laid  soundly  to  sleep.  The  young  Frenchman  immediately  sallied  forth  to  join 
his  companions,  who  were  ready  at  the  instant  to  push  from  the  shore. 

"  The  next  moining  a  number  of  the  Indians  went,  according  to  their  custom  on  awaking, 
to  see  the  French,  and  found  all  the  doors  of  their  houses  shut  and  locked.  This  strange 
circumstance,  joined  to  the  profound  silence  which  everywhere  reigned  through  the  French 
settlement,  surprised  them.  They  imagined  at  first  that  the  French  were  snying  mass,  or 
that  they  were  in  secret  council ;  but  after  having  in  vain  waited  for  many  hours  to  have 
the  mystery  solved,  they  went  aii<l  knocked  at  some  of  the  doors.  The  dogs  who  had  been 
left  in  the  houses  replied  to  them  by  barking.  They  perceived  some  fowls  also  through 
the  palings,  but  no  person  could  be  seen  or  heard.  At  length,  having  waited  until  evening, 
they  forced  open  the  doors,  and  to  their  utter  astonishment  found  every  house  empty. 

"  The  savages  could  not  explain  this  movement.  They  could  not  comprehend  how  the 
French,  whom  they  knew  to  have  no  canoes,  had  got  away,  and  there  was  no  idle  fiiiiey 
that  did  not  enter  into  tluir  heads  rather  than  imagine  in  what  manner  the  thing  had  hap- 
pened.  This  was  the  first  time  in  which  boats  had  been  used  for  such  voyages.  But  had 
the  Frrnch  possessed  canons,  it  would  not  liavo  been  possible  to  use  them,  as  the  rivers 
were  still  covered  with  ice,  and  from  this  ciiuso  llio  Indians  were  prevented  from  success- 
fully  pursuing  thcni.  M.  Dupuys  to<.k  care  however  to  Icaso  nothing  to  tear  lioni  a  pur- 
■uit.  H.-  used  siu'ii  diligence,  that  in  spite  of  contrary  winds  which  dctuiii.iUum  a  oug 
time  on  Luke  Ontario,  he  arrived  at  Montreal  in  fifteen  days.  The  pleasure  ot  tindmg  him. 
■elf  diliv.ired  from  such  inunineni  danger,  could  not  however  prevent  hnii  from  feeling  sen. 
sibly,  that  i-o  precipitate  a  flight  was  disgraceful  to  his  nation,  and  from  regretting  that  for 
the  want  of  a  trifling  aid,  h'  had  lieen  unable  to  siiHtaiii  iiii  cMtulilislimenl  ot  so  much  ini. 
portance,  and  of  giving  law  lo  u  people  who  drew  their  strength  and  the  right  of  insulting 
them  from  their  weakness. 

"  The  Iroquois  after  this  carried  war  into  Canada,  mid  m  IfiW),  the  colony  was  rertucert 
to  extreme  distress  by  sid.ness  and  the  incursions  of  the  savages.  In  the  year  following  it 
win  ascertained  that  there  was  not  less  than  twenty  Frenchmen  in  Onondaga.  Tncy  had 
been  taken  prisoners,  but  were  suftered  to  enjoy  a  considerable  degree  of  liberty.  These 
™»n  l.«d  conv».rtfld  n  wigwam  into  a  chapel,  where,  in  connction  with  many  of  the  llu. 
rons  and  some  of  the  Onondagas,  they  regularly  assembled  to  say  mas*.    It  was  reported 


ONONDAGA    COUNTY. 


401 


orders  for  the 
netting  wind  of 
irger  and  more 

)  depart  on  the 
fiScient  for  the 
spicions  of  the 
;cretly  that  the 
idvanced  so  far 
[ough. 

le  Indians,  had 
custom  of  llie 
I  that  belonged 
)ted  father,  and 
here  the  guests 
lade  for  the  vil- 
i  die  if  a  single 
I  Indian  gravely 
■efore  order  the 
nothing  should 
d.  The  young 
■  March,  which 
ions  which  t'le 
all  the  Indians 

portunity  to  put 
g  observed,  the 

for  a  departure, 
aid  to  him,  that 
ht  cease  eating, 
'ery  one  a  good 
if  an  hour  every 
ied  forth  to  join 

am  on  awaking, 
.  This  strange 
lugh  the  French 
saying  mass,  or 
y  hours  to  have 
[8  who  hud  been 
vis  also  through 
d  until  evening, 
ise  empty, 
irehend  how  the 
IS  no  idle  fancy 
Q  thing  had  hap- 
yages.  lint  had 
ni,  as  the  rivers 
d  from  8UCC088- 
iear  from  a  pur- 
Liiic<l  him  a  long 
e  of  finding  him- 
'rom  feeling  sen- 
grctting  that  for 
iif  HO  much  im- 
ight  of  insulting 

iny  was  reduced 
year  following  it 
aga.    They  had 

liberty.  These 
many  of  the  Hu. 

1 1  was  reported 


also  that  the  matrons  of  the  Onondaga  village,  who  are  the  principal  corps  d'Etat,  had 
taken  no  part  in  the  conspiracy  which  had  obliged  Dupuys  to  retire,  and  that  for  seven  days 
successively  they  had  wept  with  their  children  for  the  loss  of  the  French  priests.  This  re- 
port  however  had  no  foundation  in  truth.  The  credulity  of  the  Jesuit  could  not  distinguish, 
in  matters  of  religion,  between  things  which  he  only  desired  might  be  true  and  those  which 
were  really  so." 

Location  of  the  colonies  of  Dupuys. — It  will  be  very  natural  to 
conclude  from  the  account  which  we  have  now  given  of  the  colony 
of  Dupuys,  that  its  location  was  contiguous  m  the  Onondaga  village. 
Such  however  was  not  the  fact,  if  by  the  village  of  Onondaga  be 
meant  their  principal  village.  From  some  incidental  allusions  made 
in  history  to  the  relative  position  of  this  colony,  it  is  to  be  inferred 
that  it  was  established  upon  grounds  now  occupied  by  the  village  of 
Salina.  In  a  passage  of  the  history  written  by  Francis  Creuxius, 
which  we  have  already  had  occasion  to  quote,  it  is  stated  that  the 
place  agreed  upon  for  the  residence  of  the  French  was  distant  from 
the  Indian  village  about  four  French  leagues,  and  that  this  place  was 
distinguished  for  two  remarkable  springs,  issuing  from  the  same  hill, 
the  one  affording  an  abundance  of  salt  water,  the  other  of  fresh.  He 
states,  also,  that  at  this  place  there  was  an  extensive  meadow,  or 
spacious  open  grounds  which  reached  down  to  the  bank  of  the  Lake 
Gannentaha.  It  appears  also  from  the  circumstances  connected  with 
the  departure  of  the  colony,  that  they  must  have  been  in  the  imme- 
diate vicinity  of  the  lake,  as  their  batteaux  were  constructed  in  the 
Jesuit's  house,  and  launched  and  freighted  without  any  allusion  from 
the  historians  to  the  time  that  must  have  been  occupied  or  the  diffi- 
culties that  must  have  been  encountered  in  transporting  them  to  the 
place  of  debarkation.  The  reason  why  the  narrative  proceeds  us 
though  the  Onondaga  village  and  the  French  settlement  occupied  the 
same  grounds,  or  were  in  (adjacent  juxtaposition)  to  each  other,  is 
this — that  the  Indians  were  distributed  into  different  villages  or  en- 
campments, one  of  which  was  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  place 
whore  Salina  now  stands.  The  main  village  was  at  Onondaga,  but 
a  constant  intercourse  was  kept  up  between  the  different  encamp- 
ments, and  the  French  settlement  was  now  a  point  of  attraction 
around  which  the  Indians  rallied ;  and  this  explains  the  facility  of 
intercourse  which  existed  between  the  French  at  Salina  and  the 
Indians  at  Onondaga. 

Skaneatelks  was  taken  from  Marcellus  in  1830,  Pop.  3,981. 
The  village  of  Skancateles  is  situated  at  the  outlet  or  northern  ter- 
mination of  the  lake  of  that  name,  18  miles  SU.  from  Syracuse,  and 
has  about  1,500  inhabitants.  It  is  one  of  the  most  delightful  and  pic- 
turesque villages  in  western  New  York.  The  following  shows  the 
appearance  of  the  villuge  of  Skaneateles  as  viewed  from  the  residence 
of  Mr.  Joseph  Barber,  on  the  western  Lake  road  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
outlet  of  the  lake,  seen  on  the  left ;  the  Episcopal  and  Presbyterian 
chyrches  are  seen  on  the  right.  From  this  village  the  eye  measure.s 
about  half  the  distance  of  the  lake,  which  is  16  miles  in  length  by  an 


uf  this  lake. 


.»•  ^. 


TU 


t^ff%      10     tK" 


tinn  i**!!  XT    In  » 
~"J 


e\t\     n 


ilhftt*  ulirkr 


1^ 


The  soil  is  of  the  best  limestone  quality,  and  the  finely 


402 


ONONOAGA    COUNTY. 


I    ! 


i! 


Southwestern  view  of  Skaneateles. 

cultivated  fields  (mostly  fenced  with  cedar  posts  and  hemlock  boards) 
make  a  gradual  descent  for  a  considerable  distance  to  the  margin  of 
the  lake.   A  railroad,  5  miles  in  length,  has  lately  been  constructed  from 
this  village  north  to  ElbrWge,  where  it  intersects  the  railroad  from  Al- 
bany to  Buffalo.  A  charter  was  obtained  during  the  session  of  the  legis- 
lature in  1841,  for  extending  this  lateral  road  3  miles  further  north  to 
the  village  of  Jordan,  on  the  Erie  canal,  where  that  canal  receives  a 
feeder  from  the  Skaneateles  lake,  after  its  waters  have  afforded  an 
immense  power  for  milling  and  manufacturing  purposes,  the  descent 
of  the  8  miles  from  Skaneateles  to  Jordan  being  about  500  feet.    The 
railroad  between  these  two  villages  will  run  near  the  margin  of  this 
stream,  affording  important  facilities  to  ilouring  mills  and  manufac- 
turers.    Goods  will  hereafter  be  carried  on  this  road  from  Jordan 
to  Skaneateles,  and  thence  through  the  lake  to  Cortland  county. 
Should  a  railroad  be  constructed  from  the  head  of  the  lake  through 
Homer  south  to  the  Susquehannah,  (and  such  un  enterprise  is  much 
talked  of,)  Skaneateles  and  Jordan  will  become  places  of  exten- 
sive business.     Among  the  important  items  of  transportation,  will  be 
that  of  coal  from  Pennsylvania,  to  be  more  particularly  distributed  at 
Jordan  to  various  points.     Previous  to  the  making  of  the  Erie  canal, 
the  great  thoroughfare  for  merchandise  and  emigration  to  the  west 
was  through  Skaneateles.     Since  the  completion  of  that  work,  this 
village  has  not  kept  pace  with  some  new  towns  which  have  grown 
into  Targe  cities  in  a  few  years,  under  the  peculiar  advantages  afford- 
ed by  the  great  internal  improvements;  but  from  its  unsurpassed 
beauty  of  location,  and  its  great  facilities  for  manufacturing  purposes, 
it  cannot  but  experience  a  steady  and  healthful  growth,  until  at  some 
future  day  it  will  become  a  [)lace  of  no  ordinary  importance.     The 
stranger  who  visits  this  beautiful  village,  often  expresses  surprise  ftiat 
it  ha«  not  long  since  been  selected  as  the  site  of  an  extensive  semina- 
ry of  learning,  or  some  public  benevtdent  institution.     In  the  village 


I 


ONTARIO   COUNTY. 


403 


3ck  boards) 
!  margin  of 
ructed  from 
ad  from  Al- 
of  the  legis- 
er  north  to 
I  receives  a 
ifforded  an 
the  descent 
I  feet.  The 
rsin  of  this 
d  manufac- 
rom  Jordan 
ind  county, 
ike  through 
ise  is  much 
i  of  exten- 
tion,  will  be 
stributed  at 
Erie  canal, 
to  the  west 
t  work,  this 
lave  grown 
ages  afford- 
jnsurpassed 
[g  purposes, 
ntil  at  some 
ance.  The 
urprise  ftiat 
*ive  scmina- 
\  the  village 


are  9  or  10  stores,  three  carriage-making  establishments,  an  extensive 
woollen  factory,  flouring  mill,  iron  foundry,  machine  shop,  and  va- 
rious mechanics.  The  first  grist-mill  was  erected  in  the  village  in 
1795.  About  the  same  time  the  first  merchant,  Winston  Day,  estab- 
lished himself  here.  Bricks  were  first  made  here  in  1797;  the  first 
tavern  was  erected  the  same  year,  and  only  two  houses  besides  (of 
logs)  in  what  is  now  called  the  village.  The  town  had  been  first 
settled  a  few  years  earlier  on  the  old  Genesee  road.  The  first  bridge 
across  near  the  outlet  of  the  lake,  was  built  about  1800.  The  first 
church  in  the  place  was  organized  July  20th,  1801,  and  then  styled 
"  The  First  Church  of  Christ  in  Marcellus."  It  was  organized  a  Con- 
gregational church,  but  subsequently  changed  to  the  Presbyterian 
form  of  government.  At  its  organization  it  consisted  of  but  six 
members.  In  the  course  of  about  three  months  it  increased  to  19. 
It  is  believed  to  be  the  first  church  of  any  denomination  that  was 
formed  in  the  old  and  formerly  extensive  town  of  Marcellus.  There 
have  been  for  many  years  past  in  the  village  a  Baptist,  Episcopal, 
and  Methodist  church,  now  flourishing  societies. 

STAFFORD  was  named  after  Horatio  Gates  SpafTord,  LL.  D.,  author 
of  the  Gazetteer  of  New  ^ork.  It  was  taken  from  Tully,  in  1811 ; 
since  which  a  portion  has  been  added  from  Marcellus ;  from  Albany 
157  miles.  It  was  settled  in  1806,  by  New  England  farmers.  It 
is  bounded  on  the  W.  by  the  Skaneatelcs  lake.  SpafTord,  20  miles 
SW.  from  Syracuse,  and  Borodino,  are  small  settlements.     Pop.  1,873. 

Tully,  taken  from  Fabius  in  1803 ;  bounds  since  altered ;  from 
Albany  128  miles.  Tully,  18  miles  S.  of  Syracuse,  contains  about  30 
dwellings.  TuUey,  Tulley  Valley,  and  Vesper,  are  villages.  Pop. 
1,663. 

Van  Buren,  taken  from  Camillus  in  1829 ;  from  Syracuse,  NW.  14 
miles.    Macksville  and  Canton  are  small  villages.    Pop.  3,021. 


ONTARIO  COUNTY. 

Ontario  county  was  taken  from  Montgomery  in  1789,  and  in- 
cluded all  the  land  of  which  the  pre-emptive  right  had  been  ceded  to 
the  state  of  Massachusetts,  which  that  state  afterward  sold  to 
Phelps  and  Gorham,  and  which  afterward  chiefly  passed  into  the 
possession  of  the  Holland  Land  Company  and  the  Pulteney  estate. 
Ontario  county  then  extended  from  the  pre-emption  line  a  mile  east- 
ward of  Geneva,  so  as  to  include  within  its  limits  all  the  territory 
within  the  bounds  of  this  state  west  of  that  line.  This  was  commonly 
known  as  the  "  Genesee  country,"  although  the  title  was  occasionally 
more  extensively  applied,  and  from  it  has  been  formed  the  counties 
of  Steuben,  Allegany,  Cattaraugus,  Chatauque,  Erie,  Niagara,  Genesee, 
Wyoming,  Orieans,  Monroe,  Livingston,  Yates,  Wayne,  in  part,  leav- 


wn 

mn 


p  I 


*i 


m 


404 


ONTARIO    COUNTY. 


ing  to  a  tract  around  the  former  chief  town,  (Canandaigua,)  the  name 
of  Ontario.  In  1790,  this  extensive  territory  had  only  1,075  inhabitants. 
The  surface  is  agreeably  diversified,  waving  in  gentle  swells  and 
valleys  of  ample  area,  with  tracts  of  champaign,  and  in  the  southern 
part  more  or  less  hilly.  The  soil  partakes  of  a  considerable  variety, 
but  a  warm  and  rich  mould  forms  the  greater  proportion,  while  along 
the  borders  of  Lake  Ontario  there  are  tracts  of  clayey  loam,  with 
but  a  slight  admixture  of  mould.  The  principal  streams  are  Flint 
creek,  Canandaigua  outlet,  and  Mud  creek.  The  lakes  are  Canan- 
daigua, Honeoye,  Caneadea,  and  Hemlock.  The  county  has  15 
towns,  all  of  which,  not  otherwise  noted,  were  organized  in  1789. 
Pop.  43,501. 

Bristol,  from  Albany  203  miles.  North  Bristol,  8  miles  SW. 
from  Canandaigua,  and  Bristol  Centre,  are  small  villages.    Pop.  1,953. 

Canadice,  taken  from  Richmond  in  1829 ;  from  Albany  216.  from 
Canandaigua  SW.  24  miles.  Canadice  and  Coyken  Falls  Corners 
are  post-offic^-:.     Pop.  1,341. 


Southwest  view  of  the  central  part  of  Canandaigua. 

Canandaigua  lies  principally  on  the  western  side  of  Canandaigua 
lake ;  it  has  a  fertile  soil,  and  its  surface  is  diversified  with  gentle 
undulations  and  fine  level  tracts.     Pop.  5,652.     Canandaigua  village, 
the  capital  of  Ontario  county,  is  situated  in  N.  lat.  42°  48'  41",  and 
3°  20'  W.  long,  from  New  York.     Distant  from  Albany  195  miles, 
from  Buffalo  88,  from  Rochester  28,  from  Utica  111,  from  Sodus 
Bay  on  Lake  Ontario  30,  from  the  Erie  canal  at  Palmyra  12,  and 
from  Washington  city  305  miles.    The  principal  part  of  the  village 
is  built  on  a  single  street  upwards  of  a  mile  in  length,  rising  by  a 
gentle  ascent  from  the  lake.     The  annexed  engraving  shows  the  ap- 
pearance of  the  central  part  of  the  village  as  seen  from  the  Genesee 
road,  about  half  a  mile  to  the  southwest.    In  the  central  part  of  tho 
street,  (north  and  south,)  is  an  open  square,  on  the  western  side  of 
•which  are  seen  the  courthouse,  town-house  and  post-office.     Blos- 
som's hotel  stands  on  the  opposite  side.     The  railroad  passes  a  few 
yards  westward  of  the  courthouse.     There  are  4  churches — 1  Pres- 
byterian, 1  Baptist,  1  Methodist,  and  1  Episcoi)al — 2  banks,  2  print- 
ing oihcus,  tt  state  ui'ijcnui  and  ucudeniy,  and  a  female  seminary. 


f^^'V^,; 


,)  the  name 
inhabitants, 
swells  and 
\e  southern 
ble  variety, 
ivhile  along 
loam,  with 
s  are  Flint 
are  Canan- 
ity  has  15 
id  in  1789. 

miles  SW. 
Pop.  1,953. 
r  216.  from 
lis  Corners 


ua. 

anandaigua 
with  gentle 
gua  village, 
18'  41",  and 
f  195  miles, 
from  Sodus 
yra  12,  and 
'  the  village 

rising  by  a 
ows  the  ap- 
the  Genesee 

part  of  the 
tern  side  of 
Ifice.  Blos- 
)asses  a  few 
les — 1  Pros- 
iks,  2  print- 
e  seminary. 


I 


ONTARIO   COUNTY. 


405 


The  residences  of  the  inhabitants,  and  the  tasteful  manner  in  which 
their  grounds  are  laid  out,  are,  it  is  believed,  not  exceeded  in  beautv 
in  any  village  in  this  country.  Many  of  their  mansions  are  large, 
splendidly  furnished,  surrounded  by  trees,  commodious  walks,  odor- 
iferous shrubberies,  beautiful  gardens  and  orchards  adorned  with 
flowers  and  fruits  of  various  kinds,  giving  an  air  of  wealth  and  re- 
iinement  to  this  village  rarely  elsewhere  to  be  found.  The  Ontario 
Female  Seminary,  founded  by  the  subscriptions  of  the  inhabitants, 
and  incorporated  in  1825,  is  an  institution  of  high  reputation.  The 
number  of  pupils  in  1839  was  174.  The  Canandaigua  academy  was 
founded  by  the  liberal  donations  of  Messrs.  Gorham  and  Phelps. 
"  The  plan  of  this  school  embraces  a  thorough  and  extended  course  of 
English  and  mathematical  study,  instruction  in  the  Latin  and  Greek 
classics,  to  an  advanced  standing  of  one  or  two  years  in  our  colleges, 
the  teaching  of  the  French  language,  and  a  department  for  the  edu- 
cation of  common  school  teachers.  A  course  of  mathematical  study, 
as  extensive  and  as  practical  as  is  usually  pursued  in  our  colleges,  is 
taught  in  this  academy.  Surveying  and  civil  engineering  are  ably 
and  practically  taught." 


South  view  of  Canandaigua  academy. 

The  academy  building,  of  which  the  annexed  is  a  representation, 
is  130  feet  long;  it  has  3  schoolrooms,  2  recitation,  and  42  rooms 
for  students,  and  apartments  for  the  principal  and  his  family.  This 
institution  has  been  selected  by  the  regents  of  the  university  as  one 
of  the  academies  for  the  education  of  school  teachers,  and  a  depart- 
ment for  this  purpose  has  been  organized.  The  course  adopted  will 
probably  require  three  years,  allowing  the  student  to  teach  school 
four  months  each  year.  The  annual  expenses  of  a  student,  for  board, 
tuition,  room  rent,  and  washing,  are  about  $100.  Many  pupils,  by 
adopting  an  economical  mode  of  board,  reduce  their  expenses  to  $60 
a  year.     The  principal  of  the  institution  is  Henhy  Howe,  A.  M. 

In  the  summer  of  1788,  the  year  after  the  purchase  of  western 
New  York  by  Messrs.  Phelps  and  Gorham,  Oliver  Phelps  left  Gran- 
ville, Mass.,  with  men  and  means  for  the  purjwse  of  exploring  and 
surveying  this  extensive  territory.     The  wilderness  was  penetrated 


l> 


r^  > 


406 


ONTARIO   COUNTY. 


as  far  as  Canandaigua,  about  130  miles  west  of  the  German  Flats, 
then  considered  on  the  frontiers  of  civilization.  By  the  assistance  of 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Kirkland,  the  missionary  among  the  Six  Nations,  and  a 
commissioner  on  behalf  of  Massachusetts,  Mr.  Phelps  succeeded  in 
collecting  the  chiefs  and  warriors  of  those  tribes  whose  warlike  spirit 
still  rankled,  on  account  of  the  chastisement  inflicted  by  Sullivan's 
expedition.  This  conference  with  the  Indians  was  held  on  a  beauti- 
ful elevation  overlooking  Canandaigua  lake. 

"  Two  days  had  passed  away  in  negotiation  with  the  Indians  for  a  cession  of  their  lands, 
The  contract  was  supposed  to  be  nearly  completed,  when  Red  Jacket  arose.  With  the 
grace  and  dignity  of  a  Roman  senator,  he  drew  his  blanket  around  him,  and  with  a  piercing 
eye  surveyed  the  multitude.  All  was  hushed.  Nothing  interposed  to  break  the  silence, 
save  the  rustling  of  the  tree-tops,  under  whose  shade  they  were  gathered.  After  a  long 
and  solemn,  but  not  unmeaning  pause,  he  commenced  his  speech  in  a  low  voice  and  sen- 
tentious  style.  Rising  gradually  with  his  subject,  he  depicted  the  primitive  simplicity  and 
happiness  of  his  nation,  and  the  wrongs  they  had  sustained  from  the  usurpations  of  the 
white  man,  with  such  a  bold  but  faithful  pencil,  that  the  Indian  auditors  were  soon  roused 
to  vengeance  or  melted  into  tears. 

"  The  effect  was  inexpressible.  But,  ere  the  emotions  of  admiration  and  S)rmpathy  had 
subsided,  the  white  men  became  alarmed.  They  were  in  the  heart  of  an  Indian  country, 
surrounded  by  more  than  ten  times  their  number,  who  were  inflamed  by  the  remembrance 
of  their  injuries,  and  excited  to  indignation  by  the  eloquence  of  a  favorite  chief.  Appalled 
and  terrified,  the  white  men  cast  a  cheerless  gaze  upon  the  hordes  around  them.  A  nod 
from  the  chiefs  might  be  the  onset  of  destruction.  At  that  portentous  moment,  Farmer's 
Brother  interposed.  He  replied  not  to  his  brother  chief;  bur,  with  the  sagacity  truly  abo- 
riginal, he  caused  a  cessation  of  the  council,  introduced  good  cheer,  commended  the  elo- 
quence of  Red  Jacket,  and,  before  the  meeting  had  reassembled,  with  the  aid  of  other 
prudent  chiefs,  he  had  moderated  the  fury  of  his  nation  to  a  more  salutary  review  of  the 
question  before  them." 

The  reassemblage  of  the  council  in  cooler  blood  was  followed  by 
the  satisfactory  arrangement  of  the  treaty,  whereby  the  Indian  title 
to  more  than  two  millions  of  acres  was  extinguished.  The  following 
account  of  facts  connected  with  the  operations  of  Phelps  and  Gorham, 
are  from  the  Rochester  Directory,  published  in  1827. 

"  After  the  treaty,  Mr.  Phelps  surveyed  the  land  into  tracts,  denominated  Ranges,  run- 
ning north  and  south,  and  subdivided  the  ranges  into  tracts  of  six  miles  square,  denominated 
Townships,  and  designated  each  by  numbers,  beginning  to  number  both  ranges  and  town- 
ships at  the  82d  milestone,  in  the  southeast  corner  of  the  tract,  [now  the  southeast  comer 
of  Steuben  county,]  numbering  the  townships  northwardly  to  the  lake  from  one  to  fourteen, 
and  the  ranges  wcstwardly  from  one  to  seven.  ThuSv  Bath  is  designated  as  township 
number  four,  in  the  third  range  ;  Canandaigua  as  township  number  ten,  in  the  third  range  ; 
Pittsford  as  number  twelve,  in  the  fifth  range ;  and  Brighton  as  number  thirteen,  in  the 
seventh  range  of  townships,  in  Gorham  and  Phelps'  purchase. 

"  As  the  Genesee  river  runs  about  twenty-four  degrees  east  of  north  below  Avon,  and 
Mr.  Phelps  continued  his  seventh  range  of  townships  to  the  lake,  the  fifth  range  was  left  to 
contain  but  twelve,  and  the  sixth  range  but  ten  townships ;  and,  in  order  to  square  the 
tract  lying  west  of  Genesee  river,  he  set  ofl"  two  townships  near  the  lake,  which  he  called 
the  Short  Rang?,  now  comprising  the  towns  of  Gates  and  Greece,  [and  part  of  Rochester;] 
and  the  present  towns  of  Caledonia,  Wheatland,  Chili,  Riga,  Ogden,  and  Parma,  being  then 
four  townships,  he  called  the  first  range  of  townships  west  of  Genesee  river,  in  Gorham 
and  Phelps'  purchase. 

"  This  tract  formed  the  counties  of  Ontario  and  Steuben  for  many  years,  until  1831, 
when  Monroe  and  Livingston  counties  were  formed,  except  that  part  of  it  lying  west  of 
the  river,  which  was  annexed  to  the  county  of  Genesee  at  its  organization  in  1802,  and  the 
south  part  of  the  seventh  range  set  off  from  Steuben  to  Allegany. 

"  In  1789,  Oliver  Phelps  opened  a  land-offiee  in  Canandaigua — this  was  the  first  land, 
office  in  America  for  the  sale  of  her  forest-lands  to  settlers ;  and  the  system  which  he 
adopted  for  the  survey  of  his  lands,  by  townships  and  ranges  became  a  model  tor  tlie  roan. 


ONTARIO   COUNTY. 


407 


man  Flats, 
ssistance  of 
tions,  and  a 
icceeded  in 
arlike  spirit 
f  Sullivan's 
»n  a  beauti- 


1  of  their  lands, 
)8e.  With  the 
A'ith  a  piercing 
k  the  ailence, 
After  a  long 
voice  and  sen- 
simplicity  and 
rpations  uf  the 
re  soon  roused 

sympathy  had 
ndian  country, 
!  remembrance 
ief.  Appalled 
them.  A  nod 
lent,  Farmer's 
icity  truly  abo. 
tended  the  elo. 
3  aid  of  other 
review  of  the 


bllowed  by 
Indian  title 
e  following 
id  Gorham, 

1  Ranges,  run- 
i,  denominated 
iges  and  town- 
mtheast  comer 
ne  to  fourteen, 
ed  aa  township 
le  third  range ; 
lirteen,  in  the 

low  Avon,  and 
nge  was  left  to 
r  to  square  the 
^hich  he  called 
of  Rochester;] 
na,  being  then 
)«•,  in  Gorham 

irs,  until  1821, 
t  lying  west  of 
1 1803,  and  the 

the  first  land. 
9tem  which  he 
el  tor  the  nuuu 


ner  of  surveying  all  the  new  lands  in  the  United  States ;  and  the  method  of  making  his 
retail  sales  to  settlers  by  articles  has  also  been  adopted  by  all  the  other  land.offices  of  indi- 
vidual proprietorships  that  have  followed  after  him. 

"  The  Article  was  a  new  device,  of  American  origin,  unknown  in  the  English  system 
of  conveyancing;  granting  the  possession,  but  not  the  fee  of  the  land;  facilitating  the  fre- 
quent changes  among  new  settlers,  enabling  them  to  sell  out  their  improvements  and  trans- 
fer their  possession  by  assignment,  and  securing  the  reversion  of  the  possession  to  the 
proprietor  where  they  abandoned  the  premises.  His  land-sales  were  allodial ;  and  the  other 
land.offices  following  his  example,  have  rendered  the  Genesee  farmers  all  fee-simple  land- 
holders, which  has  increased  the  value  of  the  soil  and  the  enterprise  of  the  people. 

"  Oliver  Phelps  may  be  considered  the  Cecrops  of  the  Genesee  country.  Its  inhabitants 
owe  a  mausoleum  to  his  memory,  in  gratitude  for  his  having  pioneered  for  theui  the  wil- 
derness of  this  Canaan  of  the  West." 

Mr.  Maude,  who  travelled  through  this  part  of  the  country  in 
1800,  says :  "  Canandaigua,  in  1792,  was  not  further  advanced  in  im- 
provement than  Geneva,  as  it  then  consisted  of  only  two  frame  houses, 
and  a  few  log  houses.  It  is  now  one  third  larger  than  Geneva,  con- 
taining 90  families,  and  is  the  county  town.  Canandaigua  consists 
of  one  street;  from  this  street  are  laid  off  sixty  lots,  thirty  on  each 
side.  Each  lot  contains  forty  acres,  having  only  22  perches,  or  121 
yards  in  front ;  thirty  lots  consequently  extend  the  town  upwards  of 
two  miles ;  but  the  extremities  of  the  present  town  are  not  more  than 
a  mile  and  half  apart.  These  lots  are  valued  in  their  unimproved 
state  at  $600  or  $1,000  each. — The  principal  inhabitants  of  Canan- 
daigua are,  Thomas  Morris,  Esq.,  Mr.  Phelps,  Mr.  Gorham,  (who 
are  the  greatest  land-owners  in  Canandaigua  and  its  neighborhood,) 
and  Judge  Atwater.  I  was  introduced  also  to  Mr.  Greig,  from  Mor- 
peth, in  England — a  gentleman  reading  law  with  Mr.  Morris." 

"  The  settlement  of  this  town,"  (Canandaigua,)  says  Mr.  Spafford  in 
his  Gazetteer,  "commenced  in  1790,  and  in  1797  I  found  it  but 
feeble,  contending  with  innumerable  embarrassments  and  difficulties. 
The  spring  of  that  year  was  uncommonly  wet  and  cold.  Besides  a 
good  deal  of  sickness,  mud  knee-deep,  musquitoes  jmd  gnats  so  thick 
that  you  could  hardly  breathe  without  swallowing  them,  rattle-snakes, 
and  the  ten  thousand  discouragements  everywhere  incident  to  new 
settlements, — surrounded  by  these,  in  June  of  that  year  I  saw  with 
wonder  that  these  people,  all  Yankees  from  Massachusetts,  Connec- 
ticut, and  Vermont,  were  perfectly  undismayed,  '  looking  forward  in 
hope,  sure  and  steadfast.'  They  talked  to  me  of  what  the  country 
would  be,  by  and  by,  as  it  were  history,  and  I  received  it  as  all  fable. 
In  order  to  see  the  whole  power  of  the  county,  a  militia  muster  of 
all  the  men  capable  of  bearing  arms,  I  waited  a  day  or  two  to  attend 
the  training.  Major  Wadsworth  was  the  commanding  officer,  and, 
including  the  men  who  had  guns  and  those  who  had  not,  the  boys, 
women,  and  children,  it  was  supposed  that  near  200  persons  were 
collected.  This  training,  one  of  the  first,  was  held  at  Capt.  Pitts's, 
on  the  Honeoye,  and  lasted  all  day  and  all  night." 

The  following  inscriptions  are  copied  from  monuments  in  the  grave- 
yard in  this  place. 

"  Gideon  Granger,  died  Dec.  31,  1822,  aged  55  years.  Mr.  Granger  was  bom  at  Suf- 
field,  Connecticut,  on  the  19th  of  July,  1767.    Having  completed  his  education  ut  Yalo 


408 


ONTARIO    COUNTY. 


college,  he  soon  appeared  at  the  bar,  where  he  sustained  a  high  character.  He  early  min- 
gled  in  the  political  conflicts  of  his  country,  in  whose  service  he  was  engaged  until  a  short 
time  before  his  death.  His  native  state  will  long  remember  him  as  one  of  the  earliest  and 
ablest  advocates  of  her  school  fund  system.  For  thirteen  years  he  presided  over  the  general 
post-office  department,  with  zeal  and  usefulness.  Bold  in  design  and  ardent  in  execution, 
true  to  his  friends  and  liberal  to  his  adversaries,  warm  in  his  attachments  and  social  in  his 
habiU',  his  life  was  endeared  to  his  associates  and  valuable  to  mankind. 


"  In  memory  of  Nathaniel  Gorham,  who  died  Oct.  21st,  1826,  aged  63  years." 


"  This  is  erected  to  the  memory  of  the  Hon.  Oliver  Phelps,  Esq.,  who  died  21st  of 
Feb.  1809,  in  the  6()th  year  of  his  age.  He  wns  born  in  the  town  of  Windsor,  in  the  State 
of  Connecticut,  and  at  the  age  of  7  years  he  removed  to  Suffield.  And  at  the  age  of  22 
years  he  removed  from  thence  to  Granville,  in  the  State  of  Massachusetts,  where  he  was 
honored  with  many  important  trusts  under  the  government  of  that  commonwealth.  At  the 
commencement  of  the  revolutionary  war,  he  took  an  active  part  in  the  defence  of  his  coun- 
try, and  in  various  offices  and  relations,  remained  with  the  American  army  until  Great 
Britain  was  compelled  to  acknowledge  the  Independence  of  the  United  States.  On  the  1st 
of  April,  1788,  'he  deceased,  in  company  with  the  Hon.  Nathaniel  Gorham,  Esq.,  purchased 
of  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts,  its  pre-emptive  right  to  the  lands  now  comprised  in 
the  counties  of  Ontario,  Steuben,  Genesee,  Niagara,  Cattaraugus,  Chatauque,  and  Allegany. 
In  July  of  the  same  year  he  extinguished  the  Indian  title  in  that  part  of  it  comprehended  in 
the  counties  of  Ontario  and  Steuben,  and  immediately  thereafter  opened  the  settlement  of 
the  country  which  has  been  generally  known  by  the  appellation  of  the  Genesee  country. 
In  March,  1802,  he  removed  with  his  family  to  this  place,  where  he  resided  till  his  death. 
He  was  appointed  the  first  Judge  of  the  county  of  Ontario,  and  elected  a  representative  in 
congress  for  the  district. — Enterprise,  Industry,  and  Temperance,  cannot  always  ensure 
success,  but  the  fruit  of  these  virtues  will  be  felt  by  society." 

East  Bloomfikld  ;  from  Albany  203  miles.  East  Bloomfield,  9 
miles  NW.  from  Canandaigua,  has  about  35  dwellings.     Pop.  1,986. 

Farmington,  from  Albany  205,  from  Canandaigua  N.  8  miles. 
This  town  is  inhabited  by  Friends,  noted,  like  all  that  sect,  for  their 
honesty,  industry,  and  neatness.  Pop.  2,122.  New  Salem  12, 
Brownsville  14  miles  NW.  of  Canandaigua,  and  Farmington,  are 
small  villages. 

Gorham  ;  from  Albany  W.  189  miles.  Bethel,  10  miles  SE.  from 
Canandaigua,  has  about  40  dwellings.  Rushville,  10  miles  SE.  from 
Canandaigua,  partly  in  Yates  county,  has  about  70  dwellings.  Cen- 
tre Gorham,  is  the  name  of  a  post-office,  and  Swarts  Corners  a  small 
settlement.    Pop.  2,779. 

Hopewell,  taken  from  Gorham  in  1822;  W.  from  Albany  190 
miles.  Chapinsville,  on  the  outlet  of  Canandaigua  lake,  3  miles  NE., 
Hopewell  7  W.  of  Canandaigua,  and  Hopewell  Centre,  are  small 
villages.     Pop.  1,976. 

Manchester,  originally  named  Burt  and  taken  from  Farminj^ton 
in  1821 ;  from  Albany  201  miles.  Manchester,  7  miles  NE.  irom 
Canandaigua,  has  about  45  dwellings.  Port  Gibson,  on  the  Erie 
canal,  12  miles  NE.  from  Canandaigua,  has  from  40  to  50  dwellings. 
Shortsville  6,  and  Coonsville  9  miles  NE.  from  Canandaigua,  are 
smaller  villages.    Pop.  2,912. 

Naples,  settled  in  1791,  and  originally  named  Middletown;  from 
Albany  211  miles.  Naples,  near  the  head  of  Canandaigua  lake,  on 
the  Bath  road,  22  miles  SW.  from  Canandaigua,  has  about  45  dwell- 


ings. 


Pop.  2,345. 


ONTARIO    COUNTY. 


409 


Ele  early  min. 
1  until  a  short 
e  earliest  and 
er  the  general 
in  execution, 
1  social  in  his 


sars." 

I  died  2l8t  of 
•,  in  the  State 
the  age  of  22 
vhere  he  was 
iaith.  At  the 
e  of  his  coun- 
ly  until  Great 
1.  On  the  Ist 
iq.,  purchased 
/  comprised  in 
ind  Allegany, 
iprehcnded  in 
settlement  of 

;SEE  COUNTRY. 

till  his  death, 
iresentativc  in 
ilways  ensure 

omfield,  9 
'op.  1,986. 
[.  8  miles. 
t,  for  their 
Salem  12, 
ngton,  are 

s  SE.  from 
i  SE.  from 
igs.  Cen- 
3rs  a  small 

Ibany  190 

miles  NE., 
arc  small 

armington 

NE.  Irom 

1  the  Erie 

dwellings. 

iaigua,  are 

)wn;  from 
ua  lake,  on 
1 45  dwell- 


Phelps,  185  miles  W.  from  Albany,  is  one  of  the  best  wheat-grow- 
ing towns  in  the  state.     Fop.  5,503.     The  village  of  Vienna  is  beau- 
tifully situated  at  the  junction  of  Flint  creek  and  the  outlt^t  of  Canan- 
daigua  lake,  on  the  line  of  the  Auburn  and  Rochester  railroad,  0  miles 
S.  of  the  Erie  canal  and  14  from  Canandaigua.     It  is  the  i>rincipal 
produce  market  for  the  surroundin<f  country.     There  are  ht;re  52 
Trcsbyterian,  1   Methodist,  and   1   Episcopal  church,  an  Episcopal 
Femaie  Seminary,  15  stores,  1  printing  office,  5  tlouring  mills,  which 
manufacture  37,300  barrels  of  flour  annually,  2  grist-mills,  5  saw-mills, 
5  plaster-mills,  1  clover-mill,  1  furnace,  and  many  other  manufacturing 
establishments.     Vienna  has  a  population  of  1,400.     In  the  vicinity 
are  inexhaustible  beds  of  gypsum,  water  and  quick  lime.    Phelps  and 
OrI(!iais  arc  small  settlements. 

RicHMONi),  originally  named  Pittstown ;  from  Albany  211  miles. 
Aliens  Hill,  14  miles  VV.  from  Canandaigua,  West  Richmond,  Rich- 
mond ("entrt%  and  Pitts  Flats,  are  small  villages.     Pop.  1,937. 


Northeastern  view  of  Geneva. 

Sen  RCA  has  nn  undulating  surface  and  good  soil.  Pop.  7,073. 
The  villiige  of  Geneva  in  this  town,  one  of  the  most  beautifully  situ- 
ated ]ilaces  in  the  state,  was  founded  in  1794,  by  Messrs.  Amiin  and 
Barton,  and  incorporated  in  1812.  Distant  from  Albany  179  miles, 
98  from  Ulica,  23  from  Auburn,  10(5  from  Buffalo,  16  from  Canan- 
dain-ua,  and  58  N.  of  Elmira.  The  Cayuga  and  Seneca  canal  con- 
nects Geneva  with  the  Erie  canal  at  Montezuma,  a  distance  of  20 
miles,  one  half  canal  and  one  half  slack-water  navigation.  The  village 
is  situated  at  the  NVV.  corner  of  Seneca  lake,  on  the  side  and  summit 
of  an  eminence  120  feet  above  the  surface  of  the  lake.  The  princi- 
pal street  runs  parallel  with  the  lake  shore  ;  the  mansion  houses  on  the 
eastern  side  in  the  southern  part  of  the  village  have  terraced  gardens 
reaching  down  to  the  lake.  Few,  if  any  places  in  this  country,  can 
be  selected,  wliiei)  present  more  attractions  for  persons  retiring  from 
business,  who  wish  tiie  cnjnvments  of  a  country  life,  combined  with 

52 


410 


ONTARIO   COUNTY. 


!  .0  I 


I     M     niian 


the  advantages  of  social  intercourse.  The  village  contains  about 
480  dwellings,  1  Episcopal,  1  Presbyterian,  2  Methodist,  1  Baptist, 
1  Associate  Reformed,  1  Reformed  Dutch,  1  Catholic,  and  1  Univer- 
salist  church,  a  bank,  with  a  capital  of  f  400,000,  and  2  newspaper 
printing  offices. 

The  Geneva  college,  in  this  place,  was  founded  by  the  inhabitants 
and  incorporated  in  1825,  having  a  president,  a  professor  of  mathe- 
matics and  natural  philosophy,  a  professor  of  the  Latin  and  Greek 
languages  and  literature,  a  professor  of  statistics  and  civil  engineer- 
ing, a  professor  of  modern  languages,  history,  and  belle-letters,  a  profes- 
sor of  chemistry  and  mineralogy.  There  is  also  a  medical  depart- 
ment, having  four  professors.  "  This  college  was  one  of  the  first,  if 
not  the  very  first,  to  adopt  those  liberal  improvements  which  afford 
the  advantages  of  a  scientific  and  literary  education  to  young  men, 
who,  from  the  want  of  time  or  inclination,  are  averse  to  entering  on 
the  study  of  the  classics,  and  who,  were  no  provision  made  to  meet 
the  exigency,  would  be  deprived  of  many  advantages  to  be  derived 
from  collegiate  instruction."  The  college  buildings  are  situated  on 
the  summit  of  the  elevation  which  rises  from  the  lake  at  the  southern 
extremity  of  Main-street,  a  site  rarely,  if  ever,  surpassed  for  beauty 
and  salubrity. 

The  following,  relative  to  the  early  history  of  Geneva,  is  from 
Maude's  Travels  through  this  part  of  the  country  in  1800. 

"  Geneva  is  situate  at  the  northwest  extremity  of  Seneca  lake.  It  is  divided  into  Upper 
and  Lower  Town.  The  first  establishments  were  on  the  margin  of  the  lake,  as  best  adapted 
to  business ;  but  Capt.  Williamson,  struck  with  the  peculiar  beauty  of  the  elevated  plain 
which  crowns  the  high  bank  of  the  lake,  and  the  many  advantages  which  it  possessed  as  a 
site  for  a  town,  began  here  to  lay  out  his  building-lots  parallel  with  and  facing  the  lake. 
These  lots  are  three  quarters  of  an  acre  deep,  and  half  an  acre  in  -front,  and  valued  (in 
1800)  at  $375  per  lot.  One  article  in  the  agreement  with  Capt.  Williamson  is,  that  no 
buildings  shall  be  erected  on  the  east  side  of  the  street,  that  the  view  of  the  lake  may  be 
kept  open.  Those  who  purchase  a  lot  have  also  the  option  of  purchasing  such  land  as  lays 
between  their  lot  and  the  lake — a  convenience  and  advantage  which  I  suppose  few  will 
forego — the  quantity  not  being  great,  and  consisting  principally  of  the  declivity  of  the  bank, 
which,  for  the  most  part,  is  not  so  steep  as  to  unfit  it  for  pasturage  or  gardens. 

"  To  give  encouragement  to  this  settlement,  Capt.  Williamson  built  a  very  large  and 
handsome  hotel,  and  invited  an  B^nglishman  of  the  name  of  Powell  to  take  the  superintend. 
ence  of  it.  Capt.  Williamson  has  two  rooms  in  this  hotel  appropriated  to  himself;  and  as 
he  resides  here  the  greater  part  of  the  year,  he  takes  care  that  Powell  does  justice  to  the 
establishment  and  to  his  guests.  From  this  cause  it  is,  that,  as  it  respects  provisions, 
liquors,  beds,  and  stabling,  there  are  few  inns  in  America  equal  to  the  hotel  at  Geneva. 
That  part  of  the  town  where  the  hotel  is  situated  is  intended  for  a  public  square.  At  Mile, 
point,  a  mile  south  of  the  hotel,  Capt.  Williamson  has  built  a  handsome  brick  house, 
intended  for  the  residence  of  his  brother,  who  had  an  intention  of  establishing  at  Geneva. 
"In  1792,  Geneva  did  not  contain  more  than  three  or  four  families ;  but  such  is  the 
beauty,  salubrity,  and  convenience  of  the  situation,  that  it  now  consists  of  at  least  sixty 
families,  and  is  rapidly  receiving  accessions  as  the  new  buildings  get  finished  for  their  re. 
ception.  There  were  at  this  time,  (1800,)  settled  at  Geneva,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Colt,  Messrs. 
Johnstone,  Hallet,  Rees,  Bogart,  and  Beekman ;  three  of  these  gentlemen  were  lawyers. 
Here  were  also  two  doctors,  two  storekeepers,  a  blacksmith,  shoemaker,  tailor,  hatter,  hair, 
dresser,  saddler,  brewer,  printer,  watchmaker,  and  cabinet-maker.  A  hat  made  entirely 
of  beaver  is  sold  here  for  $10. 

"  Geneva  is  supplied  with  water  conveyed  in  pipes  from  a  neighboring  spring,  and  also 
by  wells.  From  the  lake,  the  town  is  plentifully  supplied  with  a  groat  variety  of  excellent 
fuh.  Seueoa  lake  is  forty-four  miles  long,  and  from  four  to  six  milos  v.'idf.  Its  greatest 
depth  is  not  known ;  the  water  is  very  clear  and  wholesome  ;  the  bottom  is  sand  and  gravel. 


n  ■;( 


v"'rt'«' 


lins  about 
1  Baptist, 
1  Univer- 
lewspaper 

nhabitants 
of  matlie- 
Liid  Greek 
engineer- 
s,  a  protbs- 
al  depart- 
;he  first,  if 
lich  afford 
Dung  men, 
nteririg  on 
:le  to  meet 
be  derived 
lituated  on 
e  soutiiern 
for  beauty 

a,  is  from 

ed  into  Upper 
9  best  adapted 
elevated  plain 
joi^sessed  as  a 
cing  the  lake, 
ind  valued  (in 
ion  is,  that  no 
i  lake  may  be 
h  land  as  lays 
jpose  few  will 
y  of  the  bank, 
I. 

ery  large  and 
3  superintend, 
mself ;  and  us 
justice  to  the 
cts  provisions, 
tel  at  Geneva, 
re.  At  Mile, 
brick  house, 
ng  at  Geneva. 
)ut  such  is  the 
'  at  least  sixty 
id  for  their  re- 
Colt,  Messrs. 
were  lawyers, 
r,  hatter,  hair, 
made  entirely 

ring,  and  also 
y  of  excellent 

.  Its  greatest 
nd  and  gravel. 


OKANGE    COUNTY. 


411 


with  a  clear  sandy  beach,  like  the  seashore,  and,  consequently,  not  infested  with  musqui- 
toes,  &c.  This  lake  is  navigated  by  a  sloop  of  forty  tons,  which  runt  as  a  packet,  and 
carries  on  a  trade  between  Geneva  and  Catherinetown,  at  the  head  of  the  lake." 

South  Bristol  is  centrally  distant  15  miles  SW.  from  Canandaigua. 
South  Bristol  is  a  small  village.     Pop.  1,375. 

Victor,  taken  from  Bloomfield  in  1812 ;  from  Albany  203,  from 
Canandaigua  NW.  11  miles.  Victor  and  East  Victor  are  small 
villages.     Pop.  2,393. 

West  Bloomfield  was  formed  in  1833  ;  from  Canandaigua  W. 
16  miles.  West  Bloomfield,  on  the  outlet  of  the  Honeoye  lake,  16 
miles  W.  from  Canandaigua,  has  2  Presbyterian,  1  Methodist  church, 
an  academy,  and  about  50  dwellings.  Pop.  2,094.  North  Bloom- 
field  and  Bloomfield  Centre  are  post-offices. 


ORANGE  COUNTY. 

Orange,  an  original  county,  was  organized  in  1683;  since  modi- 
fied by  the  subtraction  of  Rockland  county  and  additions  from  Ulster 
countv.  Greatest  length  E.  and  W.  37  ;  greatest  breadth  N.  and  S. 
30  miles.  Centrally  distant  NW.  from  New  York  65,  from  Albany 
SE.  85  miles.  On  the  east  it  is  bounded  by  the  Hudson,  along 
whose  banks  are  some  of  the  highest  mountains  of  the  Highlands. 
Bear  mountain  is  1,350  feet  in  height,  the  Crow's  Nest  1,418,  and 
Butter  Hill  1,530  feet  above  tide.  The  county  is  exceedingly  fertile, 
and  agriculture  is  conducted  with  great  skill.  Large  quantities  of 
sheep  and  cattle  are  raised.  Its  butter  is  celebrated.  The  New 
York  and  Erie  railroad  enters  the  SE.  portion  of  the  county  and 
passes  through  the  towns  of  Monroe,  Blooming  Grove,  Goshen,  Mi- 
nisink,  Wallkill,  Mount  Hope,  and  Deer  Park.  It  is  divided  into  14 
towns.     Pop.  50,733. 

Blooming  Grove,  taken  from  Cornwall  m  1799  ;  NW.  from  New 
York  55,  from  Albany,  S.,  96  miles.  Salisbury,  9  miles  SW.  from 
Newburg,  and  11  E.  from  Goshen,  has  about  40  dwellings.  Wash- 
ingtonville,  1 1  miles  from  Newburg,  has  about  45  dwellings.  Bloom- 
ing Grove,  2  miles  SW.  of  Washingtonville,  Craigsville,  15  miles  from 
Newburg,  and  Oxford,  16  from  Newburg  and  8  from  Goshen,  are 
small  settlements.    Pop.  2,396. 

Cornwall  was  organized  in  1788.  It  has  a  mountainous  and  rug- 
ged surface,  being  chiefly  within  the  limits  of  the  Highlands.  The 
noted  summits  of  the  Crow's  Nest,  1,418  feet,  and  Bears  mountain, 
1,350  feet  in  height,  are  on  the  Hudson.  Pop.  3,91  S.  Canterbury, 
about  5  miles  S\V.  of  Newburg,  is  a  village  containing  about  1,000  in- 
habitants.   Cornwall  is  a  small  village  on  the  Hudson,  4  miles  S.  of 

Newburg. 

West  Point,  the  site  of  the  U.  S.  Military  Academy,  is  8  miles  S, 
of  Newburg,  51  from  New  York,  and  94  from  Albany. 


(^■•I 


ia¥ 


412 


ORANGE    COUNTY. 


S  ll 


4 


Northern  view  of  West  Point. 

"  West  Point  Is  a  spot  of  peculiar  interest.  It  has  been  haIlow<Hl 
by  the  footsteps  of  a  Washington,  a  Kosciusko,  ami  a  Lafayette;;  it 
is  consecrated  by  a  nntion  to  the  Spartan-like  training  of  a  few  de- 
voted sons  irom  every  state  of  our  wide-spread  union:  nor  less  sa- 
credly secluded  by  nature  as  the  scene  of  retirement  and  study ;  it 
seems  alike  calculated  to  please  the  pensive;  sage  nnd  the  aspiring 
youthful  soldier;  while  even  female  loveliness  vouchsafes  to  j)aint  its 
incmori(!s  in  lincjs  of  hope  and  brightness,  as  '  the  boast  of  a  glory  hal- 
lowed land:' 

*  Brinlit  nre  the  nioinrntfi  liiik'd  wiih  theo, 
HoBHt  of  u  jrlory  hiillowcd  Imui ; 
Hope  of  iho  valiant  nnd  tlie  free, 

Home  of  their  youthful  sohher  bond.' 

"The  view  of  West  Point  as  you  enter  the  Mountain  Gap.  after 
you  leave  IXewburg,  is  delightful.  On  the  left  is  C'ozzens'  hotel ;  beyond 
it  are  the  academic  halls,  ))arrncks,  chapel,  &c.,  appropriated  to  the 
cadets ;  ar  1  on  the  right,  are  the  comfortable  dwellings  occupied  by 
the  officers  of  the  academy.  On  the  left,  at  the  angle  of  the  plain, 
are  traces  of  Fort  Clinton ;  and  on  the  right,  towering  far  above 
('amptown,  (the  suburb  occupied  by  soldiers  and  citizens,)  stands  Fort 
Putnam,  on  mount  Independence,  venerable  in  its  ruins — '  .stern  monu- 
ment of  a  sterner  age,*  which  survived  the  attempts  of  treason  and 
the  assaults  of  bravery,  only  to  yield  its  hallowed  materials  to  the 
desecration  of  a  rapacious  owner.  Of  the  three  monuments  which 
now  meet  your  eye,  the  one  on  the  right  and  nearest  to  vou.  on  a 
projecting  tongue  of  land  bordered  with  thick  groves,  is  the  ('adet's 
Monument,  erected  to  the  memory  of  the  deceased  officers  an<l 
cadets  of  tlu;  academy.  It  cost  #l'i,n()().  The  centre  one,  near  the 
rtag'?tafl;  is  a  cer.ntapli,  erected  by  Gen.  Brown  to  the  memory  of 


OUANGE    COUNTY. 


413 


hallowed 
thyottc ;  it 
"a  few  de- 
ar loss  sa- 

stiidy ;  it 
10  aspiring 
o  paint  its 
glory  hal- 


Gap.  after 
'I;  l)ovond 
ed  to  the 
cupied  by 
the  plain, 
fur  a  hove 
ands  Fort 
Tn  monu- 
cason  and 
uls  to  the 
Its  which 
you,  on  a 
U!  {'adet's 
i("ers  and 
,  near  the 
icmory  of 


Colonel  Eleazer  D.  Wood,  an  early  and  distinguished  graduate  of  the 
academy,  who  fell  at  the  sortie  of  Fort  Erie,  in  1814.  And  the 
monument  on  the  left,  over  the  levelled  redoubt  or  citadel  of  Fort 
Clinton,  is  sacred  to  Kosciusko." 

The  military  academy  was  established  by  act  of  congress,  in  1802. 
It  was  not  however  until  1812,  that  it  was  placed  on  an  elficiont 
ba^s,  sulficient  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  country.  The  number 
of  applicants  for  cadet  appointments  is  very  great.  In  selecting 
these,  the  descendants  of  revolutionary  officers  are  considered  as 
having  peculiar  claims  to  notice.  The  I'atio  of  appointments  is  about 
three  for  each  congressional  district  in  four  years,  and  on  an  average 
only  about  one  third  of  those  who  enter  graduate.  The  age  of  ad- 
mission is  limited  from  si*een  to  twenty-one  years  ;  and  the  acquire- 
ments necessary  are  an  acquaintance  with  reading,  writing,  and 
the  elementary  principles  of  arithmetic.  There  are  generally  here 
about  2.50  cadets  who  are  instructed  by  no  less  than  34  gentlemen, 
themselves  graduates  of  the  institution. 

"  The  months  of  July  and  August  in  each  year  are  devoted  solely 
to  military  exercises ;  for  which  purpose  the  cadets  leave  the  bar- 
racks and  encamp  in  tents  on  the  plain,  under  the  regular  pi)lice  and 
discipline  of  an  army  in  time  of  war.  For  this  purpt)se,  the  cadets 
are  organized  in  a  battalicjn  of  four  companies,  under  the  c(jmmand 
of  the  chief  instructor  of  tactics  and  his  assistants.  The  corporals 
are  chosen  from  the  third  class,  or  cadets  who  have  been  present  one 
year ;  the  sergeants  I'rom  the  second  class,  who  have  been  present 
two  years  ;  and  the  commissioned  otlicers,  or  captains,  lieutenants, 
&c.,  are  selected  from  the  first  class,  or  highest  at  the  academy.  All 
the  other  cadets  fill  the  ranks  as  private  soldiers,  though  necessarily 
ac(juainted  with  the  duties  of  olllcors.  In  rotation  they  have  to  per- 
forin the  duty  of  sentinels,  at  all  times,  day  or  night,  storm  or  sun- 
shine, in  camp,  and  evenings  and  meal-times,  in  barrac'ks.  Cadets 
who  have  been  present  two  encampments,  are  allowed,  if  their  eon- 
duct  has  been  correct,  to  be  absent  the  third,  on  furlough.  The 
drills  or  military  exercises,  consist  in  the  use  of  the  musket,  riHe,  can- 
non, mortar,  howitzer,  sabre,  and  ra])ier,  or  broad  anjl  small  sword ; 
fencing,  firing  at  targets,  &c.,  evolutions  of  troops,  including  tho.se  of 
the  line;  and  the  preparation  and  preservation  of  all  kinds  of  ammu- 
nition and  materials  lor  war.  The  personal  appearance  of  the  c(»rps 
of  cadets  {;annot  fail  to  attract  admiration ;  (!specially  on  parade  or 
review.  Tlie  uniform  is  a  gray  coatee,  with  gray  pantaloons  in 
winter,  and  white;  linen  in  summer.  The  dress  cap  is  black,  with 
dark  pompoon.  The  splendid  band  of  music,  which,  under  Willis, 
made  liill  and  valley  ring  with  notes  of 'linked  harmony  long  drawn 
out,'  though  changed,  still  pleases ;  and  under  its  new  leader,  pro- 
mises soon  to  deserve  its  former  renown,  as  the  best  in  our  country. 

"  The  cadets  return  from  camp  to  barracks  on  the  last  of  August, 
and  the  remaining  ten  months  of  the  academic  year  are  devoted  to 
their  arduous  studios.  The  ceremony  of  striking  the  tents  mikI  march- 
ing out  of  camp  is  so  imposing,  as  to  be  well  worth  an  elKtrt  of  tho 


.::!» 


414 


ORANGE    COUNTY. 


j'n 


visiter  to  be  present  on  that  occasion.  On  the  previous  evening,  the 
camp  is  brilHantly  illuminated ;  and  being  enlivened  with  music,  danc- 
ing, and  bevies  of  beautiful  strangers,  presents  quite  a  fairy  scene. 

"  For  the  sake  of  more  full  instruction,  each  class  is  divided  mto 
several  sections,  each  having  a  separate  instructor.  Thus  each  cadet 
is  called  upon,  at  almost  every  recitation,  to  explain  a  considerable 
portion  of  the  lesson ;  for  the  morning  recitations  generally  ocApy 
two  houis  each.  The  written  or  delineated  demonstrations,  are  ex- 
plained (.n  a  black-hoard  in  the  ijrcsence  of  the  whole  section. 

"  The  studies  of  the  first  year  are  algebra,  geometry,  descriptive 
geometry,  trigonometry,  and 'the  French  language.  All  the  mathe- 
inatical  studies  are  [)ractically  taught  and  applied  to  numerous  pro- 
blems not  in  the  hooks;  on  the  resolution ^f  which  greatly  depends 
the  reputation  and  standing  of  each  rival  candidate  for  pre-eminence. 
The  studies  of  the  second  year,  are  the  theory  of  shades,  shadows, 
and  j)erspective,  practically  illrstrated ;  analytic  geometry,  with  its 
apj)lication  to  conic  sections;  the  integral  and  differential  calculus, or 
science  of  fluxions ;  surveying  and  mensuration;  the  French  lan- 
gnaire,  and  the  elements  of  drawing,  rhetoric,  grammar,  geography, 
and  topography  with  the  pen.  This  completes  the  course  of  mathe- 
matics, and  also  of  French,  which  the  cadets  learn  to  translate  freely 
as  a  key  to  military  scicmce,  but  which  few  of  them  speak  fluently. 

"  The  third  year  is  devoted  to  a  course  of  natural  philosophy,  in- 
cluding mechanics,  optics,  electricity,  magnetism,  and  astronomy ; 
together  with  chemistry,  and  sketching  landscapes  with  the  pencil. 

"  The  fourth  and  last  year  is  appropriated  to  the  study  of  artillery 
and  infantry  tactics  ;  the  science  of  war,  and  fortification,  or  military 
engineering ;  a  complete  course  of  civil  engineering,  embracing  the 
construction  of  roads  and  bridges,  railroads  and  canals,  with  the  im- 
provement of  rivers  and  harbors,  &c.  &. ;  a  course  of  mineralogy, 
geology,  and  military  pyrotechny ;  together  with  moral  philosophy, 
and  national  and  constitutional  law. 

"  To  test  the  progress  oi'  the  cadets  in  these  studies,  semi-annual 
examinations  are  held,  commencing  on  the  first  Mondays  of  January 
and  June  ;  at  the  latter  of  which  a  board  of  visiters,  appointed  bj^  the 
secretary  of  war,  is  present,  to  make  a  critical  official  report  of  the 
state  of  the  academy.     The  examination  of  all  the  clasijes  usually 
occupies  about  a  fortnight,  and  is  very  severe  ;  but  still  is  not  con- 
sidered the  full  test  of  individual  proficiencv.     Each  instructor  makes 
a  weekly  class  report,  on  which  is  recorded  the  daily  performance 
of  each  cadet ;  those  who  excel  being  credited  3,  and  those  who  fail 
entirely  marked  0.     These  marks  are  accessible;  to  the  cadets  from 
week  to  week,  and  stimulate  their  exertions  :  finally,  they  are  summed 
up  at  the  end  of  the  term,  and  laid  before  the  academic  staff  and 
visiters ;  so  that  the  standing  of  each  cadet  is  influenced  not  only  by 
his  examination,  but  by  all  his  previous  recitations.     A  certain  pre- 
scriptive proficiency  being  required  of  the  cadets  in  each  branch, 
\\^nHi't  who  fall  bolow  tliid  limit  are  necessarily  discharged  from  the 
service.     Averaging  the  last  ten  years,  where  a  class  of  one  hundred 


ORANOE    COUNTY. 


415 


vening,  the 
msic,  danc- 
y  scene, 
ivided  into 
each  cadet 
jnsiderable 
illy  ocApy 
)ns,  are  ex- 
tion. 

descriptive 
the  mathe- 
nerous  pro- 
tly  depends 
j-eminence. 
s,  shadows, 
ry,  with  its 
calculus,  or 
■"rench  Ian- 
geography, 
e  of  mathe- 
1  si  ate  freely 
L  fluently, 
losophy,  in- 
astronomy ; 
he  pencil, 
of  artillery 
,  or  military 
hracing  the 
mth  the  im- 
mineralogy, 
philosophy, 

semi-annual 
of  January 
nted  by  the 
.•port  of  the 
3i;es  usually 
is  not  con- 
uctor  makes 
performance 
jse  who  fail 
cadets  from 
are  summed 
ic  staff  and 
not  only  by 
certain  pre- 
ach branch, 
red  from  the 
one  hundred 


enters  the  academy,  it  is  reduced  to  about  seventy  at  the  end  of  six 
months,  sixty  at  the  end  of  one  year,  fifty  at  the  end  of  two  years, 
and  forty  at  the  end  of  three  years ;  not  more  than  about  thirty-five 
graduating. 

"  There  is  a  general  merit-roll  of  every  class,  made  out  at  the  end 
of  each  academic  year ;  the  merit  of  each  cadet  being  expressed  by 
a  number  denoting  his  proficiency  or  acquirements.  But  the  final 
standing  of  each  cadet,  on  which  depends  his  rank  in  the  army,  is 
determined  by  the  sum  of  his  merit  in  all  the  diflerent  branches  ;  and 
this  depends  not  only  on  his  actual  proficiency  in  any  branch,  but  also 
on  its  relfitive  importance.  This  latter  is  thus  estimated  at  present  by 
the  academic  staff,  viz  :  Conduct  300  ;  engineering  300  ;  mathematics 
300 ;  natural  philosophy  300  ;  chemistry  and  mineralogy  200  ;  rheto- 
ric, ethics,  and  law  200  ;  infantry  tactics  200  ;  artillery  100  ;  French 
100  ;  and  drawing  100.  Hence  the  individual  who  should  excel  in  all 
the  branches,  would  be  credited  with  2,100  on  the  final  merit- roll ;  but 
no  more  than  three  or  four  such  instances  have  ever  occurred  at  the 
academy.  The  cadet  in  each  class  having  the  greatest  sum  of  merit 
is  placed  first  on  the  roll,  and  so  onward ;  and  he  who  is  deficient  in 
only  one  single  branch  is  discharged,  or  else  turned  back  another  year 
to  receive  a  second  probation." — Hun£s  Letters  about  the  Hudson. 

The  graduates  of  the  military  academy  are  entitled  by  law  to  a 
preference  over  other  applicants  for  commissions  in  the  army.  On 
graduating  they  receive  the  commissions  of  brevet,  second  lieuten- 
ants, and  are  subsequently  promoted  on  the  occurrence  of  vacancies. 

On  the  river  bank  at  the  point 
where  the  Hudson  turns  Bud- 
denly  tu  the  south,  about  30 
rods  east  of  Cozzens'  hotel, 
(seen  in  the  drawinjj,)  stands 
the  monument  of  Kosciusko. 
Jt  was  completed  in  1829,  by 
the  corps  of  cadet«,  at  an  ex- 
pense of  about  $.'),000.  In 
the  vicinity  of  the  monuun'nt  is 
Kosciusko's  Ki'^len,  "  whither 
the  Polish  chieftain  was  accus- 
tomed  to  retire  for  study  and 
reflection.  Marks  of  cultivation 
are  perceptible  in  the  disposition 
of  the  walks  and  trees,  and  the 
beautiful  Seclusion  of  the  spot  siill 
K»ieiu,ka'$  Monumtnt.  invite  to  ihouKllt  and  repose." 

"  Thapdeus  Kosch'sko,  an  officer  in  the  American  revolutionary  war,  was  born  in  Li- 
thuania,  in  1756,  of  an  ancient  and  noble  family,  and  educated  at  the  military  school  of 
Warsaw.  He  afterward  studied  in  Franco.  Ho  came  to  America,  reconnnended  by 
Franklin  to  VVashinjfton,  by  whom  he  was  oppointed  i\n  aid.  Ho  was  also  appointed  an 
engineer  with  the  rank  of  colonel,  in  Oct.,  177(5.  He  fortified  the  cuinp  of  Gen,  (Jates  in 
his  campaign  ngiiinst  Burgoyue,  and  was  afterward  sent  to  West  Point,  to  erect  the  works 
there.  Ho  was  highly  esteemed  both  by  American  and  French  officers.  He  wns  admitted 
a  member  of  the  ("inciniiati,  and  received  the  thanks  of  congress  for  his  services.  At  the 
close  of  the  revoluiioniiry  war,  he  returned  to  his  native  country,  and  was  made  major-ge- 
neral under  Poniatowski.  He  fought  several  battles  with  great  bravery,  but  ■  II  his  ertorta 
wire  d«'><ir>>vicl  liy  llic  iiii.*eniblf  ciHiilucI  of  llie  I'olish  diet.  In  the  month  of  April,  1794, 
on  the  brntkiiig  out  of  a  new  revolution,  he  was  made  generalisunno,  with  the  power  ol  s 


^^^A 


416 


ORANGE    COUNTY. 


dictator.  He  managed  with  great  address  and  bravery,  until  the  10th  of  October,  when 
being  overpowered  and  wounded,  he  was  made  prisoner,  and  carried  to  St.  Petersburg. 
He  was  kept  in  confinement  until  the  death  of  Catherine,  when  he  was  relieved  by  Paul, 
loaded  with  honors,  and  offered  employment  in  the  Russian  service,  which  he  declined.  It 
is  said  that  when  the  emperor  presented  him  with  his  own  sword,  Kosciusko  told  him, '  I 
no  longer  need  a  sword — I  have  no  longer  a  country.'  In  1797,  he  visited  the  United 
States,  and  received  a  grant  from  congress  for  his  services.  In  the  latter  part  of  his  life  he 
retired  to  Switzerland,  where  he  died  in  Oct.  16,  1817.  His  remains  were  taken  to  Cra. 
cow.  and  a  public  funeral  made  for  him  at  Warsaw,  where  almost  divine  honors  were  paid 
liim." — Encyclopedia  Americana, 


Ancient  view  of  West  Point. 

[Thf  above  view  of  West  Point  iis  it  appeared  during  the  revolution,  is  copied  from  a  plate 
in  the  New  York  Magazine,  published  in  I79().  Eri^UmaUon.  A,  Constitution  Island,  on  the 
east  side  of  the  river.  B,  A  chain,  4.5()  yiirds  in  length,  reaching  acroHs  the  Hudson.  C,  Fort 
Clinton,  the  principal  fort,  and  intended  for  the  defence  of  the  river  against  any  naval  ft>rce.l 

"  After  the  capture  of  forts  Washington  and  Lee,  during  the  revolution,  the  British  as- 
cended the  river  freely  in  their  anned  ships.  But  in  the  execution  of  Washington's  design 
of  shutting  up  the  enemy  in  New  York,  by  ihe  nssistance  of  the  French  na.al  and  military 
forces,  it  became  necessary  to  exclude  hiui  from  the  Hudson.  Skilful  engineers  sent  out 
by  the  French  monarch,  selected  West  Point  as  the  most  advantageous  position  for  com- 
iiianding  the  river.  The  hill,  composed  of  huge  crags  and  blocks  of  stone,  fantastically 
heaped  by  nature,  protrudes  to  the  middle  of  the  river,  impelling  its  waters  to  the  opposite 
bank,  and  narrowing  the  channel  to  less  than  half  a  mile  in  width. 

"  The  cliff  selected  for  the  fortress,  rests  against  a  lofty  ridge  broken  into  small  emi- 
nencPB,  that  form  a  species  of  amphitheatre,  washed  below  by  the  river.  It  rises  in  terra- 
ces,  the  first  of  which  is  very  narrow,  and  nearly  level  with  the  river;  the  second,  approach, 
aide  by  a  steep  ascent  of  BO  or  !)0  feel,  and  the  third,  rising  188  feet  above  the  water, 
spreads  into  a  plateau  of  more  than  a  nnl(\  in  circumference,  on  which  the  principal  works 
were  constructed  ;  the  chief  of  which,  was  Fort  Clinton.  The  declivity  is  exceedingly  steep 
nearly  all  uroimd,  and  the  only  sido  on  which  ihc  enceinte  was  aeces-^ible,  was  thickly 
palisaded,  and  delended  by  l)aii(ries.  An  escalade,  the  Hide  mode  of  carrying  the  works, 
was  Bulijccied  to  extreme  hazard.  There  were  sivcral  redoubts  upon  the  eminences,  which 
commanded  Fort  Clinton,  of  which  Fort  Puinam  was  the  most  iiiiportanl.  These  covered 
each  other,  and  the  gtimson  and  animuiiiii'Hi  storrN  were  under  bund*  proof  eusenients. 
The  works  partly  hewn  in  the  rock,  and  partly  eoiisirueied  of  enormoUH  trunks  of  trees, 
foiled  on  the  spot,  commuiiieatiiiK  by  di  tih  s,  formed  a  group  of  sinuigliolds,  connected  by 
a  common  system  of  defeiu:e.  The  upper  forts  wen  «ecured  from  assault  by  the  rugged, 
ness  of  the  ground,  thick  woods,  and  niunerous  abulit,  which  mode  ihe  transport  of  arttl* 
Icry  illijirarii*  abii',  whiipt  thry  gn\r  full  pnittrfiu::  tu  ihc  liiwir  on<-. 


ORANGE    COUNTY. 


417 


itober,  when 
Petersburg, 
ed  by  Paul, 
leclined.  It 
told  him, '  I 
the  United 
of  his  life  he 
ike  II  to  Cra- 
rs  were  paid 


I  from  a  plate 
Hland,  on  the 
wii.  G,  Fort 
mval  fdree.! 

10  British  (IS. 

gtoii's  design 
and  military 

[•rrs  sent  out 

ion  for  com. 
fantastically 
the  opposite 

}  small  emi. 
rises  in  lerra. 
tid,  approach, 
p  the  water, 
ncipn!  works 
odiiiKly  steep 
,  was  thickly 
\f(  the  works, 
icnces,  which 
'licse  covered 
if  cascnicnls. 
inks  of  trees, 
connected  by 
Y  the  rugged, 
ispurt  of  ortil- 


"  But  another  work  besides  these  impregnable  fortifications,  was  necessary  to  the  com- 
mand  of  the  river.  Constitution  Island  divides  the  bed  of  the  Hudson  unequally,  at  tho 
bend  round  the  Point ;  the  western  branch  being  a  marshy  shallow.  The  island,  a  mwa 
of  rock,  was  defended  by  batteries  on  a  level  with  the  water,  and  the  glacis  formed  m  the 
rock,  bade  defiance  to  trenches.  A  heavy  chain  cramped  into  the  rocks  at  cither  end,  sup- 
ported  by  buoys,  stretched  across  the  angle  made  by  the  river,  and  formed  an  effectual  bar. 

"  The  great  object  of  the  works  on  both  sides,  was  to  protect  this  chiim.  Twenty  pieces 
of  heavy  ordnance,  discharging  grape,  menaced  those  who  should  attempt  to  cut  a  link,  and 
would  have  inevitably  sunk  their  boats.  If  ti  vessel,  iron  beaked,  impelled  by  w.t.d  and 
tide,  should  attempt  it,  the  chain  moving  on  a  roller  would  grow  slack,  and  the  shock  thus 
broken,  would  be  again  strained  to  its  due  tension,  and  the  vessel  turned  aside,  must  be 
stranded  on  one  or  the  other  shore,  and  remain  exposed  to  the  hre  of  the  batteries,  which 
might  be  poured  upon  all  points  of  the  Strait.  These  forts,  provided  with  necessary  mum- 
tioris,  were  defended  by  four  thousand  men.  They  had  been  built  m  the  course  of  a  single 
year,  almost  without  cost;  the  soldiers  who  labored  at  them  received  no  pay,  and  the 
French  engineers  superintending,  in  the  minutest  detail,  the  execution  of  their  own  plans, 
had  no  emolument  whatever.  This  post  was  much  dc.ired  by  the  British  commanders, 
and  its  surrender  was  to  have  been  the  first  fruit  of  Arnold's  treaaon."-(?ord«n'»  Gazetteer. 

Crawford,  taken  from  Montgomery  in  1823 ;  fron^  Albany  92 
miles.  Crawford,  14  N.,  Hopewell  11,  Bullville  9,  and  Searsburg  11 
miles  from  Goshen,  are  small  settlements.     Pop.  2,075. 

Deerpark,  taken  from  Mamakating  in  1798 ;  from  New  York, 
NW.,  77,  from  Albany,  SW.,  110  miles.  Pop.  1,007.  The  settle- 
ments here,  are  among  the  oldest  of  the  county,  and  were  made  by 
the  Hiu'uenots  from  Holland,  among  whom  were  the  ancestors  ot  the 
De  Witls  and  other  distinguished  families.  Cuddebackville,  25  miles 
NW.  from  Goshen,  is  an  agricultural  battlement  extendmg  from  3  to 
4  miles,  and  has  a  post-office,  in  the  vicinity  of  which  are  20  or  30 
dwellings.  Port  Jarvis,  on  the  Delaware  and  Hudson  canal,  24  miles 
W.  from  Goshen,  has  within  the  compass  of  a  square  mile  about  60 
dwellings.     Honesville  is  a  small  settlement. 

GoshIn  was  organized  in  1788.  It  has  a  hilly  surface  on  the  K  ; 
in  the  western  part  it  is  flat  and  marshy.  A  large  portion  ot  the 
"  drowned  lands"  on  the  WallkiU  creek  are  in  this  town.  The  soil 
is  hiffhly  productive  in  grass :  much  butter  is  made  here,  which  is 
widely  celebrated  for  its  superior  quality.  The  town  was  frrstse- 
tied  in  17r.;j,  and  then  embraced  all  the  county  SE.  o.  the  Wa llk.ll, 
now  included  in  the  towns  of  Minisink,  Warwick,  part  of  Wallkill, 
Blooming  Grove,  and  part  of  Cornwall.  Pop  3,889.  Chester,  on 
the  road  from  Goshen  to  New  York,  is  a  considerable  village  about 
4  miles  SE.  from  Goshen ;  it  is  divided  into  two  sections  known  as 
E  and  W.  Chester.  Goshen,  the  half-shire  village  of  Orange  county, 
w'as  founded  in  1722,  and  incorporated  in  1809 ;  the  hrst  court  was 
holden  in  1727.  It  is  20  miles  W.  from  Ncwburg,  60  from  New  York, 
and  100  S.  from  Albanv.  It  contains  a  bank,  2  newspaper  printing 
offices  2  academies  (1  for  males  and  1  for  females,)  and  about  60  or  70 
dwelliJics.  In  the  annexed  engraving,  the  old  stone  courthouse, 
which  was  built  about  the  commencement  of  the  revolutionary  war, 
is  seen  on  tho  left :  about  the  time  of  its  erection  the  king  s  arms  were 
affixed  over  the  door,  but  the  revolutionary  excitement  was  so  grea 
at  this  place  that  these  royal  emblems  were  destroyed  the  firs  night 
«ft..r  ihPv  were  set  up.     Tho  Episcopal  church  and  the  lemale  aca- 

68 


'   im 


m  M 


!'  h\ 


?=g^  "^  j_i 


418 


ORANGJi!   COUNTY. 


m 


't 


'W 


demy  are  seen  on  the  unt    The  Presbyterian  church  is  seen  near 
the  central  part  of  the  engraving. 


Western  view  of  the  public  buildings  at  Goshen. 


The  following  inscriptions  are  copied  from  monuments  standing  in 
the  enclosed  ground  near  the  Presbyterian  church. 

"  Erected  by  the  inhabitants  of  Orange  county,  22d  July,  1822.    Sncred  to  the  memory 
ot  44  ot  their  tellow.citizens,  who  fell  ut  the  battle  of  Mi.msink,  July  22d,  1779 
Benj.  Tasien,  Col.  Roarer  Townscnd,  John  Carpenter,' 

Samuel  Knapp, 


Bezaleel  Tyler,  Capt. 
Samuel  Jones,      " 
John  Little,  " 

John  Duncan,       " 
Benjamin  Vail,     " 
John  Wood,    Lieut- 
Nathaniel  Finch,  Adj. 
Rphm.  Mastin,  Ens. 
Ephm.  Middaugh,  Eu.s. 
Gahriul  Wisner,  ICs(). 
Stephen  Mead, 
Maths.  Terwilligcr, 
Joshua  Lockwood, 
Ephraim  Forgerson, 


James  Knapp, 
Benjamin  Bennet, 
William  Barker, 
Jonathan  Pierce, 
James  Little, 
Joseph  Norria, 
Gilbert  Vail, 
Abni.  Shepherd, 
Joel  Decker, 
Nathan  Wade, 
Simon  Waif, 

Talmadgo, 

Jacob  Dunning, 


David  Barney, 
Jonathan  Haskell 
Abm.  Williams, 
.Tames  Mosher, 
Isaac  Ward, 
Balius  Nierpos, 
Gaiinatiel  Bailey, 
Moses  Thomas, 
Eieazcr  Owens, 
Adam  Emblcr, 
Sanmel  Little, 
Benjamin  Dunning, 
Daniel  Reed. 


He^e  he  the  remams  of  the  Rev.  John  Bradner,  a  native  of  Scotland,  the  first  pastor 

0  the  Presbytenan  church  m  Goshen.  Settled  A.  D.  1721  and  died  1732;  also  of  Rev 
Nathan  Ker,  iiis  successor,  who  i)reached  the  gospel  in  this  place  for  38  years.  Died  Dec. 
14    \m\  aged  b9  yenre.     Also  of  his  successor.  Rev.  Ezra  Fisk,  DD.,  who  was  born  Jan. 

1  ',  A  '  f  ?i'.!'o  "'■"•■^''"'-  ^"'"^'^  "^  l'"*'*^'"  "f  'he  Goshen  church,  Aug.  13,  1813; 
died  Dec,  ."),  18JJ,  aged  49  years. 

Hamptonduho,  taken  from  Goshen,  Blooming  Grove,  New  Windsor 
Montgomery,  and  Wallkill,  in  1830 ;  from  Albany,  S.,  94,  from' 
Goshen  centrally  distant  NE.  0  miles.  Ilamptonburg,  Horace,  and 
Little  Britain,  are  post-offices.  The  name  of  Little  Britain  is  given 
to  a  district  oi  about  4  miles  stpiare,  in  Hamptonburg  and  New 
A\m(  sor,  settled  in  1722  by  Gol.  Charles  Clinton,  (the  progenitor  of 
the  distinguished  family  of  Clinton,)  and  his  associate  emigrants 
Irom  Ireland^     1  nn.  !  .H7o.  " 


s  seen  near 


standing  in 


to  the  memory 

rid. 

Iter, 

y. 

skdl 

ms, 

or, 

OS, 

iley, 

1118, 

lis, 

-» 

lining, 


le  first  iiiislor 
;  also  of  Rpv. 
8.  Died  D(  c. 
WU8  born  Jan. 
lis.  13,  1813; 

V  Windsor, 
,  94,  from 
oracc,  and 
n  is  fnvcn 

and  New 
)genitor  of 

emigrants 


ORANGE   COUNTY.  419 

"  George     Clinton,     the 
youngest  son  of  Col.  Charles 
^  CHnton,  was  born  in  Orange 

county,  July  15,  1739.  His 
education  was  superintended 
by  his  father,  a  gentleman  of 
a  highly  cultivated  mind,  m. 
sisted  by  a  minister  of  the 
gospel,  named  Daniel  Thain, 
who  had  been  educated  at  the 
university  of  Aberdeen.  He 
evinced  at  an  early  age  that 
spirit  of  activity  and  enter- 
prise which  marked  his  after 
Facsimile  of  George  Clinton's  signature.  jife.     During  what  was  called 

ihe  French  war,  he  left  his  father's  house  and  entered  on  board  of  a  privateer,  which  sailed 
from  the  port  of  New  York ;  and  after  encountering  great  hardships  and  perils,  returned 
home,  and  immediately  accepted  a  lieutenancy  in  a  company  commanded  by  his  brother 
James.  He  was  present  at  tiie  capture  of  Fort  Froiitenac,  now  Kingston,  where  the  com. 
pany  to  which  he  belonged  behaved  with  great  gallantry.  After  the  usual  time  of  study  he 
was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  practised  with  much  success  in  his  native  county,  until  his 
election  to  the  colonial  assembly,  where  he  became  the  head  of  the  whig  party,  or  minority, 
and  uniformly  opposed  the  arbitrary  course  of  the  government.  He  was  chosen,  April  22d, 
1775,  a  delegate  to  the  continental  congress ;  and  in  177G,  he  was  also  appointed  brigadier 
general  of  Ulster  county,  and  some  time  after,  a  brigadier  in  the  army  of  the  United  States. 
At  the  first  election  under  the  constitution  of  the  state,  which  was  adopted  April  20,  1777, 
he  was  chosen  both  governor  and  lieutenant-governor.  Having  accepted  the  former  office, 
the  latter  was  filled  by  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt.  He  continued  in  the  chief  magistracy  of  the 
state  during  six  terms,  or  18  years,  when  he  declined  a  re-election.  In  consequence  of  the 
great  number  of  tories  who  resided  in  the  state  of  New  York,  and  its  distracted  condition, 
the  situation  of  Governor  Clinton  was  more  arduous  and  important  than  any  other  in  the 
Union,  save  that  of  the  commander-in-chief.  He,  however,  behaved  with  the  greatest  en- 
ergy, not  only  as  chief  magistrate,  but  as  an  actual  head  of  the  militia;  and  for  a  long  time 
resisted  the  attacks  of  the  whole  British  army,  commanded  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton.  By  a 
vigorous  exertion  of  authority,  in  the  impressment  of  flour  on  an  important  occasion,  he  pre- 
served the  army  from  dissolution.  His  conduct  at  the  storming  of  the  forts  Montgomery 
and  Clinton,  in  October,  1777,  was  particularly  praiseworthy.  He  was  grcnily  instrumen- 
tal  in  crushing  the  insurrection  under  Shays,  which  took  place  in  Massachusetts,  in  1787. 

"Governor  Clinton  was  unanimously  chosen  president  of  the  convpiition  which  assem- 
bled at  Poughkeepsie  June  17,  1788,  to  dehberate  on  the  new  federal  constitution.  After 
remaining  five  years  in  private  Ufe,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  state  legislature,  at  a 
time  when  the  country  was  in  an  agitated  and  critical  condition,  and  it  is  affirmed  that  hia 
influence  was  the  principal  cause  of  the  great  political  revolution  which  took  place  in  1801. 
At  that  period  he  was  also  induced  again  to  accept  the  station  of  governor,  and  after  con- 
tinuing in  that  capacity  for  three  years,  he  was  elevated  to  the  vice-presidency  of  the  II. 
States,  a  dignity  which  he  continued  until  his  demise  at  Washington,  April  20,  1812.  He 
married  Cornelia  Tappan,  of  Kingston,  Ulste?  county,  by  whom  he  had  one  son  and  five 
daughters. 

"  The  following  anecdotes  are  related  of  his  energy  and  decision : — At  the  conclusion  of 
the  revolutionary  war,  when  violence  against  the  tories  was  the  order  of  the  day,  a  British 
officer  was  placed  on  a  cart  in  the  city  of  New  York,  to  be  tarred  and  feathered.  This 
was  the  signal  of  violence  and  assassination.  Governor  Clinton,  at  this  moment,  rushed  in 
among  the  mob  with  a  drawn  sword,  and  rescued  the  victim  at  the  risk  of  his  life.'  '  Some 
years  after,  a  furious  assemblage  of  people  collected,  called  the  doctors'  mob,  and  raged 
through  New  York,  with  the  intention  of  killing  the  citizens  of  that  cily,  and  pulling  down 
their  houses,  on  account  of  their  having  dug  up  bodies  for  dissection.  The  violence  of  this 
mob  intimidated  the  local  magistrates.  Governor  Clinton  fortunately  appeared  in  person, 
called  out  the  militia,  and  restored  peace  to  the  city.'  He  discharged  the  functions  of  vice, 
president  with  great  dignity.  It  was  by  his  casting  vote  while  in  that  station,  that 'the  re. 
newal  of  the  bank  charter  was  negatived.  Tn  private  life,  he  was  kind  and  amiable,  and 
warm  in  his  friendships ;  as  a  public  man,  he  is  entitled  to  respectful  remembrance." 

Minisink  was  organized  in  1788.    It  las  a  hilly  surface  on  the  W. ; 
on  the  E.  it  is  bounded  by  the  Wallkiii,  on  the  oorders  of  which  arc 


1^  ■  I  ^ 


m 


\      '.<  *! 


Il' 


420 


ORAiVGE    COUNTY. 


I'll 


i 


the  "drowned  lands."  It  is  centrally  situated  W.  from  Goshen  15 
miles,  and  114  SW.  from  Albany.  Pop,  5,093.  Minisink,  Ridge- 
bury,  Slate  Hill,  Unionville,  Wells  Corners,  Graham,  and  Dollens- 
town  are  post-offices.  This  town  was  settled  at  an  early  period.  In 
the  colonial  records  of  1659,  there  is  a  notice  of  the  discovery  of  a 
copper  mine,  which  is  reported  to  have  been  extensively  wrought. 
In  1669,  a  severe  battle  was  ibught  between  the  settlers  and  Indians, 
"  the  bloody  horrors  of  which  yet  live  in  the  traditions  of  that  neigh- 
borhood." In  July,  1779,  a  party  of  Indians  and  tories  under  Brant 
made  an  invasion  on  Minisink.  It  appears  that  Count  Pulaski  had 
been  stationed  at  this  place  with  a  battalion  of  cavalry  the  preceding 
winter,  but  in  February  he  was  ordered  to  South  Carolina,  and  the 
place  was  left  unprotected.  The  following  account  of  the  invasion 
and  battle,  is  taken  from  Stone's  Life  of  Brant,  vol.  i. 

"  On  the  20tli  of  July,  or  rather  during  the  night  of  the  19th,  the  crafty  Mohawk  stole  upon 
the  slumbering  town,  at  the  head  of  sixty  Indians  and  twenty^even  tory  warriors,  disguis. 
ed  as  Indians — whicli  was  a  very  common  practice  with  the  loyalists  when  acting  with  the 
savages.  Such  was  the  silence  of  their  approach,  that  several  houses  were  already  in  flames 
when  the  inhabitants  awoke  to  their  situation.  Thus  surprised,  and  wholly  unprepared,  all 
who  could  escape  fled  in  consternation,  leaving  the  invaders  to  riot  upon  the  spoil.  Ten 
houses  and  twelve  barns  were  burnt,  together  with  a  small  stockade  fort  and  two  mills. 
Several  persons  were  killed,  and  others  taken  prisoners.  The  farms  of  the  settlement 
were  laid  waste,  the  cattle  driven  away,  and  all  the  booty  carried  oft"  which  the  invaders 
could  remove.  Having  thus  succeeded  in  his  immediate  object,  Brant  lost  no  time  in  lead- 
ing his  party  back  to  the  main  body  of  his  warriors,  whom  he  had  left  at  Grassy  Brook. 

"  No  sooner  had  the  fugitives  from  Minisink  arrived  at  Goshen  with  the  intelligence,  than 
Dr.  Tusten,  the  colonel  of  the  local  militia,  issued  orders  to  the  officers  of  his  command  to 
meet  him  at  Minisink  on  the  following  day,  with  as  many  volunteers  as  they  could  raise. 
The  order  was  promptly  obeyed,  and  a  body  of  one  hundred  and  forty.nine  men  met  their 
colonel  at  the  designated  rendezvous,  at  the  time  appointed — including  many  of  the  princi- 
pal  gentlemen  of  the  county.  A  council  of  war  was  held,  to  determine  upon  the  expediency 
of  a  pursuit.  Colonel  Tusten  was  himself  opposed  to  the  proposition,  with  so  feeble  a  com. 
mand,  and  with  the  certainty,  if  they  overtook  the  enemy,  of  being  obliged  to  encounter  an 
officer  combining,  with  his  acknowledged  prowess,  so  much  of  subtlety  as  characterized 
the  movements  of  the  Mohawk  chief.  His  force,  moreover,  was  believed  to  be  greatly 
superior  to  theirs  in  numbers,  and  to  include  many  tories  a  well  acquainted  with  the 
country  as  themselves.  The  colonel,  therefore,  preferred  waiting  for  the  reinforcements 
which  would  be  sure  soon  to  arrive,  the  more  especially  as  the  volunteers  already  with  him 
were  but  ill-provided  with  arms  and  ammunition.  Others,  however,  were  for  immediate 
pursuit.  They  aftected  to  hold  the  Indians  in  contempt,  insisted  that  they  would  not  fight, 
and  maintained  that  a  recapture  of  the  plunder  they  had  taken  would  be  an  easy  achieve, 
ment.  Town-meeting  counsels,  in  the  conduct  of  war,  are  not  usually  the  wisest,  as  will 
appear  in  the  sequel.  The  majority  of  Tusten's  command  were  evidently  determined  to 
pursue  the  enemy ;  but  their  deliberations  were  cut  short  by  Major  Meeker,  who  mounted 
his  horse,  flourished  his  sword,  and  vauntingly  called  out—'  Let  the  brave  men  follow  me  ; 
the  cowards  may  stay  behind !'  It  may  readily  be  supposed  that  such  an  appeal  to  an 
excited  multitude  would  decide  the  question,  as  it  did.  The  line  of  march  was  immediately 
taken  up,  and  after  proceeding  seventeen  miles  the  same  evening,  they  encamped  for  the 
night.  On  the  morning  of  the  22d,  they  were  joined  by  a  small  reinforcement  under  Col. 
Haihom,  of  the  Warwick  regiment,  who,  as  the  senior  of  Col.  Tusten,  took  the  command. 
When  they  had  advanced  a  few  miles,  to  Halfway  Brook,  tuey  came  upon  the  Indian 
encampment  of  the  preceding  night,  and  another  council  was  held  there.  Cols.  Hathorn, 
Tusten,  and  others,  whose  valor  was  governed  by  prudence,  were  opposed  to  advancing 
further,  as  the  number  of  Indian  fires,  and  the  extent  of  ground  they  had  occupied,  removed 
all  doubt  as  to  the  superiority  of  their  numbers.  A  scene  similar  to  that  which  had  broken 
up  the  former  council  was  acted  at  this  place,  and  with  the  same  result.  The  voice  of 
prudence  was  compelled  to  yield  to  that  of  bravado. 

"  Capt,  Tyler,  who  had  some  knowledge  of  the  woods,  was  sent  forward  at  the  head  of 
a  smaii  scouting  party,  to  foUow  ilku  iraii  of  the  Indiaub,  tiiid  to  wiCerUiiii,  if  poiaibk,  their 


ORANGE   COUNTY. 


421 


Goshen  15 
iink,  Ridge- 
nd  Dollens- 
period.  In 
CO  very  of  a 
ly  wrought, 
ind  Indians, 
that  neigh- 
mder  Brant 
Pulaski  had 
e  preceding 
na,  and  the 
the  invasion 


lawk  stole  upon 
arriore,  diaguis. 
acting  with  the 
ready  in  flames 
unprepared,  all 
the  spoil.     Ten 

and  two  mills. 

the  settlement 
h  the  invaders 
no  time  in  lead- 
assy  Brook, 
telligence,  than 
lis  command  to 
liey  could  raise. 
(  men  met  their 
y  of  the  princi- 

the  expediency 
o  feeble  a  com- 
to  encounter  an 
«  characterized 
id  to  be  greatly 
tinted  with  the 

reinforcements 
ready  with  him 

for  immediate 
vould  not  fight, 
n  easy  achieve. 

wisest,  as  will 
r  determined  to 
,  who  mounted 
nen  follow  me ; 
t  appeal  to  an 
roB  immediately 
camped  for  the 
lent  under  Col. 
.  the  command, 
pon  the  Indian 

Cols.  Hathorn, 
i  to  advancing 
upied,  removed 
lich  had  broken 
The  voice  of 

;  at  the  head  of 
f  possible,  their 


movements ;  since  it  was  evident  that  they  could  not  be  far  in  advance.  The  captain  had 
proceeded  but  a  short  distance  before  he  fell  from  the  fire  of  an  unseen  enemy.  This  cir- 
cumstance  occasioned  considerable  alarm ;  but  the  volunteers,  nevertheless,  pressed  eagerly 
forward,  and  it  was  not  long  before  they  emerged  upon  the  hills  of  the  Delaware,  m  full 
view  of  that  river,  upon  the  eastern  bank  of  which,  at  the  distance  of  three  fourths  of  a  mile, 
the  Indians  were  seen  deliberately  marching  in  the  direction  of  a  fording-place  near  the 
mouth  of  the  Lackawaxen.  This  discovery  was  made  at  about  nine  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
iiig.  The  intention  of  Brant  to  cross  at  the  fording-place  was  evident ;  and  it  was  afterward 
ascertained  that  his  booty  had  already  been  sent  thither  in  advance. 

"  The  determination  was  immediately  formed  by  Col.  Hathorn,  to  intercept  Uie  enemy 
at  the  fording-place,  for  which  purpose  instant  dispositions  were  made.  But,  owing  to 
intervening  woods  and  hills,  the  opposing  bodies  soon  lost  sight  of  each  other,  and  an  adroit 
movement  on  the  part  of  Brant  gave  him  an  advantage  which  it  was  impossible  tor  the 
Americans  to  regain.  Anticipating  the  design  of  Hathorn,  the  moment  the  Amencans 
were  out  of  sight.  Brant  wheeled  to  the  right,  and  by  threading  a  ravine  across  which  Ha- 
thorn  had  passed,  threw  himself  into  his  rear,  by  which  means  he  was  enabled  deliberately 
to  select  his  ground  for  a  battle  and  form  an  ambuscade.  Disappointed  in  not  finding  the 
enemy,  the  Americans  were  brought  to  a  stand,  when  the  enemy  disclosed  himself  par- 
tially,  in  a  quarter  altogether  unexpected.  According  to  the  American  account,  the  hrst 
shot  was  fired  upon  an  Indian,  who  was  known,  and  who  was  mounted  upon  a  horse  stolen 
at  Minisink.  The  Indian  fell,  and  the  firing  soon  became  general— the  enemy  contriving, 
in  the  eariy  part  of  the  engagement,  to  cut  off  from  the  main  body  of  Hathorn's  troops  a 
detachment  comprising  one  third  of  his  whole  number.  The  conflict  was  long  and  obsti. 
nate.  The  number  of  the  enemy  being  several  times  greater  than  that  of  the  Goshen  mili- 
tia, the  latter  were  surrounded,  and  ultimately  hemmed  within  the  circumference  of  an  acre 
of  ground.  Being  short  of  ammunition,  Hathorn's  orders,  in  imitation  of  those  of  hutnam 
at  Bunker  Hill,  were  strict  that  no  man  should  fire  until  very  sure  that  his  powder  would 
not  be  lost.  The  battle  commenced  about  eleven  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  was  main- 
tained  until  the  going  down  of  the  sun ;  both  parties  fighting  after  the  Indian  fashion,  every 
man  for  himself,  and  the  whole  keeping  up  an  irregular  fire  from  behind  rocks  and  trees  as 
best  they  could.  About  sunset  the  ammunition  of  the  militia  was  expended,  and  the  sur- 
vivors  attempted  to  retreat,  but  many  of  them  were  cut  down.  Doctor  Tusten  was  engaged 
behind  a  cliff  of  rocks  in  dressing  the  wounded  when  the  retreat  commenced.  There  were 
seventeen  disabled  men  under  his  care  at  the  moment,  whose  cries  for  protection  and  mercy 
were  of  the  most  moving  description.  The  Indians  fell  upon  them,  however,  and  they  all, 
together  with  the  doctor,  perished  under  the  tomahawk.  Among  the  slain  were  many  of 
the  first  citizens  of  Goshen ;  and  of  the  whole  number  that  went  forth,  only  about  thirty 
returned  to  tell  the  melancholy  story.  Several  of  the  fugitives  were  shot  while  attempting 
to  escape  by  swimming  the  Delaware. 

.  "There  was  one,  (Major  Wood,)  who  during  the  battle  saved  himself  by  means 
which  Brant  said  were  dishonorable.  By  some  process  or  other,  though  not  a  freemason, 
he  had  acquired  a  knowledge  of  the  muster  mason's  grand  hailing  signal  of  distress ;  and 
having  been  informed  that  Brant  was  a  member  of  the  brotherhood,  he  gave  the  mystic 
sign.  Faithful  to  his  pledge,  the  chieftain  interposed  and  saved  his  Ufe.  Discovering  the 
imposture  afterward,  he  was  very  indignant.  Still,  he  spared  his  life,  and  the  prisoner  ulti- 
mately  returned  to  his  friends  after  a  long  captivity." 

Monroe  was  taken  from  Cornwall,  and  organized  in  1799.  Its 
original  name  was  Cheesecocks,  afterward  Southfield,  then  Monroe. 
It  IS  19  miles  S.  of  Newburg  and  115  from  Albany:  being  in  the 
Highland  region,  the  surface  of  the  township  is  broken  and  hilly. 
Pop.  3,914.  At  the  extreme  easterly  point  of  this  town  upon -the 
Hudson  river,  on  the  S.  side  of  Poplopen's  kill,  stood  Fort  Clinton,  and 
upon  the  opposite  bank  of  the  creek,  in  Cornwall,  stood  Fort  Montgo- 
merv.  These  forts  were  erected  for  the  defence  of  the  passage  ot 
the  river.  At  this  place,  the  channel  of  the  Hudson  was  obstructed 
by  a  chevaux-de-frize,  boom  and  chains,  and  guarded  by  a  number 
of  arnijd  vessels,  stationed  above  them.  On  the  0th  October,  1777, 
Sir  Henry  Clinton,  with  a  force  of  about  3,000  men,  took  these  forts 
by  storm.    The  garrison  consisted  of  but  about  600  men.    Their 


/"ft 
Ml* 


iliir 


^■■%i 


!   '1 


I  ; 


if 


422 


ORANGE    COUNTY. 


loss  was  about  250  ;  that  of  the  British  was  not  less.  The  annexed 
account  relative  to  their  capture  was  written  at  Kingston,  3  days 
aiterward.  by  a  gentleman  who  was  in  Fort  Montgomery  when  it 
was  taken. 

"  On  Saturday  night  the  5th  inst.,  we  had  advice  that  a  large  number  of  ships,  brigs 
armed  vessels,  &c.,  had  arrived  at  Tarrytown,  where  they  had  landed  a  considerable  bodv 
of  men,  supposed  to  be  900  or  1,000,  and  had  advanced  towards  the  plains.  Col.  Luttin/ 
ton  bemg  posted  there  with  about  500  militia,  they  sent  in  a  flag  to  him  requiring  him  fc 
lay  down  Ins  arms,  and  surrender  himrelf  and  men  prisoners  of  war;  whilst  he  was  parley 
ing  with  the  flag  they  endeavored  to  surround  him,  which  he  perceiving,  ordered  his  men 
to  retreat,  whereupon  they  returned  to  their  shipping,  and  next  morning  we  had  advice  of 
their  being  under  sail,  and  coming  up  as  far  as  Kings  Ferry.  In  the  afternoon  they  landed 
a  large  body  of  men  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  to  draw  our  attention  that  way.  but  thev 
re-embarked  m  the  night,  and  next  morning  landed  on  the  west  side 

"On  Sunday  night  his  Excellency,  Gov.  Clinton,  who  dien  commanded  at  Fort  Mont- 
gomery sent  out  a  party  of  about  100  men  under  the  command  of  Major  Logan,  across  the 
Dunderbergh,  (Thunder  Mountain,)  to  watch  the  motion  of  the  enemy.  The  party  returned 
in  the  morning  and  reported  that  they  had  seen  about  forty  boats  full  of  men  land  below 
the  Dunderbergh.    The  governor  sent  out  another  small  party  of  about  28  men.  under  the 

Rrrii.fini^hnv  /ll'^'"":  u^"  "''^  '"'"f'*;h«'  ^'^'^V°  Haverstraw.  two  or  three  miles  bdow 
Fort  Chilton,  they  fell  ,n  with  a  concealed  party  of  the  enemy,  who  ordered  them  to  club 
thr.r  muskets  «nd  surrender  themselves  prisoners.  They  made  no  answer,  but  fired^upon  he 
enemy  and  hastily  retreated ;  they  returned  the  fire  and  pursued  our  people  half  a  mile  • 

tftl  ^  ''"r''  '°  "'«/«^' r'"^"?^  '"^'"e  "^  '"'^">  '^°^sh  within  five^ods  of  the  eS 
before  they  were  discovered.    Upon  this  intelligence,  one  hundred  men  were  immedSJ 

n  tL    r  '•  K^'"'""'  ^'^°  ^"^^  •"  ^"^  '^''"' '''"  ■"•'««  f^"'"  ^'"^  f"«.  -bout  two  o 'clock 

m  the  afternoon,  when  a  smart  engagement  ensued ;  but  the  enemy  being  of  much  superior 
iorce,  our  people  were  forced  to  retreat.  "upenor 

"At  the  same  tinie  it  was  thought  proper  to  send  some  artillery  with  a  field.piece  to  oc 
cupy  an  eminence  that  commands  the  road  that  leads  to  Orange  Furnace,  with  a  pany  of 

The  field.piece  butting,  our  men  m  their  retreat  kept  up  the  engagement  for  some  time 
withnmall-arms.  Most  of  our  people  got  within  the  bieLwork,  and  the  attack  became 
ITcri  Z  ^°"l  <T-,  ^'  '^'  'T'  ''■""  '^'  «^"^"'y'«  shipping  came  in  sight,  but  the  wS 
tTfn  f  '  ""V-'ri^'J'^'""''  '^T'  ".T  °^''^'"  "''''^  •'"•"^  "P  «*««?'  the  galleys  and 

SttrtrnI"s"damS."'  "°  """'" ''  "^ '"  "'""  '"''  """^  ^"^'"'  '''' 

"  The  enemy  continued  a  vigorous  and  incessant  attack  upon  the  forts;  but  notwith. 
Btanding  their  utmost  efforts  they  were  many  times  repulsed  and  beaten  back  from  our 
breastworks  with  great  slaughter.  But  the  smallness  of  our  number  (being  in  both  for" 
but  about  five  hundred,)  which  required  every  man  to  be  upon  continual  duty  and  oblged 
them  to  unremitted  exertion  fatigued  our  people  greatly,  while  the  enemy,  whose  number 
was  supposed  to  be  at  least  four  thousand,  continued  to  press  us  with  troops 
nn«ir  «'<'lo'=k  they  sent  in  a  flag,  demanding  in  5  minutes  a  surrender  of  the  fort  and 

?rpiK'^rTr°^'^"'~°'"''y.'^°l''^  P"'  "«  ""  '"  the  sword.  An  answer  was  re- 
urned  by  Col.  Livingston,  acquainting  them  that  we  were  determined  to  defend  the  fort  to 

mtiUh  TTfu  ^^^  •""""  ^^  '■"u""*"'*  ^''^  ^'''^  ^'^"^  °"  """h  Bides,  and  continued 
f  rt  whi  t'l  °^"''  ^''"""^' """"  '}'^  ''°™"''  ''"  "PP*^'  ^«<l«"bt  which  commands  tl.e 
nf  '„Th  "  M^^'l  "'"^^'•'  ""'^  overpowering  us  with  numbers  they  got  possession 

of  C^rT  r'"  "•'k^^  '°  ^''^  ^^l  ^'  '^'  «""^«  '™«  they  stormed  and  lot  possess  on 
ot  Fort  Gmton,  m  which  were  none  but  militia,  who  nobly  defended  it  till  they  like  the  ear 
rison  at  Fort  Montgomery,  were  obliged  to  give  way  to  superior  force.         ^'  ^ 

1  he  darkness  of  the  evening  much  favored  the  escape  of  our  people,  the  greatest  nart 
of  whom,  with  almost  all  the  officers,  got  off,  and  have  since  joined  our  army  or  returned  to 
their  places  of  residence.  ...  .  -We  are  told  that  the  reinforcement  from  PeeksS,  which 
had  been  twice  urged*  during  the  day.  arrived  only  in  time  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
nver  to  see  the  fort  taken,  but  could  give  them  no  manner  of  assistance^'Lnd  even  a  smaU 

riv!!? '' iTnT'  T;""'*^  ^r,  '""^'"•^  I!''  ^r^''"  '^  ""''"^'»  *'  "»til  ea^cie'nt  succo"  had T^ 
nvcd.  Under  this  misfortune,  we  have  the  satisfaction  to  be  assured,  that  all  the  officeni 
of  the  garrison  fought  hkc  heroes,  distinguished  thomselves  both  by  their  courage  and  co" 

*  Waterbury,  the  express  who  was  sent  from  Fort  Mnntonm^rt,  r5i-n<..«i..  j-i— -j  — j 
Uie  next  day  deserted  to  the  enemy.  """"=" — •"  P"^'*'-'''  ^^^'^x^^.  =»-^ 


e  annexed 
on,  3  days 
y  when  it 

f  ships,  brigs, 
liderable  body 
Col.  Lulling, 
luiring  him  tc 
le  was  parley, 
ered  his  men 
had  advice  of 
n  they  landed 
way,  but  they 

t  Fort  Mont, 
an,  across  the 
party  returned 
n  land  below 
en,  under  the 
e  miles  below 
them  to  club 
fired  upon  the 
3  half  a  mile ; 
of  the  enemy 
immediately 
It  two  o'clock 
luch  superior 

l.piece  to  oc. 
ith  a  party  of 
It  execution. 
)r  some  time 
tack  became 
but  the  wind 
e  galleys  and 
on  them,  and 

but  notwith. 
ck  from  our 
in  both  forts 
and  obliged 
hose  number 

"  the  fort  and 
swer  was  re- 
id  the  fort  to 
id  continued 
immands  the 
It  possession 
)t  possession 
like  the  gar- 
greatest  part 
•  returned  to 
tskiU,  which 
I  side  of  the 
3ven  a  small 
:cor  had  ar. 
the  officers 
ge  and  con. 


1-1 J  __j 

u,  r  — 


icioJ-rQ,  aiiu 


ORANGE    COUNTY. 


423 


duct,  and  that  all  the  privates,  as  well  militia  as  continental,  fought  with  the  utmost  bravery  • 
Tlie  quantity  of  provisions  in  the  fort  was  not  great,  but  the  ammunition  and  stores  which 
fell  into  the  enemy's  hands  were  considerable. 

Dr.  Dwiglit,  then  a  chaplain  in  the  army,  thus  speaks  of  the  ap- 
pearances about  these  forts  a  few  months  after  they  were  taken. 

"  I  went  down  the  river  in  company  with  several  officers,  to  examine  the  forts  Clinton 
and  Montgomery,  built  on  a  point  six  or  eight  miles  below  West  Point,  for  the  defence  of 
the  river.  The  first  object  which  met  our  eyes,  after  we  left  our  barge  and  ascended  the 
bank,  was  the  remains  of  a  fire  kindled  by  the  cottagers  of  tiiis  solitude,  for  the  purpose  of 
consummg  the  bones  of  some  of  the  Americans  who  had  fallen  at  this  place,  and  had  been 
left  unburied.  Some  of  these  bones  were  lying  partially  consumed  round  the  spot  where 
the  fire  had  been  kindled ;  and  some  had  evidently  been  converted  into  ashes.  As  we  went 
onward,  we  were  distressed  by  the  foetor  of  decayed  human  bodies.  To  me  this  was  a 
novelty ;  and  more  overwhelming  and  dispiriting  than  I  am  able  to  describe.  As  we  were 
attempting  to  discover  the  source  from  which  ii  proceeded,  we  found,  at  a  small  distance 
from  Fort  Montgomery,  a  pond  of  a  moderate  size,  in  which  we  saw  the  bodies  of  several 
men,  who  had  been  killed  in  the  assault  upon  the  fort.  They  were  thrown  into  this  pond, 
the  preceding  autumn,  by  the  British,  when  probably  the  water  was  sufficiently  deep  to 
cover  them.  Some  of  them  were  covered  at  this  time  ;  but  a  depth  so  small,  as  to  leave 
them  distinctly  visible.  Others  had  an  arm,  a  log,  and  a  part  of  the  body  above  the  surface. 
The  clothes  which  they  wore  when  they  were  killed.  Were  still  on  them ;  and  proved  that 
they  were  militia ;  being  the  ordinary  dress  of  farmers.  Their  faces  were  bloated  and  mon- 
strous ;  and  their  postures  were  uncouth,  distorted,  and  in  the  highest  degree  afflictive.  My 
companions  had  been  accustomed  to  the  horrors  of  war,  and  sustained  the  prospect  with 
some  degree  of  firmness.  To  me,  a  novice  in  scenes  of  this  nature,  it  was  overwhelming. 
I  surveyed  it  for  a  moment  and  hastened  away.  From  this  combination  of  painful  objecte 
we  proceeded  to  Fort  Clinton,  built  on  a  rising  ground,  at  a  small  distance  further  down 
the  river.  The  ruins  of  this  fortress  were  a  mere  counterpart  of  those  of  Fort  Montgomery. 
Every  combustible  in  both  had  been  burnt ;  and  what  was  not,  was  extensively  thrown 
down.  Every  thing  which  remained  was  a  melancholy  picture  of  destruction.  From  this 
place  we  proceeded  to  find  the  grave  of  Count  Grabouski,  a  Polish  nobleman,  who  was 
killed  in  the  assault,  while  acting  as  aid.de.camp  to  the  British  commander.  The  spot  was 
pointed  out  to  us  by  Lieut.  Col.  Livingston,  who  saw  him  fall,  and  informed  us  that  ho 
wa3  buried  in  the  place  whore  he  was  killed.  Here  we  found  a  grave— in  all  probability, 
that  in  >yhich  he  was  buried— without  a  '  stone'  to  '  tell  where  he  lay,'  and  now  forgotteii 
and  undiscoverable :  a  humiliating  termination  of  a  restless,  vain,  ambitious  life." 

Montgomery,  originally  organized  as  part  of  Ulster  county  in 
1788;  from  Albany,  S.,  100,  from  Newburg,  W.,  12,  and  from 
Goshen,  NE.,  10  miles.  Pop.  4,100.  A  tamarac  swamp  near  Mont- 
gomery village,  is  noted  as  a  spot  in  which  the  bones  of  the  mam- 
moth were  first  discovered  in  this  state.  Montgomery  :  illage,  in- 
corporated in  1810,  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Wallkill,  Oii  the  New- 
burg and  Cohecton  turnpike,  and  having  the  relative  distances  above 
stated,  contains  about  160  dwellings,  2  or  3  churches,  an  academy, 
and  a  seminary  for  young  ladies.  Walden  is  a  large  manufacturing' 
village  on  the  Wallkill,  12  miles  NW.  from  Newburg,  14  NE.  froin 
Goshen,  and  4  from  Montgomery,  at  the  falls  of  the  river,  where 
there  is  great  hydraulic  power. 

Mount  Hope,  originally  named  Calhoun,  and  taken  from  Wallkill, 
Minisink,  and  Deer  Park,  in  1825;  from  Albany,  SW.,  121  miles. 
Mount  Hope,  12  miles  NW.  from  Goshen,  Finchville  15,  and  Otisville 
14,  are  small  villages.     Pop.  1,565. 


»  The  late  Lieutenant  Timoihy  Mix,  who  died  at  New  Haven,  Conn.,  in  1824,  was  one 
of  the  defenders  ot  Fort  Montgomery.  While  in  the  act  of  firing  a  piece,  his  right  hand 
was  carried  away  by  a  shot.  Instantly  seizing  the  match  .with  his  left,  he  touched  off  the 
cannon  j  by  which  discharge  it  is  said  forty  of  the  enemy  were  killed. 


,;!"■:] 


m 


H'M 


:ij! 


424 


ORANGE    COUNTY. 


■'il 


Newburg  was  organized  in  1788.  The  township  has  a  hilly  and 
broken  surface,  and  a  good  soil,  much  of  which  is  under  high  culti- 
vation.    Pop.  8,933. 


South  View  of  Newlmrg. 

Newburg,  the  half-shire  village  of  Orange  county,  was  originally 
settled  by  the  Palatines  from  Germany  in  1708:  it  was  incorporated 
in  1800.    It  lies  upon  the  steep  acclivity  of  a  hill  rising  from  the 


Washington's  Head-quarters,  Newburg. 

river  to  the  height  of  about  300  feet.  Being  thus  situated,  the  village 
makes  a  fine  appearance  when  seen  from  the  river.  The  river  mar- 
gin, about  600  feet  wide,  affords  space  for  convenient  quays  and 
docks.  A  large  business  centres  here  from  the  neighboring  counties. 
There  are  3  banks,  3  newspaper  printing  offices,  an  incorporated 
academy,  8  churches,  and  about  800  dwellings.  The  village  is  84 
miles  from  Albany,  61  from  New  York,  8  from  West  Point,  10  from 
Poughkeepsie,  and  20  miles  from  Goshen,  the  other  haU-slure  town. 


ORANGE    COUNTY. 


425 


a  hilly  and 
high  culti- 


s  originally 
icorporated 
g  from  tlie 


I,  the  village 
e  river  mar- 
quays  and 
ng  counties, 
ncorporated 
village  is  84 
)int,  10  from 
f-siiire  town. 


From  the  upper  terrace  of  the  village  there  is  a  fine  prospect  to  the 
S.  of  West  Point,  the  Crow's  Nest,  Butter  Hill,  and  the  two  Beacon 
mountains  ;  on  the  SE.  Pollopel's  Island ;  on  the  E.  the  picturestjuc 
valleys  of  the  Matteawan  and  Wappinger's  creeks,  and  the  village  of 
Fiskhill  Landing. 

The  preceding  is  a  northern  view  of  the  old  stone  house  in  the  south 
part  of  Newburg  village,  formeriy  the  quarters  of  Washington  whrn 
the  American  army  were  in  cantonment  in  the  vicinity,  at  the  close 
of  the  revolutionary  war.  In  the  spring  of  1 783,  when  the  troops  were 
about  to  be  disbanded  without  their  pay,  there  was  great  discontent 
among  them.  At  this  time  an  anonymous  letter  was  addressed  to 
the  otiicers,  artfully  calculated  to  excite  passion.  It  was  dated  March 
10th,  1783.  It  was  subsequently  ascertained,  (says  Mr.  Dunlap,)  to 
have  been  written  by  Major  Armstrong,  afterward  secretary  of  war. 

••  The  author  assumes  the  character  of  a  veteran  who  had  suffered  with  those  he  ad- 
dressed.  He  tells  them  that  to  be  tame  in  their  present  situation  would  be  more  than 
weakness,  and  must  ruin  them  forever.  He  bids  ihem  *  suspect  the  man  who  would  advise 
to  more  moderation,  and  longer  forbearance.'  He  then  describes  the  high  state  m  which 
the  country  has  been  placed  by  their  services.  And  says,  'does  this  country  reward  you 
with  tears  of  gratitude  and  smiles  of  admiration,  or  does  she  trample  on  your  rights,  disdain 
your  cries,  and  insult  your  distresses  V  He  advised  them  to  carry  their  appeal  from  the 
justice,  to  the  fours  of  government.  'Assume  a  bolder  tone— say,  that  the  slightest  indig- 
nity  from  congress  now  must  operate  like  the  grave,  and  part  you  from  them  forever.' 
That  if  peace  takes  place, '  nothing  shall  separate  you  from  your  avTos  but  death  :  li  war 
continues,  that  you  will  retire  to  some  unsettled  country,  with  Washington  at  your  head, 
and  mock  at  the  distresses  of  government.'  The  insidious  expression  of '  courting  the  aus. 
pices,  and  inviting  the  direction  of  their  illustrious  leader,'  was  calculated  to  make  the 
army  beUeve  that  Washington  would  join  them  in  rebellion  against  his  country,  and  was 
certainly  a  bold  artifice,  coming,  as  it  did,  from  one  in  constant  correspondence  with  Gene- 
ral  Gates,  and  attached  to  him  both  by  inclination  and  office. 

"  The  commander-in-chief  noticed  the  anonymous  address  m  orders,  with  pointed  disai). 
probation,  and  requested  that  the  general  and  field  officers,  with  a  proper  representation 
from  the  staff  of  the  army,  would  assemble  on  the  lath  instant,  to  hear  the  report  ot  tlie 
committee  deputed  by  the  army  to  congress.  This  request  was  seized  upon,  and  repre- 
sented  in  a  second  paper  as  giving  sanction  to  the  proceedings  of  the  officers,  and  ihey 
were  called  upon  to  act  with  energy.  On  the  15th  of  March,  the  commander-in-chiei  ad- 
dressed the  convention  of  officers,  (General  Gates  being  the  chairman,)  in  the  language  ot 
truth,  feeling,  and  affection.  He  overthrew  all  the  artifices  of  the  anonymous  writer  and 
his  friends,  one  of  the  principal  of  whom  sat  in  the  chair.  Washington  noticed  the  advice 
to  mark  for  suspicion  the  man  who  should  recommend  moderation.  He  teelingly  spoke  ot 
his  own  constant  attention,  from  the  commencement  of  the  war,  to  the  wants  and  sutler- 
ings  of  the  army,  and  then  pointed  out  the  dreadful  consequences  of  following  the  advice 
of  the  anonymous  writer,  either  to  draw  their  swords  against  their  country,  or  retire,  i 
war  continues,  from  the  defence  of  all  they  hold  dear.  He  calls  to  mind  the  scenes  in  which 
they  had  acted  together,  and  pledges  himself  to  tlie  utmost  exertion  for  obtaining  justice  u> 
his  fellows  in  arms.  He  requests  them  to  rely  on  the  promise  of  congress.  He  said,  I 
conjure  you,  in  the  name  of  our  common  country,  as  you  value  your  own  sacred  honor,  ns 
you  respect  the  rights  of  humanity,  to  express  your  utmost  horror  and  detestation  ot  the  man 
who  wishes,  under  any  specious  pretences,  to  overturn  the  Uberties  of  your  country ;  and 
who  wickedly  attempts  to  open  the  floodgates  of  civil  discord,  and  deluge  our  rising  empire 

'""The  convention  resolved,  unanimously,  among  other  things,  that  '  the  arrny  have  un. 
shaken  confidence  in  congress,  and  view  with  abhorrence,  and  reject  with  disdain,  the  t«- 
famous  propositions  contained  in  a  late  anonymous  address  to  the  officers  ol  the  army.  — 
Dunlap's  Hist,  of  New  York. 

New  Windsor  was  organized  in  1788.  It  has  an  uneven  surface, 
generally  fertile  and  well  cultivated.  Pop.  2,482.  The  village  of  New 
Windsor,  said  lu  be  the  oldest  village  in  the  county,  is  situated  about 

54 


42G 


ORANGE    COUNTY. 


2  miles  south  from  Newburg,  and  lies  at  the  confluence  of  Cham- 
bers' creek  with  the  Hudson.  The  head-quarters  of  Washington  was 
for  a  time  here,  in  an  humble  Dutch-like  mansion. 


li 


Birthplace  of  De  Witt  Clinton,  New  Windsor. 

"De  Witt  Clinton  was  born  in  the  villuge  of  New  Windsor,  March  2cl,  1769.  His 
paternal  ancestors  were  of  Norman  origin.  His  grandfather,  Mr.  Charles  Clinton,  at 
the  head  of  u  company  of  a.«8ociarrs,  emigrated  from  Ireland  in  1729,  and  settled  in  this 
town.  His  father,  (Icneral  .Tames  Clinton,  was  a  brave  and  useful  officer  in  the  French 
and  Indian  wars,  and  in  the  revolutionary  struggle.  A  short  tiiiio  previous  to  the  revolu- 
tion  he  married  Miss  Mary  Do  Witt,  a  lady  of  Dutch  descent.  The  fruitof  this  union  wero 
four  sons,  of  whom  De  Witt  was  the  second.  His  early  education  was  inlnisted  to  the  cure 
of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Moffat,  the  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  Little  Britain.  At  the  age 
of  thirteen  he  was  transferred  to  an  academy  at  Kingston,  then  conducted  by  Mr.  John 
Addison.    Here  he  remained  two  years,  when  he  entered  the  junior  class  of  Columbia  col- 

Fae-timile  of  De  Witt  Clinton's  signature. 

lege.     At  this  institution  he  distinguished  himself  us  a  scholar,  and  closed  his  academic  ca- 
reer  in  1786,  when  he.  received  the  usual  degree  of  bachelor  of  arts,  taking,  st  the  com- 
mencement, the  highest  honor  which  the  institution  could  bestow.     He  thereupon  com- 
mcnccd  the  study  of  the  law  under  Siiinuel  Jones,  Esq.,  a  celebrated  counsellor.     After  re. 
ceiving  the  usual  licences  or  degrees  in  his  profession,  he  was  abruptly  called  from  the  fiir- 
ther  culiivHtion  of  the  pursuit  by  circumstances  arising  from  the  situation  of  political  affairs 
in  the  state.     "  The  germs  of  the  two  great  parties  which  have  since  divided  the  coiuitry, 
were  at  that  time  beginning  to  appear.     His  uncle,  IJeorge  Clinton,  then  governor  of  the 
st^i;-,  was  assailed  by  a  combination  of  almost  all  the  talents  of  that  section  of  the  country, 
and  panipblcis  and  newspaper  e.-says  were  poured  ui)on  the  public  with  imrestruined  pro. 
fusion.    Mr.  Clinton,  relinquishing  every  other  pursuit,  entered  warmly  and  exchisively  into 
the  vindication  of  the  conduct  and  principles  of  Ids  uncle  j  and  it  is  believed  that  the 
greater  pait  of  the  controversial  politics  on  the  anti-federal  or  democratic  side  was  man- 
aged by  him  during  this  period  of  turbulence.     He  continued  with  his  miele  as  his  secreta. 
ry  during  his  administration,  which  ended  in  179.5.     Mr.  Clinton  had  been  honored  while 
with  liis  uncle  with  the  office  of  secretary  of  the  University,  and  of  the  Board  of  Fortifica. 
tions  of  New  York.     I'pon  the  retirement  of  the  governor  he  also  withdrew  from  public 
life.     But  his  efforts  as  an  iiulividual,  in  rallying  and  supporting  the  party  of  which  ha 
might  then  have  been  considered  the  leader,  were  not  for  a  moment  remitted.     To  do  ihil 
with  effect,  iiowever,  it  seemed  necessary  that  hu  should  be  placed  in  a  pid)lic  station ,  and 
&  cordiiufly,  in  1798,  ho  wbs  electeil  n  nu-niber  of  the  assembly  from  the  .-iiy  of  New  York, 
and  in  1801)  was  chosen  a  senator  trum  the  suuihern  district,  and  a  niomber  ( \  the  council 


I  QEuO 


ORANGE    COUNTY. 


427 


of  appointment.    From  the  senate  of  tliis  state,  by  a  joint  ballot  of  both  branches  of  the 
legislature,  he  was  elected  to  a  seat  in  the  senate  of  the  United  States,  where  he  took  an 
active  interest  in  the  concerns  of  the  country,  in  relation  to  the  diilerences  then  existing 
with  the  Spanish  authorities  at  New  Orleans.     His  continuance  in  that  august  body,  how- 
ever,  was  short,  as  on  receiving  the  appointment  of  mayor  ot  New  York  :n  October,  1803, 
it  became  necessary  that  he  should  resign  it,  the  duties  of  the  two  offices  being  by  law  in- 
compatible.   This  office  he  held  by  successive  appointment,  with  the  exception  of  twenty, 
two  months,  until  1815.    Notwithstanding  the  pohtical  change  in  the  siate  m  1813,  such 
was  the  public  confidence  in  him,  that  he  was  continued  in  office  during  the  exciting  pe- 
nod  of  the  late  war.     When  President  Madison  received  a  nomination  tor  a  second  term, 
Clinton  was  put  in  opposition,  and  received  89  electoral  votes;  while  Madison  was  elected 
bv  128.    Clinton  early  became  a  strong  partisan  in  favor  of  the  Erie  canal,  and  it  is  owing 
lo  the  bold  stand  which  he  took  in  fovor  of  this  great  enterprise  that  his  popularity  m  a 
measure  was  owing.    In  the  summer  of  1810,  ho  went  on  a  tour  with  other  commissioners 
for  exploring  the  route  of  this  work.     This  country  was  then  comparatively  a  wilderness 
and  there  was  not  a  house  where  the  city  of  Rochester  now  stands.     In  the  spnng  ot 
1815  he  was  superseded  in  his  office  of  mayor,  and  deprived  of       his  public  employnientB 
,  except  that  of  canal  commissioner.    In  1817,  he  was  elected  governor  of  the  state,  winch 
station  he  held  until  the  commencement  of  the  year  182J.     In  the  autumn  of  1822,  he  de- 
clined  another  nomination,  and  returned  to  the  pursuits  of  privat^  hie,  holding  only  the 
office  of  canal  commissioner;  from  which  he  was  removed  m  the  spring  of  1824  by  an 
overwhelming  vote  of  the  legislature.    At  the  time  of  this  vote,  he  had  for  fourteen  years 
been  steadily  engaged  in  promoting  the  cause  of  the  internal  navigation  of  the  state,  and 
whether  in  or  out  of  office,  had  received  no  compensation  for  these  services.     1  he  news  ot 
his  removal  had  no  sooner  reached  the  principal  towns  in  the  state,  than  large  meetings 
were  held  to  express  the  popular  indignation  at  this  measure.     In  the  city  of  New  York, 
not  less  than  10,000  persons  assembled  at  the  call,  among  whom  were  some  ot  his  strong 
pohtical  opponents.     The  conse(iuence  was,  that  the  people  rebuked  this  vote  m  a  most 
emphatic  manner  six  months  after wurd  by  electing  him  their  governor,  and  by  Uie  largest 
maiority  ever  previously  known  in  the  state,  in  a  contested  election ;  which  office  he  held 
until  hi'^  death.     When  the  success  of  the  canal  policy  was  made  apparent,  other  states 
eagerly  embarked  in  similar  enterprises,  and  he  was  invited  to  visit  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio, 
to  Kive  the  aid  of  his  high  authority  to  their  projects  of  internal  improvement.     When  the 
cuiial  connecting  the  Ohio  wiih  Lake  Erie  was  commenced,  to  him  was  asttigncd  the  com- 
nliment  of  removing  the  first  earth  of  the  excavation.     His  journey  through  that  stale,  like 
the  progress  of  Liifiiyetie,  was  one  continued  triumph.     His  popularity  extended  to  all 
classes.     The  merchants  of  New  York  of  all  political  parties,  graieful  for  his  exertions  in 
behalf  of  the  canal,  and  sensible  of  its  influence  upon  their  prosperity,  presented  hmi  with 
two  large  and  rich  silver  vases.    De  Witt  Clinton  died  suddenly  on  the  11th  of  Pebruury, 
1828  atred  59  years.    This  event  cast  a  gloom  throughout  the  state,  and  in  public  meet- 
ings  expressions  were  sent  forth  of  heartfelt  sorrow.     Although  placed  in  circumstances 
where  most  men  would  have  accumulated  unbounded  riches,  he  manifested  an  utter  indil- 
ference  to  money,  and  died  in  honorable  poverty.    Even  the  plate  presented  to  him  by  the 
merchanta  of  New  York  was  exposed  to  sale  after  his  death.  ..,,.. 

"  Clinton  was  possessed  of  the  sterner  virtues,  and  would  not  sacrifice  feeling  to  prmci- 

Die     Although  a  prominent  mason,  his  stand  in  relation  t-  the  abduction  of  Morgan  is  m 

character.     "  The  sheriff"  of  one  of  the  frontier  coiintiei"      as  accused  of  participation  m 

this  abduction.    The  governor  forthwith  propounded  a  ser.es  of  written  interrogatories  re- 

lative  to  his  agency  in  the  transaction,  and  on  his  refusal  to  answer,  issued  a  proclamation 

removing  himfrom  olfice.     This  person,  it  is  to  be  recollected,  was  his  steadfast  fr.eiul  and 

pohtical  supporter;  but  he  would  not  allow   any  personal  considerations  to  weigh  agnmst 

the  public  interest.    In  an  interview  which  the  removed  sheriff  sought,  he  said,    Strong  as 

is  mv  attachment  'o  you,  I  will,  if  you  are  guilty,  exert  myselt  to  have  you  punished  to  the 

extent  of  the  laws,'    To  which  the  trembling  culprit  replied  in  faltering  tones, '  I  have  done 

nothing  worthy  of  chains  or  death.'     Unlike  most  American  statesmen,  Clinton  was  de- 

voted  to  literary  and  scientific  pursuits,  and  was  an  cfficieiit  patron  of  learning.    His  wri- 

tings  place  him  high  in  the  ruiiks  of  science.  ,    . ,    r     •.         „.  i„„ 

"Clinton's  person,  in  his  youth  and  early  manhood,  was  remarkable  for  itB  masculme 

beauty,  and  as  years  advanced  assumed  a  majestic  character.     His  siuiure  was  ui.wanJs  c 

■ix  feet,  straight  and   finely   proportioned.     Hih  eyes  were  a  dark  lia/.c,  ••nproaching  t.> 

black   and  highly  expr(>ssive ;  Ins  hair  brown ;  his  complexion  clear,  and  more  Horul  man 

uLlamont?  American.;  his  U.^.h  fine,  giving  a  peculiar  grace   to  hm  wiile  ;  h.s  no,o 

sliflhilv  aquiline.     Uis  huhitB  of  r.tleciion  and  dose  study  were  marked  in  the  ordinary  ex- 

pSnT Z  countenance,  which,  controlled  at  on  early  period  of  hi.  life  to  the  gravity 


'^m 


i 


428 


ORANGE   COUNTY. 


becoming  the  magistrate  and  the  senator,  presented  an  appearance  of  seriousness  almost 
approaching  to  austerity.  When  spealving  in  public,  however,  his  face  expressed,  with  the 
utmost  flexibility,  the  varying  emotions  to  which  his  words  gave  vent ;  while  in  the  inter, 
course  of  private  life  and  in  famiUar  conversation,  the  gravity  which  rested  on  his  features 
when  not  excited,  gave  way  on  occasion  to  playfulness  and  mirth.'  He  truly  exhibited  the 
picture  of  a  '  great  man,  an  elegant  and  profound  'jcholar,  and  a  practical  citizen — a  man 
of  letters  and  the  world,  and  a  character  of  active  worth  to  the  present  generation,  and  of 
solid  and  permanent  advantage  to  posterity.' " 

Wallkill,  organized  in  1788  ;  from  Albany  S.  100  miles.  Mid- 
dletown,  7  miles  NW.  from  Goshen,  is  a  very  thriving  village  on  the 
New  York  and  Erie  railroad,  and  contains  about  80  or  100  dwellings. 
Philipsburg,  on  the  Wallkill,  4  miles  NW.  from  Goshen,  at  the  outlet 
of  the  "  drow^ned  lands,"  and  Scotchtown,  6  miles  N.,  are  small  settle- 
ments.    Pop.  4,268. 

Warwick,  organized  in  1788;  from  Albany  SW.  110,  and  from  ^ 
New  York  N.  54  miles.     On  the  western  border  lie  a  portion  of  the 
"drowned  lands."*  The  famous  "Sterling  iron  works"  have  been  in 
operation  here  about  80  years.     Warwick,  Amity,  Florida,  Bellville, 
Sugar  Loaf,  and  Edenville  are  small  villages.     Pop.  5,113. 

The  following  ext'-act  from  a  newspaper  printed  April  28th,  1779, 
will  serve  to  show  the  fei'ocity  of  civil  war : 

"  We  hear  from  Goshen  that  a  horrible  murder  was  committed  near  the  Sterling  iron, 
works  on  the  night  of  Saturday  the  26th  of  March,  by  a  party  of  villains  five  or  six  in 
number,  the  principal  of  whom  was  Richard  Smith,  oldest  surviving  son  of  the  late  Claudi- 
us Smith,  of  infamous  memory,  his  eldest  having  been  shot  last  fall  at  Smith's  cove,  in 
company  with  several  other  villains,  by  one  of  our  scouting  parties  sent  out  in  scarc-h  of 
them.  These  bloody  miscreants  i'.  seems  that  night  intended  to  murder  two  men  who  had 
shown  some  activity  and  resolution  in  apprehending  these  robbers  and  murderers  who  in- 
fested  the  neighborhood. 

"  They  first  went  to  the  house  of  John  Clark,  near  the  iron.works,  whom  they  dragged 
from  his  house  and  then  shot  him;  and  observing  sonic  remains  of  life  in  him,  one  of  iheni 
saying  '  he  i»  not  dead  enough  yet,'  shot  him  through  the  arm  again,  &,c.,  and  left  him,  lie 
lived  some  hours  after,  and  gave  an  account  of  their  names  and  behavior.    They  then  went 

to  the  house  of ,  who  hearing  some  noise  they  made  in  approaching,  got  up  and  stood 

on  his  defence,  with  his  gun  and  bayonet  fixed,  in  a  corner  of  his  little  log  cal)in.  They 
burst  open  the  door,  but  seeing  him  stand  with  his  gun,  were  afraid  to  enter,  and  thought 
proper  to  march  off.    The  following  was  pinned  to  Clark's  coat : — 

A  WAHNINO  TO  THE  REBEI.S. 

"  YOU  are  hereby  warned  at  your  peril  to  desist  from  hanging  any  more  friends  to  gov. 
eminent  as  you  did  Claudius  Smith-  You  are  warned  likewise  to  use  .Tames  Smith,  James 
FlucUiiig,  and  William  Cole,  well,  and  ease  them  of  their  irons,  for  wo  are  determined 
to  hang  fix  for  one,  for  the  blood  of  the  innocent  cries  aloud  for  vengeance.  Your  noted 
friend  Cnpt.  Williams  and  his  crew  of  robbers  and  miirdorors  we  have  got  in  our  power, 
and  the  blood  of  Claudius  Smith  shall  bo  repaid.  There  arc  particular  companies  of  us 
that  belong  to  Col.  Hutler's  army,  Indians  as  well  as  white  men,  and  pariiculaHy  numbers 
from  New  York,  that  are  resolved  to  bo  avenged  on  you  for  your  cruelty  and  murder.  We 
are  to  remind  you  that  you  are  the  beginners  and  aggressors,  for  by  your  cruel  oppressiona 
and  bloody  actions  you  drive  us  to  it.  This  is  the  first,  and  we  are  determined  to  pursue  it 
on  your  heads  and  leaden  to  the  lost — till  the  whole  of  you  are  murdered." 


•  "  The  drowned  hinds"  of  Orange  county  lie  along  the  Wallkill  creek,  in  the  towns  of 
Minisink,  Warwick,  and  CJoslien.  When  drained  of  the  waters,  iliey  have  a  deep  soil  of 
rich  vegetable  mould,  which  produces  good  cro|)s  of  hemp,  and  are  found  to  be  productive 
and  valuable.  The  tract  so  called,  extends  in  length  along  each  side  of  this  creek  about 
10  miles,  being  from  3  to  5  miles  in  width. 


ness  almost 
id,  with  the 
in  the  inter, 
hia  features 
thibited  the 
!en — a  man 
ion,  and  oi° 

s.  Mid- 
fe  on  the 
wellings. 
he  outlet 
all  settlc- 

md  from  , 
n  of  the 
3  been  in 
BellviUe, 

ith,  1779, 


terling  iron- 
vo  or  six  in 
hue  Ciaudi- 
ii's  covo,  in 
n  search  of 
en  who  had 
era  who  in- 

icy  dragged 
ano  of  tiioni 
sft  him.  Ho 
y  then  went 
ip  and  stood 
bin.  They 
ind  thoiigiit 


'nds  to  gov. 
nitii,  James 
determined 
Your  noted 
our  power, 
innicB  of  ua 
■]y  ninnbers 
urder.  We 
opjireseions 
to  pursue  it 


i«;  towns  of 
Jct'p  soil  of 
!  productive 
.'reeit  about 


ORLEANS   COUNTY.  429 


ORLEANS  COtTNTY. 

Orleans  county  was  taken  from  Genesee  in  1824.  Itis  24  miles  long 
E  and  W.,  and  18  miles  broad  N.  and  S.  It  is  centrally  distant  Irom 
Albany  257,  and  from  New  York  302  miles.  The  summit  of  the 
mountain  ridge  extends  across  the  county  at  an  elevation  oi  about 
340  feet  above  Lake  Ontario.  Parallel  with  this,  on  the  alluvial  way, 
runs  the  ridge  road.  With  these  exceptions,  the  face  of  the  country 
is  generally  level.  The  soil,  mostly  clay  and  argillaceous  loam,  is 
liirrhly  fertile.  Grain  is  raised  in  considerable  quantities.  The  Erie 
carnal  passes  centrally  through  the  county.  The  whole  county  was 
included  in  the  grant  to  IJassachusetts.  The  towns  of  Barre,  Carl- 
ton, Gaines,  Ridgeway,  Shelby,  and  Yates,  belonged  to  the  Holland 
Land  Company ;  whilst  Murray,  Clarendon,  and  Kendall,  belonged 
to  the  Pulteney  estate.  The  county  was  chiefly  settled  by  New  Eng- 
landers,  and  is  divided  into  9  towns.     Pop.  24,995. 


View  of  the  public  buildings  in  Albion. 

Barre,  taken  from  Gaines  in  1818;  from  Albany  200  miles.  Al- 
bion, founded  in  1823  by  Neheniiah  Ingersol  and  Geoiv^e  Standart, 
Jr.,  the  county  seat  oi  justice,  incorporated  n^  imH,  ics  near  the 
centre  of  the  county  upon  the  Erie  cannl ;  Irom  Albany,  by  the  caiial, 
305,  from  Rochester  35,  from  Bulfalo  58,  from  Lockport  28  miles.  The 
annexed  view  was  taken  from  the  door  of  the  Baptist  church.  1  he 
lirst  building  on  the  right,  a  largo  brick  structure,  is  the  Albion  I'c 
male  Seminary  ;*  the  small  building  hi  the  centre  of  the  t^"g»''^V'"g' 

"^uZi.,  ,u,j  r  imiL'..-  of  Mrs.  Cnrotino  Achillee  and  Mi»ii  Sophronia  Phippi,  principals,  and 
numbering  about  two  hundred  pupils. 


I:    ' 


f     i 


430 


ORLEANS    COUNTY. 


I     t' 

■'1 


is  the  county  clerk's  office.  The  building  with  a  cupola  is  the  court- 
house, and  the  one  partially  seen  in  the  rear,  the  jail.  There  are  in 
the  village  1  Presbyterian,  1  Baptist,  and  1  Methodist  church,  the 
Orleans  county  bank,  2  weekly  newspaper  offices,  and  about  220 
dwellings,  many  of  them  large,  neat,  and  commodious.  The  sur- 
rounding country  abounds  in  Iruit.  South  Barre,  6  miles,  and  Barre 
Centre,  3  miles  S.  of  Albion,  are  both  small  villages.     Pop.  5,499. 

Caulton,  originally  named  Oak  Orchard,  and  taken  from  Gaines 
and  Ridge  way  in  1822;  from  Albany  265,  from  Albion  centrally  dis- 
tant N.  8  miles.  Carlton  is  a  small  post  village,  and  West  Carlton  a 
post-office.     Pop.  2,242. 

Clarendon,  taken  from  Sweden  in  1821  ;  from  Albany  251  miles. 
Clarendon  is  a  small  village  9  miles  SE.  from  Albion.     Pop.  2,2t)l. 

Gaines,  taken  from  Ridgeway  in  181C;  bounds  since  altered ;  from 
Albany  200  "liles.  Pop.  2,431.  Gaines,  3  miles  NW.  from  Albion, 
incorporated  in  1832,  has  about  60  dwellings.  Eagle  Harbor,  3  miles 
west  of  Albion,  and  Gaines  Basin,  U  miles  north,  both  on  the  canal, 
are  small  villages.  Fairhaven  is  2i  miles  north  of  Albion.  West 
Gaines  is  a  post-olRce. 

Kendall,  the  NE.  corner  town,  was  recently  formed  from  Murray ; 
centrally  distant  NE.  from  Albion  10  miles.     Pop.  1,682. 

Murray,  taken  from  Gates  in  1808  ;  from  Albany  245  miles.  Pop. 
2,678.  Ilolley,  1 0  miles  cast  of  Albion  and  25  west  of  Rochester, 
was  founded  in  1823  by  Elisha  Johnson.  It  has  about  350  inhabitants. 
A  short  distance  east  of  the  village  is  the  HoUey  embankment,  one 
of  the  greatest  on  the  Erie  canal,  elevated  76  feet  above  the  creek. 
North  Murray,  Scio,  and  Sandy  Creek,  are  small  villages. 

RiDGKWAY,  taken  from  Batavia  in  1812 ;  bounds  since  much  alter- 
ed ;  from  Albany  267  miles.  Pop.  3,257.  Medina,  situated  in  a 
flourishing  country  on  the  canal,  incorporated  in  1832,  10  miles  west 
of  Albion,  is  a  thriving  place.  There  are  here  1  Baptist,  1  Metho- 
dist, 1  Presbyterian,  1  Episcopal,  and  1  Catholic  church,  and  about 
1,000  inhabitants.  A  railroad  connects  this  place  with  Richfield, 
12  miles  distant.  Knowlesville  village,  on  the  canal,  6  miles  west  of 
Albion,  has  1  Presbyterian,  1  Methodist,  and  1  Baptist  church,  and 
about  80  or  100  dwellings.  Oak  Orchard,  9  miles  N W.  from  Albion, 
and  Ridgeway  Corners,  13  miles  NW.  from  Albion,  are  small  villages. 

Shelby,  taken  from  Ridgeway  in-  1818;  from  Albany  260  miles. 
Ellicott's  Mills,  13  miles  SE.,  Shelby's  Basin,  on  the  canal  13  miles  W., 
and  Millville,  10  miles  SW.  from  Albion,  are  small  villages.  Pop. 
2,697. 

Yates,  oricinally  named  Northton,  and  taken  from  Ridgeway  in 
1822  ;  from  Albany  270  miles,  Lindon,  14  miles  NW.  from  Albion, 
and  Yates  Centre,  are  small  villages.     Pop.  2,248. 


s  the  court- 
here  are  in 
ihurch,  the 
about  220 
The  sur- 
,  and  Barre 
p.  5,499. 
•om  Gaines 
ntrally  dis- 
t  Carlton  a 

251  miles, 
op.  2,201. 
ered;  from 
om  Albion, 
bor,  3  miles 

the  canal, 
on.    West 

r\  Murray ; 

liles.  Pop. 
Rochester, 
nhabitants. 
kment,  one 
I  the  creek. 

nuch  alter- 

aated   in  a 

miles  west 

t,  1  Metho- 

and  about 
I  Richtield, 
les  west  of 
hurch,  and 
om  Albion, 
all  villages. 

260  miles. 
3  miles  W., 
ges.     Pop. 

idgeway  in 
om  Albion, 


OSWEGO    COUNTY. 


OSWEGO  COUNTY. 


481 


Oswego  county  was  taken  from  Oneida  and  Onondaga  counties  in 
1816  ;  centrally  distant  from  New  York  NW.  295,  and  from  Albany 
150  miles.  Greatest  length  E.  and  W.  37  miles, greatest  breadth  N.and 
S.  30  miles.  The  surface  is  level  upon  the  west,  south,  and  southeast ; 
in  the  interior  rolling,  and  in  the  north  rising  into  hills.  The  soil 
generally  is  of  a  medium  quality,  some  of  it  highly  fertile,  bettpr 
adapted  to  grass  than  grain.  With  the  exception  of  the  Oswego 
river,  there  are  no  large  streams.  "  The  towns  west  of  the  Oswego 
river  constituted  a  part  of  the  military  tract.  The  towns  east  of 
the  river  constitute  a  part  of  '  Scriba's  patent.'  These  lands  were 
originally  granted  to  Nicholas  Roosevelt,  of  New  York,  who  not 
complying  with  the  terms  of  sale,  they  were  sold  to  George  Scriba, 
a  native  of  Germany,  and  at  that  time  a  merchant  in  New  York. 
The  town  of  Richland,  a  large  part  of  Volney,  about  one  half  of 
Scriba,  and  the  town  of  Vienna,  in  the  county  of  Oneida,  upon  a  sale 
of  part  of  Mr.  Roosevelt's  interest  by  process  from  chancery,  were 
jointly  purchased  by  Gen.  Alexander  Hamilton,  John  Lawrence,  and 
John  B.  Church."     The  county  has  20  towns.     Pop.  43,820. 

Albion,  taken  from  Richland  in  1825  ;  from  Albany  150,  centrally 
distant  from  Pulaski  SE.  8  miles.  Sandbank,  Salmon,  and  Spruce 
are  post-offices.     Pop.  1,499. 

Amboy,  taken  from  Williamstown  in  1830  ;  from  Albany  130,  from 
Pulaski  centrally  distant  SE.  22  miles.  Amboy  is  a  small  post  vil- 
lage.    Pop.  1,084. 

Boylston,  taken  from  Orwell  in  1828;  from  Albany  140,  from 
Pulaski  NE.  10  miles.  Pop.  481.  The  greater  part  of  the  town  is 
still  covered  with  a  forest. 

CoNSTANTiA,  taken  from  Mexico  in  1808 ;  from  Albany  145  miles. 
Pop.  1,494.  Constantia  or  Rotterdam,  on  the  Oneida  lake,  36  miles 
E.  from  Oswego,  has  about  30  dwellings.  Here  is  one  of  the  most 
extensive  iron  foundries  in  the  state.  Cleaveland  village  has  about 
25  dwellings. 

GttANBY,  taken  from  Hannibal  in  1818 ;  from  Albany  W.  158,  cen- 
trally distant  from  Oswego  S.  12  miles.  Pop.  2,386.  Phillips^  vil- 
lage is  a  small  settlement  on  the  Oswego  river  at  the  Oswego  Falls, 
which  are  800  feet  in  width,  and  can  be  made  to  furnish  great  hy- 
draulic power.    Six  Mile  Creek  is  a  post-office. 

Hannibal,  originally  taken  from  Lysander  as  part  of  Onondaga 
county  in  1806;  from  Albany  168  miles.  Pop.  2,275.  Hannibal- 
ville,  1 1  miles  S.  of  Oswego,  and  Kinney's  Corners,  6  miles  from  Os- 
wego, arc  small  villages. 

Hastings,  taken  from  Constantia  in  1825;  from  Albany  150,  cen- 
trally distant  from  Pulaski  S.  17  miles.  Pop.  1,989.  Opixjsite  to 
Brewerton  village,  at  the  head  of  Oneida  river,  are  the  remains  of  Fort 
Brewerton.    Central  Square  and  Hastings  aro  post-offices. 


u  I 


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482 


OSWEGO   COUNTY. 


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Mexico,  originally  taken  from  Whitestown,  and  organized  as  part 
of  Herkimer  county  in  1792 ;  from  Albany  154  miles.  Pop.  3,799. 
Mexico  village,  10  miles  S.  from  Pulaski,  16  from  Oswego,  has  about 
70  or  80  dwellings,  and  an  academy— 1  Presbyterian,  1  Baptist,  and 
1  Methodist  church.  Prattsville  9  miles,  Colosse  10,  and  Union 
Square  8  from  Pulaski,  are  small  settlements. 

New  Haven,  taken  from  Mexico  in  1813  ;  from  Albany  157  miles. 
Pop.  1,735.  New  Haven,  10  miles  E.  from  Oswego,  and  12  SW. 
from  Pulaski,  h;?r  about  20  dwellings.     Butterfly  is  a  post-office. 

Orwell,  taken  from  Richland  in  1817 ;  from  Albany  139,  and  from 
Pulaski  centrally  distant  E.  9  miles.  Pop.  809.  The  falls  of  the 
Salmon  river  here  a^c  107  feet  perpendicular,  and  with  a  width  during 
freshets  of  250  feet.  Above  them  the  rocky  banks  rise  80  feet — be- 
low, 200  above  the  water. 

Oswego  was  taken  from  Hannibal  in  1818.  It  has  a  level  surface 
and  a  soil  of  sandy  loam.  Pop,  4,673.  Oswego  village,  post  and 
half-shire  town,  port  of  entry  and  delivery  ibr  Oswego  district,  is  45 
miles  W.  from  Sacketts  harbor,  60  from  Kingston,  Upper  Canada, 
60  from  the  mouth  of  Genesee  river,  140  from  the  mouth  of  Niagara 
river,  and  150  from  Toronto  in  a  straight  line,  and  38  from  Syracuse 
on  the  Erie  canal.  The  village  lies  on  both  sides  of  the  Oswego  river, 
with  which  it  is  connected  by  a  bridge  700  feet  in  length.  The  jior- 
tion  on  the  eastern  side  is  within  the  limits  of  the  town  of  Scribu. 
The  facilities  which  its  situation  gives  for  commerce  and  manufactures 
are  great,  commanding  the  markets  of  the  lakes  and  the  St.  Law- 
rence river,  and  connected  with  the  interior  of  the  state  by  the 
Oswego  and  Erie  canals.  The  water-power  afforded  by  the  canal* 
and  river  is  very  extensive,  and  upon  them  are  many  large  manufac- 
turing establishments.  The  harbor  is  formed  at  the  mouth  of  the 
river  by  a  pier  of  wood,  30  feet  broad,  filled  with  stone,  and  built  by  the 
general  government,  extending  on  the  west  side  1,250  feet,  and  on  the 
east  250,  between  which  there  is  an  opening  for  vessels.  Within 
the  pier  the  water  is  irom  10  to  20  feet  deep.  The  cost  of  this  work 
was  #93,000.  There  is  here  an  excellent  marine  railway  constructed 
at  considerable  expense.  The  village  is  laid  out  on  streets  100  feet 
wide,  running  at  right  angles.  The  courthouse  is  of  v,o»i],  on  the 
eas»  side  of  the  river.  There  is  also  1  Presbyterian,  (  s'piscopal, 
1  Methodist,  1  Baptist;  I  Congrcgationalist,  and  1  Cat! -lie  church, 
ai.  incorporated  acadcni'.',  the  Bank  of  Oswego,  cKrl-nl  $150,000, 
the  Commercial  Bank  oi"  Oswego,  incorporated  vi  iS'Sti,  capital 
$150,000,  and  about  600  dwellings. 

•  "  About  tlirpo  quarters  of  a  niilu  from  the  inoutli  of  the  river  wns  a  ra,  ■  1,  ,vi  which  the 
Btate  has  erected  a  feeder  dniu  seven  nnd  half  feet  hisli  fur  supplying  the  c\.:ui>  with  water. 
On  the  east  side  of  the  stream,  the  Oswego  Canal  Company,  f)iirsii;int  t'  ixi.  i  inent  witli 
the  commonwealth,  have  a  right  to  the  full  use  of  llio  waters  of  the  river  iiui  liio  C'lnal, 
and  have,  by  a  subsidiary  canal,  conducted  them  to  the  village,  where  they  have  a  fall  of 
nineteen  feet.  Mr.  Abraham  Variek  has  constructed  on  the  y,vM  side,  under  the  direction  of 
Mr.  John  McNair,  civil  engineer,  (1H35,)  on  the  nuirgin  of  the  river,  a  wall  eighteen  feei 
hijrh.  formip-i'  a  canal  alonsr  the  bank  seven  feet  deep,  slxfy-two  feet  wide,  at  an  rstimated 
cost  of  $75,000,  giving  also  a  fall  of  nineteen  feet  at  the  villagt ."— Gorifon's  Ga«. 


zed  as  part 
Pop.  3,799. 
,  has  about 
Japtist,  and 
and  Union 

'  157  miles, 
id  12  SW. 

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anufactures 
;  St.  Law- 
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built  by  the 
,  and  on  the 
Is.  Within 
>f  this  work 
constructed 
;ts  100  feet 
u»i'l,  on  the 
Episcopal, 
lie  church, 

1  $150,000, 
30,   capital 


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OSWEGO   COUNTY. 


435 


"  The  fort  here  was  of  great  military  importance  during  the  colonial 
wars.  A  factory  was  established  by  the  New  York  government  in 
1723 ;  and  a  fort  erected  on  the  west  side  of  the  river  in  1727,  and 
enlarged  in  1755 ;  which,  with  Fort  Ontario,  built  on  an  eminence  on 
the  east  in  the  latter  year,  were  on  the  14th  of  August,  1756,  reduced 
by  the  French,  under  Gen.  Montcalm."  The  following  account  ot 
the  investment  and  surrender  of  these  forts  is  taken  from  the  26th 
number  of  the  London  Magazine,  for  the  year  1757. 

"  The  works  at  Oswego  at  this  time  consisted  of  three  forts— viz,  the  old  fort  on  the  west 
side  of  the  river,  and  two  forts  on  the  east  side,  situated  on  two  eminences,  winch  latter 
were  comtnenoed  the  year  previous,  and  were  in  an  unfinished  state.     These  works  were 
very  weak,  and  the  walls  of  insufficient  strength  to  resist  heavy  artillery.     1  he  bnglisli 
relied  for  a  defence  upon  having  a  superior  naval  force  upon  tno  lake.    Untortunately,  the 
naval  armament  at  that  time  fitting  out  was  incomplete.     On  tlie  (itli  of  August,  Colonel 
Mercer,  commanding  officer  of  the  garrison,  which  consisted  ol  about  1,600  men,  having 
received  intelligence  of  a  large  encampment  of  French  and  Indians  about  twelve  miles 
distant,  despatched  a  schooner  with  an  account  of  it  to  Capt.  Broadley,  who  was  then  on  a 
cruise  with  a  large  brigantine  and  two  sloops,  at  the  same  time  desiring  hini  to  sail  ns  far 
eastward  as  he  could,  and  to  endeavor  to  prevent  the  approach  of  the  trench  on  the  lake. 
The  next  day  a  violent  gale  of  wind  drove  the  brigantine  ashore  while  attempting  to  get 
into  the  harbor.    The  French  seized  this  opportunity  to  transport  their  heavy  cannon  within 
a  mile  and  a  half  of  the  fort,  which  he  would  not  have  been  enabled  to  have  done  had  it 
not  been  for  this  disaster.    On  the  morning  of  the  11th,  some  canoes  were  seen  to  the 
eastward,  and  the  schooner  was  sent  out  to  make  a  discovery  ot  what  they  were ;  she  was 
scarce  half  a  mile  distant  before  she  hoisted  a  jack  at  mast  head,  fired  a  gun  to  leeward, 
and  stood  in  again  for  the  harbor,  and  brought  intelligence  that  they  had  discovered  a  very 
large  encampment,  close  round  the  opposite  point ;  on  which  the  two  sloops,  (the  large 
brigantine  being  still  on  shore,)  were  sent  out  with  orders  if  possible  to  annoy  the  enemy. 
They  proceeded  to  within  gun-shot  of  the  enemy's  camp,  when  tiiey  were  fired  upon  troiii 
a  battery  of  four  twelve  pounders.    This  fire  was  briskly  returned  from  both  vessels,  but  to 
no  purpose,  as  their  shot  fell  short  of  the  shore,  and  the  enemy's  cannon  being  large  and 
well  managed,  hulled  the  vessels  almost  every  shot.    After  firing  several  broadsides  the 

vessel;;  returned.  ,     ,        nr.    •  e  r        io 

"  The  same  day  the  French  invested  the  place  with  about  32  pieces  ot  cannon,  trom  Vi 
to  18  pounders,  besides  several  large  brass  mortars  and  hoyets,  (among  which  artillery  was 
included  that  taken  from  Gen.  Braddock,)  and  about  5,000  men.  About  noon  they  began 
the  attack  of  Fort  Ontario  with  small-arms,  which  was  briskly  returned  with  small-arms 
and  8  cannon  of  that  fort,  and  shells  from  the  opposite  side  of  the  river.  The  garrison  on 
the  west  side  of  the  river  was  this  day  employed  in  repairing  the  battery  on  the  south  side 
of  the  old  fort.  That  night  the  enemy  wer«  engaged  in  approaching  Fort  Ontario,  and 
bringing  up  their  cannon  against  it.  On  the  12th,  the  enemy  renewed  their  fire  o  small- 
armi  on  Fort  Ontario,  which  was  briskly  returned.    The  garrison  on  the  west  side  were 

employed  as  the  day  previous.  t^    .  rv  .    •       tvt  .    m, 

"  The  French  on  the  east  side  continued  their  approaches  to  tort  Ontario,  INotwith. 
standing  the  continued  fire  upon  the  enemy  and  the  death  of  their  chief  engineer,  by  10 
o'clock  next  morning  they  opened  a  battery  of  cannon  within  60  yards  of  the  fort.  At  U 
o'clock  Col.  Mercer  sent  the  garrison  word  to  destroy  their  cannon,  ammunition,  and  pro- 
visions, and  to  evacuate  the  fort.  About  3  P.  M.,  the  garrison,  consisting  ot  about  370  men, 
ertected  their  retreat  to  the  west  side  of  the  river  without  the  loss  ot  a  man,  tind  were  em- 
ployed on  the  night  of  the  12th  in  completing  the  works  at  the  fort  at  the  West  hill.  On 
this  night  as  well  ns  the  night  before,  parties  of  the  enemy's  irregulars  made  several  unsuc. 
cessful  attempts  to  surprise  the  advanced  guards  and  sentries  on  the  west  side  ot  the  river. 
On  the  night  of  the  13th,  the  enemy  were  employed  on  the  east  aide  of  the  river  in  bringing 
up  their  cannon  and  raising  a  battery  against  the  old  fort.  A  constant  fire  was  kept  upon 
them  from  the  west  side.  The  cannon  which  most  annoyed  the  enemy  were  tour  pieces, 
which  were  reversed  on  the  platform  of  nn  earthen  work  which  surrounded  the  old  tort, 
and  which  was  entirely  enfiladed  by  the  enemy's  battery  on  the  opposite  shore.  In  this 
situation,  without  the  least  cover,  the  train,  assisted  by  a  detachment  of  50  ot  Shirley  a  regi. 
inent,  behaved  remarkably  well.  At  daybreak,  the  14th,  the  English  renewed  the  fire  ot 
their  cannon  on  that  part  of  the  shore  where  they  had  the  evening  P^^''^"'"%"''^"^^/^||'® 
enemy  creeling  a  battery.    This  was  returned  from  u  batteiy  ot  ten  >'->  pnunders.    .._out 


HH  M% 


V\ 


436 


OSWEGO    COUNTT. 


9  A.  M.,  2,500  of  the  enemy  crossed  tlie  river  in  three  columns.  At  this  time  Lieut,  Col, 
Mercer  was  killed  by  a  cannon  ball.  About  10  o'clock,  the  enemy  had  in  readiness  a  bat. 
tery  of  martars.  All  the  places  of  defence  were  either  Rpfllnf'c;!  or  ruined  by  the  constant 
fire  of  the  enemy's  cannon ;  2,500  French  and  Indiiifia  were  lu  inn  rear  of  the  works  ready 
to  storm,  and  2,000  regulars  were  ready  to  land  in  front  under  cover  of  dieir  cannon.  At 
this  juncture,  Col.  Littlehalcs,  upon  whom  the  command  now  devolved,  called  a  council  of 
war,  who  were,  with  the  engineers,  unanimously  of  opinion,  that  the  works  were  no  longer 
tenable,  and  that  it  was  by  no  means  prudent  to  risk  a  storm  with  such  unequal  numbers. 
The  '  chamade'  was  accordingly  ordered  to  be  beat.  The  soldiers  throughout  the  siege 
showed  great  bravery,  and  it  was  with  difficulty  that  they  could  now  be  restrained  from  con. 
tinning  their  i  osistan'ce.  On  beating  the  '  chamade,'  the  firing  ceased  on  both  sides,  and 
two  officers  were  sent  to  the  French  general,  to  know  upon  what  terms  he  would  accept  a 
surrender.  Upon  which  Montcalm  replied,  that  the  Enghsh  were  an  enemy  he  esteemed ; 
that  none  but  a  brave  nation  would  have  thought  of  defending  so  weak  a  place  so  long, 
against  such  a  strong  train  of  artillery  and  superior  numbers ;  that  they  might  expect  what, 
ever  terms  were  consistent  with  the  service  of  His  Most  Christian  Majesty ;  he  accordingly 
Bent  the  following  proposals,  viz:—  ,  •  <•    r  tt-    t.t 

"  '  The  Marquis  of  Moncalm,  army  and  field  marshal,  commander-m-chief  of  His  Most 
Christian  Majesty's  troops,  is  ready  to  receive  a  capitulation  upon  the  most  honorable  con- 
ditions,  surrendering  to  him  all  the  forts.  They  shall  be  shown  all  the  regard  the  politest 
nations  can  show ;  I  send  an  aid-de-camp  on  my  part — viz.  Mens.  De  Bougainville,  c:".i!'  lin 
of  dragoons ;  they  need  only  send  the  capitulation  to  be  signed ;  I  require  an  answer  by 
noon ;  I  have  kept  Mr.  Drake  for  an  hostage.  Montcalm. 

"  '  Aug.  14,  1756.'  " 

"The  terms  required  by  the  English  were  honorably  granted. 
The  victors  immediately  dismantled  the  Ibrts  and  carried  off  the  gar- 
rison, 121  pieces  of  cannon,  14  mortars,  great  quantities  of  ammuni- 
tion and  warlike  stores,  two  sloops  of  war,  and  200  boats  and  bat- 
teaux." 


West  view  of  Fort  Oswego. 

The  following  is  the  American  official  account  of  the  attack  upon 
this  place  during  the  late  war,  taken  from  a  newspaper  published  at 
the  time.  Copy  of  a  letter  from  Maj.  Gen.  Brown  to  the  secretary 
of  war,  dated 

"  H.  Q.,  Sacketts  Harhnr,  May  12,  1814. 

"  Sir, — Enclosed  is  an  abstract  from  the  report  of  Lieut.  Col.  Mitchell,  of  the  affair  at 
Oswego.  Being  well  satisfied  with  the  manner  in  which  the  colonel  executed  my  orders, 
and  with  the  evidence  given  of  steady  discipline  and  gallant  conduct  on  the  part  of  the 
troops,  I  have  noticed  them  in  the  general  order,  a  copy  of  which  is  enclosed. — The  ene- 
my's object  was  the  naval  and  military  stores  deposited  at  the  {"aiis,  10  miius  in  the  rear  of 


OSWEGO   COUNTY. 


487 


e  Lieut.  Col. 
idiness  a  bat. 
the  constant 
works  ready 
cannon.  At 
a  council  of 
ere  no  longer 
iial  numbers, 
out  the  siege 
ed  from  con- 
)th  sides,  and 
Duld  accept  a 
le  esteemed ; 
lace  so  long, 
expect  what. 
i  accordingly 

of  His  Most 
Dnorable  con- 
d  the  politest 
iville,  c  .i";iin 
in  answer  by 
Montcalm. 


■  granted, 
ff  the  gar- 
f  animuni- 
s  and  bat- 


:tack  upon 

iblished  at 

secretary 


/  12, 1814. 

f  the  affair  at 
;d  my  orders, 
3  part  of  the 
d. — The  ene. 
in  the  rear  ui 


The  stores  at  the  fort  and  village  were  not  important. 
Jacob  Brown,  My.  Gen. 


the  fort.    These  were  protected. 
I  am,  &c. 
"  Hon.  Secretary  at  War." 

"  Report. — I  informed  you  of  my  arrival  at  Fort  Oswego  on  the  30ih  ult.    This  post 
being  but  occasionally  and  not  recently  occupied  by  regular  troops,  was  in  a  bad  state  of 
defence.     Of  cannon,  we  had  but  five  old  guns,  three  of  which  had  lost  their  trunnions. 
What  could  be  done  in  the  way  of  repair  was  effected — new  platforms  were  laid,  the  gun 
carriages  put  in  order,  and  decayed  pickets  replaced.     On  the  5th  inst.  the  British  naval 
force,  consisting  of  4  large  ships,  3  brigs,  and  a  number  of  gun  and  other  boats  were  descried 
at  reveille — beating  about  7  miles  from  the  fort.     Information  was  immediately  given  to 
Capt.  Woulscy  of  the  navy  (who  was  at  Oswego  village)  and  to  the  neighboring  militia.    It 
being  doubtful  on  what  side  of  the  river  the  enemy  would  attempt  to  land,  and  my  force 
(290  effectives)  b(;ing  too  small  to  bear  division,  I  ordered  the  tents  in  store  to  be  pitched 
on  the  villagi!  side,  while  I  occupied  the  other  with  my  whole  force.     It  is  probable  that 
this  artifice  had  its  effect  and  determined  the  enemy  to  attack  where  from  appearances  they 
expected  the  least  opposition.     About  1  o'clock,  the  fleet  approached.     Fifteen  boats,  large 
and  crowded  with  troops,  at  a  given  signal  moved  slowly  to  the  shore.     These  were  pre. 
ceded  by  gun-boats  sent  to  rake  the  w.jods  and  cover  the  landing,  while  the  larger  vessels 
opened  a  fire  upon  the  fort.    Capt.  Boyle  and  Lieut.  Legate,  (so  soon  as  the  debarking 
boats  got  within  the  range  of  our  shot,)  opened  upon  them  a  very  successful  fire  from  the 
shore  battery,  and  compelled  them  twice  to  retire.     They  at  length  returned  to  the  ships, 
and  the  whole  stood  off  from  the  shore  for  better  anchorage.     One  of  the  enemy's  boats 
which  had  been  deserted,  was  taken  up  by  us,  and  some  others  by  the  militia.    The  first 
mentioned  was  60  feet  long,  and  carried  36  oars  and  3  sails,  and  could  accommodate  150 
men.     She  had  received  a  ball  through  h(T  bow,  and  was  neariy  filled  with  water.— Piquet 
guards  were  stationed  at  different  points,  as  we  lay  on  our  arms  during  the  night.— At  day. 
break  on  the  6th,  the  fleet  appeared  bearing  up  under  easy  sail.     The  Wolfe,  &c.,  took  a 
position  directly  against  the  fort  and  batteries,  and  for  3  hours  kept  up  a  heavy  fire  of 
grape,  &c.     Finding  that  the  enemy  had  effected  a  landing,  I  withdrew  my  small  disposa. 
ble  force  into  the  rear  of  the  fort,  and  with  two  companies  (Romayne's  and  Melvin's)  met 
their  advancing  columns,  while  the  other  companies  engaged  the  flanks  of  the  enemy. 
Lieut.  Pearce  of  the  navy,  and  some  seamen,  jcjincd  in  the  attack,  and  fought  with  their 
characteristic  bravery.     We  maintained  our  ground  about  30  minutes,  and  as  long  as  con- 
SLsted  with  my  further  duty  of  defending  the  public  stores  deposited  at  the  falls,  which  no 
doubt  formed  the  principal  object  of  the  expedition  on  the  part  of  the  enemy.    Nor  was  this 
movement  made  precipitately.     I  halted  within  400  yards  of  the  fort.     Capt.  Roinayne's 
company  formed  the  rcar-guard,  and  remaining  with  it,  I  marehed  to  this  place  in  good 
order,  destroying  the  bridges  in  my  rear.     The  enemy  landed  600  of  De  Wuttevilles  regi. 
nient,  600  marines,  two  companies  of  the  Glengary  corps,  and  350  seamen. — Gen.  Drum, 
niond  and  Com.  Yeo,  were  the  land  and  naval  commanders.    They  burned  the  old  bar- 
racks  and  evacuated  the  fort  about  3  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  7th. — Our  loss  in  killed 
is  6,  in  wounded  38,  and  in  missing  25.    That  of  the  enemy  is  much  greater.    Deserters 
and  citizens  of  ours  taken  prisoners  and  afterward  released,  state  their  killed  at  64,  and 
wounded  in  proportion — among  these  are  several  land  and  naval  officers  of  merit.» — I  can. 
not  close  this  despatch  without  speaking  of  the  dead  and  the  living  of  my  detachment. 
Lieut.  Blaney,  a  young  man  of  much  promise,  was  unfortunately  killed.     His  conduct  was 
highly  meritorious.    Capt.  Boyle  and  Lieut.  Legate  merit  my  highest  approbation,  and 
indeed  I  want  language  to  express  my  admiration  of  their  gallant  conduct.    The  subalterns, 
M.  Comb,  Ansart,  Ring,  Robb,  Eari,  McClintock,  and  Newkirk,  performed  well  their 
several  parts.— It  would  be  injustice  were  I  not  to  acknowledge  and  report  the  zeal  and 
patriotism  evinced  by  the  militia,  who  arrived  at  short  notice,  and  were  anxious  to  be 
useful. 

"  H.  Q.,  Sacketta  Harbor,  12  J»%,  1814. 

"  Generai,  orders. — Maj.  Gen.  Brown  has  the  satisfaction  of  announcing  to  the  troops 
of  his  division,  that  the  detachment  under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Col.  Mitchell  of  the  corps 


»  Commodore  Chauncey,  in  a  letter  about  this  date  to  the  secretary  of  the  navy,  states — 
"  The  enemy  has  paid  dearly  for  the  little  booty  he  obtained  at  Oswego.  From  the  best 
information  which  I  can  collect,  both  from  deserters  and  my  agents,  the  enemy  lost  70 
men  killed,  and  165  wounded,  drowned  and  missing— in  all  235;  nearly  aa  many  as  were 
opposed  to  tiioni.  Capt.  Midcaster  is  certainly  mortally  wounded ;  a  captain  of  marines 
killed,  and  a  number  of  other  officers  killed  and  wounded." 


i>  ■  >y.'k 


It,  ii 


Ui  I 


H 


438 


09WEG0   COUNTY. 


of  artillery,  have  by  their  gallant  and  highly  military  conduct  on  the  5th  and  Gth  inst.,  gained 
a  name  in  arms  worthy  of  the  nation  they  serve  and  the  cause  they  support.  For  nearly 
two  days  they  maintained  an  unequal  contest  against  ten  times  their  number,  and  but 
yielded  their  post  when  the  interest  of  their  country  made  that  measure  necessary.  The 
companies  composing  this  gallant  detachment  were  Boyle's,  Romayne's,  Mclntire's,  and 
Pierce's,  of  the  heavy  artillery,  and  a  few  seamen  under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Pearce  of 
the  navy,— in  all  less  than  three  hundred  men.  The  enemy's  force  by  land  and  water  ex. 
ceeded  three  thousand  men" 

The  following  additional  particulars  are  from  Thomson's  History  of  the  Late  War.—"  On 
the  morning  of  the  7th,  the  enemy  finding  that  the  object  of  the  expedition,  though  prose, 
cuted  with  a  force,  including  the  ship's  crew,  of  3,000  men,  had  not  been  achieved,  evacu- 
ated  the  place  after  firing  the  barracks,  spiking  some  and  carrying  off  others  ol  the  guns— 
On  the  9  th,  they  returned  to  Oswego,  and  sent  a  flag  into  the  village,  informing  the  iiihabi. 
tants  of  their  intention  of  landing  a  large  force,  to  proceed  to  the  falls  for  the  execution  ot 
their  original  plan ;  but  on  being  assured  by  the  people  tliat  the  stores  had  been  removed 
from  that  place,  and  that  the  communication  was  cut  off  by  the  destruction  of  the  bridges, 
they  quitted  Oswego  and  stood  for  Kingston." 

Palermo,  taken  from  Volney  in  1832;  from  Oswego  centrally  dis- 
tant SE.  14  miles.     Pop.  1,928.     Palermo  is  a  small  post  village. 

Parish,  taken  from  Mexico  in  1828;  NW.  from  Albany  149,  from 
Pulaski  centrally  distant  S.  12  miles.     Pop.  1,543. 

Redfield,  taken  from  Mexico  in  1800;  from  Pulaski  centrally 
distant  E.  15  miles.  Redfield  village  is  in  the  southern  part.  Pop. 
507. 


View  of  Pulaski. 

Richland,  taken  from  Williamstown  in  1807  ;  NW.  from  Albany 
153  miles.  Pop.  4.046.  Pulaski  village,  half-shire  town,  was  incor- 
porated in  1833.  Centrally  situated  on  Salmon  river,  4  miles  from 
its  confluence  with  Lake  Ontario,  36  N.  of  Salina,  and  60  from  Utica. 
The  river  at  this  place  affords  considerable  water-power,  on  which 
arc  a  number  of  grist  and  saw  mills,  and  several  manufacturing  es- 
tablishments. There  are  about  80  dwellings,  a  number  of  churches, 
a  courthouse  and  prison.  The  spires  or  cupolas  of  the  courthouse,  the 
Presbyterian  and  Baptist  churches,  and  the  academy,  are  seen  on  the 
left  of  the  annexed  engraving. 

Sandy  Creek,  taken  from  Richland  in  1825;  from  Albany  159 


I'  1" 


;h  inst.,  gained 
t.  For  nearly 
liber,  and  but 
cessnry.  Thu 
Iclntire's,  and 
cut,  Peurce  of 
and  water  ex. 

e  War.—"  On 
though  prose, 
hicved,  evacu- 
of  the  guns. — 
ing  the  inhabi. 
e  execution  of 
been  removed 
of  the  bridges, 


sntr.illy  dis- 
villago. 
{  149,  from 

[i  centrally 
part.     Pop. 


om  Albany 
,  was  incor- 
r  miles  from 
from  Utioa. 
',  on  which 
acturing  es- 
)f  churches, 
rthouse,  the 
seen  on  the 

Albany  159 


OTBEGO    COUNTT. 


439 


miles.     Washingtonville,  6  miles  N.  of  Pulaski,  is  a  small  village. 
Pop.  2,431. 

ScHiioEPPEL,  taken  from  Volney  in  1832 ;  from  Oswego  centrally 
distant  SE.  21  miles.  Phoenix,  about  18  miles  from  Oswego,  is  a 
thriving  village  recently  built,  having  2  churches  and  about  50  dwell- 
ings, on  the  Oswego  river  and  canal.  Rosevelt  is  a  post-otlice.  Pop. 
2,198. 

ScRiBA,  taken  from  Fredricksburg,  the  original  name  of  Volney,  in 
1811 ;  from  Albany  167  miles.  Pop.  4,051.  That  part  of  Oswego 
village  which  lies  on  the  right  or  NE.  bank  of  the  Oswego  river  is  in 
this  town,  and  is  called  East  Oswego. 

Volney,  taken  from  Mexico  in  1806,  by  the  name  of  Fredricks- 
burg; from  Albany  160  miles.  Pop.  3,154.  Fulton,  incorporated 
in  1835,  is  a  flourishing  place  at  the  Oswego  Falls,  10  miles  from 
Oswego.  It  has  4  churches,  an  academy,  about  200  dwellings, 
and  1,400  inhabitants.  The  centre  of  the  village  is  half  a  mile  be- 
low, or  north  of  the  Oswego  Falls,  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Oswego 
river,  at  a  point  where  a  dam  is  confstructed  for  the  use  of  the  Oswego 
canal.  The  village  limits  extend  above  the  falls,  and  include  the 
state  reservation,  which  has  been  laid  out  as  a  village  and  partly  sold, 
called  "  Oswego  Falls."  The  water-power  is  extensive  and  can  be 
used  on  both  sides  of  the  river  at  the  dam,  and  also  at  the  natural 
falls.     The  fall  is  about  12  feet  at  each  place. 

WiLLiAMSTowN,  taken  from  Mexico  in  1804;  from  Albany  137, 
centrally  distant  from  Oswego  E.  31  miles.  Williamstown  is  ;i  small 
post  village.     Pop.  830.     The  greater  part  of  the  town  is  unsettled. 


OTSEGO  COUNTY. 

Otsego  county  was  taken  from  Montgomery  in  1791.  Centrally 
distant  from  New  York  city  NW.  200,  and  from  Albany  W.  66 
miles.  Its  form  is  very  irregular.  Greatest  length  N.  and  S.  aliout 
40 ;  greatest  breadth  E.  and  W.  35  miles. 

This  county  is  considerably  elevated,  though  there  are  no  distinct 
ranges  of  mountains  of  much  height.  A  larger  portion  of  the  soil 
of  the  county,  is  rich  and  productive.  A  large  amount  of  capital  is 
invested  in  agriculture  and  manufactures.  The  Susquehannah  river, 
rising  in  the  Otsego  lake,  flows  southerly  to  the  bounds  of  the  coun- 
ty ;  then  turning  southwesterly,  forms  a  part  of  the  southern  bounda- 
ry. The  Unadilla  bounds  the  county  on  the  west.  Otsego  lake,  9 
miles  long  and  from  1  to  3  wide,  and  Schuyler's  lake,  5  miles  long 
and  from  1  to  2  wide,  are  beautiful  sheets  of  water.  Portions  of  this 
county  were  settled  as  early  as  1739.  The  mass  of  the  settlers  were 
emigrants  from  the  eastern  states.  The  county  is  divided  into  22 
towns.     Pop.  49,403. 


is*' 


I 


n 


<.  ''I 


.  J, 


f"-  &\ 


m 


■',?' 


t   ;»    ^! 


440 


OTSEGO    COUNTY. 


Burlington,  taken  from  Otsego  in  1792 ;  from  Albany  78,  from 
Cooperstown  W.  12  miles.  Burlington  Flats,  Burlington,  and  West 
Burlington,  are  post  villages  ;  the  first  contains  about  30,  the  second 
25,  and  the  last  15  or  20  dwellings.     Pop.  2,144. 

BuTTiiiNUTs,  taken  from  Unadiila  in  1796;  from  Albany  87  miles. 
Louisville  or  Butternuts,  and  Gilbertsville,  each  30  miles  SW.  from 
Cooperstown,  are  small  villages.  Maple  Grove  is  a  post-otfice. 
Pop.  4,017. 

Chkrky  Valley,  so  called  by  the  first  settlers  from  its  abundance 
of  wild  cherries,  was  taken  from  Canajoharie  in  1791.  Pop.  3,813. 
Cherry  A  alley  village,  upon  the  Cherry  Valley  creek,  incorporated 
in  1812,  lies  1*3  miles  NE.  from  (,'ouperstown,  13  S.  from  the  canal 
at  Canajoharie,  and  53  from  Albany.  The  following  view  was  taken 
from  the  rcL^idence  of  Joseph  Phelun,  Escj.   The  Presbyterian  churcii  is 


Southwest  view  of  Cherry  Valley. 

seen  on  the  left,  and  the  Episcopal  and  Methodist  churches  on  the 
right.  There  is  here  a  bpiik,  a  weekly  newspaper  olHc^e,  an  incor- 
porated academy,  and  about  130  dwellings.  The  followir'j;  interest- 
ing account  of  the  first  settlement  of  this  place  is  from  the  valuable 
work  of  Wm.  W.  Campbell,  Esq.,  entitled  "  Annals  of  Tryon  County." 

"  Mr.  Lindrsny,  liKviim  nbtnincd  an  Mniynmnt  from  th«i  ihrrc  otli(<r  imlrniPfH  to  hinixclf 
and  Gov,  Clark,  in  1739  ciiuHcd  thr  puleiii  to  In-  Riirvcyed  and  Riil)divi(l<'d  into  Ims,  mid 
chose  for  himself  the  fiirin  afirrwnrd  mi(H-t'snivt'ly  owned  by  Mr.  Jidm  WcIIh  and  .(udgn 
Hudson,  and  gave  to  it  the  name  of  Lindroay'n  Busli.  In  tlu^  followiniif  siiinnier  lir  left 
New  York  with  his  family,  conniatinft  of  hin  wife  and  father-in. law,  Mr.  tdngrevp,  a  lien- 
tenant  in  the  B'itish  army,  and  a  few  domeniic«,  and  fettled  upon  hi»  farm.  IIii  was  a 
Scotch  gentleinan  of  some  forlnnr  and  diMtinctiun,  having  held  severni  olViceH  under  govern, 
ment,  and  anticiputed  much  pleawnre  from  a  residence  in  this  ln!{h  and  rolling  coiniiry, 
whose  valirys,  and  hills,  and  hikes,  woiihl  constantly  remind  lum  of  the  wild  and  romantic 
scenery  of  his  native  land.  A  luxuriant  prowth  of  beech  and  maple,  interspersed  with  the 
cherry,  covered  the  valley,  and  extended  nUm^f  up  the  si(ies  of  the  hills,  whose  top* 
crowned  with  rjusters  of  c.ergreon  ;  elk  and  deer  were  found  here  in  great  tnnnhers, 


wild 

were  „,    „.    ,    . 

aa  were  bear*,  wolves,  beavers,  and  foxes  , 


il   WHS  a  favonip  hunimg  Kround  of  the  Mi. 

(tla      ■.%*!».*      ^nA    Ui.H*..U     .I.^.K    »„.».    ....^H    .Us 


'■  78,  from 
and  West 
he  second 

87  miles. 
SW.  from 
)ost-otHce. 

ibundanee 
op.  3,813. 

orporuted 

the  canal 

was  taken 

1  church  is 


ics  on  the 

nn  incctr- 
<;  intercst- 
e  valuable 
II  County." 

ppRto  hiniNcIf 
into  loi8,  iind 
IIh  anil  ,luHe:K 
Miner  lie  Iptl 
igrrvp,  A  lion. 
.  Hu  wao  II 
under  gdverii- 
lling  rouiiiry, 
and  roninnijp. 
rscd  witli  thn 
K,  whixip  fops 
rent  MuniborR, 
d  ..f  tho  Ml. 


OTSEGO    COUNTY. 


441 


mountains.  Mr.  Lindesny,  as  well  as  all  the  early  settlers,  found  it  important  to  cultivate 
their  friendship ;  he  received  them  into  his  house,  and  treated  them  with  such  hospitality  as 
circumstances  would  permit :  this  kindness  was  not  lost  upon  the  high-minded  savages,  one 
of  whom  gave  proof  of  no  ordinary  friendship  during  the  first  winter  after  his  removal  to 
Lindesay's  Bush.  Whatever  of  happiness  and  independence  Mr.  Lindesay  may  have  looked 
forward  to,  he  knew  little  of  the  privations  of  the  settl«;i-s  of  a  new  country,  especially  such 
a  country  as  he  had  selected;  his  farm  was  15  miles  from  any  settlement,  difficult  of  access 
from  that  settlement,  which  was  on  the  Mohawk  river,  by  reason  of  its  elevation  above  it ; 
and  the  intervening  country  was  traversed  only  by  an  Indian  footpath. 

"  In  the  winter  of  1740,  the  snow  fell  to  a  great  depth ;  the  paths  were  filled  up ;  all 
communication  with  the  settlers  upon  the  Mohawk  was  stopped ;  Mr.  Lindesiay  had  not 
made  sufficient  preparation  for  such  a  winter;  he  had  but  a  scanty  supply  of  provisions; 
these  were  almost  consumed  long  before  spring:  a  wretched  and  lingering  death  was  in 
prospect  for  him  and  his  family.  At  this  critical  time,  an  Indian  came  to  his  house,  having 
travelled  upon  the  snow  with  snow-shoes ;  when  informed  of  their  situation,  he  readily 
undertook  to  relieve  them  ;  lie  went  to  the  settlements  upon  the  Mohawk,  and  having  pro. 
cured  provisions,  returned  with  them  upon  his  back,  and  during  the  remainder  of  the  win- 
ter, this  faithful  child  of  the  forest  tlius  continued  to  relieve  them,  and  thus  preserved  the 
lives  of  the  first  inhabitants  of  our  town  and  county. 

"  In  New  York,  Mr.  Lindesay  became  acquainted  with  the  Rev.  Samuel  Dunlop,  and 
prevailed  upon  him  to  visit  his  ,.atent,  offering  him  a  tr.'<ct  of  land  of  several  hundred  acres, 
on  condition  that  he  would  settle  upon  it,  and  would  use  his  influence  with  his  friendr,  and 
persuade  them  to  accompany  him.  Pleased  with  the  situation,  and  the  generous  proprietor 
of  the  patent,  he  accepted  of  the  proposal ;  he  was  an  Irishman  by  binh,  but  hai.  been 
educated  in  Edinburgh ;  had  spent  several  years  in  ihe  provinces,  having  travelled  over 
most  of  those  at  the  south ;  and  at  the  time  of  his  first  acquamtancc  with  Mr.  Lindesay. 
was  on  a  tour  through  those  at  the  north.  He  went  to  Londonderry,  in  New  Hampshire, 
where  several  of  his  countrymen  were  settled,  whom  he  peisuaded  to  remove,  and  in  1741. 
David  Ramsay,  William  Gallt,  James  Campbell,  William  Dickson,  and  one  or  two  oihers, 
with  their  families,  in  all  about  30  persons,  came  and  purchased  farms,  and  immediately 
commenced  making  improvements  upon  them.  They  had  emigrated  troni  tht  north  of 
Ireland  several  years  anterior  to  their  removal  here;  some  of  them  were  ong.nally  from 
Scotland ;  they  were  called  Scotch  Irish— a  general  name  given  to  tlu-  iiihahitints  of  the 
north  of  Ireland,  many  of  whom  are  of  Scotch  des<  nt;  hardy  and  industrious,  inured  to 
toil  from  their  infancy,  they  were  well  calculated  to  sustain  the  lal  ors  necessary  in  clearing 
the  forest,  and  fitting  it  for  the  abode  of  civilized  man. 

"  The  following  circumstance  gave  rise  to  its  name.  Mr.  Dunlop,  engaged  in  writing 
some  letters,  inquired  of  Mr.  Lindesay  where  he  should  date  theia,  who  proposed  the  name 
of  a  town  ill  Scotland  ;  Mr.  Dunlop,  pointing  tc  some  fine  wild  cherry-trees,  and  to  the 
valley,  replied,  '  Let  us  ifive  our  place  an  appropriate  name,  and  call  it  Cherrv  Vulley,' 
which' was  readily  agreed  to;  it  was  for  a  long  time  the  distinguishing  name  of  a  large 
section  of  country,  south  and  west.  Soon  after  the  arrival  of  these  settlers,  nieapiires  were 
taken  for  the  erection  of  a  grist-mill  and  saw-mill,  and  a  building  for  a  school-house  and 
church.  Mr.  Dunlop  L-ft  Ireland  under  an  engagement  of  marriage  with  a  young  lady  of 
that  country,  and  having  made  the  necessar,  arrangements  for  his  future  residence  in  Cherry 
Vulley,  returned  to  fulfil  it.  This  engagement  waa  conditional ;  if  he  did  not  ritiirii  in 
seven  years  fnuii  the  time  of  his  departure,  it  should  be  optional  with  her  to  abide  by  or  put 
an  end  to  the  contract;  the  time  had  almost  expired;  she  had  heard  nothing  from  him  for 
Bonn-  time,  and  supposed  him  either  dead  or  unfaithfii! ;  another  oftered,  was  accepted,  and 
the  day  appo.nted  for  the  mairiage.  In  the  mean  time  Mr.  Dunlop  had  been  driven  off  the 
coast  of  Scotland  by  a  storm :  after  a  detention  of  several  days,  he  finally  made  port  in 
Ireland,  and  hastening  on  his  journey,  arrived  the  day  previous  ,  his  arrival  was  as  joyful 
as  it  was  unexpected  ;  he  was  married,  and  returnea  immediately  with  his  wife  to  Cherry 
Valley,  an:!  entered  upon  his  duties  ns  the  first  pastor  of  its  little  church.  .\  log-house  had 
born  erected  to  the  norlli  of  Mr.  Lindesay's,  on  the  declivity  of  the  little  hill  upon  which  his 
house  was  situated  ;  where,  though  possessing  little  of  this  worid's  wraith,  they  offered  up 
the  homage  of  dev<m(  and  grateful  hearts.  Most  of  the  adult  inhabitants  were  members  of 
the  church ;  the  clergyman  was  to  receive  ten  shillings  o.i  the  hundred  acres  of  land ;  a 
mere  pittance,  liy  reason  of  the  small  number  of  inhabitants;  but  he  lived  frugally  ;  they 
made  presents  to  him  of  the  productions  of  their  faims,  which,  with  the  a  nils  of  his  own, 
afforded  him  a  competent  support.  In  lhr'«e  earlv  days,  nn  excellent  state  of  feeling  towards 
»'ach  other  prevailid  ;  common  danger,  and  common  interest,  uniied  them.  In  their  wor. 
ship  and  ohservaiiees  thev  were  very  strict.  During  the  ten  suhseqiiini  vrars,  not  more 
fi .L---  p,.  (.....f  i'.n.^i.nn  kn>i  csrtis  ii'.'Q  tHc  !<!<t!e!nHn!i     Ainons  ibpni   was  Mr.  John 

5fl^ 


,  I  ^1 


-Hi 


.t 


442 


OTSEGO   COUNTY. 


Wells,  grandfather  of  the  late  John  Wells  of  New  York  city.  He  also  was  an  Irishman, 
and  became  a  resident  ia  1743,  and  in  '44  purchased  the  tarm,  wluch  Mr.  Lindesay  had 
selected  for  himself,  and  upon  which  he  resided.  ,     ,  . 

"  Mr.  Lindesay  was  unacquainted  with  practical  fanning,  and  hts  proper  y  had  been  ex- 
pended  to  little  advantage ;  after  struggling  several  years,  he  was  compelled  to  abandon 
his  enterprise.  The  war  between  France  and  Great  Briluin  had  been,  m  part,  transterred 
to  America,  and  in  1744,  our  northern  frontier  was  threatened  with  an  attack  by  the  French 
and  Indians.  Reinforcements  were  ordered  to  Oswego,  and  among  them,  the  company  of 
Independent  Greens,  in  which  Mr.  Congreve  was  a  lieutenant;  he  resigned  ins  commission 
in  favor  of  his  son-in-law,  Mr.  Lindesay,  who,  having  spent  several  years  m  the  scrvu-c. 
died  in  New  York,  leaving  no  children.  Mr.  Wells,  a  man  of  amiable  disposition,  and  oi 
great  integrity,  before  there  was  any  officer  of  justice,  was  Irequeiitly  appealed  to  as  the 
arbiter  of  any  little  dilfere.ice  ;  he  was  afterward  appointed  the  hrstjuMice  of  the  peace  lor 
the  town,  and  one  of  the  judges  of  Tryon  county,  whicli  offices  he  continued  to  exercise 
until  the  time  of  his  death,  a  little  before  the  breaking  out  ot  the  revolution. 

"  Mr.  Dunlop,  having  received  a  classical  education,  opened  a  school  for  the  instruction 
of  boys'  who  came  from  the  seitlemeiits  upon  the  Mohawk,  and  from  Schenectady  and 
Albany.'  It  is  woitliy  of  remark,  that  tiiis  was  the  tirst  grammar  school  in  the  state  west 
of  Albany.  The  boys  were  received  into  his  house,  and  constituted  a  part  of  his  taniiiy. 
The  extreme  simplicity  of  the  times  may  be  leniiied  from  the  fact,  liiat  they  often  went  into 
the  fields,  and  there  recited  their  lessons  as  they  followed  their  iiiaiructor  about,  while  en- 
gaged in  his  usual  avocations  upon  his  farm ;  several  individuals  along  the  Moliawk,  who 
were  afterward  conspicuous  in  the  revolution,  thus  received  the  first  rudiments  of  their 
education." 

On  the  11th  of  Nov.,  1778,  the  Indians  and  tories,  about  700  m 
number,  under  the  command  of  Joseph  Brant  and  Walter  Butler,  made 
a  descent  upon  this  beautiful  valley,  laid  the  settlement  in  ashes,  and 
massacred  32  of  the  inhabitants,  mostly  Wf)men  and  children.  During 
the  day  they  made  several  attacks  on  the  fort,  but  without  success. 
The  following  is  extracted  from  the  "  Annals  of  Tryon  county." 

"  The  inhabitants,  many  of  whom  had  left  in  the  summer,  in  consequence  of  the  repeated 
attacks  of  the  Indians  upon  the  frontiers,  had  now  returned  to  their  homes,  thinking  the 
season  so  far  advanced,  thai  no  danger  need  bo  apprehended.  On  the  information  above 
being  given  to  Col.  Alden,  they  requested  permission  to  remove  into  the  fort,  or  at  least  to 
deposit  their  most  valuable  property  there.  Both  requests  were  denied  by  Col.  Alden.  He 
replied,  that  it  would  be  a  temptation  to  his  soldiers  to  plunder;  that  the  report  was  proba- 
bly unfounded ;  that  it  was  only  an  Indian  story,  and  that  he  would  keep  out  scouts,  who 
would  apprise  them  in  season  to  secure  themselves,  in  case  of  real  danger.  Scouts  were 
accordingly  sent  out,  to  traverse  the  country  in  every  direction.  The  scout  sent  down  the 
Susquehammh  kindled  up  n  fire  on  the  night  of  the  9th,  and  all  very  foolishly  lay  down  to 
sleep.     The  fire  was  discovered  by  the  enemy,  and  a  little  before  daylight  on  the  morning 

of  the  10th,  they  were  all  surrou-ded  and  taken.  

"  On  the  night  of  the  lOtli,  tl        lemy  eiica'iiped  on  the  top  of  a  hill  thickly  covered  with 

evergreens,  about  a  mile  southwi  ;  from  the  fort.    On  the  morning  of  the  Uth,  the  enemy 

moved  from  Ins  encampment  towards  the  fort.     They  had  learned  Iroin  the  scout  which 

they  had  taken,  that  the  offit  crs  of  the  garrison  lodjred  in  dilFerent  private  houses  out  of  the 

fort;  their  forces  were  so  disposed  that  a  party  should  surround  every  house  in  which  uii 

officer  lodged  nearly  at  the  same  time,  while  the  main  body  would  attack  the  tort.    During 

the  night  the  snow  fell  several  inches.     In  the  moruiiig  it  turned  to  rum,  and  the  aimos. 

phero  was  thick  and  hazy.     The  whole  settlement  thought  themselves  secure.     The  assur- 

ances  of  Col.  Alden  had  in  a  considerable  degree  quieted  their  fears.     Kvery  thing  favored 

the  approach  of  the  enemy  undiscovered.    Col.  Alden  and  liieul.  Col.  Stacia,  with  u  small 

guard,  lodged  at  Mr.  Wells's.    A  Mr.  Humble  was  coming  up  that  morning  from  his  house 

several  miles  below,  on  horseback  ;  when  a  short  distance  from  Mr.  Wells's  house  he  was 

fired  upon  and  wounded  by  the  Indians.     Ho  rode  in  greol  h'fie  to  inform  Col.  Alden  of 

their  appronrh.  and  then  hastened  to  the  fort.     Sti'l  incredulous,  and  believing  them  to  be 

only  a  straggling  party,  he  ordered  the  guard  to  bo  railed  in.     The  delay  of  a  few  niiiiuies 

gave  the  Indians  time  to  arrive.    Tin'  rangers  iiad  slopped  to  eiamine  their  firelocks,  the 

powder  in  which  having  been  wet  with  the  nun.     The  Indians  improving  this  opportunity, 

rushed  bv.     The  advance  hody  wa'<  coinpoFrd  principully  cf  Senecas,  at  that  time  the  .viid. 

cat  and  most  f*!ra'-":"2  d  the  Six  Nation*.    Col.  Alflen  m«d«  hn  ••c«p»  (torn  the  house, 


OTSEGO   COUNTY. 


443 


an  Irishman, 
Lindesay  had 

had  been  ex. 
d  to  abandon 
■t,  transferred 
jy  the  French 
)  company  of 
s  commifBion 
tlic  service, 
sition,  and  of 
led  to  aa  the 
the  peace  for 
;d  to  exercise 

he  instruction 
encctady  and 
he  state  west 
af  liis  family, 
ton  went  into 
jut,  wliile  en- 
riohawk,  who 
lenis  of  their 

lOUt  700  in 
jtler,  made 
ashes,  and 
a.  During 
at  success, 
unty." 

if  the  repeated 
I,  thinking  tlie 
rniation  above 
,  or  at  least  to 
)!.  Alden.  He 
on  was  proba- 
ut  scouts,  who 
Scout*  were 
sunt  down  the 
iy  lay  down  to 
n  the  morning 

Iy  covered  with 
hh,  the  enemy 
he  scout  which 
)UBes  out  of  the 
ISO  m  which  uii 
le  fort.  Duriiii{ 
and  the  atnios. 
re.  The  atutur- 
•y  ihinj?  favored 
ia,  witii  It  sninll 
front  bin  house 
H  ht>U8o  he  wan 
1  Col.  Alden  of 
iiitm  ihem  to  bo 
f  a  lew  niiuuies 
'ir  firelocks,  the 
his  opportunity, 
I  tunc  the  .I'llil. 
from  tlie  home. 


and  was  pursued  down  the  hill,  towards  the  fort,  by  an  Indian ;  when  challenged  to  surren- 
der, he  peremptorily  refused  so  to  do ;  several  times  he  turned  round  and  snapped  his  pistol 
at  the  Indian;  the  latter,  after  pursuing  some  distance,  threw  his  tuuiahawk,  and  struck 
him  on  the  head,  and  then  rushing  up,  scalped  him.  He  thus  '  was  one  of  the  first  victiira 
of  this  most  criminal  neglect  of  duty.'  Lieut.  Col.  Stacia  was  taken  prisoner.  The  guard 
were  all  killed  or  taken. 

"  The  Senecas,  who  first  arrived  at  the  house,  with  some  tories,  commenced  an  indis- 
criminate massacre  of  the  family,  and  before  the  rangers  anived,  had  liarbarously  murdered 
them  all,  including  Robert  Wells,  his  mother,  and  wife,  and  four  children,  his  brother  and 
sister.  John  and  Jane,  with  three  domestics.  Of  this  interesting  and  excellent  fannly,  not 
one  escaped,  except  the  late  John  Wells  of  New  York  city.  His  father  had  left  hm.  m 
Schenectady  the  previous  summer  with  an  aunt,  that  he  might  attend  the  grammar-school 
there.  He  might  almost  have  exclaimed  with  Logan,  that  not  a  drop  of  his  blood  ran  in 
the  veins  of  any  human  being ;  or  as  it  has  been  beautifully  expressed  by  an  eminent  Eng. 
lish  poet, 

"They 'left  of  all  my  tribe 
Nor  man,  nor  child,  nor  thing  of  living  birth. 
No !  not  the  dog  that  watched  my  household  hearth 
Escaped, — that '  morn'  of  blood  upon  our  plains 
All  perished  !     I  alone  am  left  on  earth ! 
To  whom  nor  relative  nor  blood  remains. 
No!  not  a  kindred  drop  that  runs  in  human  veins.' 

"  A  tory  boasted  that  he  killed  Mr.  Wells  while  at  prayer.  The  melancholy  fate  of 
Jane  Wells  deserves  a  more  particular  notice.  She  was  a  young  lady,  not  distmguished 
for  her  personal  beauty,  but  endiared  -o  her  friends  by  her  amiable  (hsposition,  and  her 
Christian  charities.  One  'in  whom  the  friendless  found  a  Iriend,'  and  to  whoin  the  poor 
would  always  say,  '  God  speed  thee.'  She  (led  from  the  house  to  a  pde  of  wood  near  by, 
behind  which  she  endeavored  to  screen  herself.  Here  she  was  pursued  by  an  Indian,  who, 
as  he  approached,  deliberately  wiped  his  bloody  knife  upon  Ins  leggins,  and  then  placed  it 
in  its  sheath  :  th-wi  drawing  his  tomahawk,  he  seized  her  by  the  arm  ;  she  possessed  some 
knowledge  of  the  Indian  language,  and  remonstrated  and  supphcaied,  though  m  yam. 
Peter  Smith,  a  tory,  who  had  formeriy  been  a  domestic  in  Mr.  Wells's  fannly,  now  inter- 
posed,  saying  she  was  his  sister,  and  desiring  him  to  spare  her  life.  He  shook  h.s  toma- 
hawk at  him  in  defiance,  and  then  turning  round,  with  one  blow  sinote  her  to  t.  earth 
John  Wells,  Esq.,  at  this  time  deceased,  and  the  father  of  Robert  Weik-,  hod  been  one  ot 
the  judges  of  the  courts  of  Trvon  county  ;  in  that  ciipacity,  and  as  one  ot  the  justices  ot  the 
quorum,  he  had  been  on  intimate  terms  with  Sir  William  Johnson  and  iamily,  who  fre- 
quently visited  at  his  house,  and  also  with  Col.  John  Ihitler,  likewise  a  judge.  The  laniily 
were  not  active  either  for  or  against  the  country;  they  wished  to  remain  neutral,  so  far  as 
they  could,  in  such  turbulent  times ;  they  always  perlormed  military  duty,  when  called  out 
to  defend  the  country.  Col.  John  Butler,  in  a  convei-sation  rdaiive  to  them,  remarked—  1 
would  have  gone  mih's  on  my  hands  and  knees  to  have  iaved  ;hat  lamily,  and  why  my  son 

did  not  do  it,  (Jod  only  knows.'  ,.   ,     r.       c  i  r.     i  u 

"  Another  party  of  Indians  surrounded  ihe  house  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Dunlop,  whoni  wo 
have  frequently  had  occasion  to  mention,  as  the  pioneer  in  education  m  western  New 
York  Hi'*  wife  was  imniediat.-lv  killed.  The  old  gentleman  and  Ins  daughter  were  pre- 
served by  iiittle  Aaron,  a  chief  of"  the  Oquago  hrnneh  of  the  Mohawks.  Mrs.  Wells  was 
also  a  daughur  of  Mr.  Dimlop;  Little  Aaron  led  him  out  from  tl.o  house,  totier.ng  with 
age  and  stood  hcmk  him  lo  protect  him.  An  Iiidinn  passing  by,  pulled  his  hat  fr.jni  his 
liead  and  ran  away  wiili  it ;  the  thief  pursued  him,  and  ngi.ined  it ;  on  h.s  return,  another 
Indian  had  carried  away  his  wig  :  the  rain  was  falling  upon  his  bare  head,  while  his  wliole 
sygiem  shook  like  an  aspen,  under  the  combined  influence  of  age,  fear,  and  cold.  He  wan 
released  a  few  days  after ;  but  the  shock  wm-j  too  violent ;  he  died  about  a  year  alter :  his 
death  was  hastened  by  his  misfortunes,  though  ho  could  have  b  irne  up  but  a  tew  years 
longer  under  the  increasing  infirmities  of  old  age.  .  ■         .  1 1 

"  A  Mr.  Mitchell,  who  was  in  his  field,  beheld  b  party  of  Indians  approaching  ;  he  could 
not  gain  his  hoiisp,  and  was  obliged  to  flee  to  the  woods.  Here  ho  evaded  pursuit  and 
egcaped.  A  melancholy  spectacle  presented  itself  on  his  return—  it  was  the  corpses  j1  Ins 
wife  and  four  children.  His  lioiwe  had  been  plundered  and  set  on  fire.  He  extinguished 
•he  fire,  and  by  examination  found  life  still  existing  in  one  of  his  children,  n  little  girl  ten 
or  twelve  years  of  n«e.  He  raised  her  up  and  placed  her  in  the  door,  and  wai  bending 
over  her  when  he  saw  iinolher  party  approaching.  Ho  had  barely  time  to  Inde  hiinseif 
behind  a  lo«.fence  no«r  by.  before  they  were  at  iho  hou»e.    From  this  hidinu-place,  he 


Ml' 


I  ''I' 

m  W 


m 


444 


OTSEGO    COUNTY. 


beheld  an  infamouB  tory  by  the  name  of  Newbury,  extinguish  the  httle  spark  of  life  which 
remained  in  his  chUd,  with  a  blow  of  his  hatchet.  The  next  day,  w.tliout  a  single  human 
being  to  assist  him,  he  carried  the  remains  of  his  family  down  to  the  fort  on  a  sled,  and 
there  the  soldiers  aided  him  in  depositing  them  in  a  common  grave.  Retributive  justice 
sometimes  follows  close  upon  the  heels  of  crime.  This  tory  was  arrested,  as  a  spy,  the 
following  summer,  by  order  of  Gen.  James  Clinton,  when  he  lay  with  his  army  at  Canajo- 
harie,  on  the  Mohawk  river.  Mr.  Mitchell  was  called  to  prove  this  act.  He  was  found 
guilty  by  a  court-martial,  and  with  a  companion  suffered  an  ignominious  death. 

"  The  party  which  surrounded  the  house  of  Col.  Campbell,  took  Mr«.  Campbell  atid  four 
children  prisoners.  Mr.  Ca.npbell  was  absent  from  home,  but  hastened  there  on  the  hrst 
alarm,  which  was  a  cannon  fired  at  the  fort.  He  arrived  only  in  time  to  w.mess  the  de. 
struction  of  his  property,  and  not  even  to  learn  the  fate  r  ,s  famdy ;  their  lives  were 
spared,  but  spared  for  a  long  and  dreadful  captivity.    ,,,,,.  ,   .  .    , 

»  Many  others  were  killed;  some  few  escaped  to  the  Mohawk  river,  and  the  iremamder 
were  made  prisonern.  Thirty-two  of  the  inhabitants,  principally  women  and  children,  were 
killed,  and  sixteen  continental  soldiers.  The  terror  of  the  scene  was  increased  by  the  con- 
flagration  of  all  the  houses  and  out-houses  in  the  settlement;  the  barns  were  many  oi  them 
filled  with  hay  and  grain.  He  who  fled  to  the  mountains,  saw  as  he  looked  back  the  de- 
struction  of  his  home,  and  of  that  little  all  which  he  had  labored  for  years  to  accumulate. 

•'  The  whole  settlement  exhibited  an  aspect  of  entire  and  complete  desolation.     1  he 

cocks  crew  from  the  tops  of  the  forest  trees,  and  the  dogs  howled  through  the  fields  uiid 
woods.  The  inhabitants  who  escaped,  with  the  prisoners  who  were  set  at  liberty,  abun- 
doned  the  settlement." 

Decatur,  taken  from  Worcoster  in  1808 ;  from  Albany  64,  from 
Cooperstown  fSE.  12  miles.     Pop.  1,071. 

Edmeston,  named  after  an  extensive  landholder,  was  taken  from 
Burlington  in  1808 ;  from  Cooperstown  W.  18  miles.     Pop.  1,907. 

Exeter,  taken  from  Richfield  in  1799;  from  Albany  W.  73,  from 
Cooperstown  NW.  10  miles.  Le  Roy,  West  Exeter,  and  Exeter, 
are  small  post  villages.     Pop.  1,423. 

Hartwick,  taken  from  Otsego  in  1802 ;  from  Albany  70  miles. 
Pop.  2,475.  The  Hartwick  Lutheran  Theological  and  Classical 
Seminary,  is  pleasantly  situated  on  the  bank  of  the  river.  West 
Hartwick,  9  mile:.  W.  from  Cooperstown,  and  Hartwick,  are  small 
post  villages. 

La uhenh,  taken  from  Otego  in  1810;  from  Albany  W.  78  miles. 
Pop.  2,173.  Laurensvillc,  an  incorporated  village,  18  miles  8W.  from 
Cooperstown,  contains  about  40  dwellings.  Jackson,  14  miles  from 
Cooperstown,  has  about  20  dwellings. 

Marvi.ano,  taken  from  Worcester  in  1808  ;  from  Albany  G«i  miles. 
Maryland,  14  miles  S.  of  Cooperstown,  Jacksonborough,  and  Mary- 
land'Centre,  are  small  post  villages.     2,050. 

Mu)I)t.i;firi.i),  taken  from  Cherry  Valley  in  1797 ;  from  Albany, 
W.,  63  miles.  Middlcfield,  5  miles  E.,  Middlefield  Centre,  7  miles 
NE.,  and  Phujuix,  3  miles  S.  from  Cooperstown,  are  small  villages. 
Pop.  3,318. 

MiLFORn,  originally  named  Suffrage,  taken  from  Unadilla  m  1796; 
from  Albany  76  miles.  Milford,  on  the  Susquehannah,  8  miles  S.  of 
Cooperstown,  and  Collievville,  are  small  villages.  Milford  Centre 
and  Portland ville  are  post- offices.     Pop.  2,075. 

New  Lisbon,  taken  from  Pittstield  in  1806 ;  from  Albany,  W.,  76 
miles.  Garrctsville  16  miles.  New  Li  oon  18  miles  SW.  from 
Cooperstown,  and  Nobloville,  are  small  soltlements.     '*op.  1.909. 

fnrmfirlv   Otoso^  taken  from  UnndiUa  in  1796:  from 


Ok 


EO? 


OTSEGO    COUNTY. 


445 


f  life  which 
ingle  human 
I  a  sled,  and 
utive  justice 
I  a  spy,  the 
y  at  Canajo. 
6  was  found 

jell  and  four 
3  on  the  first 
tness  the  de- 
ir  lives  were 

le  remainder 
luldren,  were 
d  by  the  con- 
nany  of  them 
back  the  de. 
iccumulutc. 
)lalion.  The 
le  fields  and 
liberty,  aban- 

^  64,  from 

aken  from 
3.  1,907. 
■.  73,  from 
id  Exeter, 

70  miles. 

Classical 

er.     West 

are  small 

.  78  miles. 

SW.  from 

miles  from 

y  OH  milf'S. 
and  Mary- 

m  Albany, 
re,  7  miles 
ill  villages. 

la  in  1796; 

miles  S.  of 
ord  Centre 

my,  W.,  76 
SW.   from 
>.  1.909. 
1796:  from 


Albany  80  miles.  Oneonta  village,  22  miles  S.  from  Cooperstown, 
has  about  GO  dwellings.  West  Oneonta  is  a  post-office.  Pop.  1,936. 
Otego,  formerly  Huntsville,  taken  from  UnadiUa  and  tranklmm 
1822 ;  from  Albany  86  miles.  Otego  village,  31  miles  SW.  from 
Cooperstown,  has  about  40  dwellings.     Otsdawa  is  a  post-ofhce. 

Pop.  1,919.  ^  -. 

Otsego,  originally  organized  as  part  of  Montgomery  county  in 
1788  ;  since  altered.     Cooperstown  and  OaksviUe  are  post  villages. 

Pop.  4,118.  „         T.T        -»»■     1   i_  e 

Cooperstown,  the  county  seat,  distant  from  New  \ork  by  way  ot 
Cotskill  200  miles,  of  Albany  211 ;  from  Albany  66,  and  ^o']}  ^J/'ca, 
SE.,  36  miles,  is  beautifully  situated  at  the  southern  end  ot  Otsego 
lake,  at  the  head  of  the  Susquehannah  river. 


Western  view  of  Cooperstown. 


The  site  of  the  present  village  is  said  to  have  been  a  favorite  place 
of  resort  with  the  sa-  *.-  from  a  remote  period,  for  the  purpose  ot 
hunting  and  fishing.  Vho  word  "Otsego"  is  thought  to  be  a  conri- 
pound  which  convevs  n.:  idea  ..fa  spot  at  which  "'«^  ;"p,"f/''^^["- 
dians  were  held,  there  is  a  small  rock  near  the  outlet  of  the  lake, 
called  the  "  Otsego  Rock,"  at  which  precise  point  the  savages,  ac- 
cording to  an  early  tradition,  were  accustomed  to  give  each  other 
the  rendezvous. 

"It  should  alRO  1.C  stated,  that  the  present  site  of  Cooperstowit  is  ''"""'"'^'^'l  ^^ll'.'''; 
.v,.nt„f  some  interest  that  occurred  duiing  the  war  of  the  revolu.ioti.  An  cxpedit.o. 
TavinJ  be  n  ciundcd  to  proceed  under  the  orders  of  Major.get.era  «"'  --'''  «f-^'^^ 
hJ  Indians  vho  then  dwelt  in  the  vicit.ity  of  the  Seneca  lake,  a  b'-'fJ'' ^''-P'-'H  '"  "» 
Ttv  under  BriBudter-Keueral  Jamen  Cliuton,  (the  father  ot  "'"/^^ti'?  *-''.  \  il  f1  rt 
t  )  m  n  led  fu.n  Albany  for  that  purpose.  After  ascettdiu^  the  Mohaw  .  as  faj  Fo 
P la  n,  this  briRade  cut  n  rond  throuKb  the  forest  to  the  head  ol  ^ako  O  «j  •  « h.^  it 
Uansuovtrd  its  boats.  'IVa-cH  of  this  rond  exist,  and  it  ,s  still  known  by  the  inme  ot  the 
Co    t^neml  Road.    E>nb«king  at  Uie  he-.d  of  the  lake,  the  troops  descended  to  the  ouUet, 


\;    t 


'     If' 


'    ,  (i 


,    I, 


.!s  ,. 


f  ■» 


III  •I!"''  ■''^ 


*  .s 


i 

ll 

v\ 


446 


OTaSQO    COUNTY. 


where  they  encamped  on  the  site  of  the  present  village.  General  Clinton's  quarters  are 
said  to  have  been  in  a  small  building  of  hewn  logs,  which  then  stood  in  what  are  now  the 
grounds  of  the  '  Hall,'  and  which  it  is  thought  was  erected  by  Col.  Croghan,  as  a  place  in 
which  he  might  hold  his  negotiations  with  the  Indians,  as  well  as  for  a  commencement  of 
a  settlement. 

"  Th'ii  building,  which  was  about  fifteen  feet  square  and  intended  for  a  sort  of  block, 
house,  was  undoubtedly  the  first  ever  erected  on  this  spot.  It  was  subsequently  used  by 
some  of  the  first  settlers  as  a  residence,  and  by  Judge  Cooper  as  a  smoke-house,  and  it  was 
standing  in  1797,  if  not  a  year  later.  It  was  then  taken  down,  and  removed  by  Henry 
Pace  Cuton  lO  his  residence  on  the  road  to  Pier's,  where  it  was  set  up  again  as  an  out- 
house. 

"  There  were  found  the  graves  of  two  white  men  in  the  same  grounds,  which  were  be. 
iieved  to  contain  the  bodies  of  deserters,  who  were  shot  during  the  time  the  troops  were 
here  encamped.  These  graves  are  supposed  to  be  the  first  of  any  civihzed  man  in  the 
township  of  Otsego.     All  traces  of  them  have  now  disappeared. 

"As  soon  as  encamped,  the  troops  of  Gen.  Clinton  commenced  the  construction  of  a 
dam  at  the  outlet,  and  when  the  water  had  risen  to  a  sufiicient  height  in  the  lake,  the  ob. 
struclion  was  removed,  the  current  clearing  the  bed  of  the  river  of  flood.wood.  After  a 
shori  delay,  for  this  purpose,  the  troops  embarked  and  descended  as  far  as  the  junction 
with  the  Tioga,  where  they  were  met  by  another  brigade,  commanded  by  General  SullU 
van  in  person.  On  this  occasion,  the  Susquehannah,  below  the  dam,  was  said  to  be  so 
much  reduced  that  a  man  could  jump  across  it. 

"  Traces  of  the  dam  are  still  to  be  seen,  and  for  many  years  they  were  very  obvious. 
At  a  later  day,  in  digging  the  cellar  of  the  house  first  occupied  by  Judge  Cooper,  a  large 
iron  swivel  was  discovered,  which  was  said  to  have  been  buried  by  the  troops,  who  found 
it  useless  for  their  service.  This  swivel  was  the  only  piece  of  artillery  used  for  the  pur. 
poses  of  salutes  and  merry.makings  in  the  vicinity  of  Cooperstown,  for  ten  or  twelve  years 
after  the  settlement  of  the  place.  It  is  well  and  affectionately  remembered  by  the  name  of 
the  '  cricket,'  and  was  bursted  lately  in  the  same  good  cause  of  rejoicing  on  the  4th  of  July. 
At  the  time  of  its  final  disaster,  (for  it  had  met  with  many  vicissitudes  by  field  and  flood, 
having  actually  been  once  thrown  into  the  lake,)  it  is  said  there  was  no  very  perceptible 
diiference  in  size  between  its  touch-hole  and  its  muzzle." — Chronicles  of  Cooperstown. 

An  attempt  was  made  to  settle  Cooperstown  about  10  years  before 
the  revolution,  by  Mr.  John  Christopher  Hartwick,  which  however 
proved  abortive  ;  and  between  the  years  17G1  and  1770,  Col.  Croghan 
with  his  family  resided  ibr  a  short  time  on  the  spot.  A  final  settle- 
ment was  commenced  in  1780,  unt'ar  the  auspices  William  Cooper, 
Esq.,  from  Burlington,  New  Jersey,  who  purchased  the  tract  on 
which  the  village  now  stands.  The  regular  commencement  of  the 
village  dates  more  projiurly  from  1788,  as  at  this  time  it  was  regu- 
larly laid  out.  At  the  formation  of  the  county,  in  1791,  Cooperstown 
was  designated  as  the  county  seat,  Mr.  Cooper  being  appointed  the 
first  judge  of  the  county  court. 

Among  th<3  incidents  of  this  early  day,  the  following  anecdote  is  related  of  an  ex.officer 
of  tlio  French  army,  a  Monsieur  Ebbal,  who  kept  "  bachelor's  hall"  on  the  western  bank  of 
the  lake.  "  Some  wngs  told  Monsieur  Ebbal,  that  if  chased  by  a  near,  the  most  certain 
mode  of  escape,  was  to  throw  away  his  hat,  or  his  coat,  to  induce  the  animal  to  stop  and 
smell  nt  it,  and  then  to  profit  bv  the  occasion,  and  climb  a  sapling  that  was  too  small  to 
eiiuble  his  enemy  to  fasten  its  chiws  in  it,  in  the  way  it  is  known  to  ascend  a  tree.  The 
advice  was  well  enough,  but  the  advis(?d  having  actually  an  occasion  ti,  follow  it  the  sue. 
ceeding  autunui,  scrambled  up  a  sapling  first,  and  began  to  throw  away  his  clothes  after, 
ward.  The  bear,  a  she  one  with  cubs,  tore  to  pieces  garment  after  garment,  without  quit- 
ting the  spot,  keeping  poor  Ebbol  treed,  throughout  a  cool  autumnal  night." 

As  an  indication  of  the  intelligence  of  the  inhabitants,  a  newspaper, 
the  "Otsego  Herald,"  was  i.sgued  here  as  early  as  1705.  The  first 
edifice  constructed  for  religious  worship  was  the  Presbyterian,  erected 
on  the  east  side  of  Wesl-stntet,  in  1805.  and  is  still  occupied  by  that 
denomination.     There  are  now  in  the  village  1(30  dwellings,  UO  stores, 


*    .:. 


OTSEGO    COUNTY, 


447 


quarters  are 
are  now  the 
as  a  place  in 
encement  of 

ort  of  block, 
intly  used  by 
e,  and  it  was 
:d  by  Henry 
in  as  an  out. 

ich  were  be. 
troops  were 
man  in  the 

Jtruction  of  a 
lake,  the  ob. 
od.  After  a 
the  junction 
eneral  Sulli. 
aid  to  be  so 

very  obvious, 
oper,  a  large 
3,  who  found 
for  the  pur. 
twelve  years 
■  the  name  of 
B  4th  of  July, 
d  and  flood, 
y  perceptible 
eratown. 

ars  before 
however 
.  Croghan 
rial  settle- 
n  Cooper, 
tract  on 
snt  of  the 
was  regu- 
jperstown 
)inicd  the 

an  ex.officer 
jtern  bank  of 
most  certain 
il  to  stop  and 
too  small  to 
a  tree.  The 
pw  it  the  sue. 
clothes  after- 
without  quit. 

ewspaper, 
The  first 
m, erected 
d  by  that 
UO  Stores, 


42  shops,  14  offices,  5  churches,  2  weekly  newspaper  offices,  a  very 
extensive  book  publishing  establishment,  2  female  boarding  schools, 
and  a  bank.  Its  present  population  is  about  1,300.  The  private 
dwellings  of  this  place  are  many  of  them  substantial  structures  of 
stone  and  brick,  some  of  which  arc  elegant.  The  society  is  rclincd 
and  intelligent.  This,  with  the  uncommon  beauty  of  the  surrounding 
scenery  and  healthiness  of  the  climate,  will  ere  long  render  it  a  sum- 
mer resort  for  the  elite  of  our  large  cities.  OaksviUe,  4  miles  N.  of 
Cooperstown,  is  a  small  manufacturing  village. 

PiTTSFiELD,  taken  from  Burlington  in  1797 ;  from  Albany,  VV.,  81, 
from  Cooperstown.  SW.,  18  miles.     Pop.  1,395. 

Plainfieu),  taken  from  Richfield  in  1799 ;  from  Albany,  NW.,  77 
miles  ;  centrally  distant  NW.  from  Cooperstown  10  miles.  Unadilla 
Forks  and  Lloydsville  are  small  villages.     Pop.  1,448. 

Richfield,  taken  from  Otsego  in  1792;  since  altered ;  from  Al- 
bany, NW.,  72,  centrallv  distant  N.  from  Cooperstown  16  miles. 
Canaderaga  Springs,  Brighton,  and  Monticello,  are  small  villages. 

Pop.  1,670.  ,        r         ni 

Springfield,  named  from  a  large  deep  spring ;  taken  h'om  Cherry 
Valley  in  1797;  from  Albany,  W.,  58  miles,  centrally  distant  11 
miles  N.  of  Cooperstown.  Some  few  Dutch  who  had  settled  here, 
were  driven  off  during  the  revolution.  Springiield  and  East  Spring- 
field are  small  post  villages.     Pop.  2,382. 

Unadilla.  taken  from  Otsego  in  1792;  from  Albany,  W„  100 
miles,  from  Cooperstown,  SW„  40  miic«.  Pop.  2,272.  Unadilla, 
pleasantly  situated  on  the  Susquehannah,  has  about  eighty  dwellings. 
An  Indian  monument  stood  in  this  town  about  twenty  rods  west  of 
the  residence  of  Levi  Bigelow,  Esq.  It  was  about  20  feet  in  dia- 
meter, 10  feet  in  height,  and  of  a  conical  form.  It  was  a  landmark 
for  the  early  travellers  in  this  region.  An  Indian  trail  passed  by  it. 
Unadilla  Centre  is  a  small  village. 

In  July.  1777,  a  conference  was  held  in  this  place  between  t.en. 
Herkimer  and  Joseph  Brant,  the  celebrated  Indian  chieftain,  who 
complained  of  being  threatened  by  Gen.  Schuyler ;  and  also,  that 
the  Mohawks  did  not  have  liberty  to  pass  and  repass  as  formerly, 
&c.,  &c.  The  following  account  of  this  meeang  is  given  m  the  An- 
nals of  Tryon  county. 

"  Information  having  been  Riven,  Gen.  Herkimer  in  July  marched  to  Unadilla  wiih  380 
militia.  He  was  met  hore  by  Urn.it  at  thn  head  of  130  warriors  Brant  complamcd  «t  ihe 
same  grievances  as  above  set  f..rth.  To  the  question  whether  he  would  remain  at  peace 
if  these  things  were  rectified,  he  replied;  'The  Indians  were  m  concert  w.th  the  kng,  as 
heir  fathers  and  grandfather  had  been.  That  the  king's  belts  were  yet  bdged  w.th  their, 
and  they  could  not  falsify  their  pledge-That  Gen.  Herkimer  and  the  rest  had  jo.ned  the 
Boston  people  against  their  king-That  Boston  people  were  resolute,  bu  the  king  won  d 
humble  them— That  Mr.  Schuyler,  or  General,  or  what  you  please  to  call  him,  was  very 
Bmart  on  the  Indians  at  the  treaty  at  German  Flats ;  but  was  not  at  the  same  t.me  able  to 
afford  them  the  mnallest  article  of  clothing-That  the  Ind.ans  had  formerly  made  war  on 
the  white  people  all  united  ;  and  now  they  were  divided,  the  Indians  were  not  <r.ghtened. 

"  After  Brant  had  declared  his  determination  to  espouse  the  cause  ol  the  king,  Col.  uox 
said,  if  such  was  his  resolution  the  matter  was  ended.  Brant  turned  and  spoke  to  his  war- 
riors,  who  Hhotited  and  rt.n  to  their  cmp  about  a  mile  distant,  when  seizing  ^^^J^ 
Uiey  ftred  a  number  of  guns,  and  raised  th«  Indian  war-whoop.    They  returned  immed.. 


448 


PUTNAM    COUNTY. 


M 


ately,  when  Gen.  Herkimer  addressing  Brant,  told  him  he  had  not  come  to  fight.  Brant 
motioned  to  his  followers  to  remain  in  their  places.  Then  assuming  a  threatenmg  attitude, 
he  said,  if  their  purpose  was  war,  he  was  ready  for  thcMn.  He  then  proposed  that  Mr. 
Stewart,  the  missionary  among  the  Mohawks,  (who  was  supposed  friendly  to  the  English,) 
and  the  wife  of  Col.  Butler,  should  be  permitted  to  pass  from  the  lower  to  the  upper  Mo. 
hawk  castle.  i      ,  i  u      ■ 

"Gen.  Herkimer  assented,  but  demanded  that  the  tones  and  deserters  should  be  given 
up  to  him.  This  was  refused  by  Brant,  who  after  some  further  remarks,  added  that  ho 
would  go  to  Oswego,  and  hold  a  treaty  with  Col.  Butler.  This  singular  conference  was 
singularly  terminated.  It  was  early  in  July,  and  the  sun  shone  forth  without  a  cloud  to 
obscure  it,  and  as  its  rays  gilded  the  tops  of  the  forest  trees,  or  were  reflected  from  the 
waters  of  the  Siisquehannah,  imparted  a  rich  tint  to  the  wild  scenery  with  which  they  were 
surrounded.  The  echo  of  the  war-whoop  had  scarcely  died  away  betore  the  heavens  be- 
came  black,  and  a  violent  storm  of  hail  and  rain  obliged  each  party  to  withdraw  and  seek 
the  nearest  shelter.  Men  less  superstitious  than  many  of  the  unlettered  yeomen  who,  lean- 
ing  upon  their  arms,  were  witnesses  of  the  events  of  this  day,  could  not  have  failed  in  after 
times  to  have  looked  back  upon  them,  if  not  as  an  omen,  at  least  as  an  embleni  of  those 
dreadful  massacres  with  which  these  Indians  and  their  associates  afterward  visited  the  in. 
habitants  of  this  unfortunate  frontier. 

"Gen.  Herkimer  appears  to  have  been  unwilling  to  urge  matters  to  extreme,  though  he 
had  sufficient  power  to  have  defeated  the  Indians.  He  no  doubt  entertained  hopes  that 
some  amicable  arrangement  would  eventually  be  made  with  them. 

"  This  is  believed  to  have  been  the  last  conference  held  with  any  of  the  Six  Nations, 
except  the  Oneidas,  in  which  an  effort  was  made  to  prevent  the  Indians  engaging  in  the 
war." 

Westford,  taken  from  Worcester  in  1808  ;  from  Albany  56  miles. 
Pop.  1,468.     Westford  and  Westville  are  small  post  villages. 

Worcester,  taken  from  Cherry  Valley  in  1797  ;  area  since  altered; 
from  Albany,  W.,  56  miles.  'Pop.  2,420.  Worcester  and  East 
Worcester  are  post-offices, — the  first  16  miles  SE.,  and  the  last  20 
from  Cooperstown. 


f 


H 


I 

i 


PUTNAM  COUNTY. 

Putnam  county  was  taken  from  Dutchess  in  1812  ;  greatest  length 
21,  greatest  breadth  12  miles.  The  Highlands  extend  across  the 
western  part.  The  highest  point  is  about  1,580  feet  above  the  Hud- 
son. The  remainder  of  the  cciinty,  though  generally  uneven,  htis 
some  handsome  plains,  with  a  soil  various,  and  some  of  it  fertile. 
The  mountains  abound  with  iron  ore  of  good  quality.  Butter,  beef, 
wool,  calves,  lambs,  sheep,  fowls,  and  the  many  othei-  C})ecies  of 
"  marketing"  are  produced  here  in  great  quantities  for  the  New  York 
market,  and  their  returns  arc  rapidly  enriching  the  producer.  The 
evidences  of  prosperity  arc  everywhere  visible.  Within  a  few 
years  the  Itmds  have  doubled  in  value  and  price.  The  county  is 
watered  easterly  and  centrally  by  the  main  branches  of  the  Croton. 
It  is  divided  into  six  towns.     Pop.  12,825. 

Carmel,  taken  from  Fredrickstown  (now  Kent)  in  1795;  centrally 
distant  106  miles  from  New  York,  55  from  Albany,  16  E.  of  the  Hudson 
river  at  West  Point,  and  1 8  from  Peekskill.     Pop.  2,2Uii.    Carmel, 


i 


PUTNAM    COUNTY. 


440 


1  fight.  Brant 
fining  attitude, 
Dsed  that  Mr. 
•  the  English,) 
the  upper  Mo. 

lould  be  given 
added  that  he 
onference  was 
lout  a  cloud  to 
cied  from  the 
liich  they  were 
le  heavens  be- 
draw  and  seek 
nen  wlio,  lean- 
3  failed  in  after 
iblem  of  those 
visited  the  in- 

me,  though  he 
lied  hopes  that 

le  Six  Nations, 
igaging  in  the 

ly  56  miles, 
gcs. 

nee  altered ; 

and    East 

the  last  20 


atest  length 
across  the 
.^e  the  Hud- 
ineven,  has 
jf  it  t'ertilo. 
Butter,  beef, 
cj)ecies  ot" 
I  New  York 
uccr.  The 
ithin  a  few 
le  county  is 
the  Croton. 

>;  centrally 
'the  Hudson 
y.    Carmel, 


the  county  seat,  is  a  small  village  beautifully  situated  upon  Shaws 
lake.     Red  Mills  is  a  small  village  on  the  Muscoot  river,  8  miles 

SW.  of  Carmel. 

Kent,  originally  napped  Fredricktown  and  organized  m  1788; 
from  New  York  60,  and  from  Albany  101  miles.  Pop.  1,830.  Mill- 
town,  7  miles  NW.,  and  Coles  Mills,  3  miles  N.  from  Carmel,  are 
small  settlements  on  a  branch  of  the  Croton. 

PvrTERsoN,  originally  named  Fr.mklin,  and  organized  in  179.5. 
Pop.  1,349.  Patterson  or  The  Citv,  formerly  named  1<  redricksburg, 
in  the  valley  of  tlic  Croton,  is  a  smnll  village.  Townors  and  ilavi- 
land's  Hollow  arc  names  of  post-o!!iccs. 


View  of  tm  West  Point  Foundry  at  Cold  Spring. 
Phiupstovvn  was  organized  in  1788;  centrally  distant  from  New 
York  53,  from  Albany  95  miles.  Pop.  3,814.  This  town  extends 
the  whole  length  of  the  west  end  of  P.itnnm  county  on  the  Hudson. 
Some  of  the  most  prominent  peaks  of  the  Highlands  are  in  this  town, 
viz :  Sugar  Loaf,  Bull  Hill,  Break  Neck,  and  Anthony  s  Nose.  This 
last  is  si^unt.>d  at  the  entrance  of  the  Highlands  and  is  about  1,000 
feet  in  hei<rht.  During  the  revolution,  a  large  boom  and  chain  cx- 
tcn<lod  across  from  the  f  .ot  of  this  peak  to  Fort  Montgomery,  on  he 
opposite  bank  of  the  Hurison.  The  village  of  Cold  Spring  is  situated 
20  miles  west  of  Carmel,  on  the  bank  ot  the  Hudson  about  one  m.lo 
and  a  half  above  West  Point.  It  is  Pl'^^'polly  inhab'ted  by  the 
families  of  the  officers  ind  workmen  of  the  West  Po;";^^"" j  y- 
There  is  here  1  Presbyterian,  1  Baptist,  1  Episcopal,  1  Methodist, 
and  1  Catholic  church,  '71  dwellings,  11  mercantile  stores,  and  1,2.,0 

'"  The  West  Point  foundry  is  situated  about  three  fourths  .of  a  mile 
SE.  from  the  villa-e  of  Cold  Spring.  It  was  established  in  1816, 
and  is  at  present  the  largest  establishment  ol  the  kind  in  the  Union. 

ThP  Pstubljvhnient  cn.plov.s  400  men,  and  is  divided  into  the  following  brnnches,  with  a 
f  Ji  Bt't  hrn"  of  eLh  branch,  vi.  :  an  iron  foundry,  a  brass  toundry,  pattern, Hm.tha'. 

57 


€*"?' 


ir* 


450 


PUTNAM    COUNTY. 


machine,  and  boiler  shops.  There  are  attached  to  the  foundry,  3  air  furnaces,  3  cupolas. 
In  the  smiths'  shop  there  is  1  trip-hammer  of  seven  tons  weight,  and  2  tilt-hammers,— one 
of  1,000,  and  the  other  of  500  lbs.  Shafts  of  19  inches  diameter  have  been  forged  here, 
wei-'hin"  12  tons,  and  they  are  prepared  to  forge  shafts  of  2  feet  diameter.  The  machine 
shop  contains  28  turning  lathes,  and  3  planing  machines  for  iron.  The  consumption  of  the 
principal  materials  was  as  follows  during  the  year  1840.  Pf  '^f "'  ^140;"00j  ^o^l, 
«33,000;  bar  iron,  $29,000;  boiler  iron  plate,  $14,500;  copper,  $44,040;  total  $261,140. 
The  principal  articles  manufactured  during  that  time  were  water  pipes  for  the  Croton  water 
works;  steam  engines  and  suga-  mills  for  the  West  Indies;  steam  engines  and  cotton 
presses  for  the  southern  states ;  flour  mill,  with  2  water  wheels  and  8  run  ot  burr  stones,  for 
Austria ;  flour  mill  and  3  run  of  stones  for  Halifnx,  N.  B. ;  engines,  boilers,  &c.,  for  the 
steam  frigate  Missouri;  heavy  wrought  iron  work  for  the  steam  frigate  Mississippi.  Steam 
engines  and  boilers,  both  high  and  low  pressure,  are  manufactured  likewise ;  flour,  rice, 
sugar  oil,  and  eaw-mills,  sugar  kettles,  cotton  presses,  hydrostatic  cylinders,  brass  and  iron 
cannon,  bells,  shot  and  shells,  heavy  and  light  forged  work  ;  castings  of  all  sizes,  either  of 
composition  or  iron. 


M 


'!    ii 


■'-"^^Sr^i^: 


The  Robinson  House. 

This  dwelling,  named  after  the  unfortunate  owner,  Col.  Beverly 
Robinson,  is  romantically  situated  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Hudson, 
about  two  miles  below  West  Point,  near  the  base  of  the  "  Sugar 
Loaf,"  one  of  the  lofty  peaks  of  the  Highlands.  Dr.  Dwight,  who 
in  the  year  1778  spent  several  nvmths  at  West  Point,  has  given  the 
annexed  account  of  this  dwelling  and  its  original  possessor. 

"  A  part  of  this  time  I  ref  ided  at  the  hcad-quarters  of  General  Putnam,  then  command- 
ing at  this  post;  and  afterward  of  General  Parsons,  who  succeeded  him  in  the  coniniund. 
These  gentlemen  lodged  in  the  house  of  Col,  Beverly  Robinson ;  a  respectable  native  of 
Scotland,  who  married  a  lady  of  the  Phillips  fumily,  one  of  the  wealthiest,  and  most  re. 
spectable  of  the  province  of  New  York.  With  this  lady  Col.  Robinson  acquired  a  large 
landed  estate  lying  in  Phillipstown,  Fredericktown,  and  Franklin,  as  they  are  now  called ; 
and  for  the  more  convenient  management  of  it  planted  himself  in  this  spot.  Here  he  had  a 
spacious  and  convenient  mansion,  surrounded  by  valuable  gardens,  fields,  and  orchards, 
yielding  every  thing  which  will  grow  in  this  climate.  The  renUf  of  his  estate  were  suffi- 
cient  to  make  life  "us  agrcei)blc  as  from  this  source  it  can  be.  Mrs.  Robinson  was  a  fine 
woman;  and  their  children  promised  every  thing  which  can  be  expected  from  a  very  hope- 
ful family.  His  immediate  friends  were,  at  the  same  time,  persons  of  the  first  consequence 
in  the  province. 

"  When'the  revolutionary  war  broke  out.  Col.  Robinson  was  induced,  contrary  as  I  have 
been  informed  to  his  own  judgment  and  inclination,  by  the  importunity  of  some  of  his  con- 
nections  to  take  the  British  side  of  the  question.  To  him  it  appeared  wiser  and  safer  to 
act  a  neutral  part,  and  remain  quietly  on  his  estate.  The  pressure,  however,  from  various 
sources  was  so  strong  agnitist  him,  thnt  he  finnlly  yielded,  and  rarried  his  ftimily  with  him 
to  New  York,  and  thence  to  Great  Britain.     His  property  was  confiscated  by  the  legisla. 


PUTNAM    COUNTY. 


451 


ces,  3  cupolas, 
ammers, — one 
1  forged  here, 

The  machine 
umption  of  the 
140,000;  coal, 
otnl  $261,140. 
e  Croton  water 
les  and  cotton 
aiirr  stones,  for 
•s,  &c.,  for  the 
s^ippi.  Steam 
ae ;  flour,  rice, 

brass  and  iron 
sizes,  cither  of 


ol.  Beverly 
be  Hudson, 
the  "Sugar 
wight,  who 
IS  given  the 
>r. 

hen  command- 
I  the  conitnand. 
ituble  native  of 
!,  and  most  re. 
icquired  a  large 
ire  now  called ; 
Here  he  had  a 
,  and  orchards, 
tate  were  suffi- 
ison  was  a  fine 
)ni  a  very  hope- 
•at  consequence 

itrary  as  I  have 
jme  of  his  con- 
:r  and  safer  to 
3r,  from  various 
iimily  with  him 
by  tiie  legibla> 


ture  of  New  York,  and  his  family  banished  from  their  native  country.  It  was  impossible 
for  any  person,  who  finds  an  interest  in  the  affairs  of  his  fellow.nien,  and  particularly  while 
residing  in  the  very  mansion  where  they  had  so  lately  enjoyed  nil  which  this  world  can 
give,  not  to  feel  deeply  the  misfortunes  of  this  family.  Few  events  in  human  life  strike  the 
mind  more  painfully  than  banishment;  a  calamity  sufficiently  disastrous  in  the  most 
ordinary  circumstances,  but  peculiarly  uHecting  when  the  banished  are  brought  before  us 
in  the  narrow  circle  of  a  family ;  a  circle,  the  whole  of  which  the  eye  can  see,  and  whose 
Bufferings  the  heart  can  perfectly  realize.  Peculiarly  is  this  true,  when  the  family  in  ques- 
tion  is  enlightened,  pohshed,  amply  possessed  of  enjoyments,  tasting  them  with  moderation, 
and  sharing  them  cheerfully  with  their  friends  and  neighbors,  the  stranger  and  the  poor." 

When  Arnold  had  obtained  the  command  of  West  Point  in  Aug., 
1780,  he  estabhshcd  his  head-quarters  at  "  Beverly,"  where  was  me- 
ditated that  act  of  treachery  whicii  has  stamped  his  memory  with 
everlasting  infamy.  At  the  time  the  news  of  the  capture  ot  Andre 
was  received  by  Arnold,  General  Washington  a  a  rut.  officers,  together 
with  the  traitor,  were  seated  at  breakfast,  in  the  lower  room,  to  the 
left  of  the  small  tree  seen  near  the  centre  of  the  engraving. 

The  annexed,  from  the  pen  of  a  late  visiter,  is  extracted  from  the 
Knickerbocker  for  Sept.,  1840. 

"  The  commander-in-chief,  at  the  tiijie  of  the  capture,  was  on  his  way  from  Hartford,  and 
changino-  the  route  which  he  had  first  proposed,  came  by  the  way  of  West  Point.  At 
Fishkill°he  met  the  French  minister,  M.  de  la  Luzerne,  who  had  been  to  visit  Count 
Rochambeau  at  Newport,  and  he  remained  that  night  with  the  minister.  Very  early  next 
morning  he  sent  off  his  luggage,  with  orders  to  the  men  to  go  with  it  as  quickly  as  possible 
to  •  Beverly  '  and  give  Mrs.  Arnold  notice  that  he  would  be  there  at  breakfast.  When  the 
general  and  his  suite  arrived  opposite  West  Point,  he  was  observed  to  turn  his  horse  into 
a  narrow  road  that  led  to  the  river.  La  Fayette  remarked,  '  General,  you  are  going  ma 
wron"  direction ;  you  know  Mrs.  Arnold  is  waiting  breakfast  for  us.'  Washington  good- 
naturedly  remarked :  '  Ah,  I  know  you  young  men  are  all  in  love  with  Mrs.  Arnold,  and 
wish  to  "et  where  she  is  as  soon  as  possible.  You  may  go  and  take  your  breakfast  with 
her  and^tell  her  not  to  wait  for  me :  I  must  ride  down  and  examine  the  redoubts  on  this 
side  of  the  river.'  The  officers,  however,  with  the  exception  of  two  of  the  aids,  remained. 
When  the  aids  arrived  at '  Beverly,'*  they  found  the  family  waiting ;  and  having  coinmu. 
nicated  the  message  of  General  Washington,  Arnold,  with  his  family  and  the  two  aids,  sat 
down  to  breakfast.  Before  they  had  finished,  a  messenger  arrived  in  great  haste,  and 
handed  General  Arnold  a  letter,  which  he  read  with  deep  and  evident  emotion. 

"  The  «elf-control  of  the  soldier  enabled  Arnold  to  suppress  the  agony  he  endured  after 
readin"  this  letter.  Ho  rose  hastily  from  the  table ;  told  the  aids  that  his  immediate  pre- 
sence  was  required  at  West  Point;  and  desired  them  so  to  inform  General  Washington, 
when  he  arrived.  Having  first  ordered  a  horse  to  be  ready,  he  hastened  to  Mrs.  Arnold  a 
chamber,  and  there,  with  a  bursting  heart,  disclosed  to  her  his  dreadful  position,  and  that 
they  must  part,  perhaps  for  ever.t  Struck  with  horror  at  the  painful  intelligence,  this  fond 
and  devoted  wife  swooned,  and  fell  senseless  at  his  feet.  In  this  state  he  left  her,  hurried 
down  stairs,  and  mounting  his  horse,  rode  with  all  possible  speed  to  the  nver.  In  doing 
80.  Arnold  did  not  keep  the  main  road,  but  passed  down  the  mountain,  pursuing  a  by-path 
through  the  woods,  which  Lieutenant  Arden  pointed  out,  and  which  is  now  called  Arnold  a 
Path  •  Near  the  foot  of  the  mountain,  where  the  path  approaches  the  mam  road,  a  weep, 
ina  willow  planted  there  no  doubt  by  some  patriot  hand,  stands,  in  marked  contrast  with 
the  forest  trees  which  encircle  and  surround  it,  to  point  out  to  the  inquiring  tourist  the  very 
pathway  of  the  traitor. 


»  The  property  now  belongs  to  Richard  D.  Arden,  Esq.,  and  adjoins  his  own  romantic 
and  beautiful  "  Ardenia,"  whence  no  "visiter"  departs,  who  can  ever  forget  the  generous 
"  Hiehlaud  welcome."  Mr.  Arden,  with  a  true  patriotism  that  does  him  honor,  has  per- 
mitted  no  alteration  of  the  interior  of  the  house.  The  same  low  ceiling,  large  and  uncov. 
ered  joists,  the  same  polished  tiles  around  the  fire-places,  and  the  absence  of  all  ornament 
whicli  marks  the  progress  of  modern  architecture,  preserve  complete  the  interest  winch 
the  stirring  incidents  of  that  period  have  flung  around  the  "  Robinson  House." 

t  We  also  visited  this  chamber,  which  remains  unaltered.  Over  the  mantel  is  carved  m 
Uie  wood  work:  "0,  Wau.is,  Lieut.  VI.  Mam.  Rrgt." 


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Sciences 
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33  WIST  MAIN  STRUT 

WIBSTIR,N.Y.  MSIO 

(716)  173-4303 


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ftUEENS    COUNTY. 


i 


'^ 


"  In  our  interesting  visit,  we  were  accompanied  by  the  superintendent,  Major  Delafieid, 
and  in  the  barges  kindly  ordered  for  our  accommodation,  we  were  rowed  to  '  Beverly  Dock,' 
and  landed  at  the  spot  where  Arnold  took  boat  to  aid  his  escape.  He  was  rowed  to  the 
'  Vu'ture,"  and  using  a  white  handkerchief,  created  the  impression  that  it  was  a  flag.hor.t :  it 
was  therefore  suffered  to  pass.  He  made  himself  known  to  Captain  Sutherland,  of  the  Vul. 
ture,  and  then  calling  on  board  the  leader  of  the  boatmen  who  had  rowed  him  off,  informed 
him  thet  he  and  his  crew  were  all  prisoners  of  war.  This  disgraceful  and  most  unmanly 
appendix  to  his  treason,  wo',  considered  so  contemptible  by  the  captain,  that  he  permitted 
the  man  to  go  on  shore,  on  his  parol  of  honor,  to  procure  clothes  for  himself  and  comrades. 
This  he  did,  and  returned  the  same  day.  When  they  arrived  in  New  York,  Sir  Henry 
Clinton,  holding  in  just  contempt  sucli  a  wanton  act  of  meanness,  set  them  all  at  hberty. 

"  When  General  Washington  reached  '  Beverly,'  and  was  informed  that  Ariiold  had  do. 
parted  for  West  Point,  he  crossed  directly  over,  expecting  to  find  him.  Surprised  to  learn 
that  he  had  not  been  there,  after  examining  the  works  he  returned.  General  Hamilton  had 
remained  at  '  Beverly,'  and  as  Washington  and  his  suite  were  walking  up  the  mountain 
road,  from  '  Beverly  Dock,'  they  met  General  Hamilton,  with  anxious  face  and  hurried  step, 
coming  towards  them.  A  brief  and  suppressed  conversation  took  place  between  Washing. 
Ion  and  himself,  and  they  passed  on  rapidly  to  the  house,  where  the  papers  that  Washing, 
ton's  change  of  route  had  prevented  his  receiving,  had  been  delivered  that  morning ;  and 
being  represented  to  Hamilton  as  of  great  and  pressing  importance,  were  by  him  opened, 
and  the  dreadful  secret  disclosed.  Instant  measures  were  adopted  to  intercept  Arnold,  and 
prevent  his  escape,  but  in  vain.  General  Washington  then  communicated  the  facts  to  La 
Fayette  and  Knox,  and  said  to  the  former,  '  more  in  sorrow  than  in  anger,'  '  Whom  can  we 
trust  now  ?'  He  also  went  up  to  see  Mrs.  Arnold  >  but  even  Washington  could  carry  to 
her  no  consolation.  Her  grief  was  almost  frenzied ;  and  in  its  wildest  moods,  she  spoke 
of  General  Washington  as  the  murderer  of  her  child.  It  seemed  that  she  had  not  the  re. 
motest  idea  of  her  husband's  treason  ;  and  she  had  even  schooled  her  heai  t  to  feel  more  for 
the  cause  of  America,  from  her  regard  for  those  who  professed  to  love  it.  Her  husband's 
glory  was  her  dream  of  bliss — the  requiem  chant  for  her  infant's  repose ;  and  she  was 
found,  alas!  as  many  a  confiding  heart  has  oft  been  found, 

•  To  cling  like  ivy  round  a  worthless  thing.' " 

Putnam  Vai-ley,  recently  erected  from  Pliillipstown,  is  situated  in 
the  mountainous  region  of  the  Highlands;  from  Carmel  centrally 
distant  W.  9  miles.  Iron  ore  is  found  here.  Pop.  1,(559. 
.  Southeast,  organized  in  179.5;  from  Albany  ll.*?  miles.  Joes 
Hill  is  a  beautiful  and  romantic  (uninonce  extending  VV.  from  Con- 
necticut into  this  town.  Pop.  1.910.  Milltown,  8  miles  E.  of  Car- 
mel, and  Hatsville,  are  small  settlements. 


QUEENS  COUNTY. 

Queens  county,  an  original  county,  was  oiganized  in  1083,  and 
now  contains  all  that  part  of  Long  Island  which  Is  bounded  easterly 
by  Suft'olk  counly,  southerly  by  tlu;  Alhintic  ocean,  northerly  by 
Long  Island  sound,  and  westerly  by  Kings  county,  including  Lloyds 
Neck  or  Queens  Village,  the  islamls  calhul  North  and  South  Hro- 
ther.  l?iker's  Island,  and  some  other  islands  lying  in  the  sound  oppo- 
site ihe  said  bounds  and  southerly  of  the  main  chaiuuil.  The  courts 
of  the  county  were  originally  holden  for  the  most  part  at  Hempstead, 
at  which  place  the  governor  «»n  various  uccasituis  ordered  meetmgs  oi' 
the  delegates  from  the  ditVcn  it  towns.  By  tiie  act  '»f  the  A.ssembly  in 
1083,  by  which  the  counties  and  towns  upon  Long  Island  were  or- 


r  Delafield, 
^erly  Dock,' 
wed  to  the 
lag.boct :  it 
,  of  the  VuU 
if,  informed 
)st  unmanly 
e  permitted 
i  comrades. 
.,  Sir  Henry 
at  liberty, 
old  had  dc. 
sed  to  learn 
amilton  had 
le  mountain 
liurried  step, 
n  Washing- 
It  Washing, 
arning;  and 
him  opened, 
Arnold,  ancl 
facta  to  La 
liom  can  we 
uld  carry  to 
8,  she  spoke 
i  not  the  re- 
eel  more  for 
sr  husband'e 
.nd  she  was 


lituated  in 
centrally 

les.  Joes 
from  Con- 
3.  of  Car- 


1083,  and 
d  easterly 
therly  by 
ng  Lloyds 
outli  liro- 
und  oppo- 
Plic  courts 
einpstoad, 
inotinys  of 
ss(nnl)ly  in 
1  were  or- 


QUEEN3   COUNTY. 


453 


ganized  and  established,  the  county  courts  were  required  thereafter 
to  be  held  at  the  village  of  Jamaica.  They  were  held  there  for 
about  seven  years  in  the  old  stone  church  which  stood  in  the  middle 
of  the  present  Fulton  street,  opposite  Union  Hall  street.  In  the  year 
16C0,  a  courthouse  and  jail  were  erected  upon  the  site  now  occupied 
by  the  female  academy,  and  continued  to  be  used  for  the  purpose  of 
holding  the  courts  of  the  county  until  the  present  courthouse  was 
built  upon  the  north  side  of  Hempstead  plains,  in  the  town  of  North 
Hempstead,  in  the  year  1788.  The  county  is  divided  into  six  towns. 
Pop.  30,324. 

Flushing  has  for  the  most  part  a  level  surface  and  good  sod.  Pop. 
4.124.  The  settlement  of  this  town  was  commenced  in  1644,  prin- 
cipally by  a  company  of  Englishmen,  who  had  been  residents  of 
Vlissengen,  or  Flushing,  in  Holland.  'J'hey  came  to  this  place  on  ac- 
count of  the  inducements  held  out  to  them  by  the  government  of  the 
Netherlands.  At  the  revocation  of  the  edici  of  Nantes  a  number  of 
French  protestants  fled  from  their  native  country,  and  several  fam- 
ilies came  and  settled  in  Flushing,  most  of  whose  posterity  arc  now 
extinct.  About  the  only  memorial  of  them  now  existing  are  a  num- 
ber of  the  lady  apple  and  bell  peai-  trees  which  they  planted  in  differ- 
ent places,  they  also  introduced  a  variety  of  other  fruits.  From 
that  time  to  this.  Flushing  has  had  a  high  reputation  for  the  excellence 
and  variety  of  its  fruit.  The  well-known  JAnnean  Botanic  Garden 
was  commenced  here  as  early  as  1750,  by  William  Prince.  White- 
stone  and  Clintonville  arc  small  settlements  in  this  town. 

Flushing  village,  recently  incorporated,  contains  about  2,000  mhab- 
itants  in  a  square  mile.  Its  various  attractions,  with  great  facdity  ot 
conmiunication  with  New  York,  have  induced  many  wealthy  citizens 
to  locate  in  its  immediate  neighborhood.  Some  of  the  private  resi- 
dences are  among  the  most  imposing  and  splendid  edifices  in  the  state. 
The  village  of  Flushing  I'es  at  the  head  of  Flushing  bay,  5  miles 
from  the  sound,  by  water,  9  miles  from  the  centre  ol'  New  York,  and 
11  west  from  North  Hempstead.  St.  Paul's  culki^e,  under  the  di- 
rection of  the  Rev.  Wm.  A.  Muhlenberg,  is  a  flourishing  institution 
on  College  point,  about  3  miles  north  of  Flushing  village.  St.  '^^'o^«««' 
Hall,  a  literary  institution  for  young  men,  has  lately  been  established 
at  Flushing,  under  the  direction  of  Rev.  Francis  L.  Hawks,  D.  D.,  prin- 
cipal and  proprietor.  ^V.  Ann's  Hall  is  a  female  institute,  ot  which 
Rev.  John  F.  Schroeder,  D.  D.,  is  the  principal. 

On  the  right  in  the  annexed  view  is  the  Rowne  mansion-house,  sit- 
uated upon  the  elevated  ground  about  half  a  mile  eastward  ot  t.ie 
steamboat  landing  in  Flushing.  It  is  believed  to  be  the  oldest  house 
now  standing  on  Long  Island,  having  been  erected  in  1661,  by  John 
Bownc,  of  the  society  of  Friends.  Besides  the  anticiuitv  of  the  build- 
ing,  it  is  one  of  much  historic  interest.  The  celebrated  George  I' ox, 
the  founder  of  the  society  of  Friends,  has  lodged  within  the  walls  ot 
this  house,  which  was  the  place  for  the  yearly  meeting  for  the  whole 
body  of  Friends  in  the  province  of  New  York,  previous  to  1090. 
On  the  left  of  the  engraving,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  street  Irorn 


il^-i 


i'1 


i.ii 


1 


^iiisl 


454 


aUEENS   COUNTY. 


Bowne  Mansion-house,  Flushing,  L.  I. 

the  house,  are  seen  two  ancient  oaks,  under  which  Fox  preached 
when  in  this  country  in  1672.  Although  diflering  in  some  of  his  ten- 
ets from  the  majority  of  those  professing  the  Christian  name,  George 
Fox  liad  the  martyr  spirit  witiiin,  and,  had  he  been  called  to  the  trial, 
would  doubtless  have  scaled  his  testimony  with  his  blood.  His  suffer- 
ings in  the  cause  of  religious  freedom  entitle  him  to  the  gratitude  of 
mankind.  Men  of  his  stamp  are  the  true  patriots  and  genuine  nobility 
of  the  human  race.  "  A  nobler  object,"  says  an  eloquent  writer,  "  no 
human  or  angelic  mind  could  ever  propose  to  itself,  than  to  promote 
the  glory  of  the  great  governor  of  the  Universe,  in  studying  and 
laboring  to  diffuse  purity  and  happiness  among  his  unholy  and  mis- 
erable creatures."  Compared  to  a  spirit  like  this,  how  fiendlike  is  the 
mere  warrior  or  conqueror, 

"  Who  wndes  through  siniigliter  to  a  throne, 
And  shuts  the  gates  of  mercy  on  mankind." 

The  farm  on  which  the  Bowne  house  is  situated  is  now  owned  by 
Mr.  Samuel  Parsons,  and  has  ever  been  in  the  possession  of  some  one 
of  the  Bowne  family.  The  large  rnd  flourishing  nursery  establish- 
ment of  Messrs.  Parsons  &  Co.  for  fruit  and  ornamental  trees,  is  on 
this  farm. 

CADWAI.LAnEn  COLDEN  wns  for 

many  years  u  resident  of  Flush- 
ing.    He  was  the  son  o{  the  Rev. 
'/^^i^   Alcxiinder  Golden,  of  Dunse,  in 
C^^L-^  Sroilund,  where  ho  was  born  Feb. 
17,  1()88.     He  studied  medicine 
at  Kdinburgh,  and  i'l  1708  came 
Far-tfrnUx;/ Cai(uaU<i(<rr  ro/dm'oirnaiurt.  to   Philadelphia,  Bnd  established 

himself  as  a  physician.  In  1718,  he  removed  to  New  York,  mid  wns  soon  appointed  sur- 
veyor-general,  and  afterward  master  in  chancery.  In  17!20,  he  whh  advanced  to  a  place  in 
the  king's  council  of  the  province,  iind  was  for  a  long  time  one  of  the  most  coiiHpiciioua 
members  of  that  body.  In  1761,  he  wos  appointed  lieutenant-governor,  and  held  the  office 
till  his  death  in  1776.    He  was  a  distinguished  scholar  as  well  as  a  civilian ;  was  thoroughly 


aUEENS    COUNTY. 


455 


versed  in  the  knowledge  of  medicine,  botany,  and  astronomy ;  and  corresponded  with 
many  of  the  most  eminent  scholars  both  in  America  and  Europe.  Besides  his  publications 
relating  to  mathematics,  botany,  and  medicine,  he  wrote  a  valuable  histo'.-y  of  the  Five  In- 
dian  Nations.  While  holding  the  office  of  lieutenant-governor,  he  resided  most  of  the  time 
at  his  farm  in  Flushing,  called  Spring  Hill.  He  died  Sept.  26,  1776,  and  was  buried  in  a 
private  cemetery  on  the  Spring  Hill  farm.  He  had  five  sons  and  five  daughters,  a  part  ot 
whom  only  smvived  him.  Three  of  his  sons,  Alexander,  Cadwallader,  and  David,  were 
prominent  men  in  the  colony.  Cadwallader  D.  Colden,  the  only  son  of  David  Golden,  was 
born  at  Spring  Hill  in  Flushing,  April  4,  1769.  He  commenced  his  education  in  the  town 
of  Jamaica,  and  completed  it  in  London.  In  1785,  he  returned  to  the  United  States  and 
commenced  the  study  of  law.  He  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Pough- 
keepsie,  in  1793,  where  he  was  soon  made  district  attorney,  and  laid  the  foundation 
of  his  future  fame.  In  a  few  years  he  stood,  as  a  commercial  lawyer,  at  the  head  of 
his  profession,  and  in  the  other  branches,  among  the  first.  In  1818  he  was  elected  to  the 
New  York  assembly,  and  the  same  year  appointed  mayor  of  New  York.  In  1822  he  was 
chosen  a  representative  in  Congress.  In  1824  he  was  elected  to  the  state  senate,  and  held 
the  office  three  years  in  succession.  The  most  untiring  industry  and  patient  research  were 
pecuHar  traits  in  his  professional  character,  and  marked  his  proceedings  in  every  thing  he  un- 
dcrtook.  He  was  among  the  earliest  and  most  efficient  promoters,  in  connection  with  De 
Witt  Clinton,  of  the  system  of  internal  improvements.  At  the  completion  of  the  Erie 
canal,  he  wrote  and  published ''..  ;  icmoir  upon  the  subject.  He  wrote  also  the  Life  of 
Rabfrt  Fulton.    He  died  iinivnraady  esteemed  at  Jersey  City,  Feb.  7.  1834. 


Northern  view  of  Hempstead,  Long  Island. 

Hempstead,  incorporated  in  1784,  was  originally  the  south  part  of 
the  ancient  town  of  Hempstead.  It  has  a  level  surface  and  a  soil  of 
sandy  loam,  much  of  which  is  rendered  quite  productive  by  a  judi- 
cious cultivation.  Pop.  7,019.  The  first  permanent  settlement  in 
the  town  is  supposed  to  have  been  commenced  on  the  site  of  the 

Sirescnt  village  of  Hempstead,  in  1043,  by  a  few  emigrants  from  New 
England,  who  obtained  a  patent  from  the  Dutch  governor  Kieft. 
These  emigrants  came  originally  from  a  place  commonly  called 
//e/«e/-H(!mpstead,  23  miles  from  London.  The  annexed  engraving 
shows  the  a|)pearance  of  Hempstead  village  as  it  is  entered  from  the 
north  by  the  branch  railroad,  two  miles  in  length,  which  connects  the 
village  with  the  Long  Island  railroad.  It  is  pleasantly  situated  on 
the  southern  margin  of  the  great  '^Hempstead  plains"  21  miles 
from  New  York,  and  three  from  the  courthouse  in  North  Hemp- 
stead. Those  plains  consist  of  about  17,000  acres  of  unenclosed 
lands,  which  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  own  in  common.  The 
village;  has  within  a  square  mile  200  dwellings,  and  about  1,400  in- 


456 


aUEENa    COUNTY. 


habitants ;  there  are  three  churches,  1  Presbyterian,  1  Episcopal,  and 
1  Methodist,  and  the  Hempstead  Seminary,  a  fine  specimen  of  mod- 
ern architecture.  There  is  a  newspaper  printing  office  in  the  village. 
The  village  of  Jerusalem,  upon  the  eastern  border  of  the  town,  con- 
tains about  150  inhabitants.  The  village  of  Near  Rockaway  is  about 
5  miles  SW.  of  Hempstead  village,  at  the  head  of  Rockaway  bay, 
which  can  be  approached  by  vessels  of  60  or  80  tons.  It  is  a  place 
of  some  business :  here  are  several  stores,  a  lumber  and  ship  yard, 
ifec.  Far  Rockaway,  about  29  miles  from  New  York,  has  grown 
into  importance  as  a  fashionable  watering  place.  The  "  Marine  Pa- 
vilion," a  splendid  hotel,  was  erected  here  in  1834,  near  the  beitcli, 
70  rods  from  the  ocean.  Raynortown  is  a  small  village  5  miles  8E. 
from  Hempstead  village. 

The  annexed  engraving  is  a  representation  of  the  monument  erected 
to  commemorate  the  terrible  loss  of  life  by  the  wreck  of  the  Brist<jl 
and  Mexico,  on  the  south  shore  of  this  town  in  1836-7.  The  grave 
is  about  3  feet  high,  1)  wide,  and  100  feet  long,  and  contains  the  bodies 
of  nearly  100  individuals.  It  is  situated  adjoining  the  Methodist 
burial  ground  at  Near  Rockaway,  in  this  town,  4  miles  southccst  of 
Hempstead  village.  This  monument  is  18  feet  in  height  from  the 
bottom  of  the  mound,  and  is  constructed  of  white  marble  from  the 
quarries  of  Westchester  county.     The  following  are  the  inscriptions : 

South  aide. — To  the  memory  of  77  per- 
sons,  chiefly  emigranta  from  England  and 
Ireland,  being  the  only  remains  of  100 
souls,  comprising  the  passengers  and  crew 
of  the  American  ship  Bristol,  Captain 
McKown,  wrecked  on  Far  Rockaway 
beach,  November  21,  183(5. 

West  side. — All  the  bodies  of  tlie  Bris- 
tol and  Mexico,  recovered  from  the  ocean, 
and  decently  interred  iirar  this  spot,  were 
followed  to  the  grave  by  a  large  concourf>e 
of  citizens  and  strangers,  and  an  address 
delivered  suited  to  tlie  occasion. 


.MM  mn  if^\% 


North  aide. — To  the  memory  of  sixty- 
two  persons,  chiefly  emigrants  iroiii  Eng- 
land  and  Ireland  ;  being  the  only  remains 
of  115  souls,  forming  the  passengers  and 
crew  of  the  American  barque  Mexico, 
Capt.  Winslow,  wrecked  on  Hcmpslcad 
beach,  Jan.  2d,  1837. 

East  side, — To  commemorate  the  mel. 
ancholy  fate  of  the  unfortunate  suflerers 
bclongmg  to  the  Bristol  and  Mexico,  thia 
monument  was  erected ;  partly  by  the 
money  found  upon  their  persons,  and  part- 
ly  by  the  contributions  of  the  benevolent 
and  liumatie  in  the  county  of  Queona 


WonMMnl  nl  Ntnr  Rorktwnv  to  Iht  mrmnry  nf  I W  prrumi  uh« 
ptrUlud  Wi  Uii  omkt  qf  (*•  BrUlot  and  Miiko. 


QUEENS    COUNTY. 


457 


"  The  ship  Bristol  sailed  from  Liverpool  Oct.  15,  having  on  board  a  crew  of  sixteen  men, 
including  officers,  and  about  one  hundred  passengers,  chiefly  eniig'-ants.  She  had  a  fair 
passage  across  the  Atlantic,  and  was  off  Sandy  Hooit  at  9  o'clock  on  Saturday  night,  Nov. 
20  with  her  lanterns  out  as  a  signal  for  a  pilot ;  at  which  time  the  gale  had  just  commen- 
ced  No  pilots,  however,  were  out,  and  the  ship  was  obliged  to  stand  off.  About  four 
o'clock  on  Sunday  morning,  she  struck  on  Far  Rockaway,  and  at  daylight,  though  within 
half  a  mile  of  the  shore,  owing  to  the  heavy  sea,  no  relief  could  be  afforded  to  the  dis. 
tressed  passengers  and  crew,  who  were  clinging  to  the  shrouds  and  other  parts  of  the  rig- 
tring ;  in  this  situation  they  remained  through  the  day.  About  11  o'clock  at  night,  the  sea 
soniewhat  abating,  some  boats  went  to  her  relief,  and  succeeded  m  taknig  off  the  captam, 
a  portion  of  the  crew,  and  some  of  the  passengers.  All  were  rescued  who  remamed  on 
the  wreck  when  the  boats  reached  it,  but  during  the  day  the  ship  went  to  pieces,  and  the 
next  morning  her  stern-post  was  all  that  remained.  ,      ,.    ,        ■  .•     .    u- 

"  Among  the  passengers  lost  was  ]\Ir.  Donnelly,  of  New  York,  who  died  a  victim  to  his 
own  philanthropy;  and  Mrs.  Hogan  and  two  daughters.  Mrs.  Donnelly,  her  nurse  and 
children  were  saved,  and,  with  other  women  and  children,  landed  by  the  first  boat.  1  \Mce 
the  boats  returned  to  the  wreck,  and  twice  Mr.  Duimelly  yielded  his  place  to  othere.  In 
the  third  attempt  to  go  off,  the  boats  were  swamped,  and  the  crew  became  discouraged, 
and  would  not  go  back.  In  the  mean  time  the  storm  increased,  and  Mr.  Uonnelly,  witu 
the  two  Mr.  Carletons,  took  to  the  foremast,  where  the  crew  and  many  ste^erage  passen- 
2ers  had  sought  temporary  safety.  Unhappily,  this  mast  soon  went  by  the  board,  and  ot 
about  twenty  persons  on  it,  the  only  one  saved  was  Mr.  Briscoe,  a  cabin  passenger,  which 
was  effected  by  his  catching  at  the  bowsprit  rigging,  whence  he  was  taken  by  the  boate. 
The  captain,  and  a  number  of  the  cabin  and  steerage  passengers,  were  on  the  mizenmast , 
and  when  that  fell,  they  lashed  thcmselvcsJo  the  taffrail,  where  for  four  hours  the  sea  broke 

"^"'^Sonrj'twenty  of  the  steerage  passengers,  principally  women  and  children,  perished  al- 
most immediately  after  the  ship  struck.  Even  before  they  could  leave  their  berths  the  ship 
bilged,  filled,  and  all  below  were  drowned.  Not  a  groan  was  heard  to  denote  the  catas- 
trophe — so  awfully  sudden  was  it.  ,  ,     ,  j      i.  .  .u„  -  .„ 

"  And  to  those  whmn  the  waves  and  the  mercy  of  God  had  spared,  what  was  the  con- 
duct  of  their  brother  man  ?  Their  persons,  their  trunks,  were  searched  and  '■"•'bed  by  "e 
fiends  that  gathered  around  the  wreck.  One  hapless  being,  thrown  senseless  but  ye  alive 
on  the  shore,  and  having  about  him  his  all-ten  sovereigns-was  plundered  of  them. 

Distressing  as  was  tlie  fate  of  the  Bristol,  the  wreck  of  the  Mexico 
was  still  more  terrible.  This  occurred  in  the  dead  ot  winter,  and 
the  sufterincs  of  the  unhappy  crew  and  passengers  Irom  the  cold 
were  intense.  The  annexed  affecting  description  ot  the  appearance 
after  death  of  the  unfortunate  individuals  who  perished  in  her,  is 
given  by  an  eye-witness  : — 

"  On  reaching  Hempstead,  I  concluded  to  go  somewhat  off  the  road,  to  look  at  the  place 
where  the  ship  Mexico  was  cast  away.  In  half  an  hour,  we  came  to  Lott's  tavern,  some 
four  or  five  ndles  this  side  of  the  beach,  where  the  ship  lay;  and  there,  m  h.s  barn,  had 
been  deposit"  d  the  bodies  of  the  ill-fated  passengers,  which  had  been  thrown  upon  the 
shore.  I  went  out  to  the  bam.  The  doors  were  open,  and  such  a  scene  °f  Pf^."';^  '  j 
self  to  my  view,  I  certainly  never  could  have  contemplated.    It  was  a  dreadful,  a  Irightful 

''»'For^, ''orTfly  bodies,  of  all  apes  and  sexes,  were  lying  promiscuously  before  me  over 
the  floor  all  froien  and  as  solid  as  nu.rhle_and  all,  except  a  few,  in  the  very  dresses  m 
which  M^y  perished.  Some  with  their  hands  clenched,  as  if  for  ^^..rmth,  and  almost  every 
one  with  an  arm  crooked  and  bent,  as  it  would  be  in  clinging  to  the  "gg'nf: 

"There  were  scattered  ahou.  among  the  number,  f""^  °^ ''^e  beautdul  l.t.e  girls  from 
six  to  sixteen  years  of  age,  their  cheeks  and  lips  as  red  as  roses  with  their  calm  blue  eyes 
onen  lookimr  vou  in  tlr  face,  as  if  ihry  would  speak.  I  could  hardly  rea  i^e  that  they 
rreia1.'"'l\o;:d^d  thdr  clieeks.  and'they  were  frozen  as  hard  and  -  -> ^  as  a  rock 
rnd  not  the  least  indentation  could  be  made  by  any  pressure  of  the  hand.  I  could  perceive 
a  resemblance  to  ..Si  other,  and  supposed  them  to  be  the  daughters  of  a  passenger  named 
Penner  wh"  nerislird,  tocciher  with  his  wife  and  all  the  family.  ,  ,  ,  .  ■  ,  , 
^^^'o  '  the  arms  of  s:ime,  were  seen  the  impressions  of  the  rope  wh.c  t  ey  had  c  ung  o, 
the  mark  of  the  twiM  deeply  sunk  into  the  tlesh.  I  saw  one  poor  negro  sailor,  a  tall  man, 
w  til  l^head  thrown  bacLhis  lips  parted,  and  h.s  now  sightless  eve-bnlls  mrned  upwards. 

58 


II 


■' ■^^•■1 


458 


aUEENS    COUNTY. 


and  his  arms  crossed  over  his  breast,  as  if  imploring  heaven  for  aid.    This  poor  fellow  evi. 
(fently  had  frozen  while  in  the  act  of  fervent  prayer. 

"  One  female  had  a  rope  tied  to  her  leg,  whicli  had  bound  her  to  the  rigging ;  and  anoth. 
er  little  fellow  had  been  crying,  and  was  thus  frozen,  with  the  muscles  of  the  face  just  as 
we  see  children  when  crying.  There  were  a  brother  and  a  sister  dashed  upon  the  beach, 
locked  in  each  other's  arms  ;  but  they  had  been  separated  in  the  barn.  All  the  men  had 
their  lips  firmly  compressed  together,  and  with  the  most  agonizing  expression  on  their 
countenances  I  ever  beheld. 

"  One  little  girl  had  raised  herself  on  tiptoe,  and  thus  was  frozen,  just  in  that  position.  It 
was  an  awful  sight ;  and  such  a  picture  of  horror  was  before  me,  that  I  became  uncon. 
Eciously  fixed  to  the  spot,  and  found  myself  tr}'ing  to  suppress  my  ordinary  breathing,  lest 
I  should  disturb  the  repose  of  those  around  me.  I  was  aroused  from  the  revery  by  the 
entrance  of  a  man — a  coroner. 

"  As  I  was  about  to  leave,  my  attention  became  directed  to  a  girl,  who,  I  afterward 
learned,  had  come  that  morning  from  the  city  to  search  for  her  sister.  She  had  sent  for 
her  to  come  over  from  England,  and  had  received  intelligence  that  she  was  in  this  ship. 
She  came  into  the  burn,  and  the  second  body  she  cast  her  eyes  upon,  was  hers.  She  gave 
way  to  such  a  burst  of  impassioned  grief  and  anguish,  that  I  could  not  behold  her  witlioul 
sharing  in  her  feelings.  She  threw  herself  upon  the  cold  and  icy  face  and  neck  of  the 
lifeless  body,  and  thus,  with  her  arms  around  her,  remained  wailing,  mourning,  and  sob 
bing,  till  I  came  away  ;  and  when  some  distance  oil",  1  could  hear  her  calling  her  by  name 
in  the  most  frantic  manner. 

"  So  little  time,  it  appears,  had  they  to  prepare  for  their  fate,  that  I  perceived  a  bunch  of 
keys,  and  a  half  eaten  cake,  fall  from  the  bosom  of  a  girl  whom  the  coroner  was  removing- 
The  cake  appeared  as  if  part  of  it  had  just  been  bitten,  and  hastily  thrust  into  her  bosom, 
and  round  her  neck  was  a  riband,  with  a  pair  of  scissors. 

"  And  to  observe  the  stout,  rugged  sailors,  too,  whose  iron  frames  could  endure  so  much 
hardship— here  they  lay  masses  of  ice.  Such  scenes  show  us,  indeed,  how  powerless  and 
feeble  are  all  human  efforts,  when  contending  against  the  storms  and  tempests,  which  sweep 
with  resistless  violence  over  the  face  of  the  deep.  And  yet  the  vessel  was  so  near  the 
shore,  that  the  shrieks  and  moans  of  the  poor  creatures  were  heard  through  that  bitter, 
dreadful  night,  till  towards  morning,  when  the  last  groan  died  away,  and  all  was  hushed  in 
death,  and  the  murmur  of  the  raging  billows  was  all  the  sound  that  then  met  the  ear." 

Jam.vica  is  in  the  southwestern  part  of  the  county.  Pop.  3,782. 
Its  name  is  derived  from  a  small  tribe  or  family  of  Indians,  who 
it  is  believed  dwelt  upon  the  shore  of  the  creek  putting  up  from 
the  bay  south  of  the  present  village  of  Jamaica,  and  called  the  "  Ja- 
maco"  tribe.  In  1656  some  individuals  from  Milford  united  with  a 
few  of  the  inhabitants  from  Hempstead,  and  obtained  from  Gov- 
ernor Stuyvesant  permission  to  settle  the  town.  A  more  formal  and 
extensive  patent  was  grunted  to  the  town  in  1660,  in  which  year  it 
was  incorporated  by  the  name  of  Riisdorpe,  from  a  town  of  that 
name  in  Holland,  and  which  it  retained  until  the  conquest,  when  the 
present  appellation  was  adopted.  The  first  house  for  religious  wor- 
ship was  erected  in  1662,  and  the  town  by  a  public  vote  agreed  to 
give  the  Rev.  Zachariah  Walker,  as  their  minister,  a  salary  of  sixty 
pounds  a  year,  payable  in  wheat  and  Indian  corn  at  current  prices ; 
he  was  accordingly  settled  here  in  1663. 

The  village  of  Jamaica  is  a  beautiful  place.  It  is  located  upon  the 
Long  Island  railroad,  13  miles  from  l\ew  York,  also  upon  the  great 
thoroughfare  Irom  Brooklyn  to  the  east  end  of  Long  Island,  and  en- 
joys every  desirable  facility  of  intercourse  with  the  surrounding 
country.  Here  are  concentrated  the  different  roads  leading  to  Brook- 
!i\?'  W'l^'amsburgh,  Rockaway,  Flushing,  Jericho,  and  Hempstead. 
1  his  village  was  made  the  seat  of  justice  tor  the  nortli-ridin<T  of  York- 
shire, at  its  organization  in  1065 ;  and  so  continued  after  the  division 


aUEENS    COUNTY. 


459 


)r  fellow  cvi. 

i  andanoth. 
3  face  just  aa 
in  the  beach, 
the  men  had 
lion  on  their 

t  position.  It 
came  uncon. 
reathing,  lest 
svery  by  the 

I  afterward 
had  sent  for 
i  in  this  ship. 
3.  She  gave 
1  her  without 
.  neck  of  the 
ing,  and  sob 
her  by  name 

d  a  bunch  of 
as  removing- 
0  her  bosum, 

lure  so  much 
owerless  and 
which  sweep 
8  so  near  the 
h  that  bitter, 
as  hushed  in 
;he  ear." 

op,  3,782. 
ans,  who 
f  up  from 
the  "  /fl- 
ed with  a 
om  Gov- 
irmal  and 
sh  year  it 
n  of  that 
when  the 
ious  wor- 
agreed  to 
/  of  sixty 
It  prices ; 

upon  the 
the  great 
,  and  en- 
Tounding 
to  Brook- 
;mpstead. 

of  York- 
e  division 


Central  part  of  Jamaica  Village,  Long  Island. 

of  Long  Island  into  counties  in  1683,  until  the  erection  of  the  court- 
house on  Hempstead  plains  in   1788.     The  offices  of  surrogate  and 
county  clerk  are  still  required  to  be  kept  here,  and  for  which  a  suit- 
able building  has  been  erected.     The  village  was  incorporated  April 
15,  1814,  and  has  been  gradually  increasing  in  buildings  and  popula- 
tion, till  it  now  contains  about  two  hundred  dwellings  and  fifteen 
hundred  inhabitants.     It  has,  besides  the  academies,  five  places  for 
public  worship,  two  newspaper  printing  offices,  two  drug-stores,  eight 
drygoods  and  grocery  stores,  two  book  and  stationary  stores,  circu- 
lating library,  bindery,  three  carriage-makers,  blind  and  sash  manu- 
factory, cabinet-maker,  locksmith,  pianoforte  manufacturer,  and  many 
other  mechanics  and  artisans.     There  are  several  splendid  private 
residences  in  the  village  and  its  immediate  vicinity,  erected  by  gen- 
tlemen of  the  city,  who  find  it  both  convenient  and  agreeable.    Here 
is  the  depot  of  the  Brooklyn  and  .Jamaica  railroad  company,  with 
their  large  and  commodious  car- house,  engine-house,  and  machine- 
shops.     This  company  was  incorporated  April  25,  1832,  to  continue 
for  fifty  years,  with  a  capital  of  $300,000.     In  183G  it  was  leased  for 
a  term  of  years  to  the  Long  Island  railroad  company  at  an  annual 
rent,  and  has  since  been  under  the  direction  of  that  incorporation. 
The  latter  company  commenced  running  cars  upon  their  road  as  far 
as  Hicksville  on  the  1st  of  March,  1837,  from  which  time  it  has  been 
in  constant  operation. 

"  Union  Course,  where  thousands  congregate  at  stated  periods  to  witness  the  sports  of 
the  turf,  is  located  upon  the  western  limits  of  the  town.  This  beautiful  course  is  a  few  feet 
over  n  mile  in  length,  on  a  perfectly  level  surface,  with  a  good  track  ;  and  is  universally 
considered  one  of  the  best  in  the  United  States.  Better  time  has  been  made  upon  it,  and 
more  frequently,  than  on  any  other  course  in  the  coimtry.  Connected  with  it  is  a  Jockey 
Club  of  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  members,  who  contribute  annually  twenty  dollars 
each  towards  the  Jockey  Club  purses.  There  was  run  over  this  course,  the  27th  ot  May, 
1823,  one  of  the  most  remarkable  and  besUcontestcd  races  that  ever  took  place  in  Amer. 


f',;.       ; 


460 


aUEENS   COUNTY. 


ica ;  being  a  match  race  of  four  mile  lieafs,  for  twenty  tlioiisand  dollars  aside,  between  the 
North  and  the  South,  upon  their  respective  champions.  Eclipse  and  Henry  \  and  which  was 
won  in  three  heats  by  Eclipse.  The  time  was  as  follows  :  lirst  heat,  7'  37"  —second  heat, 
7'    J"— and  the  third  heat,  8'  24" ;  whole  time,  twenty-three  minutes  and  fifty  seconds." 

CoL.  Marinus  Willett  was 
born  of  a  respectable  family  at 
.Tnmaica,  July  31st,  (old  style,) 

1740.    He  commenced  his  mill. 

.   .,    ,  ^  ,   „    .       ,„.„  ,„     .      ,  tary  career  as  a  lieutenant,  at 

Fac;m,U  of  Col.  Marinus  Wxlletts.,g^atu.re.  the    emiy    ago    of    17,    in    the 

French  war,  and  was  with  Abercrombie  in  his  unfortunate  expedition  against  Ticonderoga. 
He  was  also  at  the  capture  of  Fort  Frontcnac.  In  1775,  ho  served  as  a  captain  under 
Montgomery,  in  the  earlier  portion  of  his  campaign  in  Canada.  In  November,  1776,  he 
received  the  commission  of  lieutenant-colonel.  During  the  investment  of  Fort  Stanwix  in 
August,  1777,  by  St.  Leger  with  a  body  of  regulars,  Indians,  and  tories,  he  was  second  in 
command.  (See  p.  367.)  For  his  skill  and  bravery  on  this  occasion,  congress  voted  him 
an  elegant  sword.  He  was  a  volunteer  at  the  battle  of  Monmouth,  28th  of  June,  1788. 
From  towards  the  close  of  1780,  until  the  end  of  the  war,  he  had  charge  of  the  troops  de. 
fending  the  northwestern  frontier  of  New  York.  While  on  this  duty  he  commanded  at  the 
battle  of  Johnstown.  (See  p.  172.)  In  private  life,  he  was  one  of  the  most  amiable  of 
men,  and  after  the  war,  held  several  civil  offices,  the  last  of  which  was  the  mayoralty  of 
New  York.  He  died  universally  regretted  in  the  city  of  New  York,  August  3d,  1830,  in 
the  91st  year  of  his  age,  and  was  buried  with  military  honors. 


"  RuFUS  King,  minister  of  the  United  States  to  Great  Britain,  graduated  at  Harvard  col. 
lege  in  1777.  In  1778,  he  was  an  aid  to  Sullivan  in  an  expedition  against  the  British  in 
Rhode  Island.  He  studied  law  with  Mr.  Parsons,  at  Newburyport,  and  was  admitted  to 
practice  in  1780.  He  was  a  representative  from  Newburyport  in  the  legislature.  In  1784, 
the  legislature  appointed  him  a  delegate  in  congress.  In  1787,  he  was  selected  as  a  dele, 
gate  from  Massachusetts  to  the  convention  called  for  devising  u  constitution  for  the  United 
States.  He  afterward  was  a  member  of  the  convention  of  Massachusetts  for  adopting  the 
constitution.  Having  removed  to  New  York,  ho  was  elected  a  senator  from  that  state  in 
1789.  During  the  violent  discussions  respecting  the  British  treaty  in  1794,  he  co-operated 
with  others  in  its  defence.  Of  the  paper  concerning  this  treaty,  with  the  signature  of  Ca. 
millus,  usually  ascribed  to  Gen.  Hamilton,  all  the  numbers  excepting  the  ten  first  were 
written  by  him.  He  was  one  of  those  who  opposed  with  success  Mr.  Gallatin's  right  to  a 
seat  in  the  senate.  In  1796,  he  was  appointed  by  Washington  minister  plenipotentiary  to 
Great  Britain.  He  returned  to  America  in  1803.  In  May,  1806,  he  removed  permanently 
with  his  family  to  Jamaica.  In  1813,  he  was  again  chosen  a  senator  in  congress,  and 
although  personally  opposed  to  the  declaration  of  war  in  1812  as  impolitic,  yet  no  one  ex. 
hibited  a  higher  degree  of  patriotism  in  supporting  it.  In  1816,  he  was  the  unsuccessful 
candidate  of  the  anti-adniinistration  party  for  governor  of  the  state.  In  1820,  he  was  re. 
elected  again  to  the  senate,  where  he  continued  until  1825.  In  1825,  he  was  again 
appointed  minister  to  England,  where  after  remaining  one  year  he  returned  to  the  United 
States.  He  died  April  27,  1827.  In  person,  Mr.  King  was  above  the  common  size,  and 
somewhat  athletic;  with  a  countenance,  manly,  dignified,  and  bespeaking  high  intelligence. 
His  manners  were  courteous,  his  disposition  affable,  and  his  conversation  and  writings  re. 
markable  for  conciseness  and  force." 


"  Thomas  Truxton,  whose  achievements  shed  lustre  on  the  infant  navy  of  this  country, 
was  the  son  of  an  eminent  English  lawyer,  and  was  born  at  Jamaica,  Feb.  17th,  1755." 
At  the  age  of  twelve,  he  made  the  choice  of  the  profession  of  a  sailor,  "  In  1775,  he  com. 
manded  a  vessel,  and  distinguished  himself  by  his  depredations  on  British  commerce  during 
the  revolution.  He  subsequently  engaged  in  conmierce,  till  tb.-  year  1794,  when  he  was 
appointed  to  the  frigate  Constitution.  In  1799,  he  captured  the  French  frigate  L'Insur. 
gente ;  and  in  the  following  year  he  obtained  a  victory  over  the  La  Vengeance.  On  the 
close  of  .ae  French  war  he  retired  from  the  navy,  and  died  at  Philadelphia  in  1822,  in  his 
67th  year." 

Newtown,  originally   named  Mitldleburgh,  includes  Ricker's  and 
two    other    islands    of  the  sound  opposite  the  town ;  distant  from 


aCEENS    COUNTV. 


461 


New  York  about  8  miles.  Pop.  5,054.  The  first  wliitc  emigrants  of 
the  town  were  Enghsh,  who  came  here  in  lOSl.  They  were  allow- 
ed many  privileges  by  the  Dutch  appertaining  to  an  independent  com- 
munity. The  village  of  Newtown  is  situated  on  the  Flushing  turn- 
pike, 7  miles  from  Brooklyn.  It  contains  1  Dutch  Reformed,  1  Epis- 
copal, and  1  Presbyterian  church,  and  about  80  dwellings.  In  the 
vicinity  of  Ravensvvood  are  the  valuable  farms  of  the  Corporation  of 
New  I'ork,  upon  which  buildings  have  been  constructed  for  the  ac- 
commodation of  more  than  500  children,  maintained  at  the  public  ex- 
pense. 

•'  The  first  church  was  erected  in  the  present  village  of  Newtown,  in  the  year  1670,  on 
the  arrival  of  the  Rev.  William  Leverich,  (sometimes  spelled  Leveridge.)  He  had  been 
the  first  Presbyterian  minister  of  Huntington,  and  was  likewise  one  of  the  original  pur. 
chasers  of  the  town  of  Oyster  Bay  in  1653.  Mr.  Leverich  remained  here  till  his  death  in 
1G92,  and  was  a  highly  useful  man,  being  well  ac(iuuinted  with  public  business,  and  distiii. 
guished  for  great  industry  and  enterprise.  The  most  ancient  volume  of  records  in  the 
clerk's  ofiice  of  this  town  is  prefaced  by  about  one  hundred  pages,  in  the  hand-writing  of 
this  gentleman,  but  in  abbreviated  characters ;  purporting  to  be  a  commentary  upon  a  por- 
tion  of  the  Old  Testament,  atfording  conclusive  evidence  of  his  learning,  patience,  and  m- 
dustry.  He  is  characterized  by  Hubbard,  in  his  history  of  New  England,  as  '  an  able  and 
worthy  minister.'  Many  of  his  descendants  are  at  this  time  residents  of  the  town."  St. 
James'  Episcopal  church  in  this  town  was  built  in  1734,  and  a  Dutch  Reformed  church  has 
been  erected  here  for  more  than  a  century. 

Besides  Newtown  village,  there  are  several  other  smaller  settle- 
ments ;  none  of  which  are  of  much  note  except  Hallet's  Cove,  lately 
incorporated  under  the  name  of  Astoria.    It  is  the  most  important 
place  in  the  town,  and  is  eligibly  situated  on  East  river,  a  short 
distance  above  Blackwell's  Island,  and  opposite  86th  street,  New 
York  city,  where  there  is  a  convenient  steam  ferry.     Two  handsome 
churches  and  several  splendid  private  mansions  have  lately  been 
erected  here.     The  village  itself  is  compactly  built,  and  well  calcu- 
lated for  commercial  and  manufacturing  purposes.     Of  this  remark- 
able spot,  the  tradition  is,  that  an  English  adventurer,  whose  name 
was  Hallet,  about  the  vcar  1640,  for  a  barrel  of  beef  and  a  few  trmk- 
ets,  purchased  from  the  Indians  this  tract  of  land.     Having  taken  to 
himself  in  marriage  a  sturdy  Dutch  lass,  they  settled  down  here,  and  m 
the  process  of  some  twenty  years,  by  their  united  exertions  became 
not  only  independent,  but  the  parents  of  a  numerous  race,  many  of 
whom  are  still  respectable  in  character  and  connections.     There  is 
here  an  extensive  manufactory  of  carpets,  chair  factory,  wool  card 
factory,  bellows  factory,  one  for  chemical  preparations,  and  several 
gardens  and  nurseries  for  the  rearing  of  fruit  and  ornamental  trees. 
The  celebrated  Hell  or  Hurl  gate  is  in  this  vicinity,  where  those, 
says  a  certain  writer,  who  love  to  witness  the  impetuous  stride  of 
angry  currents,  with  cragged  and  zigzag  courses  among  the  rocks, 
can  hardlv  find  a  better  place  for  full  gratification.     Vessels  are  some- 
times wrecked  at  this  spot.     During  the  revolution  the  English  frig- 
ate Huzza,  in  attempting  to  pass  Hell  Gate  to  get  to  sea  by  the  sound, 
struck  a  rock,  soon  filled,  and  sunk  in  deep  water.    Under  an  impres- 
sion  that  there  was  a  rich  military  chest  on  board,  unsuccessful  at- 
tempts were  made  to  recover  the  treasure  by  means  of  diving  bells. 


"'  t 


il 


4 
•I 


-^    !=iM 


^^■'Xi\ 


'■I     I 


463 


QUEENS   COUNTY. 


M 


North  Hempstead,  the  county  town,  was  formed  from  Hempstead 
in  1784.  This  town  has  produced  several  eminent  men,  among 
whom  was  the  late  Samuel  L.  Mitchell,  Professor  of  Natural  History, 
&.C.,  in  Columbia  college.  He  was  born  August  20, 1764,  and  died  Sep- 
tember 7,  1831.  Manhasset  is  the  name  lately  substituted  for  Cow 
Neck,  and  designates  a  rich  and  fertile  tract  in  this  town.  Sit- 
uated on  this  tract,  on  the  North  Hempstead  turnpike,  is  a  small  cluster 
of  buildings,  consisting  of  three  houses  of  public  worship,  a  tavern, 
•  academy,  and  a  few  private  dwellings.  At  the  most  northerly  part 
of  Manhasset  is  the  Sands'  point  lighthouse,  in  the  vicinity  of  which 
formerly  was  the  celebrated  Kidd's  Rock,  near  which  it  is  generally 
believed  that  notorious  freebooter  made  valuable  deposits.  During 
the  revolution  bands  of  marauders  were  accustomed  to  land  upon 
these  shores  in  the  night,  and  rob  and  cruelly  treat  the  inhabitants. 
In  one  instance  a  Mr.  Jarvis,  aided  by  an  old  lady  living  in  the  same 
house,  succeeded  in  beating  oft'  one  of  these  gangs,  killing  and  wound- 
ing several  of  the  assailants.  Three  miles  easterly  of  the  Manhasset 
churches,  beautifully  located  at  the  head  of  the  bay,  is  the  village  of 
Hempstead  Harbor,  containing  about  40  dwellings.  North  Hemp- 
stead and  Lakeville  are  small  settlements ;  at  the  former  are  the 
county  buildings.  The  first  paper-mill  erected  in  the  state  was  es- 
tablished here  about  a  century  since  by  Andrew  Onderdonk,  ances- 
tor of  Bishop  Onderdonk  of  the  Episcopal  church.     Pop.  3,891. 

Oyster  Bay  embraces  a  larger  extent  of  territory  than  any  other 
town  in  the  county,  and  includes  Lloyds  Neck  or  Queens  village,  and 
Hog  island.  Pop.  5,864.  In  1640,  an  attempt  was  made  by  some 
persons  from  Lynn,  Mass.,  to  form  a  settlement  upon  the  present  site 
of  the  village  of  Oyster  Bay ;  but  meeting  with  opposition  from  the 
Dutch,  the  settlement  was  abandoned.  The  first  permanent  settle- 
ment was  made  in  1653,  by  the  English,  on  the  site  of  this  village. 
Oyster  Bay  village,  on  the  south  side  of  the  harbor,  is  28  miles  NE. 
from  New  York  and  contains  about  350  inhabitants.  On  the  high 
ground,  near  the  Baptist  church,  are  the  remains  of  a  foitification 
erected  during  the  revolution,  to  prevent  any  hostile  American  force 
from  entering  the  bay. 

In  the  year  1660,  Mary  Wright,  a  very  poor  and  ignorant  woman  of  Oyster  Bay  was  sua. 
pected  of  having  a  secret  correspondence  with  the  author  of  evil.  She  was  arrested,  but  as 
there  existed  no  tribunal  here  which  the  people  considered  competent  to  try  her  case,  she 
was  sent  to  Massachusetts,  to  stand  her  trial  for  witchcraft.  She  was  acquitted  of  this 
crime,  but  nevertheless  was  convicted  of  being  a  Quaker,  and  sentenced  to  be  banished 
out  of  the  jurisdiction. 

The  first  Baptist  church  in  this  village  was  erected  in  1724,  and  still  remains  a  curious 
relic  of  that  ogc.  It  is  about  20  feet  square,  with  a  quadrangular  pointed  roof,  and  no 
longer  used  "for  lodging  folk  disposed  to  sleep;"  having  lately  been  converted  into  a 
stable.  The  present  church  was  built  in  1801.  Glen  Cove  is  a  considerable  village  on  the 
east  side  of  Hempstead  harbor.  The  Dutch  church  at  Wolver  Hollow  was  built  in  1732, 
and  having  stood  just  100  years,  was  followed  by  the  present  church  in  1832.  The  village 
of  Jericho  contains  about  250  inhabitants.  The  Friends  meeting-house  was  first  erected 
at  this  place  in  1689,  at  which  time  several  families  of  Friends  took  up  their  residence  here, 
and  soon  after  on  the  neighboring  lands  about  Westbury.  This  place  was  for  a  considerable 
period  the  residence  of  Elias  Hicks,  the  founder  of  the  sect  of  Hicksite  Quakers,  so  called 
in  distinction  from  the  orthodox  Friends;  he  settled  here  in  1771,  and  died  in  1830.    He  was 


EEN3SELAEU    COUNTY. 


463 


t 


bom  in  the  town  of  North  Hempstead,  on  the  19th  of  March,  1748. '  His  education  was 
extremely  limited.  At  the  age  of  17,  he  wus  apprenticed  to  a  carpenter.  He  began  his 
public  labors  in  the  society  of  Friends  in  1795,  and  travelled  at  different  periods  over  a 
great  portion  of  the  United  Slates,  from  Maine  to  Ohio,  and  in  the  province  ot  Canada.  It 
is  supposed  that  during  his  public  ministry  he  travelled  over  10,000  miles,  and  that  he  pro. 
nounced  at  least  1,000  public  discourses.  He  likewise  found  time  to  write  and  publish 
much  upon  religious  subjects,  upon  war  and  the  practice  of  negro  slavery.  "  He  was  a 
person  of  rough  exterior,  but  of  vigorous  intellect ;  and  making  no  pretensions  to  elegance 
of  style,  he  reasoned  with  much  force,  and  addressed  himself  to  the  every-day  common 
sense,  rather  than  the  imagination  of  his  auditors." 

Norwich  is  a  small  village,  3  miles  S.  of  Oyster  Bay.  Hicks- 
ville,  2  miles  S.  of  Jericho,  is  located  upon  the  e^  -itern  part  of 
the  great  plains  at  the  present  termination  of  the  Long  Island  rail- 
road. In  the  vicinity  of  Bethpage  is  Fort  Neck,  so  called  on  ac- 
count of  two  old  Indian  forts,  the  remains  of  which  are  still  very 
conspicuous.  The  village  of  Cold  Spring  is  situated  at  the  head  and 
upon  both  sides  of  Cold  Spring  harbor,  and  partly  in  the  town  of 
Huntington.  It  contains  about  500  inhabitants  and  several  large 
manufacturing  establishments,  and  ft  possessed  likewise  of  consider- 
able shipping. 

In  May,  1779,  Maj.  Gen.  Silliman,  superintendent  of  the  coast  of  Fairfield,  in  Connecti- 
cut,  was  taken  prisoner  in  the  night,  by  a  party  of  refugees  who  crossed  over  the  sound 
from  Lloyds  Neck  in  a  whale  boat.  The  boat  returned  here  with  their  prisoner,  and  he  was 
soon  after  conveyed  to  New  York.  At  tl>at  time  there  was  no  prisoner  in  possession  of 
the  Americans  whom  the  British  would  accept  for  the  general.  After  some  consideration 
it  was  determined  to  procure  one.  The  person  selected  was  Hon.  Thomas  Jones,  of  Fort 
Neck,  Long  Island,  at  that  time  a  justice  of  the  supreme  court  of  the  province  of  New 
York.  On  the  evening  of  the  4th  of  November,  he  was  captured  by  a  party  of  volunteers 
under  Capt.  Hawley,  who  had  crossed  over  the  sound  for  the  purpose.  The  judge  \yaa 
conveyed  to  Connecticut,  and  became  an  inmate  in  the  family  of  Mrs.  Silliman  ;  and  during 
the  several  days  that  he  remained  in  her  house,  she  used  every  means  in  her  power  to  make 
his  situation  agreeable.  But  although  few  ladies  could  contribute  more  effectually  to  this 
purpose,  the  judge  was  distant,  reserved,  and  sullen.  An  exchange  was  effected  sometime 
afterward.  The  grave  of  Capt.  John  Underbill,  who  was  so  celebrated  in  the  Indian  ware 
in  New  England,  is  in  this  town.  He  lived  hero  for  a  number  of  years,  and  died  upon  his 
farm  in  1672. 


<    .1^" 


RENSSELAER  COUNTY. 

Rensselaer  county  was  taken  from  Albany  in  179L  Greatest 
length  30,  greatest  breadth  22  miles ;  centrally  distant  from  New 
York  N.  156,  and  from  Albany  E.  10  miles.  The  eastern  portion 
of  the  county  is  broken  and  hilly,  and  in  some  places  rather  moun- 
tainous and  interspersed  with  fertile  valleys.  The  central  and  west- 
ern part  is  diversified  with  hills,  and  a  gently  undulating  surface.  It 
has  extensive  valleys  and  flats  of  alluvion,  with  a  warm  rich  soil ; 
and  the  uplands  have  an  easy  soil,  well  adapted  to  the  various  pur- 
poses of  agriculture.  There  are  an  abundance  of  mill  sites,  and  the 
numerous  streams  irrigate  every  portion  of  the  county.  This  county 
had  partial  swttlements  at  a  very  early  period  of  our  history,  and  has 


111 


;«H 


464 


RENSSELAER   COUNTY. 


long  sustained  a  very  considerable  population.  The  whole  of  the 
county,  except  the  towns  of  Schaghticok(i,  Pittstown,  Hoosick,  and 
north  part  of  Lansingburg  and  part  of  Troy,  is  comprised  within  the 
llensselaerwyck  patent,  leased  under  the  ordinary  rent,  in  farms,  at 
ten  busiiels  of  wheat  the  hundred  acres.  The  county  contains  13 
towns  and  the  city  of  Troy.     Pop.  60,303. 

Berlin,  taken  from  Petersburg,  Stephcntown,  and  Schodack,  in 
1806  ;  centrally  distant  from  Albany  and  Troy  E.  20  miles.  Pop. 
1,794.  A  few  German  families  settled  in  "  the  Hollow,"  about  1761. 
Berlin  and  Berlin  Centre  are  small  villages. 

Brunswick,  taken  from  Troy  in  1807  ;  from  Albany  NE.  12  miles. 


Pop 


).  3,051.     Ramcrton  and  Millville  are  small  villages. 

Grafton,  taken  from  Troy  and  Petersburg  in  1807;  from  Troy 
E.  14  miles.     Pop.  2,019.     Patroons  Mills  is  a  small  village. 

Greeniwsh,  taken  from  llensselaerwyck  in  1792  and  1795.  Pop. 
3,701.  Bath,  Defriestville,  and  Wynants  Kill,  are  small  settlements. 
Greenbush  village,  on  the  bank  rpf  the  Hudson,  opposite  Albany,  was 
incorporate!  in  1815,  and  has  about  100  dwellings. 


,?-,.-r-_-j=j=.^:_.- 


-*4^^g 


^Si^  _l;2ii?ffl 


'^>^-- 


Remains  of  the  Barracks  at  Greenbush,  1S40. 

The  United  States  cantonment,  now  in  ruins,  was  erected  here 
during  the  late  war,  on  a  commanding  eminence  2  miles  SSE.  of 
Albany.  It  consisted  of  very  extensive  wooden  barracks  for  soldiers, 
onicerV  quarters,  cS;:c.,  &c.,  calculated  for  the  accommodation  in 
winter  quarters  of  5,000  men. 

The  ann<>xrd  account  of  the  execution  of  a  deserter  at  this  place 
during  the  late  war,  was  written  by  an  olHcer  of  the  United  States 
army.     It  is  shockingly  minute  in  its  details. 

"  In  1814,  I  WHO  siniinni  d  with  n  (Ictncliment  of  United  Stnfns  troops  at  Orrrnbush,  in 
the  stale  uf  New  York.  Oiio  morning  nc^Vfrii!  priMuiuTS,  confined  in  the  provoni  guard, 
house,  wert!  hruiiijht  out  to  lienr  the  Benience  which  u  eourt-innriial  hod  nnnexed  to  their 
delinquencioB  rend  on  piinuie.  Their  nppeiirnnee  indicnted  lliiit  iheir  lot  liad  already  been 
•ufficieiitiy  hard.  Homo  wore  uiarkH  of  Umg  ronrnienienf,  and  on  all,  the  severity  of  the 
priRon-houHu  luid  cnsitninped  its  inipresflion.  Tiioy  looked  dejected  at  this  public  exposure, 
and  anxious  to  learn  their  fate.  1  had  never  Hoen  the  face  of  any  of  them  before,  and  only 
knew  that  n  ^int'lc  onn  of  them  had  been  adjiKlucd  to  denlh.  S.ioii  u!<  their  name»  were 
called  and  llnir  f^enlences  unnouneed,  I  liiHcerneil  hy  ins  a^'otiy  and  gesture*   the  niisernfaio 


RENSSELAER    COUNTY. 


465 


fall; 


the  bloom  i 


imess  < 


man  on  whom  that  sentence  w 
health  and  vigor. 

"  Prompted  by  feelings  of  sympathy,  I  called  next  morning  to  see  him  in  prison.  There, 
chained  by  the  leg  to  tlie  beam  of  the  guard-house,  he  was  reading  the  bible,  trying  to  pre- 
pare  himself,  as  he  said,  for  the  fatal  hour.  I  learned  from  him  the  circumstances  of  his 
case.  He  was  the  father  of  a  family  ;  having  a  wife  and  three  young  children,  thirty  or 
forty  miles  distant  from  the  camp.  His  crime  was  desertion,  of  which  he  had  been  three 
times  guilty.  liiS  only  object  in  leaving  the  camp,  in  the  last  instance,  was  to  visit  his  wife 
and  children.  Having  seen  that  all  was  well  with  them,  it  was  his  intention  to  return.  But 
whatever  was  his  intention,  he  was  a  deserter,  and  as  such  taken  and  brought  into  the 
camp ;  manacled,  and  under  the  guard  of  his  fcllow-soldiers.  The  time  between  the  sen- 
tence and  its  execution  was  brief;  the  authority  in  whom  alone  was  vested  the  power  of 
reprieve  or  pardon,  distant.  Thus  he  had  no  hope,  and  only  requested  the  attendance  of  a 
minister  of  the  gospel,  and  permission  to  see  his  wife  and  children.  The  first  part  of  his 
request  was  granted,  but  whether  he  was  permitted  or  not  to  see  his  family,  I  do  not  now 
remember. 

"  Dreading  the  hour  of  his  execution,  I  resolved,  if  possible,  to  avoid  being  present  at  the 
scene.  But  the  commander  of  the  post,  Col.  L- — ,  sent  me  an  express  order  to  attend, 
that  agreeably  to  the  us;iges  of  the  army  I  might,  in  my  official  capacity  of  surgeon,  see 
the  sentence  fully  executed. 

"  The  poor  fellow  was  taken  from  the  guard-house  to  be  escorted  to  the  fatal  spot.  Be- 
fore him  was  his  coffin ;  a  box  of  rough  pine  boards — borne  on  the  shoulders  of  two  men. 
The  prisoner  stood  with  his  arms  pinioned,  between  two  clergymen  ;  a  white  cotton  gown, 
or  winding-shccf,  reached  to  his  feet.  It  was  trimmed  with  black;  and  had  attached  to  it 
over  the  place  of  the  real  heart,  the  black  image  of  a  heart ;  the  mark  at  which  the  execu- 
tioners were  to  aim.  On  nis  head  was  a  cap  of  white,  also  trimmed  with  black.  His  coun. 
tenance  was  blanched  to  the  hue  of  his  winding-sheet,  and  his  frame  trembled  with  agony. 
He  seemed  resolved,  however,  to  sulfer  like  a  soldier.  Behind  him  were  a  number  of  prison, 
ers,  confined  for  various  offences ;  next  to  them  was  a  strong  guard  of  soldiers,  with  fixed 
bayonets  and  loaded  muskets.    My  station  was  in  the  rear  of  the  whole, 

"  Our  procession  thus  formed,  and  with  much  feeling  and  in  low  voices  on  the  part  of  the 
officers,  we  moved  forward  with  slow  and  measured  steps  to  the  tune  of  the  death  march, 
(Roslin  Castle,)  played  with  muffled  drums  and  mourning  fifes.  The  scene  was  solemn 
beyond  the  powers  of  description.  A  man  in  the  vigor  of  life  walking  to  his  grave  ;  to  the 
tune  of  his  own  death-march,  clothed  in  his  burial  robes,  surrounded  by  friends  assembled 
to  perform  the  last  sad  offices  of  afledion,  and  to  weep  over  him  in  '.he  last  sad  hour :  no, 
not  by  these,  but  by  soldiers  with  bristling  bayonets  and  loaded  muskets,  urged  by  stern 
command  to  do  the  violence  of  death  to  a  fellow-soldier ;  as  he  surveys  the  nmllitude,  he 
bellolds  no  look  of  tenderness,  no  tear  of  sensibility ;  he  heara  no  plaint  of  grief;  all,  oil  is 
stern  as  the  iron  rigor  of  the  law  which  decrees  his  death. 

"  .  .  .  .  Amid  reflections  like  these,  we  arrived  at  the  place  of  execution,  a  large  open 
fisid,  in  whose  centre  a  heap  of  earth,  freshly  thrown  up,  marked  the  spot  of  the  deserter's 
grave.  On  this  field  the  whole  force  then  at  the  ciintonuicnt,  amounting  to  mimy  hundred 
men,  was  drawn  up  in  the  form  of  a  hollow  square,  with  the  side  beyond  the  grave  vacant. 
The  executioners,  eight  in  nutnl)er,  had  been  drawn  by  lot.  No  soldier  would  volunteer 
for  such  a  duty.  Their  muskets  had  been  charged  by  the  officer  of  the  day ;  seven  of  them 
with  ball,  the  eighth  with  powder  alone.  Thus  prepared  they  were  placed  together,  and 
each  executioner  takes  his  choice.  Thus  each  may  believe  that  he  has  the  blank  cartridge, 
v.-  i  therefore  has  no  hand  in  tho  death  of  his  brother  soldier ;  striking  indications  of  the 
nature  of  the  service. 

"  The  coffin  was  placed  parallel  with  the  grave,  and  aboiit  two  feet  distant.  In  tho 
intervening  space  the  prisoner  was  directed  to  stand.  He  desired  permission  to  say  a  word 
to  his  fellow-soldiers;  and  thus  standing  between  his  coffin  and  his  grave,  warned  them 
against  desertion,  continuing  to  speak  until  tho  officer  on  duty,  with  his  watch  in  his  hand, 
annoimeed  to  him  in  a  low  voice,  '  Two  o'clock,  your  last  moment  is  at  hand  ;  you  must 
kneel  upon  your  coffin.'  This  done,  the  officer  drew  down  the  white  cap,  bo  as  to  cover 
Ihe  eyo8  and  most  of  the  face  of  tlie  prisoner — still  continuing  to  speak  in  a  hurried,  loud, 
and  agitated  voice.  The  kneeling  was  the  signal  for  the  executioners  to  advance.  They 
had  before,  to  avoid  being  diclinguished  by  the  prisoner,  stood  intermingled  with  tho  soldiers 
who  formed  the  line.  They  now  came  forward,  marching  abreast,  and  took  their  stand  a 
little  to  the  left,  about  two  rods  distant  from  their  living  mark.  The  officer  raised  his 
sword.  At  this  signal,  the  executioners  took  aiin.  He  ihon  gave  a  blow  on  a  drum  which 
was  at  hand ;  the  executioners  all  fired  af  the  same  mstant.  The  miserable  man,  with  a 
h'<rn<t  sijMBm  l..*ncd  f'om  'bi<  «8"b.  snri  fell  between  his  coffin  and  his  grave.     The  ser. 

09 


%      : 


if  i 


It.    :* 


466 


EENSSELAER   COUNTT. 


geant  of  the  guard,  a  moment  after,  shot  liim  through  the  head  with  a  musket  reserved  for 
this  purpose  in  case  the  executioners  failed  to  produce  instant  death.  The  sergeant,  from 
motives  of  humanity,  held  the  muzzle  of  his  musket  near  the  head ;  so  near  that  the  cap 
took  fire ;  and  there  the  body  lay  upon  the  face  ;  the  head  emitting  the  mingled  fumes  of 
burning  cotton  and  burning  hair.    0  war,  dreadful  even  in  thy  tenderness ;  horrible  even 

in  thy  compassion !  j    ,    •  i      i     u       • 

"  I  was  desired  to  perform  my  part  of  the  ceremony ;  and  placing  my  hand  where  just 
before  the  pulse  beat  full,  and  the  life  flowed  warm,  and  finding  no  symptom  of  either,  I 
affirmed,  he  is  dead.  The  line  then  marched  by  the  body,  as  it  lay  upon  the  earth,  the 
head  still  smoking ;  that  every  man  might  behold  for  himself  the  fate  of  a  deserter. 

"  Thus  far,  all  had  been  dreadful  indeed,  but  solemn,  as  it  became  the  sending  of  a  spint 
to  its  dread  account  |  but  now  the  scene  changes.  The  whole  band  struck  up,  and  with 
uncommon  animation,  our  national  air,  (Yankee  Doodle,)  and  to  its  lively  measures  we 
were  hurried  back  to  our  parade  ground.  Having  been  dismissed,  the  commander  of  the 
post  sent  an  invitation  to  all  the  officers  to  meet  at  his  quarters,  whither  we  repaired,  and 
were  treated  to  a  glass  of  gin  and  water.  Thus  this  melancholy  tragedy  ended  in  what 
seemed  little  better  than  a  farce ;  a  fair  specimen,  the  former  of  the  dread  severity— the 
latter  of  the  moral  sensibilities  which  prevail  in  the  camp." 

HoosicK  was  originally  organized  as  part,  of  Albany  county.  Pop. 
3,540.  Hoosick  Falls,  24  miles  NE.  of  Troy,  is  a  manufacturing  vil- 
lage, containing  about  70  or  100  dwellings.  The  Hoosick  river  here 
falls  40  feet.  Buskirk's  bridge,  which  is  partly  in  Washington 
county,  Barker's  Mills,  and  Macnamara,  or  North  Hoosick,  are  small 
villages. 

Within  the  limits  of  this  town  a  portion  of  the  battle  of  Bennington 
was  fought,  August  16th,  1777. 

The  progress  of  Burgoyne  thoroughly  alarmed  the  American 
states,  it  being  well  known  that  the  American  forces  under  Gen. 
Schuyler  were  not  su<Ticient  to  prevent  the  capture  of  Albany,  when- 
ever it  was  reached  by  the  enemy.  Instead  of  thinking  of  submission, 
the  Americans  met  this  alarming  crisis  with  firmness  and  resolution, 
and  great  exertions  were  made  to  reinforce  the  army.  Gen.  Lincoln 
was  directed  to  raise  and  take  the  command  of  the  New  England 
militia.  Gen.  Arnold,  and  Col.  Morgan  with  iiis  riflemen,  were  de- 
tached to  the  northern  army,  and  congress  elected  Gen.  Gates  as 
commander. 

"  While  the  American  army  was  thus  assuming  a  n^are  respectable  appearance.  Gen. 
Burgoyne  was  making  very  bIuw  ndvancM  towards  Albany.  From  the  28th  of  July  to  tlie 
15th  of  August,  (1777,)  the  British  army  was  continually  employed  in  bringing  forward 
batteaux,  provisions,  and  ammunition  from  Fort  George,  to  the  first  navigable  part  of  Hud- 
eon's  river ;  a  distance  of  not  more  than  18  miles.  The  labor  was  excessive,  the  Europe, 
ans  were  but  little  acquainted  with  the  methods  of  performing  it  to  advantage,  and  the 
effect  was  in  no  degree  equivalent  to  the  expense  of  labor  and  time.  Wiih  all  the  elforts 
that  Burgoyne  cjuld  make,  encumbered  with  his  artillery  and  baggage,  his  labors  were 
inadequate  to  the  purpose  of  supplying  the  anny  with  provisions  for  its  daily  consumption, 
and  the  establishment  of  the  necessary  magazines.  And  after  his  utmost  exertions  lor  15 
days,  there  were  not  above  4  days'  provisions  in  the  store,  nor  above  10  batteaux  in  Hud- 
son's  river. 

"  In  such  circumstances  the  British  general  found  that  it  would  be  impowible  to  procure 
sufficient  supphes  of  provision  by  the  way  of  P'ort  George,  and  determined  to  replenish  his 
own  magazines  at  the  expense  of  those  of  the  Americans.  Having  received  information 
that  a  largo  quantity  of  Htoren  were  laid  up  nt  Denniiigton,  and  guarded  only  by  the  militia, 
he  formed  the  design  of  surprising  that  place ;  and  was  made  to  believe  that  as  soon  as  a 
detachment  of  the  royal  army  should  appear  in  that  (luiirter,  it  would  receive  efiVcttinl  as- 
sislance  from  a  large  body  of  loyaliotn,  who  only  waited  for  the  appearaiu  i>  of  a  support, 
and  would  in  that  event  come  forwwtl  and  nid  the  royal  ranse.  Full  of  these  expectations, 
La  datached  Col.  iiuuin,  a  Uennuii  otTiii r,  with  a  select  body  of  troops,  to  surprise  the 


itiiJl! 


RENSSELAER    COUNTY. 


467 


place.    His  force  consisted  of  about  500  regular  troops,  some  Canadians,  and  more  than 
100  Indians  with  two  light  pieces  of  artillery.    To  facilitate  their  operations,  and  to  be 
ready  to  take  advantage  of  the  success  of  the  detachment,  the  royal  army  moved  along  the 
east  bank  of  Hudson's  river,  and  encamped  nearly  opposite  to  Saratoga ;  having  at  the  same 
time  thrown  a  bridge  of  rafts  over  the  river,  by  which  the  army  passed  to  that  place.    With 
a  view  to  support  Baum,  if  it  should  be  found  necessary,  Lieut.  Col.  Breyman's  corps,  con- 
sisting  of  the  Brunswick  grenadiers,  light  infantry  and  chasseurs,  were  posted  at  Battenkill. 
"Gen   Stark  havin"  received  information  that  a  party  of  Indians  were  at  Cambridge, 
sent  Lieut.  Col.  Greg,°on  August  the  13th,  with  a  party  of  200  men  to  stop  their  progress. 
Towards  night  he  was  informed  by  express,  that  a  large  body  of  regulars  was  m  the  rear 
of  the  Indians,  and  advancing  towards  Bennington.     On  this  intelligence.  Stark  drew  to. 
eether  his  bri<'ade,  and  the  militia  that  were  at  hand,  and  sent  on  to  Manchester  to  Col. 
Warner  to  brFng  on  his  regiment;  he  sent  expresses  at  the  same  time  to  the  neighbormg 
militia,  to  join  him  with  the  utmost  speed.    On  the  morning  of  the  14th,  he  marched  with 
his  troops,  and  at  the  distance  of  7  miles  he  met  Greg  on  the  retreat,  and  the  enemy  within 
a  mile  of  him.    Stark  drew  up  his  troops  in  order  of  battle ;  but  the  enemy  coming  m  sight, 
halted  upon  a  very  advantageous  piece  of  ground.     Baum  perceived  the  Americans  were 
too  strong  to  be  attacked  with  his  present  force,  and  sent  an  express  to  Burgoyne  with  an 
account  of  his  situation,  and  to  have  Breyman  march  immediately  to  support  him.     In  the 
mean  time  small  parties  of  the  Americans  ke,,.  up  a  skirmish  with  the  enemy,  killed  and 
wounded  30  of  them,  with  two  of  their  Indian  chiefs,  without  any  loss  to  themselves.     1  he 
cround  the  Americans  had  taken  was  unfavorable  for  a  general  action,  and  btark  retreated 
about  a  mile  and  encamped.    A  council  of  war  was  held,  and  it  was  agreed  to  send  two 
detachments  upon  the  enemy's  rear,  while  the  rest  of  the  .troops  should  make  an  attack 
upon  their  front.     The  next  day  the  weather  was  rainy,  and  though  it  prevented  a  general 
action,  there  were  frequent  skirmishings  in  small  parties,  which  proved  favorable  and  en- 

couraging  to  the  Americans.  .  .     ,  ,     ^  ,  c  j       j     i,„j.. 

"  On  August  the  ICth,  in  the  morning.  Stark  was  joined  by  Col.  Symonds  and  a  body 

of  militia  from  Berkshire,  and  proceeded  to  attack  the  enemy,  agreeably  to  the  plan  which 

had  been  concerted.    Col.  Baum  in  the  mean  time  had  entrenched,  on  an  advantageous 

piece  of  ground  near  St.  Koicks  mills,  on  a  branch  of  Hoosick  river,  and  rendered  his  post 

Is  strong  as  his  circumstances  and  situation  would  admit.    Col.  Nichols  was  detached  wi  h 

200  men  to  the  rear  of  his  left.  Col.  Herrick,  with  300  men  to  the  ""e^.f  *ll« ''S'^"  ^"J 

were  to  join  and  then  make  the  attack.    Cols.  Hubbard  and  Stickney,  with  200  more,  were 

ordered  on  the  right,  and  100  were  advanced  towards  the  tront  to  draw  the  attention  oi  the 

enemv  that  way.    About  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the  troops  had  taken  their  situation,  and 

werT  ready  to  commence  the  action.    While  Nichols  and  rierfick  were  bringing  their 

troops  together,  the  Indians  were  alarmed  at  the  prospect,  and  pushed  off  between  the  two 

corps;  but  received  a  fire  as  they  were  passing,  by  which  three  of  them  were  killed,  and 

two  wounded.    Nichols  then  began  the  attack,  and  was  followed  by  all  the  other  divisions; 

those  in  the  front  immediately  advanced,  and  in  a  few  ininutes  the  action  became  general 

It  lasted  about  two  hours,  and  was  like  one  contmued  peal  ot  thunder.     Baum  made  a 

brave  defence;  and  the  German  dragoons,  after  they  had  expended  their  a""""""""'  ^^ 

by  their  colonel,  charged  with  their  swords,  but  they  were  soon overpoweTed.    ^heir  works 

7ere  carried  on  all  sides,  their  iwo  pi^es  of  cannon  were  taken  Col.  Baum  himself  was 

mortally  wounded  and  taken  prisoner,  and  all  \m  men,  except  a  few  who  had  e^caP^d  'nto 

the  woods,  were  either  killed  or  taken  prisoners.    Having  completed  the  b"«"«"  ^V  'ak.ng 

the  whole  party,  the  militia  began  to  dispel,  and  look  out  for  plunder.  .B""""' J^"^ 

minutes  Stark  received  information  that  a  iTrgo  reinforcement  was  on  then  march,  and 

w  thin  two  miles  of  him.     Fortunately  at  that  moment  Col  Warner  came  »P  >;''h  h«  reg' 

ment  from  Manchester.    This  brave  and  expenenced  officer  commanded  a  regiment  of 

Continental  troops,  which  had  been  raised  in  Vermont.     Mor.ihed  that  he  had  not  been  m 

Z  former  engagement,  he  instantly  led  on  his  men  against  Breyman,  and  began  the  second 

engagement.    Stark  collected  the  militia  as  soon  as  possible  and  pushed  on  to  h.s  assis  - 

;„ce     The  action  became  general,  and  the  battle  continued  "bstmate  on  both  sides  Ull 

lunset.  when  the  Germans  were  forced  to  give  way,  and  were  pursued  till  dark.    They 

left  their  two  field-pieces  behind,  and  a  considerable  number  were  made  prisoners,     ihey 

retreated  in  'he  best  manner  they  could,  improving  the  advantages  of  the  evening  and 

niffht  to  w!i'.  I  done  their  escape  was  ascribed. 

"In  UiL  ..tons  the  American*  took  4  brass  field-pieces.  13  bra«,  drums,  950  dragooa 
.words,  4  ammunition  wagons,  and  about  700  prisoners,  with  their  «7»  «"'!  «=''"""^^ 
mcntB  ;-207  men  were  found  dead  upon  the  spot,  th.-  numbers  of  wounded  were  unknown. 
ThHii.  of  the  American,  wm  but  .m.ll  i  30  were  .Uin.  and  about  40  wer.  wounded." 


W 


a 

i 

I' 


I'    J 


I 


4G8 


RENSSELAER    COUNTY. 


Lansi^gburg  was  taken  from  Troy  and  Brunswick  in  1807,  after- 
ward enlarged  by  a  portion  from  Schaghticoke.  Pop.  3,330.  Spei- 
gletown  and  Batestown  are  small  villages,  the  former  3  miles  N. 
from  Lansingburg  village,  and  the  latter  1  mile  S.  The  annexed 
engraving  is  from  a  view  taken  near  the  bridge,  a  short  distance 
above  the  village,  connecting  it  with  Waterford.  In  the  extreme 
distance  on  the  right,  the  bridge  over  the  Hudson  at  Troy  is  visible. 


Northwestern  view  of  Lansingburg. 

Lansingburg  was  incorporated  in  1801.  It  is  beautifully  situated 
on  the  Hudson,  3  ftiiles  N.  of  Troy,  9  N.  from  Albany,  and  1  S.  from 
Waterford.  Formerly  it  was  called  the  "  New  City,"  and  the  ra- 
pidity of  its  growth  at  that  time  excited  wonder.*  The  village  is 
regularly  laid  out  with  cajjacious  streets  in  squares  of  400  by  260 
feet,  and  is  a  place  of  considerable  manufactmnng  and  commercial 
business.  There  is  here  1  Presbyterian,  1  Methodist,  1  Episcopal, 
and  1  Universalist  church,  an  academy  in  high  repute,  2  printing 
offices,  a  bank,  many  mercantile  stores,  &c.,  and  about  400  houses. 
Three  of  the  sprouts  of  the  Mohawk  enter  the  Hudson  opposite  the 
village,  and  the  Cahoos  Falls  are^ften  distinctly  lieard  in  the  stillness 
of  the  night. 

Nassau,  originally  named  Philipstown,  and  taken  from  Petersburg, 
Stephentown,"and  Schodack,  in  1800.     Pop.  3,237.     Nassau,  ili 


•  This  was  the  time  of  the  revolutionary  period  in  Frnnoe.  Mr.  A  Reed.of  East  Wind, 
sor,  Conn.,  commenced  leaciiing  a  school  in  this  villiiKe  in  1793,  and  continued  it  for  five 
years.  He  stiites  that  about  the  time  Louis  XVI.  the  French  king  was  beheaded,  in  1793, 
wheat,  which  hnd  previously  been  sold  in  the  village  in  the  early  part  of  the  winter  for  75 
cents,  rose  to  four  dollar*  a  bushel.  On  the  opening  of  the  river  in  the  spring,  the  price 
fell  back  to  $1.75.  Mr.  Reed  taught  school  in  a  ganibrel.roof  building,  which  wai  used 
M  the  first  meeting-house,  in  the  jilnce.  The  lower  story  was  divided  by  a  swing  partition. 
While  Mr.  R.  was  here,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Lee,  of  Connecticut,  lauxhl  the  languages  in  a  cham- 
ber  above.     At  this  period  the  minister  of  the  place  was  the  Rev.  Jonas  Coe,  who  preach. 


BEN88ELAER   COUNTY. 


460 


miles  SE.  of  Albany,  and  East  Nassau  16,  are  considerable  villages. 
Brainards  Bridge,  Alps,  and  Hoags  Corners,  are  names  of  post- 
offices. 

Petersburg,  taken  from  Stephentown  in  1791.  Pop.  1,901.  Rens- 
selaers  Mills,  20  miles  E.  of  Troy,  and  Petersburg  Corners  27,  are 
small  villages. 

PiTTSTowN,  organized  in  1788.  The  first  settlements  were  com- 
menced here  in  1650.  Pop.  3,785.  Pittstown  13,  Tomhenick  13 
NE.,  Johnsonville  19,  and  Shermans  Mills  13  miles  from  Troy,  are 
small  villages. 

Sandlake,  taken  from  Greenbush  and  Berlin  in  1812.  Pop.  4,305. 
Poestenkill  8  miles  SE.,  Rensselaer  12,  Sand  Lake  10,  Ulines  7  miles 
from  Troy,  are  small  villages. 

ScHAGUTicoKE  WQS  Organized  in  1788.  Pop.  3,389.  About  the 
year  1600,  some  Dutch  and  German  families  settled  on  the  rich  allu- 
vial lands  of  this  town,  then  occupied  by  a  clan  of  the  Mohawk  In- 
dians. Schaghticoke  Point,  on  the  Hoosick  river,  13  miles  NE.  from 
Trov,  is  a  large  manufacturing  village  having  about  150  dwellings. 
TheValley  village,  on  both  sides  of  the  Hoosick,  and  partly  in  Pitts- 
town,  has  about  45  dwellings. 

ScHODACK,  taken  from  Kenssclaerwyck  in  1795.  Pop.  4,125. 
Schodack  Landing  9  miles  below  Albany,  Schodack  Centre  7  miles 
SE.  from  Albany,  Castleton,  and  South  Schodack,  are  small  settle- 
ments. 

Stephentown,  so  called  from  the  Christian  name  of  the  late  pa- 
troon,  was  organized  in  1788.  Pop.  2,753.  Stephentown  Hollow  or 
Centre,  21  miles  SE.  from  Troy,  North  Stephentown  20,  and  South 
Stephentown  24,  are  small  villages. 

Troy  city,  seat  of  justice  for  the  county,  lies  on  the  east  side  of 
the  Hudson,  6  miles  north  of  Albany,  at  the  junction  of  the  Hudson 
and  Mohawk  valleys.  There  is  some  reason  to  believe  that  its  pres- 
ent site  was  visited  by  Hudson,  the  first  navigator  of  Hudson  river, 
in  1609.  In  the  record  of  his  voyage,  it  is  stated  he  "  went  sounding 
his  way  above  the  highlands,  till  at  last  the  Crescent,  (the  ship  in  which 
he  made  his  voyage,)  had  sailed  beyond  the  city  of  Hudson,  and  a 
boat  had  advanced  a  little  beyond  Albany."  Probably  this  boat  as- 
cended to  the  rifts  which  lay  at  the  northerly  part  of  the  city,  where 
the  ordinary  tides  spent  their  force,  and  the  navigation  was  inter- 
rupted. 

For  more  than  a  century  after  Hudson's  voyage,  the  territory  now 
comprising  the  site  of  Troy,  (although  within  the  limits  of  the  grant 
made  to  the  patroon,)  probably  remained  part  of  the  hunting  ground 
of  the  Mohawk  Indians.  In  1720,  a  grant  of  490  acres,  extending 
along  the  Hudson  between  the  Poestenkill  and  Meadow  creek, 
comprehending  the  original  allotments  on  which  the  city  was  erected, 
was  made  in.  fee  by  the  proprietor  of  the  manor  of  Rensselaerwyck 
to  Derick  Van  Dorheyden,  at  the  small  rent  of  three  bushels  and  three 
pecks  of  wheat  and  four  fat  fowls  annually.  From  the  date  of  the 
from,  ana  possiujy  iruiit   a  ^riuu   a   jiiiic  catucj,   ifiis  ^-lam  •.in-,--  ■.!!-.■ 


470 


RENSSELAER   COUNTY. 


tm 


first  range  of  hills  adjoining,  was  possessed  by  the  grantee  and  his 
descendants,  and  small  portions  of  it  cultivated  as  a  farm.* 

After  the  revolution,  emigrants  from  New  England,  seeing  the  ad- 
vantageous situation  of  Van  Derheyden,  as  it  was  then  called,  in- 
duced the  proprietors  to  lay  it  out  into  town  lots.  At  this  period 
Lansingburg,  then  called  the  "  New  City,"  was  a  village  of  considera- 
ble  size  and  commercial  importance  ;  the  city  of  Albany  lay  a  few 
miles  to  the  south,  and  had  ibr  many  generations  been  the  centre  of 
trade  for  the  entire  country  around.  These  circumstances  at  the 
first  appeared  unpropitious  to  the  growth  of  this  place.  The  estab- 
lishment of  the  Federal  government  in  1789,  and  the  settlement  of 
the  "  new  state"  of  Vermont,  gave  an  impulse  to  the  spirit  of  enter- 
prise. The  village  of  Van  Derheyden  being  at  the  head  of  the  nat- 
ural navigation  of  the  Hudson,  after  some  struggle  began  to  outstrip 
the  "  New  City,"  which  had  been  unwisely  located  above  the  rifts. 
The  earliest  surveys  of  the  three  allotments  into  which  the  site  was 
originally  divided,  were  made  between  the  years  1786  and  1790; 
one  or  two  slight  buildings  in  1786,  and  a  small  number  the  two  years 
following.  It  is  stated  that  by  the  spring  of  1789,  five  small  stores 
and  about  a  dozen  dwelling-houses  had  been  erected.  The  appella- 
tion of  Van  Derheyden's  Ferry  was  now  changed  into  the  more 
classic  name  of  Troy. 

In  1791,  the  county  of  Rensselaer  was  detached  from  Albany,  and 
Troy  was  selected  as  the  county  seat.  In  1793  the  first  courthouse 
was  erected,  and  the  jail  the  following  year.  The  influential  men 
among  the  first  settlers  were  the  friends  of  order,  and  supporters  of 
the  institutions  of  religion.  When  they  were  too  few  to  support  a 
clergyman,  they  were  accustomed  to  assemble  in  a  store  at  the  sound 
of  a  conch-horn,  and  afterward  in  a  school-house.  Here  they  usu- 
ally listened  to  a  sermon  read  by  Dr.  Samuel  Gall,  or  the  late  Col. 
Pawling,  a  revolutionary  officer.  In  1791,  the  inhabitants,  too 
few  to  consult  their  denominational  preferences,  by  an  united  effort 
erected  a  frame  for  a  house  of  public  worship,  which  was  covered 
the  following  year,  and  although  unfinished,  was  used  as  a  place  for 
public  worship.  This  building  became  the  first  edifice  of  the  Pres- 
byterian congregation.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Jonas  Coe  was  their  first  min- 
ister. His  services  at  this  period  were  divided  between  Troy  and 
Lansingburg,  his  residence  being  in  the  latter  place.  An  Episcopal 
church,  an  edifice  of  small  dimension  of  brick,  was  erected  in  1804, 
which  was  enlarged  some  years  afterward,  and  is  now  known  as 
St.  John's  church.  In  1805,  the  Baptist  conj^regation  erected  a  house 
of  worship  in  Third-street,  which  was  afterward  enlarged.     The 

*  Mr.  Elijah  Adams,  now  (1840)  77  years  of  ogc,  who  has  resided  here  about  60  yeais, 
ttatea  that  when  he  fit^t  knew  the  Van  Derheyden  lands,  there  were  patches  or  strips  with- 
in  the  present  site  of  the  city,  known  as  the  com  ground*  of  tlie  native  Indiana.  Somt- 
time  after  he  had  taken  up  his  residence  here,  a  full  grown  bear  swam  across  the  Hudson, 
landed  near  tlie  upper  ferry,  and  on  being  pursued  ran  across  the  low  land  among  the  small 
oaks,  and  at  length  ascended  a  pine  tree  near  the  present  location  of  the  Renwelaer  In- 
•li{ui6,  and  was  there  brought  id  the  ground  by  a  shot  from  his  riSe. 


'1)1 


RENSSELAER    COUNTY. 


471 


Methodist  Episcopal  congregation  erected  their  lirst  house  of  wor- 
ship in  State-street  in  180!). 


Northwestern  view  of  the  Troy  Female  Seminary, 


The  Troy  Female  Seminary,  located  in  this  place,  holds  a  high 
rank  among  the  institutions  of  learning  in  our  country.  John  H. 
and  Sarah  L.  Willard  are  the  principals,  and  Nancy  Hinsdale  the 
vice-principal :  there  are  besides  21  teachers  and  officers.  The  follow- 
ing  account  and  historical  sketch  has  been  kindly  furnished  by  an 
individual  well  acquainted  with  it. 

The  school  of  which  the  Troy  Seminary  is  a  continuation,  was  begun  in  Middlebury. 
Vermont,  in  1814,  by  Mrs.  Emma  Willard.  It  there  obtamed  considerable  celebrity,  and 
the  Principal  was  solicited  to  remove  it  to  Waterford,  in  this  state.  She  consented  on  the 
condition  that  the  most  influential  gentlemen  of  that  place  should  unite  m  carrying  before 
the  legislature  a  petition  for  incorporating  and  endowing  a  public  y?^'""'^  ^"^  f"""^^;- 
Their  approbation  of  this  measure  was  made  to  depend  on  that  of  De  Witt  Clinton,  then 
governor  of  the  stale.  On  being  presented  with  the  plan,  he  expressed  his  high  approval, 
and  introduced  the  subject  into  his  message.  ,  j  .    ,u„  i„„;„i„. 

In  the  winter  of  1818-19,  the  petition  was,  under  his  auspices,  presented  to  the  legisla- 
ture, and  for  the  first  time  the  rights  of  woman  in  regard  to  education,  were  plead  in  a 
egLlative  hall.  Among  its  supporters  were  Mr.  Van  Buren,  and  Mr.  John  C.  Spencer. 
The  justice  of  the  claim  was  acknowledged,  an  institution  on  the  proposed  plan  incorpo- 
rated,  and  a  bill  for  endowment  brought  in,  but  the  adjournment  of  the  legislature  prevent. 

'^'.^th^8ming  of  I8I9,  the  proposed  school  went  into  operation  in  Waterford,  in  the  large 
building  now  occupied  as  a  hotel,  that  having  been  hired  for  two  years.     I  he  next  w.nter.« 
session  of  the  legislature  defeated  the  hopes  which  had  been  excited  of  an  endowment, 
but  in  the  mean  time  private  patronage  was  abundant.        . ,    ,  .    ,,r  .    f    ,  r     •, 

In  1821,  the  school  being  large,  and  no  place  being  provided  '"  ^'""^"^'^/'if ."«  «f™  "• 
modation,  it  was  removed  to  Troy,  the  corporation  of  that  city  having  voted  f  4  000  or  a 
building.  Since  that  period,  the  rents  of  the  building  have  been  made  to  meet  the  interest 
and  almost  all  the  principal  of  the  moneys  expended  in  its  several  enlargements  and  in  the 
additions  to  its  grounds.  Since  1837  this  institution  has  received  from  the  state  a  share  of 
the  literature  fund,  by  which  the  library,  apparatus,  &e.,  previously  furnished  by  lie  Pn... 
cipal,  have  been  made  more  complete.  This  school  has  educated  at  leas  hve  thousand 
pupils;  of  whom  about  one  tenth  have  been  teachers,  and  it  has  furiuHhed  Principals  lor 
many  of  the  most  distinguished  foninle  schools  in  every  part  of  the  Union.  The  present 
Principal  of  this  seminary,  Mrs.  Sarah  L.  Willard,  spent  nineteen  years  m  the  iiisun.  ion  aa 
pupil,  teacher,  and  vice-principal,  before  assuming  its  government.  But  the  larger  number  oi 
the  young  ladies  innp.  f-ducated  have  !nnrriBd,  and  are  now,  many  of  them,  standing  in  the 


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472 


RENSSELAER   COUNTY. 


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first  circles  and  among  the  first  women  of  our  country  in  regard  to  piety  and  moral  worth 
have  hll"^    r"*"''."!]'^  intellectual  and  social  accomplishments.     Several  ofTeSt 

T^,^  „W  .'^  f  .^""^  ''*"'"'  ^"^^  '"'"^'^'''  g'^««  «"  »^'="'ge  «f  ""«  teacher  lo  ten  pupil. 
Id  moral  I'^TVr  ""  'T^  '!?  ''^^  ""^'""^  ?'""  "^^  '»"«*'l"«'l  »"  ^e,  fi«t,  ?eligfous 
Pnl  thi  \,  ^'^^  '^""'^ ',  ""'■'^'  ''"'"^^'"'^ '  °"**  *"""h,  ornamental.  But  to  obtain  fhese 
d1;  t^on^^  p'"'  r'^  T"'"  •'"^r^  "'"^'  ^'  ^'"'^"^'^  ■'"'J  strengthened  in  due  orde  and 
proportion.  Great  care  has  been  bestowed  on  health,  and  but  one  death  of  a  pupil  and 
that  a  sudden  one  from  organic  affection  of  the  heart,  has  occurred.  ^  ' 

The  Rensselaer  Institute  is  an  excellent  institution  under  the  ch«ree 
ot  1  rolessor  Eaton.  Many  young  men  are  here  fitted  for  the  pro- 
anri-actkJ     ^"^'"''^'■'"»-     ^^^  ^y^^^"^  o^'  teaching  is  thorough 

P  J''!  ?'?•  ''^  ^r^u^  ''  regularly  laid  out.  on  a  plan  similar  to  that  of 
Ihiladelphia.     The  prmcipal  street  is  River-street,  which  extends 

with  many  splendid  and  spacious  stores.     It  is  the  theatre  of  a  verv 
extens.ve  business.     The  remaining  portion  of  the  place  generally 
exhibits  the  quiet  aspect  of  the  country.     Many  of  the  buildings,  both 
public  and  private  are  spacious  and  elegant.     The  courthouse  built 
o  Sing  Sing  marble,  IS  a  splendid  edifice,  after  the  Grecian  mode 
St.  Paul  s  church  is  a  noble  Gothic  edifice,  erected  at  an  expense  of 
about  50,000  dollars.     There  are  in  Troy  twelve  places  o^fpubHc 
worship-viz,  3  Presbyterian,  2  Episcopal,  2  Methodist,  1  sS 
Presbyterian,  1  Roman  Catholic,  I   African  church,  and  2  Friends 
meeting-houses.     On  the  Wynant  and  Pocstens  kills,  which  here 
empty  into  Je  Hudson,  are  .several  extensive  manufacturing  estab- 
ishments     The  city  is  abundantly  supplied  with  excellent  wat^f  om 
the  neighboring  hills.     Hydrants  are  placed  at  the  corners  of  the 
streets  with  hose  attached,  which  in  case  of  fire,  as  the  natural  head 
of  the  water  is  75  feet  above  the  city  level,  supersedes  the  use  of 
fire-engines      Troy  is  indebted  in  a  great  measure  for  its  prosperity 
to  Its  advantageous  situation,  and  the  enterprise  and  industry  of  her 
mhabitants.      She  has  extensively  availed  herself  of  the  facilities 
afforded  by  the  river  and  the  Erie  and  Champlain  canals.    The  fide 
of  the  Hudson  frequently  ascend  to  a  dam  thrown  across  the  river 
abou  a  mile  and  a  halt  above  the  centre  of  the  city.     By  means  of 
alock,  sloop  navigation  is  thus  afforded  to  the  village  of  Waterford 
Within  the  last  few  years  Troy  has  increased  rapidly  in  wealthtuid 

PnTi  ;      i  ''''  Rensselaer  and  Saratoga  railroad,  24  miles  to 

1^  length         '''"'''''  """  ""^  *'"'  P^''*'^  ^y  ^  ^''^«^  ^'^00  feet 

from  Ih.  Dutch  to  the  Engh.h,  .g.in  ?",,  ,h„n  5m,  lo  Z  Ek     Tif  'T""'  I""':* 


and  moral  worth, 
eral  of  the  pupils 
<f  employed.  The 
;her  to  ten  pupils, 
be,  first,  religious 
iut  to  obtain  these 
1  in  due  order  and 
th  of  a  pupil,  and 

er  the  cherge 
I  for  the  pro- 
is  thorough 

lar  to  that  of 
hich  extends 
i  ornamented 
re  of  a  very 
ce  generally 
jildings,  both 
i-thouse,  buih 
2cian  model. 
1  expense  of 
es  of  public 
ist,  1  Scotch 
id  2  Friends 

which  here 
turing  estab- 
t  water  from 
rners  of  the 
natural  head 

the  use  of 
s  prosperity 
ustry  of  her 
lie  facilities 
!.  The  tides 
Jss  the  river 
5y  means  of 

Waterford. 

wealth  and 

11,566;  in 
24  miles  to 
je  1,600  feet 

ct  on  both  sides 
» 24  miles  wide 
a  all  of  Rensse- 
and  the  greater 
ccessive  grants 
rant  was  made 
ider  conditions 
lasters,  passing 
lly  Hgaiii  to  the 
of  the  original 


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RENSSELARK    COUNTY. 


473 


proprietor  of  the  colony  of  Rcnsselacrwyck  wns  never  questioned.  And  on  the  4th  of 
March,  1C85,  the  wliole  was  confirmed  by  letters  patent,  under  tiie  great  seal  of  tiie  prov. 
ince  of  New  York,  by  Thonia.s  Donijan,  hcmeiiaut-governor  of  (he  same.  'J'he  originai 
design  of  the  Dutch  government  extended  only  to  the  founding  of  eolonits  in  this  eountrv 
by  citizens  of  IIoUiiikI,  who  should  amicably  ucc;uire  the  Indian  title  to  the  lands  ;  and  the 
fotmder  of  a  colony  was  thcreforu  styled  its  iiatruoii  by  the  iiill  <jf  privileges  and  the  deed 
of  conveyance,  the  latter  of  which  was  only  granted  when  the  native  right  had  been  ac. 
quired  by  purchase."  A  great  portioti  of  the  land  is  pcrmaneiuly  leased,  and  rent  amuially 
paid  in  the  products  of  the  soil  to  the  patroon  at  Albany. 


RICHMOND  COUNTY. 

Richmond,  an  original  county,  was  organized  November  1,  1083. 
and  comprises  Staten  Island,  Shooter's  Island,  and  the  islands  of 
meadow  on  the  west  side  of  Staten  Island.  It  is  about  14  miles  long, 
and  its  greatest  breath  is  8 ;  mean  breadth  .5  miles.  It  is  divided 
into  4  towns,  all  of  which  were  organized  in  1788.     Pop.  10,985. 

The  higher  and  naked  points  of  the  island,  (says  Gordon  in  his  Gazetteer,)  afford  varied 
and  delightful  prospects.  Hence,  in  a  clear  day,  may  be  seen  the  ever-growing  city  with 
its  painted  steeples  and  gilded  spires  hemmed  in  by  a  forest  of  masts ;  the  broad  bay  stud, 
ded  with  fairy  islands,  and  whitened  by  the  canvass  of  a  hundred  ships,  overhung  by  small 
dark  clouds,  strongly  relieved  against  the  deep  blue  sky,  which  proceed  from  the  many 
steamboats  moving  upon  the  waters,  like  things  of  life.  Long  Island,  with  its  swelling  hills 
and  richly  cultivated  farms ;  (he  coast  of  New  .lersey  in  a  circular  sweep  of  40  miles,  from 
Paulus  Hook  to  the  Neversink  hills  and  Sandy  Hook  lighthouse  ;  and  last,  but  not  least,  the 
wide  Atlantic,  opening  between  the  Hook  and  Long  Island.  From  the  point  at  New  York 
Bay  along  the  Kills,  to  a  point  nearly  opposite  to  Elizubethtown  landing,  a  distance  of  5 
miles,  the  shore  has  an  almost  unbroken  street,  in  which  neat  country  seats,  and  snug  boxes 
of  the  citizens  blenji  with  the  cottages  of  farmers,  mechanics,  fishermen,  and  watermen, 
who  are  the  permanent  inhabitants.  This  settlement,  containing  about  400  houses,  is 
divided  into  3  portions  having  separate  names,  viz  :  Nortlifield,  Factoryville,  and  New 
Brighton.  From  landings  along  the  sound,  communication  may  be  had  almost  hourly  by 
BteamboaW  with  New  York.  The  soil  of  the  island  consists  of  clay  and  sandy  loam,  and 
with  good  husbandry  produces  line  crops  of  oats,  corn,  and  grass.  Many  of  the  inhabi. 
tants  subsist  by  the  fisheries.  The  muddy  bottom  of  Staten  Island  sound  produces  an 
inexhaustible  supply  of  oysters ;  which  though  not  originally  of  good  quality,  on  being 
transported  to  the  beds  in  Raritan  Bay,  soon  grow  large  and  acquire  an  excellent  flavor. 
The  Raritan  Bay  affords  also  excellent  clams,  and  those  from  the  Great  Kills  are  in  high 
repute.  The  shad  and  herring  fisheries  are  productive.  In  a  mihtary  point  of  view,  the 
island  is  one  of  the  most  important  positions  on  the  coast ;  its  possessor  having  command 
of  New  York  bay  and  the  adjacent  country.  It  was  so  deemed  by  the  British,  in  the 
revolutionary  war,  and  was  the  first  place  seized  by  Sir  William  Howe,  (July  4th,  1776.) 
It  was  retained  by  the  royal  forces  during  the  whole  contest.  Preparatory  to  the  war  of 
1812,  there  were  erected  very  efficient  and  extensive  fortifications,  linown  as  forts  Tomp. 
kins,  Richmond,  and  Hudson,  at  the  Narrows,  opposite  to  Fort  Fayette,  on  Long  Island. 
These  forts  completely  protect  the  strait,  which  is  but  one  mile  wide.  Upon  Signal  Hill, 
back  of  the  forts,  overlooking  the  harbor,  Sandy  Hook,  and  a  great  extent  of  sea,  is  a  tele, 
graph  communicating  with  the  city.  Staten  Island  wns  purchased  from  the  Indians  for 
Michael  Pauw,  one  of  the  directors  of  the  West  India  Company,  together  with  an  exten. 
sive  tract  in  Bergen  county  in  New  Jensey,  by  deed  dated  August  10, 1630,  and  the  whole 
tract  received  the  name  of  Pavonia.  It  was  a  very  desirable  spot  with  the  primitive  Dutch 
settlers  ;  and  the  Indians,  who  seem  never  to  have  considered  themselves  to  lose  right  of 
possession  bysale,and  werealways  willing  to  convey  for  a  consideration, sold  the  island,  about 
the  year  1638,  to  the  Heer  Melyn  with  the  permission  of  Gov.  Kieft;  and  subsequently  in 
1657,  to  the  Baron  Van  Capp-illan.  Melyn  and  Van  Cappellan,  both  made  improvements ; 
but  the  colony  settled  by  the  latter,  was  broken  up  by  the  savages  from  the  Rnritan,  who 
mnrdered  his  people.     Melvn  subsequently  obtained  the  exclusive  title,  and  claiming  to  be 

60 


'i' 

y 


<  w 


,i!     *■ 


474 


KICII.MUM)    COL'NTV. 


independent  of  New  Aniftrrdaiit,  gave  (tov.  Suiyvcsnnt  much  trouble.  On  the  14  June, 
1659,  he  (conveyed  liis  righi.i  to  tlie  eompiiiiy.  This  island  was  again  purchased  from  the 
Indians  by  Gov.  Lovdace,  April  18,  1670. 


Sailoi's  Snug  Harhor. 

Castleton,  upon  the  Kills  and  New  York  bay,  is  the  northeast- 
ern town  of  the  county.  Pop.  4,28G.  Tompkinsville,  beautifully 
situated  upon  the  bay,  5i  miles  from  Nciw  York  city,  and  7  from 
Richmond  the  county  scat,  was  named  after  Vice-president  Tomp- 
kins, whose  seat  was  upon  the  summit  of  tiie  hill.  This  is  the  larg- 
est village  in  the  county,  and,  including  Stapleton,  contains  3,000 
inhabitants,  500  dwellings,  and  1  Episcopal,  1  Dutch  Reformed,  and 
1  Methodist  church.  The  Quarantine  ground  for  the  port  of  New 
York  is  situated  here.  Factoryvilk  ^s  a  manufacturing  village  of 
about  100  dwellings  in  the  NW.  povfiou  of  ;'ie  town,  jh  ,.  the  Kill 
Van  Kull.  The  far-famed  village  <  ('  ■'■.'.  Brighton  is  situated  about 
a  mile  N.  of  Tompkinsville,  at  the  NE.  point  of  the  island.  It  was 
founded  in  1834,  by  Thomas  E.  Davis,  Esq.,  of  New  York.  It  is 
intended  for  residences  of  business  men  from  the  city.  Nowhere, 
perhaps,  in  o'  country  can  be  found  such  an  assemblage  of  beauti- 
ful villas,  an  so  favorably  located  as  at  this  spot,  both  as  regards 
health  and  beauty  of  scenery.  With  this,  and  the  places  in  the 
vicinity,  hourly  communication  by  steamers  is  kept  up  with  the  city. 
The  New  Brighton  Pavilion  is  in  all  respects  one  of  the  most  splen- 
did hotels  in  the  Union — every  lodging-room  is  equal  to  a  gentle- 
man's parlor.     There  are  hero  superior  facilities  for  sea-bathing. 

The  "  Sailor's  Snug  Harbor,"  is  a  charitable  institution  for  aged  or 
infirm  seamen,  pleasantly  located  about  a  mile  W.  of  New  Brighton. 
The  buildings  are  in  the  Grecian  style,  with  marble  fronts ;  the  main 
building,  65  by  100  feet,  has  marble  pillars  in  front,  and  is  connected 
by  corridors  with  wing's  of  53  by  100  feet.  Cost  of  construction 
$115,000.  The  institution  was  founded  in  1801,  by  Robert  Richard 
Randall  of  New  York,  who  bequeathed  22  acres  for  this  purpose  in 
the  15th  ward,  which  at  that  time  was  of  comparatively  little  value, 


HOCKLAND    COUNTY. 


475 


but  now  has  increased  to  an  immense  estate.  Connected  with  the 
building  is  a  farm  of  100  acres.  In  the  yard  iVonting  tlie  edifice  is 
an  elegant  monument  to  the  memory  of  the  founder.  No  worthy 
applicant  has  ever  yet  been  rejected.  There  are  here  at  present  1 10 
of  the  sons  of  A^cptune,  many  of  whom  having  dropped  their  last 
anchor,  have  found  a  snug  ))ort  for  life. 

North FiEM)  is  situated  upon  the  NW.  end  of  the  island,  and  has  a 
p()))ulatiou  of  2,747.  The  principal  village,  Port  Richmond,  contains 
1  Bajjtist,  1  Methodist,  and  1  Presbyterian  church,  and  about  75 
dwellings.  Chelsea  is  a  small  village  on  Staten  Island  sound,  oppo- 
site the  mouth  of  llahway  river,  containing  a  number  of  handsome 
dwellings. 

South I'lELD,  on  the  SE.  side  of  the  island,  has  a  population  of  1,020. 
Richmond,  the  county  seat,  13  miles  from  New  York,  is  a  neat  but 
antiquated  village,  [)arlly  located  in  this  town  and  in  Northfield  and 
Westlield.  It  contains  2  churches,  2  hotels,  a  courthouse  and  jail, 
and  about  45  dwt;liings.  At  the  Narrows  are  the  forts  Tompkins, 
Richmond,  and  Hudson,  and  the  Signal  Hill.  At  the  termination 
of  New  Dorp  lane  on  the  shore  is  the  "  great  elm,"  which  serves 
as  a  landmark  to  the  mariner  out  at  sea.  The  village  of  Stapleton, 
which  is  but  a  continuation  of  Tompkinsville,  is  partly  on  the  Castle- 
ton  line.  Here  is  located  the  "  Seaman's  retreat,"  a  noble  stone 
edifice.  The  heights  in  this  vicinity  are  studded  with  numerous 
country  seats. 

Wi;:JTFiELn,  at  the  SW.  extremity  of  the  island,  has  a  population 
of  2,320.  Rossville,  named  after  VVni.  E.  Ross,  Esq.,  is  a  small  vil- 
lage 4i  miles  N.  of  Richmond,  and  contains  32  dwelling-houses,  3 
mercantile  stores,  and  181  inhabitants. 


I^'IIF 


ROCKLAND  COUNTY. 

Rockland  county  was  taken  from  Orange  in  1798  ;  greatest  length 
23,  greatest  breadth  18  miles.  It  is  situated  in  the  extreme  southern 
angle  of  the  state,  upon  the  west  side  of  the  Hudson.  Its  surface  is 
generally  much  broken,  and  in  the  W.  and  NW.  mountainous.  The 
valleys  are  rich,  extensive,  and  fertile.  Dobbs  Ferry,  Stony  Point, 
Fort  Clinton,  and  the  Pass,  were  noted  in  the  annals  of  the  revolu- 
tion. "  This  county  includes  all  that  part  of  Orange  which  was  set- 
tled when  that  county  was  erected,  except  so  much  thereof  as  fell  to 
New  Jersey,  upon  the  determinatif)n  of  the  boundary.  Orangetown, 
now  in  Rockland,  was  the  capital  of  the  county  until  1737,  when  a 
courthouse  and  jail  were  built  at  Goshen,  in  Orange,  and  the  courts 
were  holden  at  the  two  places  alternately.     About  1774,  the  court- 


ill'  ir   ■ 


'  ii 


"  ?*■ 


ROCKLAND   COUNTY. 

house  and  ja  1  at  OranjTCtown,  havino^  been  destroyed  by  fire,  and 
part  of  the  vi'lage  having  been  transferred  to  New  Jersey,  public 
buildings  were  erected  at  the  '  A^ew  City'  then  in  the  precinct  of 
Ilaverstraw."  The  New  York  and  Erie  railroad  commences  at 
Piermont,  and  ri.nning  through  Orangetown,  Clarkstown,  and  llama- 
l)o,  enters  Orani.;'3  county  in  the  town  of  Monroe.  This  county  is 
divided  into  4  tovns.     Poj).  11,871. 

C^LARKSTowN,  tidccn  from  Haverstraw  in  1791,  lies  on  the  W. 
bank  of  the  Hudson,  opjjosite  Tappan  and  Ilaverstraw  bays,  28  miles 
N.  of  New  York.  Clarkstown  and  the  New  City  arc  small  villages, 
each  several  miles  from  the  Hudson,  the  latter  of  which  is  the  countv 
seat.     Pop.  2,538. 

Haverstraw,  the  northern  town  of  the  county,  organized  in  1788, 
is  situated  30  miles  N.  of  New  York,  on  the  Hudson.  Poj).  3,348. 
Warren,  upon  the  L'udson,  near  the  tS.  line,  contains  about  00  dwell- 
ings. tSampsondale,  2  miles  irom  the  river,  is  a  small  village.  Cald- 
wells  Landing  is  in  the  nortluTn  part  of  the  town.  Fort  Clinton,  of 
the  revolution,  was  in  the  NE.  angle,  on  the  bank  of  the  ifudson, 
the  ruins  (jf  which  are  now  visible.  (For  the  attack  on  this  fortress 
see  p.  422.)  Slony  Point  is  at  the  NW.  extremity  of  Haverstraw 
bay,  above  which  is  the  Dunderberg  or  Thunder  Mountain. 


Northern  view  of  Stony  Point,  on  the  Hudson. 

The  above  is  a  northern  view  of  Stony  Point,  as  seen  when  pass- 
ing down  the  Hudson.  This  jtlacc  is  a  little  rough  jiromontory  on 
the  west  bank  of  the  Hudson,  nearly  a  mile  lielow  the  entrance  of 
the  Highlands,  having  a  lighthouse  on  its  summit.  It  was  a  fortified 
during  the  revolutionary  war,  and  is  distinguished  by  the  celebrated 
assault  made  u])(»u  it  on  the  KUh  .luly,  177!),  by  Cen.  Wayne.  Ver- 
planek's  Point,  on  the  o[)))osite  side  of  the  river,  is  also  a  place  dis- 
tinguished in  the  history  of  th(!  revolution.  Tlu^  following  is  an  ac- 
count of  the  storming  of  Stony  Point  as  conununicated  in  a  letter 
from  Gen.  Wayne  to  VV'ashingtf)n,  dated  Stony  Point,  .luly  17th,  1779. 

"Sir, — I  lmvi>  tin-  iKnior  to  nivc  ynii  ii  I'liil  iiiul  puriiciiliir  relation  of  the  reduction  of  this 
Point,  by  the  lijjiit  iiirautiy  iiiulir  my  <'oiiimiiii(i. 
"Uit  the  15th  iiistant  at  twrlve  o'eiock  we  took  up  our  lino  of  tnarch  front  Sandy  Beach, 


ROCKLAND    COUNTY. 


477 


distant  fourteen  miles  from  tliis  place  ;  the  roads  being  .exceedingly  had  and  narrow,  and 
having  to  puss  over  iiigh  mounlnins,  through  deep  morassei',  mid  difficult  defiles,  we  were 
obliged  to  move  in  single  files  the  greatest  part  of  the  way.  At  eight  o'clotk  in  the  even, 
ing  the  van  arrived  at  Mr.  Springsteels,  within  one  mile  and  a  half  of  the  enemy,  and 
formed  into  cohmms  as  fast  as  they  came  up,  agreeably  to  the  order  of  battle  annexed ; 
namely.  Colonels  Febiger's  and  Meigs'  regiments,  with  Major  Hull's  detachment,  formed 
the  right  column ;  Colonel  Butler's  regiment  and  Major  Murfey's  two  companies  the  left. 
The  troops  remained  in  this  jiosition  until  several  of  the  |)rincipal  officers  with  myself  had 
returned  from  reconnoitring  the  works.  At  half  after  eleven  o'clock,  being  the  hour  fixed 
on,  the  whole  moved  forward.  The  van  of  the  right  consisted  of  one  himdred  and  fifty 
volunteers,  properly  officered,  who  advanced  with  unloaded  muskets  and  fixed  bayonets, 
under  the  command  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Fleury  ;  these  were  preceded  by  twenty  picked 
men,  and  a  vigilant  and  brave  officer  to  remove  the  ahntis  and  other  obstructions.  Tho 
van  of  the  left  consisted  of  one  hundred  volunteers,  under  the  command  of  Major  Stewart, 
Willi  unloaded  muskets  and  fixed  bayonets,  also  preceded  by  a  brave  and  determined  officer 
with  twenty  men,  for  the  same  purpose  as  the  other. 

"  At  twelve  o'clock  the  assault  was  to  begin  on  the  right  and  left  flanks  of  the  enemy's 
works,  whilst  Major  Murfey  amused  ihciii  in  front ;  but  a  deep  morass  covering  their  wholo 
frunt,  liiul  at  this  time  ovcrtlovved  by  the  tide,  togetlier  with  other  obstructions,  rendered 
the  apjiroaches  more  difficult  than  was  at  first  apprehended,  so  that  it  was  about  twenty 
miiiuies  after  twelve  before  the  assault  began  ;  previously  to  which  I  placed  myself  at  the 
head  of  Febiger's  regiment,  or  the  right  column,  and  gave  the  troops  the  most  pointed 
orders  not  to  fire  on  any  acH-ount,  but  place  their  whole  dependence  on  the  bayonet,  which 
oriler  was  literally  and  faithfully  obeyed.  Neither  the  deep  morass,  the  formidable  and 
double  rows  u(  ahatii),  nor  the  strong  works  in  front  and  flank,  could  damp  the  ardor  of  the 
troops,  who,  in  the  face  of  a  most  tremendous  and  incessant  fire  of  musketry,  and  from 
cannon  loaded  with  grape-shot,  forced  their  way  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet  through  every 
obstacle,  both  cohmms  niecling  in  the  centre  of  the  enemy's  works  nearly  at  the  same  in- 
stant. Too  much  praise  cannot  be  given  to  Lieutenaiil-colonel  Fleury  (who  struck  the 
enemy's  standard  with  his  own  hand,)  and  to  Major  Stewart,  who  commanded  the  advanced 
parties,  for  their  brave  and  prudent  conduct. 

"  Colonels  Butler,  Meigs,  and  Febigcr  conducted  themselves  with  that  coolness,  bravery, 
and  perseverance,  that  will  ever  insure  success.  Lieutenant-colonel  Hay  was  wounded  in 
the  thigh,  bravely  fighting  ut  the  head  of  his  battalion.  I  should  take  up  too  much  of  your 
excellency's  time,  were  I  to  i)articiilarize  every  individual  who  deserves  it  f()r  his  bravery 
on  this  occasion.  I  cannot,  however,  omit  Major  Lee,  to  whom  I  am  indebted  for  frequent 
and  very  tisefiil  intelligence,  which  contributed  much  to  the  succt  ss  of  the  enterprise ;  and 
it  is  with  the  greatest  pleasure  I  acknowh-dge  to  you,  that  I  was  supported  in  the  attack  by 
all  the  officers  and  soldiers  under  my  command,  to  the  utmost  of  my  wishes.  The  officers 
and  privates  of  the  artillery  exerted  themselves  in  luruiiig  tlu'  caunun  ai.'ainst  Verplanek's 
roint,  and  fijrced  the  enemy  to  cut  the  cables  of  their  fhipping,  luiil  run  down  the  river. 

"I  should  be  wanting  in  gratitude  were  I  to  omii  mentioning  Captain  Fi.shbourii  and  Mr. 
Archer,  my  two  iiids.de-eanip,  who  on  every  occasion  show(.'d  the  greatest  intrepidity,  and 
suppnrlcd  me  into  the  works  after  I  received  my  wound  in  passing  the  last  ahatin. 

"  Enclosed  are  the  returns  of  the  killed  and  woimih'd  of  the  light  infantry,  as  also  of  tho 
enemy,  together  with  iho  immber  of  prisoners  taken,  likewise  of  the  ordnance  and  stores 
found  in  tlie  garrison. 

"  I  forgot  to  infi)rm  your  excellency,  that  previously  to  my  marching,  I  had  drawn  Cene. 
ral  Muhlenberg  into  my  rear,  who,  wiili  three  hundred  nu-n  of  his  brigade,  took  post  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  marsh,  so  as  to  \n'  in  readiness  either  to  support  me,  or  to  cover  a  re. 
treat  in  case  of  accident ;  and  I  have  no  doubt  of  his  faithfully  and  ellectually  execntiiiK 
either,  had  ther<'  been  any  occasi(ui  for  him. 

"  The  luimanily  of  our  brave  suldiery,  who  scorned  to  toke  the  lives  of  a  vanquished  foe 
tailing  for  mercy,  reflects  the  highest  honor  on  them,  and  accounts  for  the  few  of  the  enemy 
killed  on  the  occasion. 

"  I  am  not  satisfied  with  the  manner  in  whi<'h  I  have  mentinned  the  eondtn-f  of  Iiieiilen. 
nnis  (iibbons  onil  Knox,  the  two  gentlemen  who  led  (he  ailviinced  parties  of  twenty  men 
eoch.  Their  distinguished  bravery  deserves  the  highest  eoumiendiition,  'I'he  loriner  be. 
lungM  to  ihe  sixth  Pennsylvania  reiziment,  and  lori  Sfvenieen  men  killed  aiul  wounded  in 
the  attack  ;  the  latter  belongs  to  the  ninth  rennsylvania  regiment,  and  was  more  lortunate 
in  saving  his  men,  though  not  loss  exposed.     I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 

"  AiTTHONV  Wayne." 

"  The  number  of  prisoners  taken  in  the  fort  was  five  hundrrd  and  foriy-ihtrt.    By  Gc- 


III 


i,>l,i 


)i?: 


I! 


''^"^fff 


1.-;^ 


478 


noCKLAND   COUNTY. 


HnMli 


neral  Wayne's  return  the  number  of  killed  was  sixty-three.  In  Colonel  Johnson's  official 
account  of  tlie  transaction,  his  loss  in  killed  is  slated  to  have  been  only  twenty.  It  is  not 
easy  to  reconcile  this  discrepancy.  The  assailing  party  hud  fifteen  killed  and  eighty.three 
wounded. 

"  Congress  passed  resolves  highly  complimentary  to  the  officers  and  privates  engaged  in 
this  enterprif  ,  and  conlirmin;,'  the  promise  of  reward  which  had  been  previously  made  by 
General  Wayne ;  and  also  directing  the  value  of  all  the  military  stores  taken  at  Stony 
Point  to  be  ascertained  and  divided  among  the  troops  who  were  engaged  in  storming  the 
fort. 

"  The  rewards  were  as  follows :  to  the  first  man  who  entered  the  enemy's  works,  five 
hundred  dollars ;  to  the  second,  four  hundred  dollars ;  to  the  third,  three  hundred ;  to  the 
fourth,  two  hundred ;  to  the  fifth,  one  iiundred ;  being  fifteen  hundred  dollars  in  the  whole. 
The  ordnance  and  other  stores  were  esiiinated  at  one  hundred  and  iifiy-eight  thousand  six 
himdred  and  forty  dollars ;  whi(  h  amount  was  divided  among  the  troops  in  pror^ortion  to 
the  pay  of  ihe  officers  and  num. 

"  Three  ditl'erent  medals,  cmblcniaiiciil  of  the  action,  were  struck  by  order  of  congress, 
bearing  (lie  names  resipeciively  of  Wayne,  Fleiuy,  and  Stewart." 

Or.angktown  was  organized  in  1788:  it  is  24  miles  N.  of  New 
York.  Pu}).  2,771.  Tappan  3,  and  Middletown  6  miles  from  the 
Hudson,  are  smsUl  villages.  l*iermont,  on  the  river,  is  a  thriving  vil- 
lage,  formerly  known  as  the  ISloat.  The  New  York  and  Erie  rail- 
road commences  jicre,  by  a  pier  in  the  river,  nearly  a  mile  in  length. 
About  a  mile  below  Piermont,  is  Dobhs  Ferry,  a  noted  place  in  the 
revolution.  Nyack,  in  the  north  part  of  the  town,  on  the  Hudson,  is 
a  nourishing  place  containing  about  50  or  00  dwellings. 


North  view  of  the  place  xt^here  Andre  was  executed. 

The  place  where  Andre  was  executed  is  at  the  summit  of  a  hill, 
about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  west  of  Tapptm  village,  and  overlooking  to 
the  east  a  romantic  and  fertile  valley.  A  small  heap  of  stones,  thrown 
hastily  together,  with  an  upright'  stake  and  a  few  names  carved 
rudely  upon  it,  is  the  only  monument  to  murk  the  spot  of  his  execu- 
tion and  his  grave.  While  in  Tappan  village,  Andre  was  confined 
in  an  ancienr  one  mansion,  at  present  occupied  as  a  tavern  bv  Mr. 
Thomas  W.:idk\  His  trial  took  place  in  the  old  Dutch  church, 
which  was  torn  down  in  1830.  A  new  one  has  since  been  erected 
on  the  same  site.  Washington's  I.ead-quarters  wore  in  the  antiquated 
stone  dwelling  now  occupied  by  Mr.  Arthur  .lohnson. 


Rockland  county. 


479 


The  following  account  of  the  execution  of  Andre,  which  took  place 
Oct.  2,  1780,  is  given  by  an  eye-witness. 

"  I  was  at  that  time  an  artificer  in  Col.  Jedutliaii  Buldwin's  regiment,  a  part  of  which 
was  stationed  witliiu  a  short  distance  of  tiie  spot  where  Andre  suflered.  One  of  our  men, 
(I  believe  his  name  was  Armstrong.)  being  one  of  the  oldest  and  best  workmen  at  his  trade 
in  the  regiment,  was  selected  to  make  his  coflin,  which  he  performed  and  painted  black, 
agreeable  to  the  custom  in  those  limes. 

"  At  this  time  Andre  was  confined  in  what  was  called  a  Dutch  church,  a  small  stone 
building,  with  only  one  door,  and  closely  guarded  by  si.x  sentinels.  When  the  hour  ap. 
pointed  fur  liis  execution  arrived,  wliich  I  believe  was  '2  o'clock,  P.  M.,  a  guard  of  three 
hundred  men  were  paraded  at  the  place  of  his  confinement.  A  kind  of  procession  was 
formed  by  placing  the  guard  in  single  file  on  each  side  of  the  road.  In  front  were  a  large 
number  of  American  officers  of  high  rank,  on  horseback ;  these  were  followed  by  the 
wagon  containing  Andre's  coffin — then  a  large  number  of  otiicers  on  foot,  with  Andre  in 
their  midst.  'J"he  procession  moved  slowly  up  a  moderately  rising  hill,  I  should  think  about 
a  fourth  of  a  mile  to  tiie  west.  On  the  top  was  a  field  without  any  enclosure  ;  in  this  waa 
a  very  high  gallows,  nuide  by  setting  up  two  poles  or  crotches,  laying  a  pole  on  the  top. 
The  wagon  tliat  contained  the  coffin  was  drawn  dirsctly  under  the  gallows.  In  a  short 
time  Andre  stepped  into  the  hind  end  of  the  wagon — then  on  his  coffin — took  ofl'  his  hat 
and  laid  it  down — then  placed  hi-i  luiuds  upon  his  hips,  and  walked  very  uprightly  back 
and  forth,  as  far  as  the  length  of  his  coflin  would  permit,  at  the  same  time  casting  his  eyes 
upon  the  pole  over  his  head  and  the  whole  scenery  by  which  he  was  surrounded.  He  was 
dressed  in  what  I  should  cull  a  complete  British  uniform  ;  his  coat  was  of  the  brightest  scar- 
let,  faced  or  trimmed  with  the  most  beautiful  green  ;  his  under  clothes,  or  vest  and  breeches, 
were  bright  buff,  very  similar  to  those  worn  by  military  ofliccrs  in  Connecticut  at  the  pre. 
sent  day ;  he  had  a  long  and  beauiifiil  head  of  hair,  which,  agreeable  to  the  fashion,  was 
wound  with  a  black  riliaiul,  and  hung  down  his  back.  All  eyes  were  upon  him,  and  it  is 
not  believed  that  any  officer  in  the  Uritish  army,  placed  in  his  situation,  would  have  appeared 
better  than  this  imfortunate  tnun. 

"  Not  many  minutes  after  he  took  his  stand  upon  the  cofTm,  the  executioner  stepped  into 
the  wngon  with  a  hnjter  in  his  hand,  on  one  eiul  of  which  was  what  the  soldiers  in  those 
days  called  a  hangman's  knot,  which  he  attempted  •to  put  over  the  head  and  around  the 
neck  of  Andre,  but  by  a  sudden  movement  of  his  hand  this  was  prevented.  Andre  took 
ort'the  handkerchief  from  his  neck,  impimied  his  sliirt  collar,  and  deliberately  took  the  end 
of  the  halter,  put  it  over  his  head,  and  placed  the  knot  directly  under  his  right  ear,  and 
drew  it  very  snugly  to  his  neck;  he  then  took  from  his  coat  pocket  a  handkerchief  and  tied 
it  over  liis  eyes.  This  doiie,  the  oflicer  that  comnuindcd  (his  name  I  have  forgotten)  spoke 
ill  rather  a  loud  voice,  and  said  that  his  arms  must  be  tied.  Andre  at  once  pulled  down 
the  handkerchief  he  had  just  tied  over  his  eyes,  and  drew  from  his  pocket  a  second  one, 
and  gave  to  the  executioner,  and  then  replaced  his  luiiulkerchief.  His  arms  were  tied  just 
above  the  elbows,  and  behind  the  back  :  the  rope  was  then  made  fast  to  the  pole  overhead. 
The  wagon  was  very  suddenly  drawn  from  under  the  gallows,  which,  together  with  the 
length  of  rope,  gave  him  a  most  tremendous  swing  back  and  forth,  but  in  a  few  moments  he 
liinig  entirely  still.  During  the  whole  transaction  he  appeared  as  little  daunted  as  Mr.  .fohn 
Rogers,  when  he  was  about  to  be  burnt  at  the  stake ;  but  his  countenance  was  rather  iiale. 
He  renuiined  luiiiging,  I  shoidd  think,  from  20  to  30  minutes,  and  during  that  timu  the 
chambers  of  death  were  never  stiller  than  the  multitude  by  which  he  was  surroiim'^d. 
Orders  were  given  to  cut  the  rope,  and  take  him  down  without  letting  him  fall;  this  was 
done,  and  his  body  carefiilly  laid  on  the  groimd. — Shortly  after,  the  giuird  was  withdrawn 
and  gpeclutors  were  i)ermitled  to  come  forward  to  view  the  corpse,  but  the  crowd  was  so 
great  that  it  was  some  time  lufore  I  could  get  an  oppor'unity.  When  I  was  able  to  do 
this,  his  coat,  ve^t,  and  lueeehes  were  taken  off,  and  his  body  laid  in  the  coffin,  covered  by 
some  midcr  clothes,  'I'he  lo|)  of  the  coffin  was  luu  put  on.  I  viewed  the  corpse  more  enre. 
fully  than  I  had  ever  done  that  of  any  human  being  before.  His  head  was  very  much  on 
one  side,  in  conse(|uence  of  the  manner  in  which  the  halter  drew  upon  his  neck.  His  face 
nppeurtul  to  be  greatly  swollen  aiul  very  black,  nuich  resembling  a  high  degree  of  niortiti. 
cation  ;  it  was  indeed  a  shocking  sight  to  behold.  There  was  at  this  tinje  standing  at  the 
fool  of  the  Coffin,  two  yoimg  nu'ti  of  unconunon  short  siniure — I  should  tliink  not  more 
than  four  feel  liiuh.  'riicir  driss  was  tin-  most  guiuly  that  I  ever  beheld.  One  of  them  had 
the  clothes  just  taken  from  Aiulre  iianging  on  his  arm.  I  took  particular  pains  to  learn  who 
they  were,  and  was  iuformed  that  they  were  his  servants,  sent  up  from  New  York  lo  taka 
core  of  his  clothes,  but  what  other  busiin'M  I  did  not  leant. 

"  I  now  turned  to  take  a  view  of  ihn  executioner,  who  was  still  standing  by  one  of  th« 


i 


.  1;^  HI 

n;  1 


X-  m 


ii 


W- 


■  '"J 


'   t; 


W 


480 


ROCKLAND    COUNTY. 


posts  of  the  gallows.  I  walked  nigh  enough  to  him  to  have  laid  my  hand  upon  his  shoulder, 
and  looked  him  directly  in  his  face.  He  appeared  to  be  about  twenty-five  years  of  age,  his 
beard  of  two  or  three  week's  growth,  and  his  whole  face  covered  with  what  appeared  to 
me  to  be  blacking  taken  from  the  outside  of  a  greasy  pot.  A  more  frightful  looking  bring 
I  never  beheld — his  whole  countenance  bespoke  him  to  be  a  fit  instrument  for  the  business 
he  had  been  doing.  Wishing  to  see  the  closing  of  the  whole  business,  I  remained  upon 
the  spot  until  scarce  twenty  persons  were  left,  but  the  coffin  was  still  beside  the  grave, 
which  had  pre .'ously  been  dug.  I  now  returned  to  my  tent,  with  my  mind  deeply  imbued 
with  the  shocking  scene  I  had  been  called  to  witness." 

In  August,  1831,  the  remains  of  Andre  were  disinterred  and  con- 
veyed to  London.  The  annexed  narration  of  tiiis  event,  is  extracted 
from  the  account  given  by  the  British  consul,  J.  Buchanan,  Esq.,  to 
whom  this  duty  was  intrusted  by  the  Duke  of  York. 

" My  next  step  was  to  proceed  to  Tappan,  distant  from  this  city  [New  York] 

twenfy.four  miles.  Thither  I  went,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Moore,  his  majesty's  agent  for 
packets.  Upon  reaching  the  village,  which  does  not  contain  above  fifty  or  sixty  houstfi, 
the  first  we  intjuired  at  proved  to  be  the  very  house  in  which  the  niajor  had  been  confined 
while  a  prisoner  there,  kept  by  one  Dupuy,  who  was  also  postmaster,  who  took  us  to 
view  the  room  which  had  been  used  as  his  prison.  Excited  as  we  were,  it  would  be  (iifil. 
cult  to  describe  our  feelings  on  entering  this  little  chamber ;  it  was  then  used  as  a  milk 
and  store  room — otherwise  unaltered  from  the  period  of  his  confinement — about  twelve  feet 
by  eight,  with  one  window  looking  into  a  garden,  the  view  extending  to  the  hill,  and  di^ 
rectly  to  the  spot  on  which  he  suffered,  as  the  landlord  pointed  out  from  the  window,  while 
in  the  room,  the  trees  growing  at  the  place  where  he  was  buried. 

"  flaving  intpiired  for  the  owner  of  the  field,  I  waited  on  the  Rev.  Mr.  Denuirat,  a 
minister  residing  in  Tappan,  to  whom  I  explained  the  olijcct  of  my  visit,  who  geiier- 
ously  expressed  his  satisfaction  at  the  honor,  '  which  at  length,'  to  use  his  words,  '  was  in- 
tended the  memory  of  Major  Andre,'  and  assured  me  that  every  facility  should  be  afi'ordrd 
by  hitn.  Whercui)on  we  all  proceeded  to  examine  the  grave,  attended  by  iriaiiy  jf  the  in- 
habitants,  who  by  this  time  had  become  acquainted  with  the  cause  of  our  visit ;  and  it  was 
truly  gratifying  to  us,  as  it  was  honorable  to  them,  that  all  were  loud  in  the  expressions  of 
their  gratification  on  this  occasion. 

"  We  proceeded  up  a  narrow  lane,  or  broken  road,  with  trees  at  each  side,  which  oh. 
Bcured  the  place  where  he  suH'ered,  until  we  came  to  the  opening  into  the  field,  which  at 
once  led  to  an  elevated  spot  on  the  hill.  On  reaching  the  mount,  we  found  it  cominandcd 
a  view  of  the  surrounding  country  for  miles.  General  Washington's  head-quarters,  and  the 
house  in  which  he  resided,  was  distant  about  a  mile  and  a  iuilf  ur  two  miles,  l)ut  •iilly  in 
view.  The  army  lay  encamped  chieily  also  in  view  of  the  place,  and  must  necessarily 
have  witnessed  the  catastrojihe.  The  field,  as  well  as  I  could  ju<lge,  contained  from  eight 
to  ten  acres,  and  was  cultivated  ;  but  around  the  grave  the  plough  had  not  approached  tiearer 
than  three  or  four  yards,  that  space  being  covered  with  loose  stomas  thrown  'ipon  and 
around  the  grave,  which  was  only  indicated  by  two  cedar  trees  about  ten  feet  high.  A 
siunll  peach  tree  had  also  been  placed  at  the  head  of  the  grave,  by  the  kindly  feeling  of  a 
lady  in  the  neighborhood. 

"  Doubts  were  expressed  by  many  who  attended,  that  the  body  had  been  secretly  carried 
to  England,  and  not  u  fesv  believed  we  should  not  find  the  nunains;  but  their  surmises 

were  set  aside  by  the  more  general  testimony  of  the  eonnuunity Arriving  at  Tap. 

pan  by  ten  o'clock,  A.  M.,  though  I  was  not  expected  until  the  following  Tuesday,  as  [ 
liad  fixed,  yet  a  lumdier  ci'  |)ersons  soon  assembled,  some  of  whom  betrayed  symptoms  of 
displeasure  at  the  iirocceding,  arising  from  the  observations  of  some  of  the  public  jouriuiN, 
which  asserted  '  that  any  honor  paid  Major  Andre's  remains  was  casting  imputation  on 
(ieneral  WaHliingtcui,  aiul  the  ofiicers  who  tried  him.'  As  these  eharaeters  were  of  the 
lowest  cast,  aiul  their  ()t)servalimis  were  condeiiuied  liy  every  respectable  person  in  the 
village,  I  yet  deemed  it  pnulent,  while  the  worthy  pastor  was  preparing  his  men  to  open 
the  grave,  to  resort  to  u  mode  ot  argument,  the  only  one  I  had  time  or  inclination  to  be- 
stow  upon  them,  in  which  I  was  sure  to  find  the  landlord  a  powerful  auxiliary.  I  there, 
fore  stated  to  liiese  noisy  patriots,  tha.  '  wished  to  follow  a  custom  not  unfrequent  in  Ire. 
land,  from  whence  I  came,  namely,  ot  lakimr  some  spirits  before  proceeding  to  a  grave. 
The  landlord  aiiproved  the  Irish  practice,  and  accordingly  supplied  abundance  of  liquor,  so 
that  in  a  short  lime,  (Ieneral  Washington,  Major  Aiulre,  and  iho  object  of  my  visit,  were 
forgotieti  by  iliein,  and  I  was  left  at  perfect  liberty,  with  the  resueclublti  inlmbitiniis    of  lliu 


ROCKLAND    COUNTV. 


481 


place,  to  proceed  to  the  exhumation,  leaving  the  landlord  to  supply  the  guests,  a  duty 
which  he  faithfully  performed,  to  my  entire  satisfaction. 

"  At  twelve  o'clock,  quite  an  unexpected  crowd  assembled  at  the  grave, as  our  pro- 
ceeding up  the  hill  was  .seen  by  the  inhabitants  all  around.  The  day  was  unusually  fine ; 
a  number  of  ladies,  and  many  aged  matrons  who  witnessed  his  fall, — who  had  seen  hia 
person, — who  had  mingled  tears  wiih  his  sullerings, — attended,  and  were  loud  in  their 
praises  of  the  prince,  for  thus  at  length  honoring  one  who  still  lived  in  their  recollection 
with  unsubdued  sympathy.  The  laborers  proceeded  with  diligence,  yet  caution.  Surmises 
about  the  body  having  been  removed  were  revived,  and  it  would  be  difficult  to  imagine  any 
event  which  could  convey  a  degree  of  more  intense  excitement. 

"  As  soon  as  the  stones  were  cleared  away,  and  the  grave  was  found,  not  a  tongue 
moved  amongst  the  multitude, — breathless  anxiety  was  depicted  in  every  countenance. 
When,  at  length,  one  of  the  men  cried  out  he  had  touched  the  coffin,  so  great  was  the  en- 
thusiasm  at  this  moment,  that  I  found  it  necessary  to  call  in  the  aid  of  several  of  the  'adiea 
to  form  an  enlarged  circle,  so  that  nil  could  see  the  operation ;  which  being  effected,  the 
men  proceeded  with  the  greatest  caution,  and  the  clay  was  removed  with  the  hands,  as  we 
soon  discovered  the  lid  of  the  coffin  was  broken  in  the  centre.  With  great  care  the  broken 
lid  was  removed,  nn<I  tliere  to  our  view  lay  the  bones  of  the  brave  Andre,  in  perfect  order. 
I,  among  others,  for  the  iirst  time  discovered  that  he  had  been  a  small  man;  this  observa- 
tion I  made  from  the  skelotoii,  which  was  confirmed  by  some  then  present.  The  roots  of 
llie  small  peach  tree  had  coiiipieiely  surrounded  the  skull  like  a  net.  After  allowing  all 
the  people  to  pass  nuiiid  in  regular  order,  and  view  the  remains  as  they  lay,  which  very 
many  did  with  unfeigned  tears  niui  lamentation,  the  bones  were  carefully  removed,  and 
placed  in  the  sarcophagus,  (the  circle  having  been  again  formed  ;)  after  which  I  descended 
into  tlie  coffin,  which  was  not  more  than  three  feet  below  the  surface,  and  with  my  own 
hands  raked  the  dust  together,  to  ascertain  whether  he  had  been  buried  in  his  regimentals 
or  not,  as  it  was  rumored  among  the  assemblage  that  he  was  stripped  ;  for,  if  buried  in  his 
regimentals,  I  expected  to  find  the  buttons  of  his  clothes,  which  would  have  disproved  the 
rumor;*  but  I  did  not  find  a  single  button,  nor  any  article  save  a  string  of  leather  that  had 
tied  his  hair,  in  perfect  preservation,  coiled  and  tied  as  it  had  been  oii  his  hair  at  the  time. 
This  string  I  forwarded  to  his  sister  in  England.  I  examined  the  dust  of  the  coffin  so 
minutely  (as  die  quantity  would  not  fill  n  quart)  that  no  mistake  could  have  arisen  in  the 
examination.  Let  no  unworthy  motive  be  attributed  to  me  for  recording  this  fact;  I  state 
it  as  one  which  I  was  anxious  to  ascertain  for  the  reason  given.  Having  placed  the  re. 
mains  in  the  sarcophagus,  it  was  borne  amidst  the  silent  and  unbought  regret  of  the  numer- 
ous assemblage,  and  deposited  in  the  worthy  pastor's  house,  wiili  the  intention  of  removing 
it  to  his  majesty's  packet,  in  New  York  city,  on  the  Tuesday  following. 

"As  soon  as  the  removal  of  the  sarcophagus  to  the  packet  was  known  in  this  city,  it  was 
not  only  honorable  to  the  feelings  of  the  citizens,  but  elicering  to  my  mind,  depressed  as  it 
had  been,  to  find  the  sentiments  which  prevailed.  Ladies  sent  me  flowers  ;  others,  various 
emblematic  devices,  garlands,  &c.,  to  decorate  the  remains  of  the  '  lamented  and  beloved 
Andre.'  A  beautiful  and  ornamented  myrtle  among  those  sent,  I  forwarded  with  the  sar- 
cophagus  to  Halifax,  where  Lieut.  (General  Sir  .fumes  Keni|)t,  governor  of  Nova  Scotia, 
caused  every  proper  mark  of  respect  to  be  paid  to  the  remains.  From  thence  they  reached 
London,  and  were  deposited  near  the  moimment  which  had  been  erected  to  his  memory 
in  the  Abbey,  and  a  marble  slab  placed  at  the  foot  of  the  monument,  on  which  is  set  forth 
th"ir  removal  by  the  order  of  his  royal  highness  the  Duke  of  York. 

"  Having  represented  to  his  royal  highness  the  generous  conduct  of  the  Reverend  Mr. 
Demarai,  I  rei^ommended  that  his  royal  highness  should  convey  to  him  a  snuff-box,  made 
out  of  one  of  the  trees  which  grew  at  the  grave,  which  I  sent  home.  But  my  suggestion 
was  far  outdone  by  the  princely  nuinificenee  of  his  royal  highness,  who  ordered  a  box  to 
be  made  out  of  the  tree,  and  lined  with  gold,  with  an  inscription,  'Fnmi  his  Royal  High- 
ness  the  Duke  of  York,  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Demarnt.'  Whilst  speaking  of  Uiis  act  of  liberality, 
I  was  unexpectedly  honored  with  a  silver  inkstand,  with  the  following  inscription  : — '  The 
surviving  sisters  of  Major  Andre  to  .lami's  Biu;h»nan,  Esq.,  his  Majesty's  Consul,  New 
York.'  They  also  sent  a  silver  cup,  with  a  suitable  inscription,  to  Mr.  Demarat.  I  need 
not  add,  that  I  cherish  this  iniistand,  (which  I  am  now  using,)  and  shall  bequeath  it  to  my 
children  as  a  meiuoriul  which  I  prize  with  no  ordinary  feeling. 


.t 


m 


•  It  has  since  been  ascertained,  from  an  American  officer  present  nt  the  hui^iol,  that  the 
regimentals  of  Major  Andre  were  given  to  his  Kcrvams,  after  his  execution.  This  siateineut 
hat  satisfied  Mr.  Buthunaii,  and  will  account  for  iho  absence  of  any  vestiges  in  his  tomb. 

61 


482 


ST.    LAWRENCE    COUNTY. 


"  I  omitted  to  mention,  that  I  hnd  the  peach  tree  which  had  been  planted  on  the  grave, 
(the  roots  of  which  had  surrounded  the  skull,  as  set  forth,)  taken  up  with  great  care,  with 
as  much  of  the  clay  as  it  was  possible  to  preserve  around  the  roots,  and  brought  it  to  my 
garden  in  New  York,  where  my  daughters  attended  it  with  almost  pious  solicitude,  shading 
it  during  the  heat  of  the  day,  watering  it  in  the  cool  of  the  evening,  in  the  hope  of  preserv- 
ing  it  to  send  to  England.  Had  it  reached  his  sisters,  they  would  no  doubt  have  regarded 
it  as  another  Minerva ;  for,  though  it  did  not  spring  out  of,  yet  it  was  nourished  by  their 
beloved  brother's  head. 

"  I  have  onlv  to  add,  that,  through  the  kind  interference  of  my  brother  consul  at  Phila. 
delphia,  I  obtained  Major  Andre's  watch,  which  he  had  to  part  with  when  a  prisoner 
during  the  early  part  of  the  war.  This  watch  I  sent  to  England  lately ;  so  that  I  believe 
every  vestige  connected  with  the  subject  of  this  narrative  has  been  sent  to  the  land  of  his 
birth,  in  the  service  of  which  his  life  was  sacrificed." 

Ramapo,  originally  named  New  Hempstead,  was  taken  from  Havcr- 
straw  in  1791 ;  centrally  distant  from  New  York  33  miles.  The 
manufacturing  village  of  Ramapo  Works  is  situated  in  the  Pass, 
which  during  the  revolution  was  fortified.  It  is  13  miles  W.  from 
New  City,  the  county  seat,  and  contains  1  Presbyterian  church  and  80 
dwellings.  The  names  of  the  post-olKccs  in  this  town  are  Ramapo, 
Scotland,  and  West  Hempstead.     Pop  3,217. 


ST.  LAWRENCE  COUNTY. 

St.  Lawrence  county  was  taken  from  Oneida  in  18i2 ;  distant 
from  New  York  350,  from  Albany  NW.  200  miles.     Greatest  length 
on  the  St.  Lawrence  river,  which  bounds  it  on  the  N.,  06  miles ; 
greatest  breadth  04.     This  coun*y  is  larger  by  1,000  square  miles 
than  any  other  in  the  state.     That  portion  of  it  bordering  upon  the 
St.  Lawrence,  and  extending  30  or  40  miles  into  the  country,  is 
agreeably  diversified ;  waving  in  gentle  swells  and  broad  valleys, 
with  extensive  tracts  of  champaign.     The  soil  is  warm,  rich,  and 
productive,  and  equal  to  any  of  the  uplands  of  the  state.     The  south- 
eastern part  is  broken  and  mountainous.     These  mountains  abound 
with  fine  iron  ore.     The  county  is  comparatively  unsettled,  but  is 
now  filling_up  rapidly.     Since  1820,  the  population  has  more  than 
trebled.    This  county  extends   75   miles   along  the  St.  Lawrence. 
The  many  large  streams,  with  their  branches,  fin-nish  some  internal 
navigation,  with  superabundance  of  hydraulic  power.     The  St.  Law- 
rence has  a  good  sloop  navigation  from  Lake  Ontario  to  Ogdensburg. 
From  Ogdensburg  to  Montreal,  the  navigation  is  dangerous  on  ac- 
count of  the  rapids.     This  river  is  studded  with  numberless  islands, 
rendering  the  scenery  highly  picturesque  and  beautiful.     Wheat  is 
raised  upon  the  new  lands,  but  there  is  danger  of  its  being  winter- 
killed in  the  long  and  almost  unmitigated  frosts.     Rye,  grass,  and  all 
the  summer  crops  flourish  luxuriantly ;  and  it  is  obvious  that  the 
great  source  of  wealth  here  will  be  lound  in  grass  farming  and  the 
culture  of  sheep.     The   county   is   divided   into   25  towns.     Pop. 
56,076. 


i 


i): 


distant 


IS 


i 


ST.    LAWRENCE    COUNTY. 


488 


Brasher,  taken  from  Masscna  in  1805  ;  from  Albany  250,  and 
anton  centrally  distant  NE.  39  miles.    Pop.  2,118.    Upon  the 


from 
Canton  centrally  distant  NE.  39  miles.  Top.  2,118.  'Upon  the  forks 
of  the  St.  Regis  and  North  Deer  rivers  is  the  small  post  village  of 
Helena,  in  the  vicinity  of  which,  on  these  streams,  there  is  considera- 
ble iiydraulic  power. 

Canton  was  organized  in  1805 ;  from  Albany  20G  miles.  Pop. 
3,464.  A  natural  canal,  6  miles  long,  and  from  30  to  100  yards  wide, 
connects  in  this  town  the  Grasse  with  the  Oswegatchie  river.  The 
"  high  falls"  of  the  Grasse  river  are  in  the  south  part  of  the  town,  and 


Western  view  of  Canton. 


near  the  northwest  corner  the  falls  of  the  Oswegatchie.  The  vdlage 
of  Canton,  18  miles  from  Ogdensburg,  on  the  Grasse  river,  was  made 
the  county  seat  in  18ii8.  previous  to  which  time  the  courts  were 
holden  at  Ogdensburg.  The  village  contains  the  county  buildmgs,  an 
academy,  5  churches— 1  Presbyterian,  1  Episcopal,  2  Methodist,  1 
Baptist  and  Universalist  united,  called  the  Union  church— and  about 
150  dwellings.  This  village  was  originally  called  "  Foot's  Falls,"  from 
Mr.  Stillman  Foot,  who  came  herein  the  winter  of  1799,  and  bought 
a  mile  square.  ct)mprising  in  its  limits  the  site  of  the  village.  He 
erected  a  saw  and  a  grist  mill  upon  the  ground  now  occupied  by  a 
saw-mill  upon  the  west  bank  of  the  river.  He  was  accompanied  by 
Geor.re  Foot,  Jr.,  Amos  Jones,  and  Medad  Moody,  all  with  their 
familu's,  and  originally  from  Middlebury,  Yt.  The  Presbyterian,  the 
first  church  erected  here,  was  built  in  1820.  Mr.  George  Foot,  tlie 
father  of  Stillman,  was  the  first  person  who  died  in  this  town.  His 
death  occurred  in  1800,  and  as  there  were  no  boards  from  which  to 
construct  a  coffin,  the  body  was  wrapt  in  a  blanket,  enclosed  in 
spruce  bark,  and  buried.  . 

De  Kalb,  on  the  Oswegatchie  river,  taken  from  Oswegatchie  in 
1806;  from  Albany  193  miles.  Pop.  1,530.  This  town  was  pur- 
chased  in  1803  hv  the  late  Judjre  Cooper  of  Cooperstown,  Otsego 


:t-  i 


ill 


484 


ST.    LAWRENCE    COUNTY. 


county,  and  was  settled  by  emL'Jcrants  from  Connecticut  and  Vermont. 
De  Kalb  village,  formerly  Cooper's  village,  15  miles  SE.  from  Og- 
densburg,  and  Richvillc,  are  both  small  settlements. 

De  Pfa-ster  was  taken  from  De  Kalb  and  Oswegatchie  in  1825; 
from  Ogdensburg  centrally  distant  S.  9  miles.  Pop.  l,03ii.  De 
Peyster  is  a  small  settlement. 

Edwards,  taken  from  Fowler  in  1827  ;  centrally  distant  SE.  from 
Ogdensburg  30  miles.  Pop.  956.  Edwardsville  and  South  Edwards 
are  small  settlements. 

Fowler,  taken  from  Rossie  andRussel  in  1810;  from  Albany  106 
miles,  comprising  townships  Nos.  7  and  11  of  Great  Tract  No.  3  of 
Macomb's  purchase.  Centrally  distant  about  30  miles  S.  of  Ogdens- 
burg. Shingle  Creek,  Little  York,  and  Fowlersville,  are  the  names 
of  the  post-othces.     Pop.  1,752. 

GouvERNEiiK,  named  after  Gouverneur  Morris,  taken  from  Oswe- 
gatchie in  1810;  from  Albany  180,  from  Ogdensburg  centrally  dis- 
tant S.  25  miles.  Pop.  2,529.  "  One  of  the  ancient  Indian  works  of 
fortification  is  in  this  town,  on  a  farm  of  now  or  late  Capt.  Washburn, 
consisting  of  an  embankment  enclosing  three  acres,  in  which  there 
are  some" remains  of  rude  sculpture."  Gouverneur  is  a  small  and 
pleasant  village,  and  contains  2  churches  and  a  flourishing  academy. 
Washburnville  is  the  name  of  a  post-oiKce. 

Hammond,  taken  from  Rossie  and  Morristown  in  1827;  from  Al- 
bany 184,  from  Ogdensburg  centrally  distant  SW.  22  miles.  Ham- 
mond and  South  Hammond  are  small  settlements.     Pop.  1,845. 

Hermon,  originally  named  Dopau,  taken  from  Edwards  and  De 
Kalb  in  1830;  from  Albany  180,  centrally  distant  from  Ogdensburg 
SE.  23  miles.     Depauville  is  a  small  post  village.     Pop.  1,271. 

Hopkinton  was  organized  in  1805.  Pop.  1,149.  Hopkinton,  on 
Lyd  brook,  234  miles  from  Albany,  and  25  E.  from  Canton,  is  a  small 
village.     Port  Jackson  is  a  small  settlement. 

Lawrence,  taken  from  Hopkinton  and  Brasher  in  1828 ;  from  Al- 
bany 232,  centrally  distant  E.  from  Ogdensburg  50  miles.  Lawrence- 
ville  and  Nicholvi'Ue  are  small  settlements.     Pop.  1,835. 

Lisbon,  organized  in  1801  ;  from  Albany  211  miles.  Pop.  3,508. 
On  Stoney  Island,  in  the  St.  Lawrence,  a  strong  fort  was  built  by 
the  French,  but  was  destroyed  by  Gen.  Amherst  in  1760.  Three 
miles  below  Ogdensburg  in  this  town  was  an  Indian  village  of  the 
Oswegatchie  tribe,  now  in  ruins.  Rensselaerburg,  formerly  called 
Red  Mills,  on  the  St.  Lawrence,  is  a  considerable  manufacturing 
village. 

Louisville,  taken  from  Massena  in  1810;  from  Albany  231,  cen- 
trally distant  from  Ogdensburg  NE.  22  miles.  Pop.  1,687.  The  bat- 
tle at  Williamsburg,  in  Canada,  was  fought  opposite  here,  Nov.  11th, 
1813.  The  town  was  settled  in  1803,  by  eastern  emigrants.  Louis- 
ville post-office  is  on  Grasse  river.  Churchville  is  a  small  settlement 
on  the  St.  Lawrence. 

Madrid,  organized  in  1802;  from  Albany  227,  from  Canton  N. 
15  miles.     Pop.  4,510.     This  town  belonged  to  Messrs.  L  Wadding- 


ST.    LAWUKNCE    COUNTY. 


485 


ton,  D.  A.  Ogden,  and  T.  L.  O^den.  Waddlngton  village,  on  the  river 
St. '  Lawrence,  20  miles  N.  of  Canton,  has  8  mercantile  stores,  and 
800  inhabitants 


Columbiaville  is  a  small  village  on  the  Grasse 


river. 


E»lly  dis- 


Matildaville,  recently  formed ;  from  Canton  SE.  centrj 
tant  17  miles.     Matildaville  is  a  small  village. 

Mas3Kn\,  organized  in  1802;  from  Albany  238,  centrally  distant 
from  Ogdensburg  NE.  30  miles.  Massena  is  a  small  village,  and 
Massena  Point  a  hamlet.     Pop.  2,726.  ^y..r  r        aiu     , 

MoRRisTowN,  taken  from  Oswegatchie  m  1821 ;  NW.  from  Albany 
190.  Black  Lake  extends  centrally  across  the  town.  1  op.  2,85d. 
Morristown,  on  the  St.  Lawrence,  10  miles  SW.  from  Ogdensburg, 
is  a  small  but  beautifully  situated  village.  r.    .      v,       t? 

Norfolk  was  taken  from  Louisville  in  1823  ;  from  Ogdensburg  L. 
26  miles.     Pop.  1,132.     There  are  two  small  villages  on  the  Kacket 

river  in  this  town.  ,   .     i-  a  n  onn 

Oswegatchie  was  organized  in  1802,  and  is  from  Albany  200 
miles      Pop.  5,719.     The  importance  of  this  spot  seems  to  have  been 
disco'vered  at  an  early  day,  the  French  having  built  a  lort  here  at 
quite  a  remote  period.     On  the  maps  published  by  thein  100  years 
since  it  is  called  Fort  Presentation,  afterward  named  Oswegatchie. 
It  was  situated  either  on  or  near  the  site  of  the  rums  now  standing, 
on  the  west  bank  of  the  river,  near  its  mouth.     Previous  to  1796, 
there  was  not  much  of  any  settlement,  when  Judge  Nathan  l-ord,  an 
enterprising  individual,  from  New  Jersey,  settled  m  the  place.     1  he 
British  had  had  a  garrison  here,  and  the  military  works,  then  in  a 
ruinous  condition,  were  taken  possession  of  by  hini  in  behalt  ot  the 
nroDrietors.     They  consisted  of  2  stone  buildings  ot  2  stories,  a  bomb 
.roof,  a  row  of  wooden  barracks,  and  three  or  four  other  wooden 
structures.     Ford  gave  a  new  spring  to  the  settlement,  and  was  soon 
followed  by  man)"  New   Englanders.     The  party  who  emigrated 
with  him  hired  a  Canadian  battcaux,  sailed  up  the  Mohavvk  into  the 
Wood  creek,  then  down  the  Oswego  river  into  Lake  Ontario,  and 
finally  landed  at  the  mouth  of  the  Oswegatchie.     Thomas  Lee,  now 
at  an  advanced  age,  (1840,)  is  the  only  person  hving  ol  the  party. 

At  this  period  there  was  a  settlement  of  Indians  at  Indian  1  pint, 

4  miles  down  the  St.  Lawrence.     They  were  very  jealous  ot  the 

iudffe,  and  made  several  attempts  to  drive  him  off,  vvhich  would  have 

succeeded  had  he  not  been  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  ixsolution. 

One  ni"ht  a  party  of  them  came  to  his  house,  built  a  hre  m  the  centre 

of  the  floor,  mastered  his  men,  and  were  in  the  act  of  placing  one  ot 

them  on  the  fire,  when  the  judge  attacked  them  with  a  billet  of  wood, 

and  being  seconded  by  some  of  his  men,  was  enabled  to  drive  them 

otr.     The  first  frame  building,  a  dwelling,  was  erected  near  where 

the  Eagle  Tavern  now  stands.  cor^^u 

Ogdensburg,  the  port  ot  this  town,  has  a  population  of  2,o55.     it 

is  204  miles  f.  froni  Albany,  60  below  Kingston,  130  irom  Montreal 

120  W.  from  Pittsburgh,  63  NE.  from  Sacketts  Harbor,  and  18 

from  Canton.    Tlus  was  formerly  the  county  seat,  but  it  has  been  re- 


J 


» 


I  I 


I     '        ! 


486 


ST.  LAWRENCE    COUNT V. 


'I 


■  SI  I 


I'M 


View  of  Ogdensburg. 

moved  to  Canton.  The  above  vievi^  was  taken  on  the  bank  of  the  Oswe- 
gatchie  river,  near  the  ruins  of  the  old  barracks.  The  steeple  seen  on 
the  left  is  that  of  the  Presbyterian  church ;  the  one  on  the  extreme 
right  the  old  courthouse  ;  the  academy  is  next  to  it ;  and  the  square 
steeple  is  that  of  the  Episcopal  denomination.  The  first  religious 
society  organized  was  the  Presbyterian  ;  they  held  their  meetings,  as 
far  back  as  1811,  in  the  old  courthouse.  In  1819,  they  erected  their 
first  church,  a  few  rods  southwest  of  where  the  present  stone  church 
now  stands.  There  are  here  1  Baptist,  1  Methodist,  1  Episcopal,  1 
Roman  Catholic,  and  1  Presbyterian  church,  besides  a  society  of 
Unitarians. 

The  proximity  of  the  town  to  the  Canada  line  made  it  an  import- 
ant place  during  the  late  war,  and  the  scene  of  several  minor  military 
operations.  The  following  is  extracted  from  Thompson's  History 
of  the  Late  War. 

In  retaliation  for  a  daring  exploit  performed  by  Capt.  Forsyth  of  the  rifle  regiment,  in  the 
destruction  of  an  immense  quantity  of  stores,  &,c.,  collected  at  the  small  village  of  Ganano. 
que,  in  the  town  of  Leeds,  in  Canada,  "  the  enemy  determined  on  attacking  and  destroy, 
ing  the  town  of  Ogdensburg.  Opposite  to  this  is  situated  the  Canadian  village  of  Prescott, 
before  which  the  British  had  a  strong  line  of  breastworks.  On  the  2d  of  October,  1812, 
they  opened  a  heavy  cannonading  on  the  town  from  their  batteries,  and  continued  to  bom- 
bard  it  with  little  intermission  until  the  night  of  the  3d :  one  or  two  buildings  only  were 
injured.  On  Sunday,  the  4th,  having  prepared  forty  boats,  with  from  ten  to  fifteen  armed 
men  in  each,  they  advanced  with  six  pieces  of  artillery,  to  storm  the  town.  General  Brown 
commanded  at  Ogdensburg  in  person,  and  when  the  enemy  had  advanced  within  a  short 
distance,  he  ordered  his  troops  to  open  a  warm  tire  upon  them.  The  British,  nevertheless, 
steadily  approached  the  shore,  and  kept  up  their  fire  for  two  hours ;  during  which,  they  sus. 
tained  the  galling  fire  of  the  Americans,  until  one  of  their  boats  was  taken,  and  two  others 
so  shattered,  that  their  crews  were  obliged  to  abandon  them ;  they  then  relinquished  the 
assault  and  fled  to  Prescott.  There  has  been  no  engagement,  perhaps,  which  exhibited 
more  gallantry  on  both  si(JS8.  In  this  attack.  Gen.  Brown  had  under  his  command  about 
400  men,  tl>e  British  1000." 

The  annexed  account  of  the  taking  of  this  place  on  the  21  st  of 
February,  1813,  is  extracted  from  the  same  source  as  the  above. 


ST.    LAWRENCE   COUNTY. 


487 


"  The  movements  of  the  enemy  at  Prescott  were  indicative  of  an  intention  to  attacli  Og 
dcnsbur'^      Colonel  Benedict  was  therefore  induced  to  call  out  his  regiment  of  militia,  and 
arraneements  were  immediately  made  for  the  defence  of  the  place.    On  the  Slat  of  P'ebru. 
the  enemy  appeared  before  it,  with  n  force  of  twelve  hundred  men,  and  succeeded  in 
driving  out  Captain  Forsyth  and  hia  troops.    The  British  attacked  in  two  columns  of  six 
hundred  men  each,  at  8  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  were  commanded  by  Capt.  M'Donnell 
of  the  Glenirarv  light  infantry,  and  Colonel  Fraser  of  the  Canadian  militia.    The  American 
riflemen  and  niilitia  received  them  with  firmness,  and  contended  for  the  ground  upwards 
of  an  hour;  when  the  superiority  of  numbers  compelled  them  to  abandon  it,  and  to  retreat 
to  Black  Luke,  ncariy  nine  miles  from  Ogdensburg,  after  losing  twenty  men  in  killed  and 
wounded.     The  loss  of  the  enemy,  from  the  deliberate  coolness  with  which  the  riflemen 
fired   was  reputed  to  have  been  thrice  that  number.     The  British  account,  which  claimed 
tie  c'amure  of  immense  stores,  none  of  which  had  ever  been  deposited  there,  admitted    he 
OSS  of  five  distinguished  officers.     In  consequence  of  this  affair,  a  message  was  sent  by  the 
comma,  dant  of  Fort  George,  to  Colonel  M'Feely,  the  commandant  of  Fort  Niagara,  m- 
fiZin    hi.n  t^^at  a  salute  w'oJld  be  fired  the  next  day  in  honor  of  the  capture  of  the  Amen- 
can  village.    Colonel  M'Feely  having  received  intelligence  in  the  course  of  the  «ame  even 
W  of  the  capture  of  his  majesty's  frigate  the  Java,  returned  the  message  to  the  British 
cm^mandant^'by  communicating  lo  him^  his  intention  of  firing  a  salute,  at  the  same  hour 
from  Fort  Niagara,  in  celebration  of  this  brilhant  event." 

The  followin£T  additional  particulars  respecting  the  taking  of  Og- 

densbur.r  were  obtained  by  personal  conversation  with  a  resident  at 

that  time.     The  British  landed  in  the  northeast  part  of  the  village,  near 

some  barracks  occupied  by  a  detachment  of  militia  under  Captain 

Lvtle,  which  he  evacuated  and  then  joined  Col.  Forsyth  at  the  fort. 

The  enemy  marched  up  through  Ford-street,  and  when  the  Amen- 

cans  had  abandoned  the  fort,  they  crossed  over  on  the  ice  opposite 

to  the  Eacrle  Hotel.     Besides  the  public  stores  destroyed  by  them, 

they  took  away  a  large  quantity  of  provisions  &c.,  private  property, 

which  they  were  much  in  need  of,  but  tor  which  they  alterward  paid 

full  price.     A  bam  is  now  standing  on  the  SE.  side  of  Ford-street, 

near  the  corner  of  Water-street,  where  holes  made  by  grape  shot 

lired  from  the  fort  are  still  to  be  seen.     The  Glenganan  regiment, 

which  was  in  the  attack,  was  quite  celebrated  during  the  military 

operations  on  the  frontier.     This  corps  were  from  the  county  ot 

Glen<-ary,  in  Upper  Canada.     Their  religion  was  Catholic,  and  they 

were'the  descendants  of  Scotch  Highlanders.  .. 

The  followincr  is  a  view  of  Windmill  Point  and  rums  m  its  vicinity. 
It  is  memorable'as  being  the  spot,  where,  during  the  recent  struggle 
in  Canada,  a  small  body  of  men,  under  the  unfortunate  Van  bchoultz, 
gallantly  defended  themselves  against  an  overpowermg  force  ot  Brit- 
fsh  and  Canadians.  The  following  account  ot  this  affair,  usually  termed 
the  »  Battle  of  Prescott,"  is  principally  drawn  irom  a  ^ork  recently 
published  by  E.  A.  Theller,  Esq.,  and  entitled  Canada  in  1837-8. 

Earlv  in  November,  1838,  the  patriots^so  called,)  who  had  secretly  rallied  in  clubs  in 
and  abouTsvracuse,  Oswego,  Sacketts  Harbor,  Walertown,  Ogdensburg,  trench  creek, 
and  at  otLr'pointsonor  nfar  the  American  line,  began  to  exhibit  an  intention  of  makmg  a 
fresh  demonstrarion  at  some  point  in  Upper  Canada.  About  the  10th,  two  schoone  s  were 
no^cedrbeingVreighted  from  canal  boats,  which  had  come  up  the  Oswego  canal  under 
susSious  circumstances,  and  to  sail  out  of  the  harbor  in  a  northern  direction.  On  the  12th 
Zs^boTunteS  Sates,  which  had  been  detained  in  port  by  a  heavy  gale,  sailed  lor 
SacketrilarLr  Here  she'took  aboard  about  250  patriots  The  two  schoone.  sp^k  n 
of  were  next  discovered  by  the  United  States,  lying  in  the  river  ^t-  Lnwrtnce ,  wneii 
r«nT  Vni  Cleve  coniplied  with  the  request  of  a  passenger  of  respectable  appearance  to 
!ake  them  ^7ol ;  sa£  they  were  loaded  with  merchandise  for  Ogdensburg,  which  he 


it- 


f^? 


488 


ST.    LAVVRENCK   COUNTY. 


View  of  Windmill  Point,  Prescott,  U.  C* 

L\\fn'''''"'  f  T^'T:  '"'*'  P°"  '''^,"'"'*  """•"'"^-  Accordingly  the  schooners  were 
lashed  one  each  side  ot  the  steamer.  Tlie  l.oxps  and  barrels  on  their  decks,  with  just  men 
enough  in  sight  to  navigate  them,  exhil)ite(l  no  evidence  of  their  being  other  than  reprc. 
sented  by  the  passenger      The  captain  was  soon  .mdeneived,  by  armed  men  climbing  f  om 

nsto«.?,  '^n'^r  'l^''  n"!,' '"  u '"  """V^".  "'■ '""''  -""'  "'"'  '"^  -letermined  to  lay  af  Mor" 
ristoun,  10  miles  above  Ogdensburg,  and  give  notice  to  the  ai.ihorities.    On  arrivincr  at  that 
neighborhood,  the  patriot.,  alter  transferring  about  100  of  the  boat's  passengers,  ui^as trned 
their  vessels  and  wore  found  the  next  morning  at  anchor  in  the  river,  betwfen  OgdenZrg 
and  Prescott,  filled  with  armed  men.     Both  towns  were  now  the  scene  of  excitement :  fof 
lLrZ.ri^?r  •?'"  Fort  Wellington  was  the  point  of  attack,  and  both  shores  were    oon 
thronged  with  citizens.     The  Experiment,  a  British  armed  steamboat,  was  lying  at  the 
Prescott  wharf,  and  by  this  time  the  United  States  had  arrived  at  Og  Icnsbu  g     On  her 
arnval.  the  people  with  oud  cheers,  rushed  on  board  and  went  to  the  "relief  of^one  of   he 
schooners  which  by  accident  had  got  aground  on  the  shoal  in  the  river.     Not  succeeding  in 
reaching  her,  they  returned  to  the  boat  for  a  longer  hawser.     As  she  went  out  again, lie 
Experiment  came  out  and  fired  two  shols,  but  without  eflbct ;  and  she  passed  down  the 
mer  about  a  mile  to  W.ndnnI  Point,  to  the  other  schooner,  which  had  succeeded  in  land! 
ing  her  forces,  and  was  returning  to  take  oH'  the  men  from  the  grounded  vessel.     The  Ex 
periment  fol  owed  her,  atjd  when  the  United  States  was  coverhfg  her  on  her  way  ,  p,  kep 
up  an  irregular  fire  upon  both   without  effect.     The  United  States  having  seen  the  schoone 
she  was  protecting  anchored  under  the  Ogdensburg  shore,  returned 'again  to  Windmil 
Point,  where  Wilham  Johnson  with  smjdl  boats  landed  110  mm.    Meanfme  the  Amerienn 
steam  ferry-boat,  Paul  Pry,  ran  over  to  the  stranded  vessel,  and  hauled  hor  ofT  under  a  brisk 
fire  from  the  Experiment,  which  the  former  returned  with  sn.all.arms,  killing  7  of  the  Ex 
penmenfs  men  but  losing  none.   The  United  States  was  now  returning,  and  agah   encoun 
tered  the  fire  of  the  Experiment   breaking  glass  lights  and  doing  other  d'amage^  Those  who 
had  remained  after  the  disembarkation,  about  25  in  numberT  stood  upon  the  promenade 
deck  and  cheered  the  discharges  as  they  came.     During  this,  a  shot  pLin  "  .CS  the 

United  Staes  now  went  into  port,  she  was  surrendered  to  her  owners,  and  immediately 
seized  by  the  United  States  authorities,  which  completed  the  forenoon's  ip^rationr  "^ 

•'Commodore  'Bill. Tohnson'  who  had  c«me  on  to  Ogdensburcr  on  the   eturn  of  the 
United  States,  addressed;  the  patriots'  present,  u#„g  and  beseechi.rg  tTem   o  gTwi.h  him 
and  join  those  who   had  crossed.     He  succeeded  in  crossing  with  soine  iro^e  of  t le 
schooners,  «' two  or  three  different  times;  whilst  most  of  the  afternoon  and "v^ni""  wns 

coZt  Tirv'hid  k'^.fn'  ''  '"'^  'Tr  '"^!"'^'"^  "^'^'^  P°«''-"'  -'^  faring "orTl  e 
number  of  about  200  whI.T''''""' "'^ "''  ^".'^'"*"'  ''"'^  "'her  large  stone  buildings,  to  the 
numtier  ot  about  -!00,  which  were  increased  by  accessions  from  the  small  boats  crossino- 
over  in  the  evening.  It  was  .een  that  at  Fort  Wellington  the  Bri  tsh Tere  lo  en^a  "d 
in  making  preparations;  but  towards  night  there  was  scarcely  «iviL.n,ii  T  ^^u 
streets  of  Prescott.    There  was  no  fighting  that  mglu.^    Eg^h^elTninrlhr^^amb^it 


*  The  authors  are  indebted  for  the  above  view  to  Mr.  Ellie,  artmt,  of  Ogdensburg. 


ST.    LAWRENCE   COUNTY. 


489 


Telegraph,  with  Col.  Worth,  of  the  United  States  army,  had  arrived,  accompanied  by  two 
companies  of  United  States  troops,  and  by  Mr.  Garrow,  a  United  States  marshal,  who  im- 
mediately  took  into  custody  all  the  craft  which  had  lieen  employed  by  the  patriots,  including 
the  United  States,  the  two  schooners,  and  the  Paul  Pry ;  and  made  effectual  arrangements 
to  cut  off  all  further  supplies  of  men,  arms  or  provisions  from  the  patriot  camp,  after  which, 
all  remained  quiet  during  the  night,  except  the  report  of  cannon  at  long  intervals.    Early  on 
the  morning  of  the  13th,  the  British  armed  steamers  Cobourg  and  Traveller,  had  arrived  at 
Prescott  with  troops ;  and  at  about  7  o'clock,  they,  together  with  the  Experin\ent,  opened 
a  discharge  of  cannon,  and  commenced  throwing  bombs  at  the  patriots  at  the  wnidmill, 
who  discharged  field-pieces  from  their  battery  on  shore  in  return.    At  about  8  o'clock,  a 
line  of  fire  blazed  along  the  summit  of  the  hill,  in  the  rear  of  the  wmdmill,  for  about  80  or 
a  100  rods,  and  the  crack  of  the  rifles  and  muskets  made  one  contmuous  roar.    It  appears 
that  by  the  time  the  firing  commenced  in  the  morning,  there  were  but  180  of  those  who 
had  crossed  left  at  Windmill  Point;  and  that  when  they  were  attacked  by  lBnd,iti  rear  ot 
their  position,  some  52  of  these  fled,  leaving  only  128  to  face  from  600  to  800  British  regu. 
lars  and  volunteers.    After  a  fight  of  about  an  hour,  according  to  Theller  a  account,  the 
British  were  driven  back  into  their  fort  with  a  loss  it  is  supposed  of  about  100  killed  and 
many  wounded.    The  patriots  lost  5  men  and  13  wounded.    On  the  morning  of  the  14th 
little  was  done,  and  the  British  having  sent  a  flag  of  truce  for  permission  to  bury  the  dead, 
the  request  was  granted.    Afterward  when  the  patriots  sent  a  flag,  the  bearer  was  shot. 
On  the  15th,  the  British  received  a  reinforcement  of  400  regulars,  with  cannon  and  gun- 
boats,  by  steamboats  from  Kingston,  and  volunteers  numbenng  in  all  about  2,000 ;  who 
surrounded  the  mill  by  their  gun-boats  and  steamers  on  the  river,  and  by  stationing  cannon 
and  troops  on  land;  and  keeping  up  a  continual  cannonading  until  Friday  evening,  when 
the  patriots  surrendered.    At  5  o'clock,  the  same  afternoon,  a  white  flag  was  displayed 
from  the  mill,  but  no  attention  being  paid  to  it,  it  was  finally  fastened  on  the  outside;  then 
3  or  4  fla^s  were  sent  out,  and  the  bearers  shot  down  as  soon  as  seen.    Immediately  alter 
the  surrender,  the  British  burnt  4  dwellings  and  two  barns  in  the  vicinity  of  the  windmill. 
According  to  the  account  of  Theller,  36  patriots  were  killed,  2  escaped,  and  90  were  made 
prisoners;  and  of  the  British  about  150  men  were  killed  and  20  officers,  arnong  whom  was 
Capt.  Drummond.    The  patriots  were  commanded  by  Van  Schoultz,  a  Polander,  who  had 
foucrht  for  the  freedom  of  his  native  land,  and  witnessed  her  expiring  agonies  at  ill-tated 
Wa'rsaw.    When  driver,  to  desperation,  he  opposed  the  offering  to  the  enemy  the  Hag  ot 
truce,  and  besought  his  men  to  rush  upon  the  enemy  and  die  in  the  contest ;  but  their  am- 
munition  and  provisions  were  exhausted,  and  a  five  days' fatigue  m  active  night  and  day 
defence  had  worn  them  out  and  made  them  indifferent  to  their  fate.    At  the  '"als.  Van 
Schoultz  pleaded  guilty  and  was  sentenced  to  death,  and  was  executed  Dec.  Jth,  IHdB, 
aged  31.    Col.  Dorephus  Abbey,  of  Watertown,  Jefferson  county;  Col.  Martin  Woodruff 
of  Salinu,  Onondaga  county,  and  Daniel  George,  and  others,  suffered  the  same  fate  with 
Van  Schoultz.    A  number  of  others  were  finally  released,  whde  tiie  others  were  sentenced 
to  transportation,  and  with  those  in  a  like  situation,  who  had  been  respited,  after  their 
trials,  and  with  Messrs.  John  G.  Parker,  Watson,  and  others,  to  the  number  of  23,  were 
sent  to  England,  and  from  thence,  in  company  with  11  convicted  felons,  were  transported 
to  Van  Diemen's  Laud." 

Parishville,  settled  by  the  enterprise  of  Mr.  David  Parish  ;  taken 
from  Hopkinton  in  1814;  from  Albany  195  miles.  Pop.  2,251. 
Parishville,  on  the  St.  Regis  river,  and  on  the  St.  Lawrence  and  Ma- 
lone  turnpiike,  39  miles  SE.  from  Ogdensburg,  is  a  small  village. 
Lime  and  iron  abound  in  the  vicinity. 

PiERREPoiNT,  taken  from  Hopkinton  in  1814;  from  Albany  190, 
from  Canton  centrally  distant  SE.  10  miles.  Pierrepomt  is  a  small 
post  village.     Pop.  1,430.  .,     r        j 

PiTCAiRN  is  a  small   and  thinly  settled   town,  recently  formed. 

°foTSDAM  was  taken  from  Madrid  in  1806;  from  Albany  216,  cen- 
trally distant  from  Canton  NE.  10  miles.  Pop.  4,460.  The  village 
of  Potsdam  is  pleasantly  situated  at  the  falls  of  the  Racket  river,  and 
contains  several  churches,^  a  flourishing^  acaderny^  nimjhenng  jibout 

150  pupils,  and  about  130  dwellings.     ""  ''        

'    *  02 


I  -I  ■ ' 

In;'  : 
)    ■ 


i     i:. 


f 


The  annexed  engraving  shows 


490 


ST.    LAWRENCE   COUNTY. 


i;ii 


l-S; 


Western  View  of  Potsdam. 


the  appearance  of  the  village  as  entered  from  the  west.  The  public 
building  on  the  right  is  the  Episcopal  church  ;  the  two  large  edi- 
fices in  the  distance,  with  cupolas,  are  the  academy 'buildings,  each  4 
stories  in  height;  the  buildings  with  spires  between  them  are  respec- 
tively the  Methodist  and  Presbyterian  churches,  and  the  tall  spire  to 
the  left  is  that  of  the  Universalist  church.  This  village  was  settled 
in  1803,  by  Benjamin  Raymond,  Esq.,  a  native  of  Richmond,  Berk- 
shire county,  Mass.  He  erected  mills  on  the  west  side  of  Racket 
river.  The  first  church  erected  was  the  Congregational,  in  1822. 
James  Chad  wick  was  the  first  person  who  died  in  the  village.  He 
was  killed  in  180.5,  by  the  falling  of  a  tree  which  he  was  chopping. 
During  the  late  war,  many  left  this  s(!ction  and  vacated  their  farms 
from  <ear  of  the  incursions  of  the  British. 

RosHiE  was  taken  from  Russell  in  1813  ;  from  Albany  178,  from 
Ogdensburg  centrally  distant  S\V.  27  miles.  Pop.  1,.'3.'}3.  Rossie 
and  Somerville  are  'small  villages  in  this  town.  The  Rossie  Iron 
Works  were  established  in  1813.  Exceedingly  rich  and  vahiable 
lead  minrs  have  here  lately  been  discovered,  and  the  reputation  of 
the  Rossie  lead  has  now  become  widely  sjtread. 

RussKM,,  named  from  Russell  Atwater,  by  whom  it  was  settled  in 
180.');  organized  in  1N07  ;  from  Albany  lo'l miles.  Russell,  on  the 
St.  Lawrence  turnpike  ami  Grassc  river,  12  miles  S.  from  Canton,  is 
a  small  village.     Pop.  1,377. 

Stockholm,  taken  from  Massena  in  1800;  from  Albanv  227,  from 
Ogdensburg,  E.,  centrally  distant  40  miles.  St()cklu)lm,  West  Stock- 
holm, and  Southville,  are  names  of  the  post-otliccs.     Pop.  2,093. 


im 


fc..»44;i 


The  public 
larire  edi- 


'igs» 


3ach  4 


are  rospec- 
;all  spire  to 
was  settled 
lond,  Berk- 
of  Racket 
.1,  in  1822. 
illage.  He 
3  chopping, 
their  t'arnis 

J  178,  from 
)3.  llossie 
llossic  Iron 
id  valuable 
putation  of 

IS  settled  in 
!sell,  on  the 
1  Canton,  is 

/  227,  from 
Vest  Stock- 
2.1)93. 


SARATOGA    COUNTY.  491 


SARATOGA  COUNTY. 

Saratoga  county  was  taken  from  Albany  in  1791 ;  greatest  length 
N.  and  S.  47,  and  greatest  breadth  E.  and  W.  30  miles.  Centrally 
distant  from  Albany  36  miles.  "  Its  name  is  supposed  to  be  a  cor- 
ruption of  the  Indian  word  Sah-rah-ka,  or  the  '  side  hill.'  The  great- 
er part  of  the  lands  in  this  tract  were  originally  granted  by  the  Eng- 
lish crown  to  a  company  of  13  individuals,  by  the  title  of  the  patent 
of  Kayaderosseras.  Smaller  portions  were  included  in  other  patents. 
Thus  Van  Schaick's,  of  an  earlier  date,  included  the  town  of  Water- 
ford  and  adjacent  country.  The  Saratoga  patent  embraced  six  miles 
square  on  the  Hudson  river  north  of  Van  Schaick's ;  and  the  apple 
patent,  located  on  the  Mohawk,  extended  '  three  miles  back  into  the 
woods,'  towards  Ballston  Lake.  The  first  recorded  grant  of  lands  in 
the  Kayaderosseras  patent  was  made  in  August,  1702.  A  good  por- 
tion of  the  land  is  now  held  under  a  rent  charge  of  from  15  to  20 
cents  an  acre,  derived  originally  from  the  above  patent.  Settlements 
were  made  in  1715  under  that  patent,  and  some  probably  earlier, 
along  the  Hudson,  upon  the  patents  of  Van  Schaick  and  Saratoga  : 
but  there  was  then  none  north  of  Fish  creek,  now  Schuylcrsville, 
and  few  between  that  and  the  Mohawk.  Until  the  conquest  of  Can- 
ada by  the  English,  settlements  were  slowly  made.  After  this,  although 
rapidly  formed,  they  were  confined  some  years  to  the  banks  of  the 
Hudson  and  Mohawk.  The  surface  of  the  county  presents  a  broad 
diversity,  having  the  Kayaderosseras  and  Palmer  town  mountains  in 
the  northwest,  and  in  the  southeastern  sandy  plains,  generally  level, 
the  Hudson  and  some  of  the  smaller  streams  extensive 
There  are  several  small  lakes,  the  largest 
of  which  are  Saratoga,  Ballston,  or  the  Long  Lake,  Round  Lake, 
Owl  Pond,  &c."  This  county  is  rich  in  historical  incident.  It  has  20 
towns.     Pop.  40,542. 

Ballston,  organized  in  1788  ;  from  Albany  25  miles.  The  first 
settlement  here  was  made  in  1703,  by  two  brothers  of  the  name  of 
McDonald.  The  town  has  its  name  from  the  Rev.  Eliphalet  Ball, 
from  Bedford,  Westchester  county,  who,  with  a  number  of  his  congre- 
gation, settled  about  2i  miles  south  of  the  springs.  The  Saratoga 
and  Schenectady  railroad  runs  through  the  town,  and  the  Troy  and 
Saratoga  railroid  enters  it  near  the  north  boundary.  Ballston  Cen- 
tre, East  Line,  and  Burnt  Hills  arc  post-offices.     Pop.  2,037. 

Charlton,  taken  from  Ballston  in  1792;  from  Albany  25,  from 
Ballston  Spa  SW.  8  miles.  Pop.  1,937.  Charlton  is  a  small  village, 
and  West  Charlton  is  a  post-office. 

Clifton  Park,  taken  from  Half  Moon  in  1828;  from  Albany  16, 
from  Ballston  Spa  S.  15  miles.  Pop.  2,717.  Willow  Spring,  on  the 
Erie  canal,  Rexford  Flats,  Clifton  Park,  Vischcr's  Ferry,  and  Jones- 
ville  are  nost^nffififls. 


and  along 

tracts  of  rich  alluvion 


■X\ 


%:A 


I 


492 


SARATOGA    COUNTY. 


oRiNTH   wu«  taken  from  Hadley  in  1818     It  is  N.  from  Albany 

and  from  Ballston  Spa  N.  18  miles.    Cormth,  formerly  Jesups 

-  '■      ■    ^    •  -'    —  a  nost-oihce.      Ihe 


Corinth  was 


44  ciiiu  ii.-/...  ^«.." -J"  - 

Landing,  is  a  small  village  ;  South  Corinth 

i^reat  falls  of  the  Hudson  are  in  this  town,  where  there  is  a  cataract  of 
f  bo^  30  feet,  and  a  rapid  1  mile  above,  with  '-^b-t  the  same  descent. 
Above  the  falls  there  is  a  narrow  place,  about  12  ieet  wide  and  20 
feet  long!  where  at  low  water  the  whole  river  passes  through  with 

"  Da? thi  ZSste^rnVwn  of  the  county,  was  originally  named 
Concord  and  Serfrom  Edinburgh  and  Hadley  in  1819  ;  from  Alba- 
ny 60,  aiXfr^^^^^  Spa  nV.  35  miles.    Day  and  West  Day 

"  ECutroVigfnly'nt^  Northfield  was  taken  from  Providence 
in  1801;  from  Albany  50,  and  from  Ballston  Spa  NW.  35  miles. 
Pop.  1,458.     Edinburgh  on  the  Scandanaga  river  is  a  small  village. 

Galway  was  taken  from  Ballston  in  1792  ;  from  Albany  30,  Irom 
Ballston  Spa  NW.  10  miles.  Pop.  2,412.  Galway's  Corners  and 
West  Galwav  are  small  villages. 

Gl^^Zlir^kcn  from  Saratoga  ^nd  Milton  in  1793 -centraUy 
distant  from  Albany  30  miles.  Pop.  2,807.  West  Greenheld  8  N., 
Greenfield  Centre  10  miles  N.  from  the  Spa,  and  Porters  Corners,  are 

'"\fArLl!i!Sen  from  Greenfield  and  Northumberland  in  1801;  from 
Albany  57,  and  from  the  Spa  N.  27  miles.  Pop.  865.  Hadley  on 
the  Hudson  river  is  a  small  settlement.  •     i  -^ 

Half  Moon,  bounded  on  the  E.  by  the  Hudson,  was  organized  in 
1788;  from  Albany  15,  from  Ballston  Spa  S.  10  miles.  Middletown, 
Half  Moon,  and  Mechanicsville  are  villages  ;  the  latter  ot  which  is 
noticed  under  Stillwater.  The  Champlain  canal  and  Iroy  railroad 
run  along  the  Hudson.  ., 

Malta,  taken  from  Stillwater  in  1802  ;  Irom  Albany  25  miles. 
Pod  1  459.  The  Troy  and  Ballston  railroad  crosses  the  town  north- 
westerly.     Dunning  Street,  4  miles  SE.  from  the  Spa,  and  Maltaville, 

are  small  settlements.  attwixt-    on 

Milton,  taken  from  Ballston  in  17»2  ;  Irom  Albany  NNW  30 
miles.  P<n).  3,149.  Rock  City,  6  miles  NW.,  and  Factory  Village, 
3  miles  NW.  from  Ballston  Spa,  are  small  villages. 

The  village  of  Ballston  Spa,  the  seat  of  justice  for  Saratoga  county, 
was  incorporated  in  1807.  It  is  30  miles  north  from  Albany,  15  from 
Schenectady,  24  from  Troy,  and  7  southwest  from  Saratoga  Snrings. 
The  village  is  situated  in  a  valley  surrounded  by  hills,  Ujxm  a  branch 
of  the  Kayaderosseras  creek,  immediately  around  the  mineral  springs 
in  the  southeast  corner  of  the  t(mn  of  Milton.  The  village  contains 
about  180  dwellings,  3  churches— 1  Presbyterian,  1  Baptist,  and  1 
Episcopal— a  large  courthouse  of  brick,  and  other  county  buildings,  8 
newspaper  printing  offices,  a  number  of  hotels,  ol  which  the  Sans 
Souci  is  the  most  prominent.  This  structure  is  of  wood,  having  a 
front  of  160  feet,  and  wings  of  160  feet,  and  is  three  stories  high. 


SAIlATnGA    COL'NTY. 


4fl3 


)m  Albany 
!rly  Jesups 
fice.  The 
cataract  of 
ne  descent, 
'ide  and  20 
rough  with 

ally  named 
from  Alba- 
West  Day 

Providence 
\  35  miles, 
nail  village, 
ny  30,  from 
!orners  and 

I ;  centrally 

mfield  8  N., 
Comers,  are 

1801  ;  from 
lladley  on 

organized  in 

Middletown, 

of  which  is 

roy  railroad 

ly  25  miles. 
I  town  north- 
d  Maltaville, 

y  NNW.  30 
tory  Village, 

itoga  county, 
)any,  15  from 
oga  Springs, 
pon  a  branch 
ineral  springs 
lago  contnins 
iaptist,  and  1 
y  buildings,  2 
fiich  the  Sans 
ood,  having  a 
lories  high. 


View  in  Bullston, 

"  The  mineral  springs  from  wliich  this  village  derives  its  importance  and  celebrity,  were 
discovered  in  17G7.  In  1772,  Mr.  Douglass  erected  a  small  log-house  here  tor  the  iicconi. 
modation  of  visiters.  During  the  revoluiionary  war  settlrnientH  in  this  part  of  the  country 
were  suspended,  but  about  1790  Mr.  Douglass,  enlarged  his  accoMnnodanoiia.  In  leiOl, 
Nicholas  Low,  Esq.,  raised  the  well-known  Sans  Souci  hotel.  In  1807,  several  other 
springs,  and  in  1817,  four  springs  of  ditlerent  qualities,  were  found  near  the  great  nianutac. 
torv  built  by  Mr.  Low.  r   >       •„        i      ■       j 

"  The  spring  in  the  rear  of  the  Sans  Souci,  and  that  in  the  rear  of  the  village  hotel,  and 
the  original  spring  at  the  west  of  the  village,  contain,  as  essential  ingiedients,  the  carbo. 
nates  of  soda,  of  lime,  iron,  and  magnesia ;  the  tonic  qualities  of  the  iron,  and  the  spark, 
ling  and  enlivening  influence  of  the  fixed  air  that  they  possess  in  an  extraordinary  degree, 
have  a  wonderful  elfect  upon  enervated,  bilious,  and  debilitated  constitutions. 

"  The  use  of  the  mineral  waters  here  and  at  Saratoga  is  especially  bonelicini  in  all  those 
affections  termed  bilious  and  dyspeptic,  in  calculous  and  nephritic  complainw,  in  chronic 
rheumatism,  gout,  in  ulcers  and  cutaneous  disorders,  scrofula,  in  mercurial  diseases  and 
utriimous  affections,  in  recent  dropsy,  paralysis,  chlorosis,  &,c." 

MoREAU,  bounded  on  the  E.,  \.,  and  NW.  by  the  Hudson,  was  ta- 
ken  from  Northumberland  in  1805  ;  from  Albany  N.  .IS,  from  Bull- 
ston Spa  NE.  21  miles.  Pop.  1,575.  Moreau,  Reynolds  Corners,  and 
Clarksville  are  small  .settlements. 

Northumberland,  bounded  E.  by  the  Hudson,  was  taken  from  Sar- 
atoga in  1798;  N.  from  Albany  40,  and  from  Ballston  Spa  NE.  12 
miles.     Gansevoortville  and  Popes  Corners  are  small  settlements. 

Pop.  1,672.  ^„,, 

PR0vn)KNCB,  taken  from  Galway  in  1790  ;  from  Albany  NVV.  30, 
from  Ballston  Spa  NW.  18  miles.  Pop.  1,512.  Hagcdorns  Mills, 
Greensboro.',  and  Johnsboro',  are  small  settlements. 

Saratooa  was  organized  in  1788;  distant  15  miles  N.  from  Ball- 
ston ^pa,  and  32  from  Albany.  Pop.  2,024.  Tht;  surfacti  of 
the  township  is  moderately  uneven  on  the  Hudson,  which  forms  the 
eastern  boundary  ;  there  are  some;  alluvial  flats  on  the  western  bor- 
der of  the  town  around  Saratoga  lake  ;  the  soil  is  of  a  light  sandy 
loam.    Schuylcrville,  the  principal  village  in  the  town,  lies  on  the 


''*  hi 


'J 


ijj 


i 


« 


494 


SARATOGA  COUNTY. 


Champlain  canal  near  the  mouth  of  Fish  creek,  which  here  flows  into 
the  Hudson,  and  consists  of  about  100  dwellings,  3  churches— 1  Dutch 
Reformed,  1  Baptist,  and  1  Methodist— and  an  academy,  with  several 
mills  and  factories. 


Schuyler  mansion-house,  Schuylerville. 

The  above  is  a  view  of  the  mansion  of  tho  late  Gen.  Schuyler,  in 
Rchuvlerville,  which  was  built  a  short  time  after  his  house  and  mills 
at  thi's  place  were  destroyed  by  the  army  under  General  Burgoyne 
in  1777.  This  dwoUinij,  the  residence  of  George  Strover,  Esq.,  is  a 
short  distance  south  of  the  spot  where  Burgoyne  surrendered  his 
sword  to  General  Gates.  After  the  battle  at  Stillwater,  Oct.  7th,  he 
made  an  attempt  to  effect  his  retreat  back  to  Fort  Edward,  but  was 
unable  to  i)roceed  anv  further  than  the  mouth  of  Fish  creek,  where 
he  was  hemmed  in  by  the  American  forces.  The  following  account 
relative  to  the  surrender  of  Burgoyne  is  from  the  2d  volume  of  Al- 
len's American  Revolution : — 

"Prpvioufl  to  the  action  of  tli<>  7ih,  Geiipral  Gales,  iinticipating  the  retreat  of  the  enemy, 
had  ordered  liijgiltiicr  General  Fellows*,  with  1,.'JOO  men,  to  cross  the  river,  and  take  post 
on  the  heiifhts  opposite  the  SiiruioRa  ford,  supposing  that  lie  niipiht  he  nhle  to  reinforce  him 
before  Biirfioyne  could  rcueh  the  place.  But  the  retreat  of  the  Briimh  army  being  earher 
than  he  expected,  and  tiie  circumstances  before  related  preventing  bun  troni  pursuing  imme- 
diately  with  the  main  army,  or  sending  off  any  considerable  detachment,  General  Fellows 
was  placed  in  a  critical  situation,  and  nothing  saved  his  detachment  from  destruction  or 
capture,  but  the  very  slow  movements  of  Burgoyne,  occasioned  by  a  heavy  rain  during  the 
niuht  of  the  8th,  and  the  badness  of  the  rouds,  which  compelled  him  to  halt  at  Davocote, 
so  that  he  did  not  reach  Saratoga  until  the  morning  of  the  9th.  By  this  time  General  FeU 
lows  had  received  orders  to  recross  the  river  and  endeavor  to  oppose  their  passage,  which 
he  did  just  as  the  front  of  the  British  army  entered  Saratoga,  and  in  time  to  post  himself 
advantageously  on  the  opposite  bank  of  the  river.  On  tiie  evening  before,  his  camp  was 
so  entirely  unguarded,  that  Lieutenont.colonel  Southerland,  who  had  been  sent  forward 
by  Burgoyne  to  reconnoitre,  marched  around  it  without  meeting  with  a  sdhtinel,  and  was 
so  strongly  impressed  with  the  conviction  that  ho  could  surprise  him,  that  he  solicited  per- 
inisaion  to  attack  him  with  his  single  regiment ;  and  it  was  perhaps  fortunate  for^eneral 
Fellows  that  Burgoyne  refused. 

"  In  the  mean  time  several  other  bodies  of  militia  were  posted,  to  intercept  the  retreot 
of  Burgoyne,  in  various  directions,  and  one  detachment  was  ordered  to  march  immediBtely 
to  Fort  Edward,  and  take  possession  before  any  part  of  Burgoyne's  troops  could  reach  it. 

\  .~:.,  ;...  (i.p  lOih  nrgvent.jd  General  Gates  from  tnarchins  until  the  afternoon.     When 
the  front  of  the  army  reached  Saratoga,  about  4  o'clock,  the  British  were  encimped  on  ths 


■lu»»,iii. 


!re  flows  into 
,es — 1  Dutch 
with  several 


SARATOGA    COCNTY. 


495 


.  Schuyler,  in 
»use  and  mills 
ral  Burgoyne 
ver,  Esq.,  is  a 
rrendered  his 
r,  Oct.  7th,  he 
vard,  but  was 
creek,  where 
iwing  account 
volume  of  Al- 


reat  of  the  enemy, 
ver,  and  take  post 
le  to  reinforce  him 
army  being  earlier 
•ni  pursuing  imme. 
:,  General  Fellows 
i-om  destruction  or 
vy  rain  during  the 

halt  at  Davocote, 
time  General  Fel- 
cir  passage,  which 
Tie  to  post  himself 
fore,  his  camp  was 
)een  sent  forward 

B^tincl,  and  waa 
It  he  solicited  per- 
lunate  for^eneral 

ercopt  the  retreat 
narch  immediately 
ape  could  reach  it. 
afternoon.  When 
)  encamped  on  th« 


heights  beyond  the  Fishkill,  [Fish  creek :]  their  boats  lay  at  the  mouth  of  the  creek,  and  a 
fatigue  party  were  at  work  in  removing  the  baj:gii(je  t'ro.n  the  creek  to  the  heights.  Ge- 
neral  Fellows  with  his  corps  were  on  the  opposite  bank  of  the  river,  with  a  couple  of  small 
field-pieces  on  the  plain,  playing  upon  the  enemy's  fatigue  party.  General  Gates  on  his 
arrival  posted  the  army  in  several  lines  on  the  heights,  about  a  mile  in  the  rear  of  the  Fish- 
kill,  with  Colonel  Morgan's  corps  in  front.  Under  the  idea  that  the  enemy  would  retreat 
in  the  night,  General  Gates  gave  orders  that  the  army  should  advance  at  reveillee  in  the 
morning  of  the  llih.  A  small  detachment  had  been  sent  off  by  Burgoyne  to  possess  them, 
selves  of  Fort  Edward,  but  finding  it  occupied  by  the  Americans,  had  returned  to  camp  : 
the  movement  of  this  detachment  had  given  rise  to  the  information  which  dece'.ved  Gene- 
ral Gates,  that  the  whole  British  army  had  moved  oil',  leaving  a  small  guard  only  in  the 
camp  to  take  care  of  the  baggage  and  stores.  Upon  this  intelligence  it  was  determined  to 
attack  the  camp  early  in  the  morning ;  and  Brigadier-generals  Nixon  and  Glover  were 
ordered  to  cross  the  creek  with  their  brigades  for  this  purpose. 

"  Colonel  Morgan  advancing  with  his  corps  at  daylight  agreeably  to  orders,  fell  in  with 
the  enemy's  picket,  by  whom  he  was  fired  upon,  and  lost  a  lieutenant  and  several  privates. 
This  induced  him  to  suppose  that  the  enemy  had  not  moved  as  supposed,  in  which  case  his 
situation  would  be  extremely  critical,  as  the  fog  was  so  thick  that  nothing  could  be  seen  at 
the  distance  of  twenty  yards;  a  winding  creek  was  in  his  rear,  and  he  was  unacqnainted 
with  the  grounds.  In  this  diiennna  he  was  met  by  the  Deputy  Adjutant-general,  Colonel 
Wilkinson,  who  had  been  sent  out  by  the  general  for  the  purpose  of  reconnoitring.  Wil- 
kinson returned  immediately  to  connnunicate  this  intelligence  to  the  general,  and  Fatter- 
son's  and  Learned's  brigades,  both  under  th'~  command  of  the  latter,  were  sent  to  the  sup. 
port  of  Morgan.  In  thi^  mean  time  the  whole  army  had  advanced  as  far  as  the  ridge 
between  the  church  and  General  Schuyler's  house,  where  they  halted.  Generals  Nixon 
and  (Jlover  were  in  advance,  nuirehing  according  to  orders  to  the  attack  of  the  camp. 
Nixon  had  already  crossed  the  creek,  and  Glover  was  preparing  to  follow  him,  when  a  de- 
serter  from  the  enemy  was  observed  fording  the  creek,  from  whom  information  was  received 
that  Burgoyne  with  his  whole  army  was  siill  in  his  camp.  This  was  confirmed  by  the 
capture  of  a  reconnoitring  party  of  a  subaltern  and  3.'>  men,  by  the  advance  guard  of  50 
under  Captain  Goodalc  of  Putnnni'a  regiment,  who  discovered  them  through  the  fog  just  as 
he  reached  the  bimk  of  the  creek,  and  making  a  resolute  charge  upon  them,  took  them 
without  firing  a  gun.  The  general  was  a'  this  lime  a  mile  in  the  rear,  and  before  this 
intelligence  could  be  comnnuiiciited  to  him,  and  orders  received  for  the  two  brigades  to 
desist  and  recross  the  river,  the  fog  cleared  up,  and  exposed  to  view  the  whole  British  army 
under  arms.  A  heavy  fire  of  artillery  and  snuill-urins  was  inmiediately  opened  upon  Nix- 
on's  brigade,  which  was  in  advance,  and  they  retreated  in  considerable  disorder  across  the 
creek,  with  a  trifling  loss,  and  resumed  their  position. 

"  General  Learned  had  in  the  mean  time  reached  Morgan's  corps  with  his  two  brigades, 
and  was  advancing  rapidly  to  the  attack,  in  obedience  to  a  standing  order  which  had  been 
issued  the  day  before,  'That  in  case  of  nn  attack  against  any  point,  whether  front,  flank  or 
rear,  the  troops  are  to  fall  on  the  enemy  at  all  quarters.'  He  had  arrived  within  200  yards 
of  Burgoyne's  strongest  jiost,  and  in  a  few  minutes  more  would  have  been  engaged  under 
great  disadvantages,  when  Colonel  Wilkinson  reached  him  with  intelligence  that  our  right 
had  given  way,  and  that  it  would  be  prudent  for  him  to  retreat.  Being  without  authority 
from  the  general  to  order  it,  the  brave  old  general  hesitated  to  obey,  in  opirosition  to  the 
standing  order,  until  Lieutenant.colonels  Brooks  and  Tujiper  and  some  other  ofiicers  com- 
ing  np,  a  sort  of  council  was  held,  and  the  proposiiion  to  retreat  was  approved.  The  mo. 
ment  they  turned  their  bocks,  the  enemy,  who  had  been  cahnly  expecting  their  advance, 
opened  a  fire  upon  them  which  was  continued  until  they  were  masked  by  the  wood.  They 
retreated  about  half  u  mile,  wiih  Morgan  on  their  left,  and  encamped  in  a  strong  position, 
which  they  held  until  the  surrender  of  the  British  army." 

On  the  14th  of  October,  Gen.  Burgoyne  sent  Major  Kingston  to 
the  head-quarters  of  Gen.  Gates  with  a  proposition  for  "  a  cessatit)n 
of  arms,  during  the  time  necessary  to  communicate  the  preliminary 
terms,  by  whicli  in  any  extremity  he  and  the  army  mean  to  abide." 
Gen.  Gates  had  already  prepared  a  schedule  of  the  terms  upon  which 
he  was  willing  to  treat.  This  schedule  evinced  that  he  was  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  distresses  of  the  British,  and  was  drawn  up  m  terms 
of  extreme  liberality.  To  the  SMh  article  of  Gen.  Burgoyne's  propo- 
gitjfjji  Csi'n.  (liitoR  a'Hxcd  the  follQwin£r  answer; 


ir 


MM^ 


I 


496 


SARATOGA    COUNTY. 


II  ii 


iii 


/iii 


" '  The  capitulation,  to  be  finished  by  2  o'clock,  this  day,  the  loth,  and  the  troops  marcn 
from  their  encampment  at  5,  and  be  in  readiness  to  move  towards  Boston  to-morrow  morn, 
ing.'  These  preliminary  articles  and  their  answers  being  sent  to  General  Burgoyne,  pro. 
duced  the  immediate  return  of  his  messenger  with  the  following  note,  'Fhe  eight  first 
preliminary  articles  of  Lieutenant-general  Burgoyne's  proposals,  and  the  2d,  Jd,  and  4th 
of  those  of  Major-general  Gates  of  yesterday,  being  agreed  to,  the  formation  of  the  pro. 
posed  treaty  is  out  of  dispute,  but  the  several  subordinate  articles  and  regulations  necessa. 
rily  spriiigin.'  from  these  preliminaries,  and  requiring  explanations  and  precision,  between 
the  parties,  before  a  definitive  treaty  can  be  safely  executed,  a  longer  lime  than  that  men. 
tioned  by  General  Gates  in  his  answer  to  the  9th  article,  becomes  indispensably  necessary. 
Lieutenant-general  Burgoyne  is  willing  to  appoint  two  officers  immediately  to  meet  two 
others  from  Major-general  Gates  to  propound,  discuss,  and  settle  those  subordinate  articles, 
in  order  that  the  treaty  in  due  form  may  be  executed  as  soon  as  possible.' " 

This  meeting  took  place  on  the  afternoon  of  the  15th,  and  the 

garties  mutually  signed  articles  of  capitulation,  or  convention,  as  Gen. 
iurgoyne  wished  to  have  it  designated.  A  copy  of  the  convention 
was  to  be  signed  by  Gen.  Burgoyne  and  delivered  the  next  morning. 
The  following  are  the  articles  of  convention. 

Articles  of  Convention  between  Lieutenant-general  Burgoyne  and  Major-general  Gates. 

"  Ist.  The  troops  under  Lieutenant-general  Burgoyne  to  march  out  of  their  camp  with 
the  honors  of  war,  and  the  artillery  of  tlie  enlreiichrnentii,  to  the  verge  of  the  river  where 
the  old  fort  stood,  where  the  arms  and  artillery  are  to  be  left ;  the  arms  to  be  piled  by  word 
of  command  from  their  own  oflicers. 

"  2d.  A  free  passage  to  be  granted  to  the  army  under  Lieutenant-general  Burgoyne  to 
Great  Britain,  on  condition  of  not  serving  again  in  North  America  during  the  present  con. 
test ;  and  the  port  of  Boston  is  assigned  for  the  entry  of  transports  to  receive  the  troops, 
whenever  General  Howe  shall  so  order. 

"  3d.  Should  any  cartel  take  place,  by  which  the  army  under  General  Burgoyne,  or  any 
part  of  it,  may  be  exchanged,  the  foregoing  article  to  be  void  as  far  as  such  exchange  shall 
be  made. 

"  4ih.  The  army  under  Lieutenant-general  Burgoyne,  to  march  to  Massachusetts  Bay, 
by  the  easiest,  most  expeditious,  and  convenient  route;  and  to  be  quartered  in,  near,  or  as 
convenient  as  possible  to  Boston,  that  the  inarch  of  the  troops  may  not  be  delayed,  when 
the  transports  arrive  to  receive  them. 

"  5th.  The  troops  to  be  supplied  on  their  march,  and  during  their  being  in  quarters,  with 
provisions,  by  General  Gates'  orders,  at  the  same  rate  of  rations  as  the  troops  of  his  own 
army ;  and  if  possible  the  officers'  horses  and  cattle  are  to  be  supplied  with  forage  at  the 
usual  rates. 

"  6th.  All  officers  to  retain  their  carriages,  batt-horses  and  other  cattle,  and  no  baggage 
to  be  molested  or  searched  ;  Lieutenant-general  Burgoyne  giving  his  honor  that  there  are 
no  public  stores  secreted  therein.  Major-general  Gates  will  of  course  take  the  necessary 
measures  for  the  due  performance  of  this  article.  Should  any  carriages  be  wanted  during 
the  march,  for  the  transportation  of  officers'  baggage,  they  are,  if  possible,  to  be  supplied  by 
the  country  at  the  usual  rates. 

"  7th.  Upon  the  march,  and  during  the  time  the  army  shall  remain  in  quarters  in  Massa. 
chusetts  Bay,  the  officers  are  not  as  far  as  circumstances  will  admit  to  l)e  separated  from 
their  men.  The  officers  are  to  be  quartered  according  to  rank,  and  are  not  to  be  hindered 
from  assembling  their  men  for  roll-call  and  other  necessary  purposes  of  regularity. 

"8th.  All  corps  whatever  of  General  Burgoyne's  army,  whether  composed  of  sailors, 
batteauxmen,  artificers,  drivers,  independent  companies,  and  followers  of  the  army,  of 
whatever  country,  yhall  be  included  in  the  fiillest  sense  and  utmost  extent  in  the  above  ar. 
tides,  and  comprehended  in  every  respect  as  British  subjects, 

"!)th.  All  Canadians,  and  persons  belonging  to  the  Canadian  establishment,  consisting 
of  sailors,  batteauxmen,  artificers,  drivers,  independent  coii-panies,  and  many  other  follow, 
crs  of  the  army,  who  come  under  no  particular  description,  are  to  be  permitted  to  return 
there  ;  they  arc  to  be  conducted  immediately  by  the  shortest  route  to  the  first  British  post 
on  Lake  George,  are  to  be  supplied  with  provisions  in  the  same  manner  as  the  other  troops, 
and  are  to  be  bound  by  the  same  condition  of  not  serving  during  the  present  contest  in 
North  America. 

"  lUth.  Passports  tu  bo  immediately  granted  for  three  officers  not  exceeding  the  rank  of 
captains,  whu  sliull  be  ttppoiiaed  by  Lieiiu  nant.generai  Burgoynt?,  to  ciirry  dettputches  to 


1^ 


SARATOGA   COUNTY. 


497 


troops  marcn 
norrow  morn- 
lurgoyne,  pro. 
^he  eight  first 
1,  3d,  and  4th 
III  of  the  pro. 
tiona  necessa- 
sion,  between 
lan  that  men- 
bly  necessary. 
'  to  meet  two 
iinatc  articles, 

h,  and  the 
on,  as  Gen, 
convention 
:t  morning. 


eneral  Gates. 

leir  camp  with 
le  river  where 
piled  by  word 

;  Burgoyne  to 
18  present  con. 
ive  the  troops, 

rgoyne,  or  Bny 
exchange  shall 

achusetts  Buy, 
in,  nenr,  or  as 
delayed,  when 

i  quarters,  with 
>p9  of  his  own 
1  forage  at  the 

[id  no  baggage 

that  there  are 

the  necessary 

wanted  during 

be  supplied  by 

rtere  in  Massa. 
separated  from 
to  be  hindered 
larity. 

osed  of  sailors, 

the  army,  of 

n  the  above  ar. 

lent,  consisting 
ly  other  follow, 
itted  to  return 
rst  British  post 
iie  other  troops, 
isent  contest  in 

iiig  the  rank  of 
y  (iespaiches  to 


Sir  William  Howe,  Sir  Guy  Carleton,  and  to  Great  Britain,  by  the  way  of  New  York ;  and 
Major-general  Gates  engages  the  public  faith,  that  these  despatches  shall  not  be  opened. 
These  officers  are  to  set  out  immediately  after  receiving  their  despatches,  and  are  to  travel 
the  shortest  route,  and  in  the  most  expeditious  manner. 

"  Uth.  During  the  stay  of  the  troops  in  Massachusetts  Bay,  the  officers  are  to  be  ad. 
mitted  on  parole,  and  arc  to  be  allowed  to  wear  their  side-arms. 

"  12.  Should  the  army  under  Lieutenant-general  Burgoyne  find  it  necessary  to  send  for 
their  clothing  and  other  baggage  to  Canada,  they  are  to  be  permitted  to  do  it  in  the  most 
convenient  manner,  and  the  necessary  passports  granted  for  that  purpose. 

"  13.  These  articles  are  to  be  mutually  signed  and  exchanged  to-morrow  morning,  at  9 
o'clock,  and  the  troops  under  Lieutenant-general  Burgoyne  are  to  march  out  of  their  entrench, 
ments  at  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

(Signed)  "  Horatio  Gates,  Major-general. 
"  Saratoga,  Oct.  16th,  1777.  (^'g"'='^)  "  ^-  B™«oyne,  LieutenanUgeneral. 

"  To  prevent  any  doubts  that  mi^lit  arise  from  Lieutenant-general  Burgoyne's  name  not 
being  mentioned  in  the  above  tieaty,  Major-general  Gates  hereby  declares,  that  he  is  un. 
derstood  to  be  comprehended  ir  it,  as  fully  as  if  his  name  had  been  specifically  mentioned. 

"  Horatio  Gates." 

"  The  brass  artillery  captured  from  Burgoyne  at  various  times  during  the  campaign, 
amounted  to  42  pieces,  constituting  one  of  the  most  elegant  trains  ever  brought  into  the 
field  ;  5,000  stand  of  arms,  6,000  dozen  of  cartridges ;  and  a  number  of  ammunition  wagons, 
travelling  forges,  shot,  carcasses,  shells,  &c.,  also  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Americans. 
The  whole  number  of  troops  surrendered  by  the  convention  amounted  to  5,763,  which 
added  to  the  number  killed,  wounded,  and  captured,  in  the  several  actions  previous  to  the 
17th  October,  amounting  to  near  5,000,  makes  Burgoyne's  total  loss  of  upwards  of  ten 
thousand  men. 

"  On  the  morning  of  the  17th  the  troops  of  Burgoyne  were  marched  out  of  their  camp  to 
the  plain  near  the  river,  where  their  arms  were  deposited ;  and  the  victorious  Americans 
took  possession  of  their  lines." 


The  annexed  cut  is  a  copy 
of  the  signature  of  General 
Burgoyne,  attached  to  the 
'^ic::::^  articles  of  the  convention 
now  in  possession  of  the 
ISew  York  Historical  So- 
ciety. 


F^-simile  of  Om.  Burgoyne's  signature. 

General  Wilkinson's  account  of  the  interview  between  Gates  and 
Burgoyne  on  the  field  of  surrender  is  interesting. 

"  Early  in  the  morning  of  the  17th.  I  visited  General  Burgoyne  in  his  camp,  and  accom. 
panied  him  to  the  ground,  where  Ms  army  was  to  lay  down  their  arms,  from  whence  we 
rode  to  the  bank  of  the  Hudson  river,  which  he  surveyed  with  attention,  and  asked  me 
whether  it  was  not  fcrdable.  '  Certainly,  sir ;  but  do  you  observe  the  people  on  the  oppo. 
site  shore  V  '  Yes,'  replied  he,  '  I  have  seen  them  too  long.'  He  then  proposed  to  be  in- 
troduced  to  General  Gates,  and  we  crossed  the  Fishkill,  and  proceeded  to  head.quarters, 
General  Burgoyne  in  front,  with  his  adjutant-general  Kingston,  and  his  aids-de.camp  Cap. 
tain  Lord  Petersham,  and  Lieutenant  Wilford  behind  him ;  then  followed  Major-general 
Philips,  the  Baron  Reidesel,  and  the  other  general  officers,  and  their  suites,  according  to 
rank.  General  Gates,  advised  of  Burgoyne's  approach,  met  him  at  the  head  of  his  camp, 
Burgoyne  in  a  rich  royal  uniform,  and  Gates  in  a  plain  blue  frock ;  when  they  had  ap. 
proached  nearly  within  sword's  length,  they  reined  up,  and  halted.  I  then  named  the  gen. 
tlemen,  and  General  Burgoyne,  raising  his  hat  most  gracefully,  said  'The  foi;tunc  of  war, 
General  Gates,  has  made  ine  your  prisoner;'  to  which  the  conqueror,  returning  a  courtly 
salute,  promptly  replied,  '  I  shall  always  be  ready  to  bear  testimony,  that  it  has  not  been 
through  any  fault  of  your  excellency.'  Major-general  Philliiw  then  advanced,  and  he  and 
General  Gates  saluted,  and  shook  hands  with  the  familiarity  of  old  acquaintances.  The 
Baron  Reidesel,  and  the  other  officers,  wei-e  introduced  inr  their  turn." 

63 


Hi 

1^ 

-  i 

iflMMp 

■It 

B 

1 

wm 

1 

1 

1 

498 


SARATOGA  COUNTY. 


1   ■ 

\     , 

f        1 

'    1 

i 

i 

i  if 

"  Gen.  Philip  Schuyler  was  bom 
at  Albany  in  1731,  of  an  ancient 
and  respectable  family.  When 
quite  young  he  became  a  mem. 
ber  of  the  New  York  legislature, 
and  was  eminent  for  his  intelli. 
gence  and  usefulness.  To  him 
Facsimile  of  Philip  Schuyler's  signature.  and    Governor    Clinton     it   Was 

chiefly  owing  that  the  province  made  an  early  and  decided  resistance  to  those  British  mea. 
Bures  which  terminated  in  the  independence  of  ilie  colonies.  When  the  revolution  com. 
menced,  he  was  appointed,  June  19,  1775,  a  major-general,  and  was  directed  to  proceed 
inmiediatcly  from  New  York  to  Ticonderoga,  to  secure  the  lakes,  and  make  preparations 
for  entering  Canada.  Being  taken  sick  in  September,  the  command  devolved  upon  Mont- 
gomery. On  his  recovery,  he  devoted  himself  zealously  to  the  management  of  the  aftairs 
in  the  northern  departments.  He  gave  much  attention  to  the  superintendence  of  the  Indian 
concerns.  On  the  approach  of  Burgoyne,  in  1777,  he  made  every  exertion  to  obstruct  his 
progress  ;  but  the  evacuation  of  Ticonderoga  by  St.  Clair,  occasioning  unreasonable  jealousies 
in  regard  to  Schuyler,  in  New  England,  he  was  superseded  by  Gen.  Gates  in  August ;  and 
an  inquiry  was  directed  by  congress  to  be  made  into  his  conduct.  He  was  afterward, 
though  not  in  the  regular  service,  very  useful  to  his  country  in  the  military  transactions  of 
New  York.  He  was  a  member  of  the  old  congress  ;  and  when  the  present  government 
of  the  United  States  commenced  its  operation  in  1789,  he  was  appointed  a  senator  in  the 
national  legislature.  He  was  chosen  a  second  time  in  1797,  to  the  same  station.  In  the 
senate  of  New  York,  he  contributed  probably  more  than  any  other  man  to  the  code  of 
laws  adopted  by  the  state.  He  died  at  his  seat  near  Albany,  Nov.  18,  1804,  in  the  73d 
year  of  his  age.  He  possessed  great  strength  of  mind  and  purity  of  intention.  In  the  con- 
trivance  of  plans  of  public  utility,  he  was  wise  and  circumspect,  and  in  their  execution, 
enterprising  and  persevering.  In  his  deportment  he  was  dignified  and  courteous.  He  was 
a  pleasant  and  instructive  companion,  and  in  all  the  functions  of  private  life  was  highly  ex. 
emplary." — Encyclopedia  Americana, 


View  in  the  village  of  Saratoga  Springs. 

Saratoga  Springs  was  taken  from  Saratoga  in  1819.  Pop.  2,624. 
The  village  of  Saratoga  Springs  is  181  miles  from  New  York,  36^ 
from  Albany,  and  «i  from  Hallston  Spa.  It  is  located  in  a  fertile 
country,  and  contains  (»  cl)ur(;hes,  several  literary  institutions,  and 
about  2,0tt0  inhabitants.     Tiie   above   engraving  was  taken  from 


SARATOGA  COUNTY. 


409 


HUYLER  was  bom 
\l,  of  an  ancient 
I'amily.  When 
became  a  mem- 
York  legislature, 
It  for  his  intelh- 
Lihiess.  To  him 
Clinton  it  was 
lose  British  mea- 
revolution  com. 
icted  to  proceed 
ake  preparations 
Ived  upon  Mont- 
3nt  of  the  affairs 
ice  of  the  Indian 
n  to  obstruct  his 
onable  jealousies 
in  August ;  and 
!  was  afterward, 
f  transactions  of 
lent  government 
a  senator  in  the 
station.  In  the 
to  the  code  of 
1804,  in  the  73d 
Dn.  In  the  con- 
their  execution, 
rteous.  He  was 
B  was  highly  ex- 


Pop.  2,624. 
V  York,  36i 

in  a  fertile 
itutions,  and 

taken  from 


near  the  circular  railway,  and  exhibits  the  principal  portion  of  the 
village,  with  a  view  of  the  elegant  Grecian  colonnade  erected  over  the 
Congress  spring,  seen  near  the  centre  of  the  picture.  This  place  de- 
rives its  attractions  from  its  medicinal  springs.  These  are  situated 
on  the  margin  of  a  vale,  bordering  the  village  on  the  east,  and  are 
the  continuation  of  a  chain  of  springs  discovering  themselves  about 
12  miles  to  the  south,  in  the  town  of  Ballston.  The  springs  in  this 
vicinity  are  18  or  20  in  number,  the  principal  of  which  are  the  Con- 
gress, the  Iodine  or  Walton,  Putnam's,  Congress,  the  Monroe,  the 
Hamilton,  the  Flat  Rock,  the  High  Rock,  the  Columbian,  and  the 
Washington.  A  new  spring  has  lately  been  discovered,  whose 
waters  are  gaining  high  favor  with  the  public,  and  are  said  to  be 
beneficial  in  consumption.  The  hotels  in  this  place  are  numerous, 
and  some  of  them  truly  elegant,  built  in  good  taste,  with  spacious 
piazzas,  and  yards  ornamented  with  shrubbery.  The  facility  with 
which  it  is  visited,  by  railroads  from  Albany  and  Troy,  with  other 
thoroughfares,  together  with  the  numerous  attractions  of  the  place, 
has  rendered  Saratoga  the  summer  resort  of  thousands  from  all  parts 
of  our  wide-spread  country. 


Western  view  of  the  battle-ground,  Stillwater. 

Stillwater  was  organized  in  1788.  It  is  centrally  situated 
from  Albany  22  miles.  The  general  surface  is  level,  and  the  river 
hills  of  a  moderate  height.  Pop.  2,733.  The  village  of  Mechanics- 
ville  is  situated  on  a  section  of  land  between  Hudson  river  and  the 
canal.  It  consists  of  about  50  or  60  dwellings,  partly  in  this,  and 
partly  in  the  town  of  Half  Moon,  2  or  more  churches,  several  mills 
and  factories  on  Anthony's  kill,  which  forms  the  southern  boundary 
of  the  town.  Stillwater  is  a  small  village  on  the  canal,  about  4  miles 
above  Mechanicsville.  This  town  is  distinguished  in  history  as  being 
the  battle-ground  of  the  armies  of  Gens.  Gates  and  Burgoyne  in  1777. 

The  above  shows  the  appearance  of  the  battle-ground  on  Free- 
man's farm,  as  seen  from  near  the  front  of  Mr.  J.  Walker's  house,  2^ 
miles  from  Patiison's  tavern,  and  about  2  miles  from  Hudson  river. 


■it 


500 


SARATOGA    COUNTY. 


ih 


.1*1 


Freeman's  house  stood  a  few  feet  south  of  the  southernmost  building 
seen  in  the  engraving ;  the  Une  of  trees  or  woods  seen  behind  the 
baildings  is  the  spot  where  Burgoyne  formed  his  Hne  on  the  brow 
of  the  elevated  plain  previous  to  the  battle  of  Sept.  19th ;  Willard's 
mountain  on  the  east  side  of  the  Hudson  is  seen  in  the  distance. 
About  15  rods  south  from  Mr.  Walker's  house,  in  what  then  was 
called  a  meadow,  is  the  spot  where  Gen.  Frazer  was  mortally 
wounded ;  it  is  a  little  west  of  a  road  running  N.  and  S.  which  has 
since  been  made  near  this  place.  About  60  rods  in  a  SW.  direction 
was  the  hottest  of  the  fight,  on  the  7th  of  October.  Near  the  place 
where  Frazer  fell,  a  hole  or  grave  was  dug,  into  which  the  bodies  of 
40  soldiers  were  thrown,  after  being  stripped  of  their  clothing  by 
the  women  of  the  camp.  Maj.  Ackland  was  wounded  a  little  east 
of  the  present  road.  The  following  account  of  the  battles  is  drawn 
from  various  sources. 

"  The  army  arrived  at  Stillwater  on  the  9ih  of  September,  fully  determined  to  face  the 
foe,  and  if  necessary  pursue  him  into  his  own  confines.  This  was  at  first  supposed  to  be 
an  eligible  position  for  throwing  up  a  line  of  inirenchments,  and  a  large  party  under  the 
engineer  Kosciusko  were  accordingly  set  to  work  for  that  purpose.  But  upon  a  more  nar- 
row  inspection  of  the  grounds,  the  general  determined  to  change  his  position,  and  occupy 
Bemus's  heights,  which  were  taken  possession  of  and  fortified  on  the  12th.  Burgoyne  at 
this  time  lay^opposite  to  Saratoga,  occupying  old  Fort  Miller  and  Battenkill ;  but  what  were 
his  further  intentions,  Gen.  Gates  had  no  means  of  judging.  In  this  situation  the  deputy 
adjutant-general,  Col.  .Tames  Wilkinson,  volunteered  to  head  a  select  reconnoitring  party, 
and  obtain  if  possible  the  desired  information.  He  left  the  camp  with  170  men,  under  cover 
of  a  dark  night,  and  arrived  by  daylight  at  Davocote,  about  two  miles  from  Saratoga.  Here 
he  posted  the  greater  part  of  his  men  in  a  wood  near  the  road,  and  proceeded  himself  to 
the  heights  of  Fish  creek ;  from  which  position  he  discovered  a  column  of  the  enemy  drawn 
up  under  arms,  on  the  opposite  bank  of  the  creek,  within  300  yards  of  him,  and  another 
column  under  march,  descending  the  heights  below  Battenkill.  Being  satisfied  from  these 
circumstances  that  Gen.  Burgoyne  was  advancing,  Col.  Wilkinson  returned  to  camp  with 
his  party,  bringing  with  him  three  prisoners,  who  confirmed  the  intelligence. 

"  On  the  15th,  Gen.  Burgoyne  having  crossed  the  river  some  days  before,  had  advanced 
as  far  as  Davocote,  where  he  halted  24  hours  for  the  purpose  of  repairing  the  bridges  and 
roads  in  his  advance,  for  the  more  convenient  march  of  his  army.    On  the  18th,  Gen.  Ar- 
nold was  sent  out  with  1,500  men,  to  harass  and  impede  him,  but  returned  without  accom- 
plishing  any  thing ;  Burgoyne  continuing  his  march  until  he  had  arrived  within  2  miles  of 
Gen.  Gates's  camp.    Here  he  encamped  in  a  line  extending  from  the  river  to  a  range  of 
hills  600  yards  distant,  and  upon  which  were  posted  the  elite  of  his  army.    The  position 
occupied  by  Gen.  Gates,  as  described  by  an  eye-witness,  and  one  who  knew  it  well,  was 
as  follows : — '  His  right  occupied  the  brow  of  the  hill  near  the  river,  with  which  it  was  con- 
nected  by  a  deep  intrenchment ;  his  camp  in  the  form  of  a  segment  of  a  great  circle,  the 
convex  towards  the  enemy,  extended  rather  obliquely  to  his  rear,  about  three.fourths  of  a 
mile  to  a  knoll  occupied  by  his  left ;  his  front  was  covered  from  the  right  to  the  left  of  his 
centre,  by  a  sharp  ravine  running  parallel  with  his  line,  and  closely  wooded  ;  from  thence 
to  the  knoll  at  his  extreme  left,  the  ground  was  level  and  had  been  partially  cleared,  some 
of  the  trees  being  felled,  and  others  girdled ;  beyond  which,  in  front  of  his  left  flank,  and 
extending  to  the  enei-y's  right,  there  were  several  small  fields  in  very  imperfect  cultivation, 
the  surface  broken  and  obstructed  with  stumps  and  fallen  timber,  and  the  whole  bounded 
on  the  west  by  a  steep  eminence.    The  extremities  of  this  camp  were  defended  by  strong 
batteries,  and  the  interval  was  strengthened  by  a  breastwork  without  intrenchments,  con- 
Btructed  of  the  bodies  of  felled  trees,  logs  and  rails,  with  an  additional  battery  at  an  open, 
ing  left  of  the  centre.    The  right  was  almost  impracticable  ;  the  left  difficult  of  approach.'  •* 
— Allen's  Rev, 

While  in  this  position,  the  battle  of  the  19th  Sept.  took  place;  the 
following  account  of  which  is  from  Gen.  Wilkinson's  Memoirs. 

"  This  battle  was  perfectly  accidental :  neither  of  the  generals  meditated  p.n  attack  at 
the  time,  and  but  for  Lieut.  Col.  Colburn's  report,  it  would  not  have  taken,  place ,  Bur. 


'       H 


SARATOGA  COUNTY. 


501 


lost  building 
I  behind  the 
)n  the  brow 
i;  Willard's 
the  distance, 
it  then  was 
as  mortally 
5.  which  has 
W.  direction 
ar  the  place 
;he  bodies  of 
clothing  by 
1  a  little  east 
Lies  is  drawn 


nined  to  face  the 
it  supposed  to  be 
3  party  under  the 
upon  a  more  nar- 
tion,  and  occupy 
th.  Burgoyne  at 
1 ;  but  what  were 
lation  the  deputy 
onnoitring  party, 
men,  under  cover 
Saratoga.  Here 
:eeded  himself  to 
the  enemy  drawn 
him,  and  another 
.tisfied  from  these 
ed  to  camp  with 
ce. 

re,  had  advanced 
g  the  bridges  and 
le  18th,  Gen.  Ar- 
id  without  accom. 
within  2  miles  of 
ver  to  a  range  of 
ly.  The  position 
mew  it  well,  was 
which  it  was  con- 
a  great  circle,  the 
three-fourths  of  a 
t  to  the  left  of  his 
ded ;  from  thence 
illy  cleared,  some 
his  left  ilank,  and 
)erfect  cultivation, 
e  whole  bounded 
efended  by  strong 
trenchments,  con. 
attery  at  an  open. 
ult  of  approach.'  *• 

ok  place ;  the 
emoirs. 

tated  p.'i  attack  at 
taken  place .  Bur- 


goyne's  movement  being  merely  to  take  ground  on  the  heights  in  front  of  the  great  ravine, 
to  give  his  several  corps  their  proper  places  in  line,  to  embrace  our  front  and  cover  his 
transport,  stores,  provisions,  and  baggage,  in  the  rear  of  his  left  j  and  on  our  side,  the  de. 
fences  of  our  camp  being  not  half  completed,  and  reinforcements  daily  arriving,  it  was  not 
Gen.  Gates's  policy  to  court  an  action.  The  misconception  of  the  adverse  chiefs  put  them 
on  the  defensive,  and  confined  them  to  the  ground  they  casually  occupied  at  the  beginning 
of  the  action,  and  prevented  a  single  manoeuvre,  during  one  of  the  longest,  warmest,  and 
most  obstinate  battles  fought  in  America. 

"  The  theatre  of  action  was  such,  that  although  the  combatants  changed  ground  a  dozen 
times  in  the  course  of  the  day,  the  contest  terminated  on  the  spot  where  it  began.  The 
Bntish  line  was  formed  on  an  eminence  in  a  thin  pine  wood,  having  before  it  Freeman's 
farm,  an  oblong  field,  stretching  from  its  centre  towards  its  right,  the  ground  in  front  sloping 
gently  down  to  the  verge  of  ihis  field,  which  was  bordered  on  the  opposite  side  by  a  close 
wood.  The  sanguinary  scene  lay  in  the  cleared  ground,  botween  the  eminence  occupied 
by  the  enemy,  and  the  wood  just  described.  The  fire  oi  nur  marksmen  from  this  wood 
was  too  deadly  to  be  withstood  by  the  enemy  in  line,  and  when  they  gave  way  and  broke, 
our  men,  rushing  from  their  covert,  pursued  them  to  the  eminence,  where,  having  their 
flanks  protected,  they  rallied,  and,  charging  in  turn,  drove  us  back  into  the  wood,  from 
whence  a  dreadful  fire  would  again  force  them  to  fall  back  ;  and  in  this  manner  did  the 
battle  fluctuate,  like  the  waves  of  a  stormy  sea,  with  alternate  advantage  for  four  hours, 
without  one  moment's  intermission.  The  British  artillery  full  into  our  possession  at  every 
charge,  but  we  could  neither  turn  the  pieces  upon  the  enemy,  nor  bring  them  off;  the 
wood  prevented  the  last,  and  the  want  of  a  match  the  first,  as  the  linstock  was  invariably 
carried  off,  and  the  rapidity  of  the  transitions  did  not  allow  us  time  to  provide  one.  The 
slaughter  of  this  brigade  of  artillerists  was  remarkable,  the  captain  and  3G  men  being  killed 
or  wounded  out  of  48.  It  was  truly  a  gallant  conflict,  in  which  death  by  familiarity  lost 
his  terrors,  and  certainly  a  drawn  battle,  as  night  alone  terminated  it ;  the  British  army 
keeping  its  ground  in  rear  of  the  field  of  action,  and  our  corps,  when  they  could  no  longer 
distinguish  objects,  retiring  to  their  own  camp." 

From  the  period  this  battle  was  fought,  (Sept.  19th,)  to  October 
7th,  the  time  was  spent  by  Gen.  Burgoyne  in  strengthening  his  posi- 
tion, and  by  Gen.  Gates  in  collecting  reinforcements.  Gen.  Bur- 
goyne is  said  to  have  planned  an  attack  on  the  20th  and  21st  of 
September,  but  fortunately  it  was  delayed  until  the  Americans  were 
in  the  best  situation  to  oppose  him.  Attacks  on  the  British  piquets 
took  place  almost  every  evening,  and  they  were  continually  harassed. 
The  following  is  Gen.  Wilkinson's  account  of  the  battle  of  Oct.  7th. 

"  On  the  afternoon  of  October  7th,  the  advanced  guard  of  the  centre  beat  to  arms  ;  the 
alarm  was  repeated  throughout  the  line,  and  the  troops  repaired  to  their  alarm  posts.  I  was 
at  head.quarters  when  this  happened,  and  with  the  approbation  of  the  general,  mounted  my 
horse  to  inquire  the  cause ;  but  on  reaching  the  guard  where  the  beat  commenced,  I  could 
obtain  no  other  satisfaction,  but  that  some  person  had  reported  the  enemy  to  be  advancing 
against  our  left.  I  proceeded,  over  open  ground,  and  ascending  a  gentle  acclivity  in  front 
of  the  guard,  I  perceived,  about  half  a  mile  from  the  line  of  our  encampment,  several  col. 
umns  of  the  enemy,  60  or  70  rods  from  me,  entering  a  wheat  field  which  had  not  been  cut, 
and  was  separated  from  me  by  a  small  rivulet ;  and  without  my  glass  I  could  distinctly 
mark  their  every  movement.  After  entering  the  field  they  displayed,  formed  the  line,  and 
set  down  in  double  ranks  with  their  arms  between  their  legs.  Foragers  then  proceeded  to 
cut  the  wheat  or  standing  straw,  and  I  soon  after  observed  several  officers  mounted  on  the 
top  of  a  cabin,  from  whence  with  their  glasses  they  were  endeavoring  to  reconnoitre  our 
left,  which  was  concealed  from  their  view  by  intervening  woods. 

"  Having  satisfied  myself,  after  fifteen  minutes  attentive  observation,  that  no  attack  was 
meditated,  I  returned  and  reported  to  the  general,  who  asked  me  what  appeared  to  be  the 
intentions  of  the  enemy.  '  They  are  foraging,  and  endeavoring  to  reconnoitre  your  left ; 
and  I  think,  sir,  they  offer  you  battle.'  '  What  is  the  nature  of  the  ground,  and  what  your 
opinion  ?'  '  Their  front  is  open,  and  their  flanks  rest  on  the  woods,  under  cover  of  which 
they  may  be  attacked ;  their  right  is  skirted  by  a  lofty  height.  I  would  indulge  them.* 
♦  Well,  then,  order  on  Morgan  to  begin  the  game.'  I  waited  on  the  colonel,  whose  corps 
was  formed  in  front  of  our  centre,  and  delivered  the  order ;  he  knew  the  ground  and  iii- 
quirod  the  position  of  the  eneniy  j  tliey  were  lomied  across  a  newly  cultivfstco  ..p.-.  t..eir 


i 


Ik         I  ! 


502 


SARATOGA    COUNTY. 


'  I 


grenadiers  with  several  fleld-piecea  on  the  left,  bordering  on  a  wood  and  a  small  ravine 
formed  by  the  rivulet  before  alluded  to ;  their  light  infantry  on  the  right,  covered  by  a  worm 
fence  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  before  mentioned,  thickly  covered  with  wood ;  their  centre 
composed  of  British  and  German  battalions.  Col.  Morgan,  with  his  usual  sagacity,  pro. 
posed  to  make  a  circuit  with  his  corps  by  our  left,  and  under  cover  of  the  wood  to  gain  the 
height  on  the  right  of  the  enemy,  and  from  thence  commence  the  attack,  so  soon  as  our 
fire  should  be  opened  against  their  left ;  the  plan  was  the  best  which  could  be  devised,  and 
no  doubt  contributed  essentially  to  the  prompt  and  decisive  victory  we  gained. 

"  This  proposition  was  approved  by  the  general,  and  it  was  concerted  that  time  should  be 
allowed  the  colonel  to  make  the  proposed  circuit,  and  gain  his  station  on  the  enemy's  right 
before  the  attack  should  be  made  on  their  left ;  Poor's  brigade  was  ordered  for  this  service, 
and  the  attack  was  commenced  in  due  season  on  the  flank  and  front  of  the  British  grena. 
diers,  by  the  New  Hampshire  and  New  York  troops.     True  to  his  purpose,  Morgan  at  this 
critical  moment  poured  down  like  a  torrent  from  the  hill,  and  attacked  the  right  of  the  en- 
emy  in  front  and  tlank.     Dearborn,  at  the  moment  when  the  enemy's  light  infantry  were 
attempting  to  change  front,  pressed  forward  with  ardor,  and  delivered  a  close  fire ;  then 
leaped  the  fence,  shouted,  charged,  and  gallantly  forcetl  them  to  retire  in  disorder ;  yet, 
headed  by  that  intrepid  soldier,  the  Earl  of  Balcarras,  they  were  immediately  rallied,  and 
re-formed  behind  u  fence  in  rear  of  their  first  position ;  but  being  now  attacked  with  great 
audacity,  in  front  and  flanks,  by  superior  mmibers,  resistance  became  vain,  and  the  whole 
fine,  commanded  by  Burgoyne  in  person,  gave  way,  and  made  a  precipitate  and  disorderiy 
retreat  to  his  camp,  leaving  two  twelve  and  six  six  pounders  on  the  field,  with  the  loss  of 
more  than  400  officers  and  men,  killed,  wounded  and  captured,  and  among  them  the  flow, 
er  of  his  officers — viz,  brigadier.general  Frazer;  Major  Ackland,  commanding  tlie  grenadiers ; 
Sir  Francis  Clark,  his  first  aid-de.camp ;  Major  Williams,  commanding  officer  of  the  artil. 
lery;  Captain  Mooney,  deputy  quartermaster.general,  and  many  others.    After  deliver, 
ing  the  order  to  General  Poor,  and  directing  him  to  the  point  of  attack,  I  was  peremptorily 
commanded  to  repair  to  the  rear,  and  order  up  Ten  Broeck's  regiment  of  New  York  mili. 
tia,  3000  strong.     I  performed  this  service,  and  regained  the  field  of  battle  at  the  moment 
the  enemy  had  turned  their  backs — 52  minutes  after  the  first  shot  was  fired.    The  ground 
which  had  been  occupied  by  the  British  grenadiers,  presented  a  scene  of  complicated  hor- 
ror  and  eicultation.     In  the  square  space  of  twelve  or  fifteen  yards  lay  eighteen  grenadiers 
in  the  agonies  of  death,  and  three  officers  propped  up  against  stumps  of  trees,  two  of  them 
mortally  wounded,  bleeding  and  almost  speechless.    What  a  spectacle  for  one  whose  bo- 
som  glowed  with  philanthropy ;  and  how  vehement  the  impulse  which  excites  men  of  sen. 
sibility  to  seek  such  scenes  of  barbarism !     I  found  the  courageous  Colonel  Cilley  a.8trad. 
die  on  a  brass  twelve  pounder,  and  exulting  in  the  capture  ;  whilst  a  surgeon,  a  man  of 
great  worth,  who  was  dressing  one  of  the  officers,  raising  his  blood.besmeared  hands  in  the 
phrenzy  of  patriotism,  exclaimed,  '  Wilkinson,  I  have  dipped  my  hands  in  British  blood.' 
He  received  a  sharp  rebuke  for  his  brutality  ;  and  with  the  troops  I  pursued  the  hard  press, 
ed  flying  enemy,  passing  over  killed  and  wounded,  until  I  heard  one  exclaim, '  Protect  me, 
sir,  against  this  boy.'     Turning  my  eyes,  it  was  my  fortune  to  arrest  the  purpose  of  a  lad 
thirteen  or  fourteen  years  old,  in  the  act  of  taking  aim  at  the  wounded  officer,  who  lay  in 
the  angle  of  a  worm  fence.     Inquiring  his  rank,  he  answered,  '  I  had  the  honor  to  com- 
mand  the  grenadiers,'    Of  course,  I  knew  him  to  be  Major  Ackland,  who  had  been  brought 
from  the  field  to  this  place,  on  the  back  of  Captain  Shrimpton,  of  his  own  corps,  under  a 
heavy  fire,  and  was  here  deposited,  to  save  the  lives  of  both.    I  dismounted,  took  him  by 
the  hand,  and  expressed  my  hopes  that  he  was  not  badly  wounded.    '  Not  badly,'  rephed 
this  gallant  officer  and  accomplished  gentleman,  '  but  very  inconveniently.    I  am  shot 
through  both  legs.    Will  you,  sir,  have  the  goodness  to  have  me  conveyed  to  your  camp  ?' 
I  directed  my  servant  to  alight,  and  we  lifted  Ackland  into  his  seat,  and  ordered  him  to  be 
conducted  to  head-quarters.     I  then  proceeded  to  the  scene  of  renewed  action,  which  em. 
braced  Burgoyne's  right  flank  defence,  and  extending  to  his  left,  crossed  a  hollow  covered 
with  wood,  about  40  rods,  to  the  intrenchment  of  the  light  infantry.    The  roar  of  cannon 
and  small.arms,  at  this  juncture,  was  sublime,  between  the  enemy,  behind  their  works,  and 
our  troops  entirely  exposed,  or  partially  sheltered  by  trees,  stumps,  or  hollows,  at  various 
distances,  not  exceeding  120  yards.    This  right  flank  defence  of  the  enemy,  occupied  by 
the  German  corps  of  Breyman,  consisted  of  a  breastwork  of  rails  piled  horizontally  be. 
tween  perpendicular  pickets,  driven  into  the  earth,  en  potence  to  the  rest  of  hia  line,  and 
extended  about  250  yards  across  an  open  field,  and  was  covered  on  the  right  by  a  battery 
of  two  guns.    The  interval  from  the  left  to  the  British  light  infantry,  was  committed  to  the 
defence  of  the  provincialists,  who  occupied  a  couple  of  log  cabins.    The  Germans  were 
encamped  immediately  behind  the  rail  breastwork,  and  the  ground  in  front  of  it  declined, 
m  a  very  gentle  slope,  for  about  120  yards,  when  it  sunk  abruptly.    Our  troops  had  formed 


I'      P 


lilll 


SARATOGA    COUNTV. 


1  a  small  ravine 
fered  by  a  worm 
>d ;  their  centre 
al  sagacity,  pro- 
vood  to  gain  the 
,  so  soon  as  our 
be  devised,  and 
ed. 

t  time  should  be 
le  enemy's  right 
for  this  service, 
le  Britisli  grena- 
,  Morgan  at  this 
right  of  the  en- 
It  infantry  were 
close  fire ;  then 
n  disorder ;  yet, 
tely  rallied,  and 
eked  with  great 
,  and  the  whole 
i  and  disorderly 
with  the  loss  of 
',  them  the  flow. 
;  tlie  grenadiers ; 
cer  of  the  artil- 
After  deliver- 
'OB  peremptorily 
!*Iew  York  mili- 
;  at  the  moment 
i.  The  ground 
omplicated  hor- 
iteen  grenadiers 
es,  two  of  them 
•  one  whose  bo- 
ites  men  of  sen- 
I  Cilley  a-strad- 
geon,  a  man  of 
red  hands  in  the 
»  British  blood.' 

the  hard  press- 
n, '  Protect  me, 
urpose  of  a  lad 
cer,  who  lay  in 
!  honor  to  com- 
id  been  brought 
t  corps,  under  a 
d,  took  him  by 
:  badly,'  replied 
ly.  I  am  shot 
to  your  camp  ?' 
lered  him  to  be 
ion,  which  em- 
hollow  covered 
roar  of  cannon 
leir  works,  and 
9W8,  at  various 
Y,  occupied  by 
lorizontally  be. 
j{  his  line,  and 
ht  by  a  battery 
mmitted  to  the 
Germans  were 

of  it  declined, 
}p8  had  formed 


508 


ahneundcrihsdeclmty,and  covered  breast  high,  were  warmly  engngcd  with  the  Ger. 
mans  From  this  posmon,  about  m„,set,  I  percmed  Brigadicr.general  Learned  advancing 
towards  the  enemy  with  his  brigade,  in  open  column.  1  think  with  Col.  M.  Jackson's  reef 
ment  m  front,  as  I  saw  Lieutenont.colonel  Brooks,  who  commanded  it,  near  the  genefal 
when  I  rode  up  to  liim.  On  snlu.uig  this  brave  ol<i  soldier,  he  inquired,  'Where  cnnlnut 
tv  with  most  advantage  ?'  I  had  particularly  examined  the  ground  between  the  left  of  Uie 
Germans  and  the  light  infantry,  occupied  by  the  provineiiilisis,  from  whence  1  had  observed 
a  8  ack  hre.  1  Ihcrclorc  rocommended  to  General  Learned  to  incline  to  his  right  and  at 
tack  at  that  point.  He(lid  so,  with  great  gallantry;  the  provincialists  abandoned  !heir  no' 
sition  and  tied.  Ihe  German  flank  was,  hy  this  means,  left  uncovered.  They  were  as 
saulttd  vigorously,  overturned  in  five  minutes,  and  retreated  in  disorder,  leaving  their  kui' 
lant  commander,  Lieutenant-culonel  Breyman,  dead  on  the  field.  By  dislodging  this  corps' 
the  whole  British  encampment  was  laid  open  to  us;  but  the  extreme  darkness  of  the  night' 
the  fatigue  of  the  men,  and  disorder  incident  to  undisciplined  troops,  after  so  desultory  an 
action,  piit  It  out  of  our  power  to  improve  the  advantage  ;  and  in  the  course  of  the  night 
General  Burgoyne  broke  up  his  canii),  and  retired  to  his  original  position,  which  he  had  for! 
tihed,  behind  the  great  ravine." 

The  following  is  from  Allen's  American  Revolution : — 

"  The  British  lost  in  this  nction  upwards  of  400  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners,  among 
whom  were  several  of  their  most  distingwished  oflicers.  Brigadier-general  Frazer,  and 
Lieutenant.colonel  Breyman,  who  conimimded  the  Germans,  were  both  mortally  wounded. 
Major  Acklund,  Sir  Francis  Clark,  first  aid-de-camp.  Major  Williams,  who  commanded  the 
artillery,  and  the  deputy  quarter-ma.ster-general,  Captain  Money,  were  among  the  prisoners. 
Lieutenant.colonel  Brooks,  of  General  Learned's  brigade,  who  commanded  Jackson's  regi. 
ment  on  this  day,  led  his  men  into  action  with  great  spirit  against  the  German  grenadiers, 
who  were  posted  behind  a  rail  breastwork— the  stockades  were  carried  at  the  point  of  the 
bayonet,  and  the  Germans  forced  to  retreat.  They  were  followed  to  their  encampment, 
and  again  forced  to  fly,  leaving  their  whole  equipage  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  Ameri. 
cans.  The  Brunswickers  showed  great  cowaruice  in  the  action,  having  fled  before  a  man 
of  thcni  was  killed  or  wounded.  Besides  their  killed,  wounded,  and  captured,  the  British 
lost  eight  brass  field.pieccs,  a  number  of  carts  and  tents,  and  a  considerable  quantity  of 
baggage.  Burgoyne  himself  narrowly  escaped  death,  one  shot  having  passed  through  his 
hat,  and  another  through  his  waistcoat.  He  was  on  the  field  during  the  whole  of  the  ac- 
tion, directing  every  movement;  but  neither  gallantry  nor  skill  could  effect  any  thing 
against  such  a  superiority  of  force.  General  Gates  remained  in  camp  during  the  whole  ac- 
tion, that  he  might  be  the  better  enabled  to  order  and  regulate  the  various  movements,  as 
circumstances  should  require. 

The  loss  of  the  Americans  did  not  exceed  eighty  men,  killed  and  wounded.  General 
Arnold  was  among  the  latter;  who,  though  he  had  not  been  reinstated  in  his  command 
since  the  dispute  with  General  Gates,  before  mentioned,  rode  about  the  field  giving  orders 
in  every  direction,  sometimes  in  direct  contradiction  to  those  of  the  commander,  at  others 
leading  a  platoon  in  person,  and  exposing  himself  to  the  hottest  fire  of  the  enemy.  There 
seems  to  be  little  doubt,  from  the  conduct  of  \rnold  during  the  action,  that  he  was  in  a 
state  of  intoxication.  The  mortifying  situation  in  which  he  found  himself  at  its  commence, 
inent,  without  command  or  authority,  sufficiently  accounts  for  any  extravagance  in  a  spirit 
like  his.  At  one  time  he  dashed  through  two  opposing  lines,  exposing  himself  to  the  fire 
of  both  sides,  but  miraculously  escaped  unhurt :  at  another  time,  placing  himself  at  the 
head  of  a  small  platoon  of  Morgan's  riflemen,  he  led  them  around  into  the  rear  of  the  en. 
emy,  at  the  moment  they  turned  to  retreat,  under  the  hottest  fire  of  the  Americans.  In 
this  situation,  his  horse  was  killed  under  him,  and  his  leg  was  broken.  It  would  be  doing 
injustice  to  General  Arnold,  traitor  as  he  afterward  proved,  to  deny  that  he  deserved  some 
credit  on  this  day ;  but  though  he  was  brave  almost  beyond  parallel,  he  was  rash,  impetu- 
ous and  headstrong,  and  when  it  is  considered,  that  these  faults  of  his  natural  temper  were 
aggravated  and  heightened  by  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  his  situation,  it  will  not  per- 
haps  be  wrong  to  say,  that  he  could  not  have  rendered  any  very  essential  services  to  the 
American  army,  in  this  important  contest. 

"  On  the  night  of  the  battle,  General  Burgoyne  deemed  it  prudent  to  change  his  posi. 
tion ;  for  the  Americans  had  followed  them  to  within  half  a  mile  of  their  encampment,  and 
continued  to  cannonade  them  wi'hout  ceasing.  He  determined  therefore  to  abandon  hia 
camp  and  move  to  the  high  grounds,  which  he  effected  in  good  order  and  without  loss. 
On  the  morning  of  the  8th  the  American  army  moved  forward  and  took  possession  of  hia 
abandoned  camp,  from  which  they  kept  up  a  random  firo  of  artillery  and  smali-arms  dur. 


'fe'      )  i 


fr?fe 


■'~^c• 


t(        'M 


;|j| 


504 


SARATOGA    COUNTY. 


ing  the  whole  day.  Burgoyne's  troops  were  all  day  under  arms  in  expectation  of  another 
attack,  and  indicating  by  their  movements  that  they  intended  a  still  further  retreat.  In  the 
occasional  skirmishes  of  the  day,  General  Lincoln  was  shot  in  the  leg  by  some  of  the  en- 
emy's marksmen." 


House  in  which  General  Frazer  died,  Stillwater. 

The  annexed  is  a  northeastern  view  of  the  house  on  the  bank  of 
the  Hudson  in  Stillwater,  in  which  General  Frazer  died.*  This 
house  was  originally  one  story  in  height,  and  formerly  stood  about 
25  rods  westward  of  its  present  situation,  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  north 
of  the  canal  bridge  seen  in  the  rear  of  the  house.  It  has  since  re- 
ceived an  addition  at  both  ends ;  the  general  expired  near  the  first 
window  to  the  right  of  the  door.  Beyond  the  bridge  in  the  distance  is 
seen  an  elevation  about  100  feet  in  height.  This  spot  is  rendered  in- 
teresting on  account  of  its  being  the  burial  place  of  General  Fra/.er. 
The  gravef  was  between  the  two  pine  trees  seen  on  the  summit.  Du- 
ring me  last  battle,  the  Americans  had  a  few  cannon  on  the  rising  ground 
above  the  eastern  shore,  from  which  shots  were  fired.  This  house 
appears  to  have  been  for  a  time  the  head-quarters  of  Burgoyne. 
Several  ladies  of  distinction  were  also  inmates  at  the  time  when  the 
British  troops  were  here,  being  the  wives  of  some  of  the  principal 
officers.  The  following  is  an  extract  from  one  of  the  letters  of  the 
Baroness  Reidesel,  originally  published  in  Germany : — 

"  But  severe  trials  nwnitt  d  un,  and  on  the  7ih  of  October,  our  niisforlunrs  br(,'an.  I  wna 
nt  breukfn«t  with  my  IniBlmiul,  and  heard  that  nomothing  was  intended.  On  the  Hame  day 
I  expected  Genends  Burgoyne,  Philli|)s,  and  Frn/.cr  to  dine  with  us.  I  saw  a  great  move, 
ment  among  the  trooptt ;  my  husband  told  me,  it  whs  merely  a  rcconnolRsaner,  wliirh  gave 
mo  no  concern,  as  it  often  happened.  I  walked  out  of  the  house  and  met  several  Indians 
in  their  war  dresses,  widi  guns  in  their  hand*.    When  I  asked  lliem  where  they  were  go. 


•  The  following  ore  the  circumstances  of  his  death  !  In  the  midst  of  llie  iaiiguinary 
battle  of  Oct.  7th,  Colonel  Morgan  took  a  few  of  IiIh  cluiien  riflemen  aside  ond  said,  "  That 
gallant  officer  is  General  Fra/.er ;  /  admire  and  re»prcl  him,  hut  it  in  tinmtnary  that  he 
ghould  dif  ;  take  your  Htnlions  in  that  wood,  and  do  your  duty."  Wiiliin  a  few  momenta 
Gen.  Frazer  fell  mortally  wounded.  He  wan  supported  by  two  officers,  till  he  reached  hia 
tent ;  he  faid  he  saw  the  man  who  shot  him,  that  ho  was  a  rilleninii  posted  in  a  tree. 

t  Hii  remains  were  inknn  up  some  years  mnv,  and  conveyed  to  Kngland. 


SARATOGA    COfNTY. 


505 


■ion  of  another 
etreat.  In  the 
omc  of  the  en* 


battle.)     This  filled 


iter. 

the  bank  of 
lied.*  This 
stood  about 
be  hill  north 
las  since  re- 
lear  the  first 
e  distance  is 
rendered  in- 
leral  Frazer. 
inimit.  Du- 
ising  ground 
This  house 
t'  Burgoyne. 
ne  when  the 
the  principal 
Btters  of  the 


H  began.  I  was 
!)n  the  wanie  day 
A'  a  ntcnt  move, 
nee,  which  jjavo 
I  several  Indiana 
•0  they  were  go. 

r  the  BanfTiiinary 
,nd  giiid,  "  That 
f.rex»ary  that  he. 

a  few  niunients 
1  he  reached  hii 

in  n  tree. 

a. 


ing,  they  cried  out,  '  War  I  War !'  (meaning  they  were  goin, 

with  apprehension,  and  I  scarcely  got  home  before  I  heard  reporUi  of  cannon  and  musketry, 
which  grew  louder  by  degrees,  till  at  last  the  noise  became  excessive.  About  four  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon,  instead  of  the  guests  whom  I  expected.  General  Frazer  was  brought  on  a 
litter  mortally  wounded.  The  table,  which  was  already  set,  was  instantly  removed  and  a 
bed  placed  in  its  stead  for  the  wounded  general.  I  sat  trembling  in  a  corner ;  the  noise 
grew  louder,  and  the  alarm  increased ;  the  thought  that  my  husband  might  perhaps  be 
brought  in,  wounded  in  the  same  way,  was  terrible  to  me,  and  distressed  me  exceedingly. 
General  Frazer  said  to  the  surgeon,  '  Tell  me  if  my  wound  is  mortal;  do  not  flatter  tne.' 
The  ball  had  passed  through  his  body,  and  unhappily  for  the  general,  he  had  eaten  a  very 
hearty  breakfast,  by  which  the  stomach  was  distended,  and  the  ball,  as  the  surgeon  said, 
had  passed  through  it.  I  heard  him  often  exclaim  with  a  sigh, '  Oh,  fatal  ambition  !  Poor 
General  Burgoyne  !  Oh,  my  poor  wife  I'  He  was  asked  if  he  had  any  request  to  make,  to 
which  he  replied,  that '  If  General  Burgoyne  would  permit  it,  he  should  like  to  be  buried 
at  six  o'clock  in  the  evening  on  the  top  of  a  mountain,  in  a  redoubt  which  had  been  built 
there."  I  did  not  know  which  way  to  turn,  all  the  other  rooms  were  full  of  sick.  To- 
wards evening  I  saw  my  husband  coming ;  then  I  forgot  all  my  sorrows,  and  thanked  God 
that  he  was  spared  to  me.  He  ate  in  great  haste  with  me  and  his  aid.de-camp  behind  the 
house.  We  had  been  told  that  we  had  the  advantage  of  the  enemy,  but  the  sorrowful  fa- 
ces I  beheld  told  a  different  tale,  and  before  my  husband  went  away,  he  took  me  one  side, 
and  said  every  thing  was  going  very  bad,  that  I  must  keep  myself  in  readiness  to  leave  the 
place,  but  not  to  mention  it  to  any  one.  I  made  the  pretence  that  I  would  move  the  next 
morning  into  my  new  house,  and  had  every  thing  packed  up  ready. 

"  Lady  H.  Ackland  had  a  tent  not  far  from  our  house ;  in  this  she  slept,  and  the  rest  of 
the  day  she  was  in  the  camp.  All  of  a  sudden,  a  man  came  to  tell  her  that  her  husband 
was  mortally  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  ;  on  hearing  this  she  became  very  miserable  ; 
we  comforted  her  by  telling  her  that  the  wound  was  only  slight,  and  at  the  same  time  ad. 
vised  her  to  go  over  to  her  husband,  to  do  which  she  would  certainly  obtain  permission, 
and  then  she  could  attend  him  herself;  she  was  a  charming  woman,  and  very  fond  of  him. 
I  spent  much  of  the  night  in  comforting  her,  and  then  went  again  to  my  children,  whom  I 
had  put  to  bed.  I  could  not  go  to  sleep,  as  I  had  General  Frazer  and  all  the  other  wound, 
cd  gentlemen  in  my  room,  and  I  was  sadly  afraid  my  children  would  awake,  and  by  their 
crying  disturb  the  dying  man  in  his  last  moments,  who  often  addressed  me,  and  apologized 
^for  the  trouble  he  gave  me.'  About  3  o'clock  in  the  morning  I  was  told  he  could  not  hold 
out  much  longer ;  I  had  desired  to  be  informed  of  the  near  approach  of  this  sad  crisis,  and 
I  then  wrapped  up  my  children  in  their  clothes,  and  went  with  them  into  the  room  below. 
About  8  o'clock  in  the  morning  he  died.  After  he  was  laid  out  and  his  corpse  wrapped  up 
in  a  sheet,  we  came  again  into  the  room,  and  had  this  sorrowful  sight  before  us  the  whole 
day;  and  to  add  to  th's  melancholy  scene,  almost  every  moment  some  officer  of  my  ac. 
quaintanco  was  brought  in  wounded.  The  cannonade  connnenced  again  ;  a  retreat  was 
spoken  of,  but  not  the  smallest  motion  was  made  towards  it.  About  4  o'clock  in  the  after, 
noon  I  saw  the  house  which  had  just  been  built  for  me  in  flames,  and  the  enemy  was  now 
not  far  olf.  We  knew  that  General  Burgoyne  would  not  refuse  the  last  request  of  General 
Frazer,  though  by  his  acceding  to  it,  an  unnecessary  delay  was  occasioned,  by  which  the 
inconvenience  of  the  army  was  much  increased.  At  fi  o'clock  the  corpse  was  brought  out, 
and  we  saw  all  the  generals  attend  it  to  the  nu)untain  ;  the  chaplain,  Mr.  Brundell,  per. 
formed  the  funeral  ocrvice,  rendered  unusually  solemn  and  awful,  from  its  being  acconi. 
panied  by  constant  peals  from  the  enemy's  artillery.  Many  cannon  balls  flew  close  by  me ; 
but  1  had  my  eyes  directed  towards  the  mountain,  wliere  my  husband  was  standing  nrnid 
tlie  firo  of  the  enemy,  and  of  course,  I  could  not  tliink  o.'  my  own  danger.  General  Gates 
afterward  said,  that  if  he  had  known  it  had  been  a  funeral,  he  would  not  have  permitted  it 
to  he  fired  on."  Lady  Harriot  Ackland  went  to  the  American  camp  after  the  action,  to  take 
care  of  her  husband,  before  the  surrender,  and  the  Baroness  Reideael  afterward.  They 
were  both  received  with  the  greatest  kindness  and  delicacy. 

Waterfori)  was  taken  from  Half  Moon  in  1816.  The  village  of 
Waterford.  containing  a  population  of  about  1,000,  is  pleasantly  situ- 
ated at  the  junction  ot  the  Mohawk  with  the  Hudson,  10  miles  north  of 
Albany.  The  annexed  view  was  taken  on  the  road  to  C'ahoos  Falls, 
about  a  mile  west  of  the  village.  There  are  here  1  eliiui-hes — viz, 
1  PrcHbytcriiiii.  1  Methodist.  1  Fipiscopal,  and  1  Dutch  Reformed — 
an  academv,  and  a  bank.     It  is  favorably  located  for  trade,  being  on 


■ill 


506 


SCHENECTADY    COUNTY. 


Western  view  of  Waterford.* 

the  lines  of  the  Champlain  canal  and  Rensselaer  and  Saratoga  rail 
road.  It  also  derives  considerable  importance  from  the  navigation 
of  small  vessels  on  the  Hudson.  There  is  an  outlet  here  from  the 
canal  by  three  locks,  each  11  feet,  to  the  Mohawk  river.  The  agri- 
cultural and  manufactured  products  exported  from  the  village  an- 
nually, amount  to  about  a  million  of  dollars.  The  water-power  used 
in  the  large  manufacturing  establishments  at  this  place  is  derived 
from  the  Mohawk,     Pop.  1,824. 

Wilton  was  taken  from  Northumberland  in  1818.  Pop.  1,438. 
Fortville,  19  miles  NW.  from  Ballston  Spa,  and  Wilton  15,  are  small 
settlements. 


SCHENECTADY  COUNTY. 

ScHENECTADv  COUNTY  was  taken  from  Albany  in  1801);  centrally 
distant  from  New  York  163,  from  Albany  18  miles.  Greatest  length 
25,  greatest  bteadth  20  miles.  The  surface  is  much  diversihed  by 
hills,  plains,  aiid  valleys.  The  soil  along  the  Mohawk  and  other 
streams  is  g(  nerally  rich  alluvion ;  on  the  hills,  light  sandy  loam, 
sometimes  fertile  ;  and  r)ji  the  plains,  clay  and  clayey  loam,  and  sand, 
sometimes  barren.  Wherever  practiciible  the  country  is  generally 
well  cultivatid,  chiefly  by  descendants  of  the  primitive  Dutch  settlers, 
among  whom  are  many  wealthy  farmnrs.  The  Mohawk  rivf^r  runs 
SE.  through  the  county.  The  Schoharie  kill,  on  the  W.,  atlurds 
ubunuance  of  mill   power.     The  Mohawk  and  Hudson,  the  Kensse- 


*  Binit  iiir    'rawing  fwr  ihr  abovr  cngfnvinst  was  iakfn,  and  whiifl  this  work  was  in 
press,  B  di'HinH'  ivo  firo  broke  out  and  do»troyod  a  large  ponioii  of  this  floiirj«hinB  villagi'. 


SCHENECTADY    COUNTY. 


507 


aratoga  rail 
e  navigation 
;re  from  the 
The  agri- 
;  villagp  an- 
-power  used 
e  is  derived 

Pop.  1,438. 
15,  are  small 


0 ;  centrally 
latest  length 
ivcrsified  by 
k  and  other 
sandy  loam, 
HI,  and  sand, 
is  generally 
itch  settlers, 
k  river  runs 
W.,  atlbrds 
the  Kensse- 


I!)  work  was  in 
■I'^hinR  villiifji'. 


laer  and  Saratoga,  and  the  Utica  and  Schenectady  railioads,  and 
Erie  canal,  cross  this  county.  The  county  is  divided  into  five  towns 
and  the  city  of  Schenectady.     Pop.  17,233. 

DuANESBURG  was  taken  from  Schenectady  in  1801.  Pop.  3,338. 
Duanesburg  is  a  small  village,  12  miles  SW.  from  Schenectady. '  Ea- 
ton's Corners,  Mariahville,  and  Quakers  Street,  are  post-offices. 

Glenville  originally  formed  the  fourth  ward  of  Schenectady, 
from  which  it  was  taken  April  14,  1820.  Pop.  3,068.  It  derives  its 
name  from  the  Glen  family,  who  were  early  and  large  proprieters. 
It  is  centrally  distant  5  miles  from  Schenectady.  Glenville  Church 
village,  9  miles  from  the  city,  contains  a  Dutch  Reformed  church  and 
6  or  8  dwellings.  Scotia  village  lies  on  Sander's  lake,  about  half  a 
mile  from  Schenectady :  it  contains  a  Dutch  Reformed  church  and 
about  30  dwellings. 

Scotia,  the  ancient  name  of  Scotland,  was  the  name  given  by  its  first  settler.  This  tract 
conimencL'S  at  a  point  neurly  oppomto  the  eastern  extremity  of"  liie  city,  and  extends  westerly 
along  the  north  side  of  the  Mohawlt  about  two  miles.  The  first  patent  conveying  it  was 
granted  Nov.  3,  lG(i5,  by  (Governor  Richard  Nichuls  to  Sanders  Lenderise  Glen,  (Anglice, 
Alexander  Lindsay  Glen.)  Mr.  Glen  was  an  immediate  descendant  of  the  Earl  of  Craw, 
ford  and  Lindsay,  whose  family  had  been  on  the  peerage  roll  since  1399,  Mr.  Glen  took 
to  wife  Catharine  McDonald,  the  daughter  of  a  Ilighland  chieftain.  He  left  Scotland  in 
the  year  l(i'15,  to  avoid  persecution  in  consequence  of  the  stand  he  had  taken  in  reference 
to  certain  religious  disputes  which  then  agitated  the  country.  He  sided  with  the  unfortu- 
nate Charles  the  First,  who  vainly  strove  to  introduce  the  English  liturgy  into  Scotland. 
Mr.  Glen  first  emigrated  into  Holland,  and  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  for  a  number  of 
years.  He  fituilly  came  to  New  York  in  company  with  a  number  of  Dutch  families.  Here, 
and  in  Albany  and  Schenectady,  he  resided  for  a  number  of  yeais.  Some  time  previous  to 
1G90,  he  moved  to  Scotia. 

The  coiiniry  scat  of  Mr,  Glen  is  still  owned  by  his  descendants,  the  Sanders  family. 
Although  it  bears  the  advanced  age  of  J23  years,  it  bids  fair  to  outlive  many  of  the  flimsy 
structures  which  characterize  the  American  architecture  of  the  present  century.  The  iron 
figures  showing  the  date  of  its  erection,  (1713,)  are  still  to  be  seen.  During  the  French 
wars  it  was  rendered  defensible.  At  the  foot  of  a  small  hillock,  a  few  yards  east  of  tlie 
mansion,  tradition  points  to  a  spot  where  tlie  Mohawks  occasionally  performed  tlieir  sac- 
rifices. 

In  the  beginning  of  July,  1748,  during  the  French  and  Indian  war,  a  farmer  named 
Daniel  Toll,  residing  at  Maulwyck,  now  Glenville,  went  in  company  with  a  favorite  colored 
servant  in  search  of  some  stray  horses,  at  Boekeiulal,  three  miles  from  Schenectady.  They 
soon  heard,  as  they  supposed,  the  trampling  of  horses,  but  on  a  nearer  approach  the  sounds 
they  mistook  for  that  of  horses'  hoofs  on  the  clayey  ground  proceeded  from  quoits  with 
which  some  Indians  were  playing.  Mr,  Toll  discovered  his  error  too  late,  and  fell  pierced 
with  the  bullets  of  the  savages.  His  servant  escaped  into  Schenectady,  and  conveyed  the 
news  of  the  death  of  his  master  and  the  presence  of  the  enemy.  In  less  than  an  hour 
about  60  young  men,  the  very  elite  of  the  city,  were  on  their  march  as  volunteers  to  the 
scene  of  action.  Such  was  their  zeal  that  they  would  not  wait  until  the  authorities  had 
called  out  the  militia,  which  they  proposed  to  do  in  the  afternoon  of  the  day.  Among  the 
number,  was  a  youth  about  twelve  years  of  age,  named  Abraham  Swits,  whom  they  could 
not  prevail  upon  without  difiiculty  to  return  home.  W'lhout  discipline  or  experience,  and 
without  a  leader,  they  hastened  to  tite  Indian  camp.  Those  in  advance  of  the  main  body 
were  attracted  by  a  singular  sight.  They  saw  a  man  r<Henil)liiig  Mr.  Toll,  sitting  near  a 
fence,  in  an  adjoining  field,  and  a  crow  flying  up  and  down  before  him.  On  coming  nearer 
they  discovered  it  to  bo  the  corpse  of  Mr,  Toll,  with  a  crow  attached  to  it  by  a  string. 
This  proved  to  be  a  stratagem  of  the  Indians  to  decoy  their  adversaries.  The  young  men 
loo  readily  fell  into  the  snare,  and  were  in  a  few  moments  surrounded  by  the  Indians  who 
had  been  laying  in  ambush.    Their  terrible  war-cry  was  shouted, 

*'  And  rapid,  rapid  whoops,  came  o'er  the  plain." 

inarsy  W=rr  Ruitti,  anu  sevefft:  tSncn  pfisnnffs  cfc  itity  eo'tiiu  nsaKc  good 

They  however  succeeded  in  reaching  the  dwelling  of  a  Mr.  De  Graff,  in  th« 


ml ;_ 

I  au=  =i:rpr;r' 

Uicir  retreat. 


i 


508 


SCHENECTADY  COUNTY. 


;  I 


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i. 


I 


ti 


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neighborhood,  which  had  been  deserted  for  some  time.  While  retreating,  they  continued 
firing  upon  the  enemy.  On  reaching  the  house,  they  bolted  the  doors,  and  ascended  to  the 
second  story.  Here  they  tore  off  all  the  boards  near  the  eaves,  and  through  the  opening 
thus  made,  succeeded  in  firing  upon  the  savages  with  success  and  keeping  them  at  bay. 
In  the  mean  time,  one  of  the  prisoners,  Derick  Vorst,  who  had  been  left  in  the  charge  of 
two  young  Indians,  effected  his  escape. 

The  two  youngsters  were  anxious  to  see  the  fight,  and  secured  their  prisoner  (as  they 
though;)  by  tying  him  to  a  tree ;  and  then  leaving  him  alone,  he  effected  his  escape  by 
cutting  the  cord  with  his  penknife.  On  the  approach  of  the  militia  under  Gen.  Jacob  Glen, 
the  party  were  relieved  from  their  perilous  situation  and  the  enemy  retreated  into  Canada. 

The  corpses  of  the  killed,  thirty.two  in  number,  were  brought  into  Schenectady  on  the 
evening  of  the  massacre,  and  deposited  in  the  large  barn  of  Abraham  Mabee,  being  the 
identical  one  now  on  the  premises  of  John  Walton,  Esq.,  in  church-street.  The  relatives 
of  the  deceased  repaired  thither  to  claim  their  departed  kindred,  and  remove  them  for 
interment. 

"  Touched  by  the  melting  scene,  no  tearless  eye  was  there ; 
All  eyes  were  veil'd,  as  pass'd  each  much  loved  shroud, 
While  woman's  softer  soul  in  wo  dissolved  aloud."* 

Neskayuna  is  derived  from  the  Indian  term,  Con-nes-ti-gu-ne,  sig- 
nifying "  a  field  covered  ivit/i  corn."  This  is  a  small  town,  and  was 
taken  from  Watervlict  in  1809.  Pop,  081.  Its  distance  from  Albany 
is  12,  and  from  Schenectady  0  miles.  This  name  was  formerly 
borne  by  an  extensive  tract  on  both  sides  of  the  Mohawk,  granted 
partly  by  the  Nestiogine  and  partly  by  the  Connestiogine  patents, 
which  embraced  portions  of  Clinton  Park,  Half  Moon,  Watervliet, 
and  the  1st  ward  of  Schenectady.  Near  the  Mohawk  is  thn  village 
church  and  a  few  dwellings.  The  Ballston  turnpike  crosses  the  Mo- 
hawk at  Alexander's  bridge,  4  miles  below  Schenectady,  where  are 
some  falls,  a  low  rolling  dam  across  the  river,  and  several  mills. 
The  Erie  canal  is  carried  over  the  Mohawk  here  by  an  aqueduct 
748  feet  long,  25  feet  above  the  stream,  and  falls  immediately  after 
by  3  locks  21  feet. 

The  following  are  the  names  which  tradition  has  preserved  of  a  few  of  the  chiefs  of  the 
Connestigiune  l)Bnd,  who  inhabited  this  section  of  country.  Eon-warrifrh-wok-go-wa,  sig- 
nifying  in  English,  the  great  fault-finder,  or  grumbler.  Kn.na-da.rokh.go-wa — a  great 
eater.  Ro-ya-nn — a  chief.  Aa-sa-rcgo — big.knife.  A-ioon-ta-go-wa — big-tree.  Of  these, 
the  first  maiJe  the  greatest  objections  to  alienin^^  their  lands  to  the  whites ;  and  in  every 
deed  was  careful  to  have  a  covenant  inserted,  by  wliich  the  right  of  hunting  and  fishing 
was  preserved  to  them.  It  was  a  connnon  saying  of  his,  that  "  afier  the  whites  have 
taken  possession  of  our  lands,  they  will  make  Kaut-mre  (literally  '  spoon  food'  or  soup)  of 
our  bodies."  Yet  he  was  on  the  most  friendly  terms  with  the  whites,  and  was  never  back, 
ward  in  extending  to  them  his  powerful  influence  and  personal  aid,  during  their  expeditions 
against  the  Canadians  during  the  French  war.  He  took  great  delight  in  instnicting  the 
b9ys  of  the  settlers  in  the  arts  of  war.  He  was  constantly  complaining  that  the  govern, 
ment  did  not  prosecute  the  war  against  the  French  with  sufficient  vigor.  The  wittcnage. 
mote  or  council  fire  of  the  Connestigiune  band  was  held  about  u  mile  south  of  the  village. 

Neskayuna  was  visited  in  1687  by  a  spy  from  the  Adirondacks,  the  allies  of  the  French. 
Hunger  drove  him  to  the  house  of  a  Dutchman,  by  the  name  of  Van  Brakkle,  where  he  de- 
voured  an  enormous  quantity  of  the  food  set  before  him,  which  hoppencd  to  be  pork  and  peas. 
Although  his  movement*  had  been  marked  with  more  than  usual  caution,  the  eagle-eye  of 
"  the  Grumhier"  detected  him.  He  waylaid  him  on  leaving  the  house  of  his  entertainer, 
and  after  a  short  conflict  made  him  bite  the  dust.  Having  separated  the  head  of  the  corpse 
from  the  body,  he  repaired  to  the  house  of  Van  Brakklo,  ami  throw  tliu  head  into  tho  win. 
dow,  exclaiming  to  the  owner,  "  Behold  the  head  of  your  Pm-eater" 


•  For  the  history  of  this  towii,  Neskayuria,  and  other  interesting  matter  relating  to  this 
region,  we  are  indebted  to  a  series  of  historical  sketches  written  and  publiahnd  Q  f^w  years 
■ince  in  the  Schenectady  Reflector,  by  Uitos  F.  YaUs,  Elsq.,  who  wu  at  the  time  ita  editor. 


r,  they  continued 
i  ascended  to  the 
ugh  the  opening 
ig  them  at  bay. 
in  the  charge  of 

irisoner  (as  they 
sd  his  escape  by 
Gen.  Jacob  Glen, 
ted  into  Canada, 
henectady  on  the 
iWabee,  being  the 
it.  The  relatives 
remove  them  for 


-ti-gu-ne,  sig- 
wn,  and  was 

from  Albany 
kvas  formerly 
awk,  granted 
gine  patents, 
1,  Watervliet, 

is  thn  village 
3sses  the  Mo- 
y,  where  are 
several  mills. 

an  aqueduct 
ediately  after 


"  the  chiefs  of  the 
'h-wok.go.ioa,  sig. 
h.go-wa — a  great 
lig-trce.  Of  these, 
es ;  and  in  every 
nting  and  fishing 
the  whites  have 
1  food'  or  soup)  of 
i  was  never  back. 
ij  their  expeditions 
in  instructing  the 
I  that  the  govern. 
.  The  wittenoge. 
>uth  of  the  village, 
ies  of  the  F'rench. 
ikle,  where  he  de- 
i  be  pork  and  peas. 
1,  the  cagle-eye  of 
of  his  entertainer, 
head  of  the  corpse 
head  into  the  win. 


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SCHENECTADY    COUNTY. 


509 


The  first  white  settlers  in  this  town  were  the  families  of  the  Clutes,  VedderB,  Van  Vran. 
kens,  Groots,  Tymesens,  Pearces,  and  Class  Jansen  Van  Buckhoven,  who  afterward 
moved  to  Schenectady.  Tradition  says  this  village  was  settled  simultaneously  with  Sche- 
nectady, in  1640.  From  an  old  document  it  appears  that  Haimon  Vedder  obtained  a  patent 
for  some  land  here  in  1664. 

Princetown,  taken  from  Schenectady  in  1798 ;  from  Albany  20 
miles.  Pop.  1,184.  Netterville  is  a  small  village,  7  miles  SW.  of 
Schenectady. 

Rotterdam,  formerly  the  3d  ward  of  Schenectady ;  taken  from  the 
city  in  1820.  Pop.  2,274.  The  Erie  canal  by  three  locks  passes  the 
flats.  Rotterdam  is  a  small  manufactm'ing  village,  4  miles  W.  from 
Schenectady. 

Schenectady  city  was  incorporated  in  1798.  Its  name,  pronounced 
by  the  Indians  Schagh-nac-taa-da,  signifying  "beyond  the  pine  plainr" 
was  originally  applied  to  Albany.  The  compact  part  of  the  city  was 
in  olden  time  the  site  of  an  Indian  village  called  Con-nugh-harie- 
gugh-harie,  literally,  "  a  great  multitude  collected  together."  It  is  said 
that  it  was  the  principal  seat  of  the  Mohawks,  even  before  the  con- 
federacy of  the  Iroquois,  or  Five  Nations.  It  was  abandoned  by 
them  at  a  very  early  period  in  the  colonial  history.  Some  time  pre- 
vious to  1620,  it  is  stated  that  15  or  20  persons,  12  of  whom  were 
direct  from  Holland,  and  the  rest  from  Albany,  settled  here  for  the 
purpose  of  carrying  on  the  fur  trade.  It  appears  from  the  Dutch 
records  that  the  first  grant  of  lands  was  made  in  1661,  to  Arent  Van 
Corlaer  and  others,  on  condition  that  they  purchased  the  soil  from 
the  Indians.  The  deed  was  obtained  in  1072,  and  signed  by  four 
Mohawk  chiefs. 

The  compact  part  of  Schenectady  is  on  the  SE.  side  of  the  Mo- 
hawk river,  15i  miles  from  Albany,  and  15  SW.  of  Ballston  springs. 
The  plat  is  laid  out  on  20  streets  crossing  each  other,  running  about 
one  mile  in  one  direction  and  half  a  mile  in  another,  eight  of  which 
are  diagonally  intersected  by  the  Erie  canal.  The  city,  which  in 
some  parts  retains  much  of  its  ancient  appearance,  contains  the  county 
buildings,  1  Episcopal,  1  Dutch  Reformed,  1  Presbyterian,  1  Baptist, 
1  Cameronian,  1  Methodist,  1  Universalist,  and  1  Catholic  church, 
the  Union  College,  Schenectady  Lyceum,  an  academy,  3  banks, 
&c.,  &c.  Pop.  6,688.  The  railroad  from  Albany  to  this  place  ex- 
tends across  a  sandy  plain  covered  with  pines  and  shrubbery;  it 
enters  Schenectady  by  an  inclined  plane  which  descends  108  feet  in 
half  a  mile.  The  Saratoga  and  Schenectady  railroad  passes  through 
the  city,  crosses  the  Mohawk  river  on  a  substantial  bridge  between 
8  and  900  feet  long,  and  extends  in  a  northerly  direction  over  a 
heavy  embankment  for  three  fourths  of  a  mile  to  a  deep  cut,  where 
the  Utica  railroad  diverges  to  the  west,  and  the  Saratoga  to  the 
northeast. 

Union  College,  in  this  city,  was  incorporated  by  the  regents  in 
1794,  and  has  reached  its  present  flourishing  condition  from  a  small 
beginning.  In  1785,  a  small  academy  was  erected  by  the  consistory 
Q^  fji^i  R^pforfyjofl   Dutch  church*  which  after  the  establishment  of 


A'  '\ 


510 


SCHaNECTADY    COUNTY. 


*,  IJ 


Union  College  Buildings,  Schenectady. 

Union  College,  was  presented  to  its  trustees,  and  used  as  a  grammar 
school.  Liberal  donations  from  individuals,  amounting  to  upwards 
of  $30,000,  raised  a  suite  of  edifices  in  the  heart  of  the  city,  the  prin- 
cipal one  of  which  was  afterward  used  as  a  courthouse,  but  having 
been  repurchased  by  the  institution,  is  now  devoted  to  collegiate  ob- 
jects. In  1814,  the  trustees  purchased  a  site  on  the  rising  ground  over- 
looking the  Mohawk  valley,  a  little  E.  of  the  compact  part  of  the  city. 
Two  edifices  have  been  erected  at  this  place,  each  200  feet  long, 
about  40  wide,  4  stories  high,  standing  in  a  line  600  feet  apart ;  a 
colonnade  extending  in  the  rear  from  each  building  1.56  feet  in  length, 
by  about  30  feet  in  width,  and  2  stories  high.  The  other  college 
buildings  are  two  boarding  halls,  farm-house,  hospital  house,  for  a 
professor,  a  number  of  tenements  for  servants,  &c.  The  college  has 
6  professors  and  4  assistant  professors,  and  in  its  several  libraries 
about  13,000  volumes.  The  total  value  of  the  college  property  is 
upwards  of  $448,000.     There  are  here  about  300  students. 

The  first  clergyman  of  the  Durch  church  who  settled  at  Schenectady  was  Petrwt  Tass. 
ehemaker,  from  Holland,  who  assumed  the  pastoral  charge  in  1684.  The  first  edifice  for 
public  worship  was  erected  nt  the  south  end  of  Church.street,  near  the  head  of  Water-street, 
between  the  years  1684  and  1698.  Previous  to  this  time  meetings  for  worship  were  pro. 
bably  held  in  private  houses.  In  1733,  a  more  commodious  edifice  was  erected  in  the  can- 
tre  of  the  street  where  Union  and  Church  streets  cross  each  other.  This  church  was  very 
similar  in  its  appearance  to  the  one  now  standing  in  Caughnawaga,  in  the  town  of  Mo. 
hawk.    [See  page  281.] 

"  Before  the  scttiomcnt  of  Mr.  Tasschemaker,  the  ehurch-going  people  attended  public 
worship  in  Albany ;  a  journey  to  which  place,  going  and  coming,  consumed  more  than  two 
days.  The  road  to  Albany  must  have  been  very  circuitous,  as  all  the  records  of  that  day, 
when  alluding  to  Schenectady,  speak  of  it  as  being  situated  '  twenty  miles  west  of  Albany.' 

"  In  February,  1690,  when  Schenectady  was  burnt  by  the  French  and  Indians,  Mr.  Taas- 
ehemaker  disappeared  very  mysteriously.  In  1702,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Brower,  also  from 
Holland,  received  a  call,  and  servtJ  until  his  death  in  1728.  The  Rev.  Bernardus  Free- 
man  and  Rhynhard  Erkson  served  next  in  order;  but  how  long  is  not  known.  In  1740, 
we  find  the  name  of  Cornelius  Van  Santvoord,  who  came  from  Staten  Island,  aa  the  settled 
clergyman.  Two  years  after  his  decease,  viz.,  in  1754,  the  Rev.  Barent  Vrooinan,  a  ua- 
tive  of  Schenectady,  accepted  a  call  and  ministered  until  his  decease  in  1782.  Mr.  Vroo. 
man  received  his  education  in  Holland  ;  as  was  the  case  with  all  the  Dutch  clergymen  of 
that  early  day,  before  theological  seminaries  were  established  in  this  country.  Mr.  Vroo- 
mnn  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Derick  Romeyn,  from  Hackensack  and  Schallenburgh, 
New  Jersey.    Mr.  Romeyn  died  in  ib04,  and  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  John  H.  Myers, 


s  a  grammar 
f  to  upwards 
:ity,  the  prin- 
e,  but  having 
^.ollegiate  ob- 
ground  over- 
rt  of  the  city. 

00  feet  long, 
eet  apart ;  a 
!eet  in  length, 
)ther  college 

house,  for  a 
e  college  has 
eral  libraries 
;  property  is 
nts. 

voa  Fetru*  Tass. 
le  first  edifice  for 
\  of  Water-street, 
orship  were  pro- 
ected  in  the  cen- 
church  was  very 
the  town  of  Mo- 

nttendcd  pubhc 
id  more  than  two 
lords  of  that  day, 
west  of  Albany.' 
iidians,  Mr.  Taas. 
Irower,  also  from 
Bemardus  Free- 
lown.  In  1740, 
nd,  as  the  settled 
:  Vrooinan,  a  na- 
782.  Mr.  Vroo. 
ich  clergymen  of 
ntry.    Mr.  Vroo. 

1  Schallenburffh, 
John  H.  Myers, 


SCHENECTADY    COUNTY. 


511 


from  Paltz,  New  Jersey.     Mr.  Myers  died  in  180G.    His  successor  was  ilie  Rev.  Cornelius 
Bogardus,  who  died  in  1813,  and  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Jacob  Van  Vcchtcn. 

"  The  Episcopal  church  at  Schenectady  was  founded  by  Mr.  John  \V.  Brown,  who  emi- 
grated  from  England  previous  to  17C2.  Al)out  this  time  measures  were  taken  to  erect  a 
chapel.  The  principal  benefactors  wore  Sir  William  Johnson  and  John  Duncan,  Esq. 
Previous  to  the  revolution  this  church  owned  a  valuable  library,  which,  together  with  the  or- 
gan and  a  greater  part  of  the  interior  work  of  the  building,  was  destroyed  by  a  gang  of  lawless 
white  freebooters  and  some  Indiana.  Strange  as  it  may  seem,  these  freebooters  were  whigs, 
whose  prejudices  against  England  were  so  great  as  to  extend  to  every  thing  English.  That 
this  churcii  was  called  the  English  church,  and  was  supposed  to  be  under  the  English  in. 
fluence,  formed  a  sufficient  justification  in  their  own  view  for  its  destruction.  A  project 
was  set  on  fool  to  plunder  Mr.  Doty  the  pastor;  but  fortunately  the  projectors  were  not  ac- 
quainted  with  his  person  or  place  of  abode,  and  as  nobody  woulu  inform  them,  he  escaped. 

"  The  Rev.  William  Andrews  was  probably  the  first  pastor  of  this  church.  He  was  sue. 
ceeded  in  1773  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Doty,  who  left  this  place  about  the  year  1777,  in  the  heat 
of  the  revolutionary  contest.  From  this  time  there  was  no  settled  minister  until  1791, 
when  the  Rev.  Anmii  Robbins  took  the  pastoral  charge  and  continued  until  1798.  After 
him  came  the  Rev.  Mr.  Whilmorc,  whose  ministration  ended  in  1804.  The  Rev.  Cyrus 
Stebbins  was  the  next  pastor ;  and  ho  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Pierre  A.  Proal  in  1818." 

The  war  during  the  reign  of  William  and  Mary,  in  England,  com- 
monly called  *' King  William's  War"  commenced  in  1690  and  con- 
tinued about  7  years.  In  the  depth  of  winter,  Count  Frontenac„ 
governor  of  Canada,  fitted  out  three  expeditions  agamst  the  colonies 
— one  against  New  York,  a  second  against  New  Hampshire,  and  a 
third  against  the  province  of  Maine.  The  following,  relating  to  the 
destruction  of  Schenectady,  is  extracted  from  the  account  given  in 
Mr.  Drake's  "  Book  of  the  Indians." 

"  After  two-and-twenty  days'  march,  the  enemy  fell  in  with  Schenectady,  Febniary  8, 
1690.  There  were  about  200  French,  and  perhaps  50  Caughnewaga  Mohawks,  and  they 
at  first  intended  to  have  surprised  Albany  ;  but  their  march  had  been  so  long  and  tedious, 
occasioned  by  the  deepness  of  the  snow  and  coldness  of  the  wtsther,  that,  instead  of  at. 
tempting  any  thing  ofi'ensive,  they  had  nearly  decided  to  surrender  themselves  to  the  first 
English  they  should  meet,  such  was  their  distressed  situation,  in  a  camp  of  snow,  but  a  few 
miles  from  the  devoted  settlement.  The  Indians,  however,  saved  them  from  the  disgrace. 
They  had  sent  out  a  small  scout  from  their  party,  who  entered  Schenectady  without  even 
exciting  suspifcion  of  their  errand.  When  they  had  staid  as  long  as  the  nature  of  their 
business  required,  they  withdrew  to  their  fellows. 

"  Seeing  that  Schenectady  offered  such  an  easy  prey,  it  put  new  courage  into  the  French, 
and  they  came  upon  it  as  above  related.  The  bloody  tragedy  commenced  between  11  and 
12  o'clock,  on  Saturday  night ;  and,  that  every  house  might  be  surprised  at  nearly  the  same 
time,  the  enemy  divided  themselves  into  parlies  of  6  or  7  men  each.  Although  the  town 
was  empaled,  no  one  thought  it  necessary  to  close  the  gates,  even  at  night,  presuming  the 
severity  of  the  season  was  a  sufficient  security  ;  hence  the  first  news  of  the  approach  of  the 
enemy  was  at  evury  door  of  every  house,  which  doors  were  broken  as  soon  as  the  profound 
slumbers  of  those  they  were  intended  to  guard.  The  same  inhuman  barbarities  now  foU 
lowed,  that  were  afterward  perpetrated  upon  the  wretched  inhabitants  of  Montreal.  '  No 
tongue,'  said  Col.  Schuyler,  'can  express  the  cruelties  that  were  committed.'  Sixty-threo 
houses,  and  the  church,  were  immediately  in  a  blaze.  Enciente  women,  in  their  expiring 
agonies,  saw  their  infants  cast  into  the  flames,  being  first  delivered  b^  the  knife  of  the  inid. 
night  assassin  !  Sixty-three  persons  were  put  to  death,  and  tweniy-seven  were  carried  into 
captivity. 

"  A  few  persons  fled  towards  Albany,  with  no  other  covering  but  their  night.clothes ;  the 
horror  of  whose  condition  was  greatly  enhanced  by  a  great  fall  of  snow  ;  25  of  whom  lost 
their  limbs  from  the  severity  of  the  frost.  With  these  poor  fugitives  came  the  intelligence 
to  Albany,  and  that  place  was  in  a  dismal  confusion,  having,  as  usual  upon  such  occasions, 
supposed  the  enemy  to  have  been  seven  times  more  numerous  than  they  really  were. 
About  noon,  the  next  day,  the  enemy  set  off"  from  Schenectady,  taking  all  the  plunder  they 
could  carry  with  them,  among  which  were  40  of  the  best  horses.  The  rest,  with  all  the 
cattle  and  other  domestic  animals,  lay  slaughtered  in  the  streets. 

"  One  of  the  most  considerable  men  of  Schenectady,  at  this  time,  was  Capt.  Aleiander 


-Ml 


B 

I 

I! 

1 

1 

j 

m 

^^Hf  ^ 

'  '  ' 

! 

1 

1 

1 ! 

1' 

512 


SCHENECTADY    COUNTY. 


Glen.  He  lived  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  and  was  suffered  to  escape,  because  he 
had  delivered  many  French  prisoners  from  torture  and  slavery,  who  had  been  taken  by  the 
Indiana  in  the  former  wars.  They  had  passed  his  house  in  the  night,  and,  during  the  mas. 
sacre,  he  had  taken  the  alarm,  and  in  the  morning  he  was  found  ready  to  defend  himself. 
Before  leaving  the  village,  a  French  officer  summoned  him  to  a  council,  upon  the  shore  of 
the  river,  with  the  tender  of  personal  safety.  He  at  length  adventured  down,  and  had  ihe 
great  satisfaction  of  having  all  his  captured  friends  and  relatives  delivered  to  him;  and  the 
enemy  departed,  keeping  good  their  promise  that  no  injury  should  be  done  him." 

Among  those  who  made  a  successful  defence  and  kept  the  foe  at  bay,  was  Adam 
Vrooman.  Being  well  supplied  with  ammunition,  and  trusting  to  the  strength  of  his  build. 
ing,  which  was  a  sort  of  a  fort,  he  formed  the  desperate  resolution  to  defend  himself  to  the 
lust  extremity ;  and  if  it  should  prove  his  fate  to  perisli  in  the  ruins  of  his  own  domicil,  to 
sell  his  own  life  and  that  of  his  children  as  dear  us  possible.  Seconded  in  his  efforts  by 
one  of  his  sons,  who  assisted  in  loading  his  guns,  he  kept  up  a  rapid  and  continuous  fire 
upon  his  assailants,  and  with  the  most  deadly  effect.  His  house  was  soon  filled  with 
smoke.  His  wife,  nearly  suffocated  with  it,  cautiously,  yet  imprudently,  placed  the  door 
ajar.  This  an  alert  Indian  perceived,  and  firing  through  the  aperture,  killed  her.  In  the 
mean  time,  one  of  his  daughters  escaped  from  the  back  hall  door  with  his  infant  child  in 
her  arms.  They  snatched  the  little  innocent  from  her  arms,  and  dashed  out  its  brains ;  and 
in  the  confusion  of  the  scene  the  girl  escaped.  Their  triumph  here,  however,  was  of  short 
duration  ;  Mr.  Vrooman  succeeded  in  securely  bolting  the  door  and  preventing  the  iniru. 
sion  of  any  of  the  enemy.  On  witnessing  Mr.  Vrooman's  courage,  and  fearing  greater 
havoc  among  their  chosen  band,  tlie  enemy  promised,  if  he  would  desist,  to  save  his  life  and 
not  set  fire  to  his  building.  This  promise  they  fulfilled,  but  carried  off  two  of  his  sons  into 
captivity. 

The  following  additional  particulars  respecting  this  event  are 
drawn  from  the  account  given  by  Charlevoix,  a  learned  French 
Jesuit,  distinguished  for  his  travels  and  authentic  historical  works. 

'■  This  party  marched  out  before  they  had  determined  against  what  part  of  the  English 
frontier  they  would  carry  their  arms,  though  some  part  of  New  York  was  understood. 
Count  Frontenac  had  left  that  to  the  two  commanders.  After  they  had  marched  5  or  6 
days,  they  culled  a  council  to  determine  upon  what  place  they  would  attempt.  In  this 
council,  it  was  debated,  on  the  part  of  the  French,  that  Albany  would  be  the  smallest  place 
they  ought  to  undertake  ;  but  the  Indians  would  not  agree  to  it.  They  contended  that, 
with  their  small  force,  an  attack  upon  Albany  would  be  attended  with  extreme  hazard. 
The  French  being  strenuous,  the  debate  grew  warm,  and  an  Indian  chief  asked  them  'how 
long  it  was  since  they  had  so  much  courage.'  To  this  severe  rebuke  it  was  answered,  that, 
if  by  some  past  actions  they  had  discovered  cowardice,  they  should  see  that  now  they  would 
retrieve  their  character ;  they  would  take  Albany  or  die  in  the  attempt.  The  Indians, 
however,  would  not  consent,  and  the  council  broke  up  without  agreeing  upon  any  thing 
but  to  proceed  on. 

"  They  continued  their  march  until  they  came  to  a  place  where  their  path  divided  into 
two  ;  one  of  which  led  to  Albany,  and  the  other  to  Schenectady :  here  Mantet  gave  up  his 
design  upon  Albany,  and  they  marched  on  harmoniously  for  the  former  village.  The 
weather  was  very  severe,  and  for  the  following  9  days  the  little  army  suffered  incredible 
hardships.  The  men  were  often  obliged  to  wade  through  water  up  to  their  knees,  breaking 
its  ice  at  every  step. 

"  At  4  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  beginning  of  February,  they  arrived  within  two  leagues 
of  Schenectady.  Here  they  halted,  and  the  Great  Agnier,  chief  of  the  Iroquois  of  th&  falls 
of  St.  Louis,  made  a  speech  to  them.  He  exhorted  every  one  to  forget  the  hardships  they 
had  endured,  in  the  hope  of  avenging  the  wroTigs  they  had  for  a  long  time  suffered  from  the 
perfidious  English,  who  were  the  authors  of  them ;  and  in  the  close  added,  that  they  could 
not  doubt  of  the  assistance  of  heaven  against  the  enemies  of  God,  in  a  cause  so  just. 
Hardly  had  they  token  up  their  line  of  march,  when  they  met  40  Indian  women,  who  gave 
them  all  the  necessary  information  for  approaching  the  place  in  safely.  A  Canadian, 
named  Giguiere,  was  detached  immediately  with  !>■  Indians  upon  discovery,  who  acquitted 
himself  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  his  officers.  lie  reconnoitred  Schenectady  at  his  leisure, 
and  then  rejoined  his  comrades.  It  had  been  determined  by  the  party  to  put  off  the  attack 
one  day  longer ;  but  on  the  arrival  of  the  scout  under  Giguiere,  it  was  resolved  to  proceed 
without  delay. 

"  Schenectady  wag  then  in  form  like  that  of  a  long  square,  and  entered  by  two  gates,  one 
at  each  end.     Uno  opened  towards  Albany,  the  other  upon  the  great  road  leading  into  the 


Kk4m' 


SCHENECTADY    COUNTY. 


513 


scape,  because  he 
been  taken  by  the 
1,  during  the  mas. 
to  defend  himself, 
upon  the  shore  of 
lown,  and  had  the 
1  to  him  ;  and  the 
le  him." 

bay,  was  Adam 
ength  of  his  build. 
;nd  liimself  to  the 
is  own  domicil,  to 
d  in  his  efforts  by 
id  continuous  fire 
i  soon  filled  with 
y,  placed  the  door 
tilled  her.  In  the 
his  infant  child  in 
)ut  its  brains ;  and 
'ever,  was  of  short 
3venting  the  iniru. 
id  tearing  greater 
to  save  his  life  and 
wo  of  his  sons  into 

his  event  are 
.rned  French 
'ical  works. 

irt  of  the  English 
I  was  understood, 
ad  marched  5  or  6 
attempt.  In  this 
the  smallest  place 
y  contended  that, 
I  extreme  hazard. 
■  asked  them  '  how 
I'ns  answered,  that, 
at  now  they  would 
pt.  The  Indians, 
ng  upon  any  thing 

path  divided  into 
ilantet  gave  up  his 
iner  village.  The 
suffered  incredible 
lir  knees,  breaking 

kvithin  two  leagues 
roquois  of  the  falls 
the  hardships  they 
B  suffered  from  the 
sd,  that  they  could 
1  a  cause  so  just. 
women,  who  gave 
ity.  A  Canadian, 
ery,  who  acquitted 
;tady  at  his  leisure, 
}  put  off  the  attack 
esolved  to  proceed 

1  by  two  gates,  one 
ad  leading  into  the 


back  country,  and  which  was  now  possessed  by  the  French  and  Indians.  Mantet  and  St. 
Helene  charged  at  the  second  gate,  which  the  Indian  women  before  mentioned  had  assured' 
them  was  always  open,  and  they  found  it  so.  D'lberville  and  Repentigni  passed  to  the 
left,  in  order  to  enter  by  the  other  gate,  but,  after  losing  some  time  in  vainly  endeavoring 
to  find  it,  were  obliged  to  return  and  enter  with  their  comrades. 

"  The  gate  was  not  only  open  but  unguarded,  and  the  whole  party  entered  without  being 
discovered.  Dividing  themselves  into  several  parties,  they  waylaid  every  portal  and  then 
the  war.whoop  was  raised.  Mantet  formed  and  attacked  s  garrison,  where  the  only  resist, 
ance  of  any  account  was  made.  The  gate  of  it  was  soon  forced,  and  all  of  the  English  fell 
by  the  sword,  and  the  garrison  was  burned.  Montigni  was  wounded,  in  forcing  a  house 
in  his  arm  and  body  by  two  blows  of  a  halberd,  which  put  him  hors  du  combat ;  but  St! 
Helene  being  come  to  his  assistance,  the  house  was  taken,  and  the  wounds  of  Monti"ni 
revenged  by  the  death  of  all  who  had  shut  themselves  up  in  it.  Nothing  was  now  to  be 
seen  but  massacre  and  pillage  in  every  place.  At  the  end  of  about  two  hours,  the  chiefs, 
believing  it  due  to  their  safety,  posted  bodies  of  guards  at  all  the  avenues,  to  prevent  sur. 
prise,  and  the  rest  of  the  night  was  spent  in  refreshing  themselves.  Mantet  had  given 
orders  that  the  minister  of  the  place  should  be  spared,  whom  he  had  intended  for  his  own 
prisoner ;  but  he  was  found  among  the  promiscuous  dead,  and  no  one  knew  when  he  was 
killed,  and  all  his  papers  were  burned. 

"  After  the  place  was  destroyed,  the  chiefs  ordered  nil  the  casks  of  intoxicating  liquors  to 
be  staved,  to  prevent  their  men  from  getting  drunk.  They  next  set  all  the  houses  on  fire, 
excepting  that  of  a  widow,  into  which  Montigni  had  been  carried,  and  another  belonging 
to  Major  Coudre  :  they  were  in  number  about  40,  all  well  built  and  furnished;  no  booty 
but  that  which  could  be  easily  transported  was  saved.  The  lives  of  about  60  persons  were 
spared  ;  chiefly  women,  children,  and  old  men,  who  had  escaped  the  fury  of  the  onset,  and 
30  Indians  who  happened  to  be  then  in  the  place.  The  lives  of  the  Indians  were  spared 
that  they  might  carry  the  news  of  what  had  happened  to  their  countrymen,  whom  they 
were  requested  to  inform,  that  it  was  not  against  them  that  they  intended  any  htirm,  but  to 
the  English  only,  whom  they  had  now  despoiled  of  property  to  the  amount  of  four  hundred 
thousand  pounds." 

The  following  ballad  is  an  interesting  relic  of  antiquity.  It  was 
written  in  1690,  to  commemorate  the  destruction  of  Schenectady,  and 
is  composed  something  in  the  style  of  the  celebrated  "  Chevy  Chase." 

"A  BALLAD, 

"  In  which  is  set  forth  the  horrid  cruellties  practised  by  the  French  and  Indians  on  the 
night  of  the  8th  of  last  February.  The  which  I  did  compose  last  night  in  the  space  of  one 
hour;  and  am  now  writing,  the  morning  of  Fryday,  June  12th,  1690.  W.  W. 

Each  door  was  sudden  open  broke 
By  six  or  seven  men. 

1 .     men  and  women,  younge  and  olde, 
And  eke  the  girls  and  boys. 

All  started  up  in  great  affright, 
Att  the  alarming  noise. 

They  then  were  murther'd  in  their  beddes, 
Without  shame  or  remorse  ; 

And  soone  the  floors  and  streets  were  strew'd 
With  many  a  bleeding  corse. 

The  village  soon  began  to  blaze. 
Which  shew'd  the  horrid  sight : — 

But,  O,  1  scarce  can  beare  to  tell. 
The  mis'ries  of  that  night. 

They  threw  the  infants  in  the  fire, 
The  men  they  did  not  spare ; 

But  killed  all  which  they  could  find, 
Though  aged  or  tho'  fair. 

O  Christe  !    In  the  still  midnight  air, 
It  sounded  dismally ; 

The  women's  prayers,  and  tho  loud  gcreama 
Of  their  great  agony. 

65 


"  God  prosper  long  our  king  and  queen. 

Our  lives  and  safeties  all ; 
A  sad  misfortune  once  there  did 

Schenectady  befall. 

From  forth  the  woods  of  Canada 
The  Frenchmen  tooke  their  way, 

The  people  of  Schenectady 
To  captivate  and  slay. 

They  marched  for  two  and  twenty  dales, 
All  through  the  deepest  snow ; 

And  on  a  dismal  winter  night. 
They  strucke  the  cruel  blow. 

The  lightsome  sun  that  rules  the  day 
Had  gone  down  in  the  west ; 

And  eke  the  drowsie  villagers 
Had  sought  and  found  their  reste. 

They  thought  they  were  in  saftie  all, 
And  dreampt  not  of  the  foe  : 

But  att  midnight  they  all  awoke. 
In  wonderment  and  woe. 

For  they  were  in  their  pleasant  beddee. 
And  Boundelie  sleeping,  when 


514 


SCHENECTADY    COUNTY. 


Methinks  as  if  I  hear  them  now 

All  ringing  in  my  ear ; 
The  shrieks  and  groans  and  woeful  sighs 

They  uttered  in  their  fear. 

But  some  run  off  to  Albany, 

And  told  the  dolefull  tale  : 
Yett  though  we  gave  our  chearful  aid, 

It  did  not  much  avail. 

And  we  were  horribly  afraid, 

And  shook  with  terror,  when 
They  told  us  that  the  Frenchmen  were 

More  than  a  thousand  men.  . 

The  news  came  on  the  Sabbath  morn 

Just  att  the  break  of  day. 
And  with  a  companic  of  horse 

I  galloped  away. 
But  soon  we  found  the  French  were  gone 

With  all  their  great  bootye  ; 

Albany,  I2th  of  June,  16D0. 


And  then  their  trail  we  did  pursue, 

As  was  our  true  dutye. 
The  Mohaques  joynd  our  brave  partye, 

And  followed  in  the  chase. 
Till  we  came  up  with  the  Frenchmen, 

Att  a  most  likelye  place. 

Our  soldiers  fell  upon  their  rear. 

And  killed  twenty.five ; 
Our  young  men  were  so  much  enrag'd 

They  took  scarce  one  olive. 

D'Aillebout  them  did  commande. 
Which  were  but  thievish  rogues. 

Else  why  did  they  consent  and  goe, 
With  bloodye  Indian  dogges  ? 

And  here  I  end  the  long  ballad, 
The  which  you  just  have  redde; 

1  wisii  that  it  mny  siny  on  earth 
Long  after  I  am  dead. 

Walter  Wilie. 


The  annexed  novel  marriage  which  occurred  somewhere  in  this 
vicinity  is  well  worthy  of  preservation. 

About  a  century  ago,  saith  tradition,  when  clergymen  were  not  so  plenty  as  they  now 
are,  a  young  gentlemen  and  his  dulcinea  were  anxiously  awaiting  the  happy  day  which  was 
to  see  them  united  in  the  silken  bands  of  matrimony.  They  resided  on  the  north  side  of 
Tomhenick  creek,  and  the  clergyman  who  had  been  engaged  to  tie  the  knot  lived  on  the 
south  side  of  the  same  stream.  As  the  fates  would  have  it,  heavy  rains  fell  the  night  pre- 
vious  to  the  nuptial  day,  which  rendered  the  creek  impassable.  Its  waters  were  rising,  and 
its  current  becoming  more  rapid  every  hour.  The  clergyman  arrived  at  the  appointed  time 
at  a  place  where  he  had  been  in  the  habit  of  fording  the  creek ;  but  it  was  as  much  as  his 
life  was  worth  to  attempt  to  cross  it  then.  He  turned  bis  horse's  head  to  return,  when  he  was 
hailed  by  two  voices  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  stream — they  were  those  of  the  groom  and 
bride,  who  entreated  him  to  stay.  After  some  debate,  it  was  agreed  that  the  ceremony 
should  proceed.  In  the  mean  time  the  friends  of  the  betrothed  arrived  from  the  bride's  house 
in  the  neighborhood.  Then  was  presented  a  singular  spectacle,  "  the  like  whereof  was 
never  seen  before,"  and  probably  will  not  be  again.  The  dominie  read  the  marriage  ser- 
vice,  on  the  margin  of  the  creek,  while  the  parties  stood  on  the  opposite  side.  After  the 
ceremony  was  over,  the  groom  tossed  a  few  guilders  across  the  creek,  which  the  dominie 
picked  up  and  pocketed  as  his  fee,  mounted  his  horse  and  proceeded  homewards,  and  the 
married  couple  did  the  same. 

The  following  inscriptions  are  copied  from  a  monument  in  the 
graveyard  near  the  Presbyterian  church. 

"  Jonathan  Edwards,  S.  T.  D.  North,  reip.  Mass.,  natus,  A.  D.  1745,  coll.  Nassov,  A.  B. 
176.5,  et  eodem  tutor,  1767,  ordinibus  ecclesise  sacris  Nov.  Port.  Connect,  reip.  initiatus, 
1769  iisdemq.  Coluni,  1796,  atque  coll.  Concord  Schenect.  N.  Ebor  preeses,  1799. — Vir 
ingenio  acri,  justi  tenax  propositi,  doctrina  vere  eximia  maxime  imbutus  atque  prsBditus, 
christianse  fidei  intemeratse  defensor  tum  fervidus  tum  praevalidus,  et  in  moribus  intami- 
natis  enituit  magnum  sui  desiderium  bonis  omnibus  reliquit,  die  1  mo.  Aug.  anno  salutis 
humanse,  1801." 


"  Mariae,  Jonathan!  Edwards  conjugis  dilectissimee,  nee  non  memor  hoc  est  etiam  mon- 
umentum.  Ipsa  urbanitate,  moribus,  pietate,  yiro  optimo  dignissima,  aquis,  eheu !  sub- 
mersa  fuit,  Nov.  Port.  reip.  Connect.  Anno  Domini,  1782.  Eademque  urbs  reliquae  ipsius 
habet." 

[Jonathan  Edwards,  D.  D.,  born  at  Northampton,  Mass.,  A.  D.  1745 ;  graduated  at  the 
college  of  New  Jersey  in  1765,  where  he  was  tutor  in  1767  ;  ordained  to  the  ministry  of 
the  gospel  at  New  Haven,  Conn.,  in  1769,  and  also  at  Colebrook  in  1796 ;  and  president 
of  Uiilou  college  at  Schenectady,  New  York,  la  1799.  lie  was  a  man  of  acute  mind,  firm 
in  his  opinion,  thoroughly  versed  and  skilled  in  true  learning,  the  intrepid  defender,  aUke 


pursue, 

ave  party e, 

renchmen, 

•ear, 

ch  enrag'd 

ande, 
rogues, 
ind  goe, 

ges? 

Had, 
redds ; 
arth 

Valter  Wilie. 

jwhere  in  this 


snty  as  they  now 
py  day  which  was 
the  north  side  of 
knot  lived  on  the 
fell  the  night  pre- 
s  were  rising,  and 
he  appointed  time 
as  as  much  as  his 
urn,  when  he  was 
of  the  groom  and 
lat  the  ceremony 
1  the  bride's  house 
like  whereof  was 
the  marriage  ser- 
e  side.  After  the 
■hich  the  dominie 
mewards,  and  the 

ument  in  the 


loll.  Nassov,  A.  B. 
cct.  reip.  initiatus, 
rseses,  1799. — Vir 
18  atque  praeditus, 
1  moribus  intami- 
Aug.  anno  salutis 


oc  est  etiam  mon- 
iquis,  eheu !  sub. 
rbs  reliquas  ipsius 

;  graduated  at  the 
to  the  ministry  of 
)6 ;  and  president 
f  acute  mind,  firin 
•id  defender,  alike 


SCHOHARIE    COUNTY. 


515 


earnest  and  successful,  of  the  Christian  faith,  and  conspicuous  for  the  purity  of  his  life.  He 
died  amid  the  grief  of  all  good  men,  on  the  first  duy  of  August,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord 
1801.] 

[Maria,  the  beloved  wife  of  Jonathan  Edwards,  is  also  commemorated  by  this  monu. 
ment.  In  urbanity,  goodness,  and  piety,  she  was  most  worthy  of  that  excellent  man.  In 
1782,  she  was  unfortunately  drowned  at  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  where  her  remains 
repose.] 


SCHOHARIE  COUNTY. 

Schoharie*  county  was  taken  from  Albany  and  Otsego  counties 
in  1795 :  greatest  length  N.  and  S.  30,  greatest  breadth  E.  and  W. 
25  miles.  Centrally  distant  NW.  from  New  York  150,  from  Albany 
W.  42  miles.  In  the  western  part  of  this  county  is  the  dividing  ridge 
between  the  waters  of  the  Mohawk  and  those  of  the  Susquehannah 
and  Delaware.  In  the  eastern  part  it  has  the  Cattskill  and  Helle- 
bergf  mountains.  It  has  the  valley  of  the  Schoharie  creek  north 
and  south  through  its  centre,  along  which  the  alluvial  flats  are  very 
extensive,  with  a  soil  of  loam  and  vegetable  mould,  peculiarly  rich 
and  fertile.  Much  of  the  surface  of  this  county  is  hilly,  with  some 
of  a  mountainous  character.  The  soil  of  the  uplands  is  of  various 
qualities,  generally  better  adapted  to  grass  than  to  grain.  The  Scho- 
harie creek,  a  large  tributary  of  the  Mohawk,  has  its  rise  in  Green 
county,  and  flows  northward  through  the  centre  of  this  county.  In 
its  course  it  receives  several  smaller  streams,  the  principal  of  which 
are  the  Cobelskill  on  the  west,  and  Foxes  creek  on  the  east.  The 
Cattskill  has  its  source  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  county,  and  the 
Delaware  and  Susquehannah  in  the  western.  The  county  is  well 
watered,  and  possesses  many  fine  mill  sites.  In  the  towns  of  Sum- 
mit, Jefferson,  Blenheim,  Broome,  and  the  uplands  of  Middleburg  and 
Fulton,  the  tenure  of  the  soil  is  generally  held  by  lease ;  the  fee- 
simple  being  in  proprietors  of  large  tracts ;  but  in  these  towns,  there 
are  many  tracts  upon  the  creek,  which  the  Germans  have  taken  up 
in  fee,  the  common  tenure  of  the  northern  towns.  The  towns  of 
Schoharie,  Cobelskill,  Sharon,  Fulton,  Middleburg,  and  portions  of 
Blenheim  and  Broome,  have  a  population  of  German  origin.  The 
German  language  prevails  among  the  older  inhabitants,  but  their 
children  are  educated  and  converse  in  English.  The  early  settlers 
suflfered  much  from  Indian  hostilities,  and  during  the  revolution  the 
country  was  overrun  by  the  British  and  Indians  under  Sir  John 
Johnson,  Brant,  and  the  infamous  Walter  Butler.  The  county  is  di- 
vided into  1 1  towns.     At  the  commencement  of  the  revolution  this 

*  Schoharie,  Indian  name  for  driftwood. 

tHelleberg,  German — Helderburg,  Dutch.  The  early  settlers  of  Schoharie  passed  over 
this  mountain  on  their  route  tliither,  and  gave  it  this  name,  which  signifies  the  "  sightly 
hili." — /.  B.  Simms. 


W's 


ft.,        ■    ' 
W  'I 


516 


SCHOHARIE    COUNTY. 


■whole  territory  scarcely  contained  1,000  inhabitants;  the  greater 
part  of  these  inhabited  the  valley  of  the  Schoharie  river.  The  pop- 
ulation in  1840  was  32,351. 

Br-ENHEiM,  organized  in  1797;  from  Albany  W.  44  nriiles.  Pop. 
2,726.  North  Blenheim,  15  miles  S.  from  Schoharie,  and  Blenheim, 
are  small  villages. 

Broome,  originally  named  Bristol,  was  organized  in  1797  ;  centrally 
distant  S.  from  Schoharie  15  miles.  Pop.  2,404.  Gilboa,  Broome, 
Livingstonville,  PlattaJiill,  and  Smithtown,  are  small  villages  or 
settlements.  The  monument  of  David  Williams,  who  died  in  this 
town,  is  at  Livingstonville,  and  has  the  following  inscription  :  "  David 
Williams,  the  only  surviving  captor  of  Andre,  died  August  1st,  1831, 
aged  77.     Amor  patria;  vincit,"  (the  love  of  country  conquers.) 

Carlisle,  taken  from  Cobelskill  and  Sharon  in  1807  ;  from  Scho- 
harie NW.  10  miles.  Pop.  1,850.  Carlisle  and  Grosvenors  Cor- 
ners are  small  villages. 

Cobelskill*  was  formed  from  Schoharie  in  1797.  Near  the  brick 
meeting-house  is  one  of  those  subterraneous  streams  common  to 
limestone  countries.  Cobelskill,  10  miles  W.  of  Schoharie,  Law- 
yersville,  Punchkill,  Richmondville,  and  Mann's  Valley,  are  small  vil- 
lages. 

In  the  summer  of  1779,  a  party  of  Onondaga  Indians,  after  the  de- 
struction of  their  town  by  Col.  Van  Schaick,  made  an  incursion  into 
this  section,  the  account  of  which  is  thus  given  by  Campbell  in  his 
Annals : — 

"  There  was  at  this  time  a  little  settlement,  consisting  of  only  nineteen  families,  on  the 
Cobbleskill  creeit,  ten  miles  west  of  Sclioiiarie.  Though  they  had  erected  no  fortifica. 
tions,  they  had  prepared  for  defence,  by  organizing  a  compony  of  militia,  and  procuring 
arms  and  ammunition.  About  the  middle  of  May,  it  was  reported  at  a  meeting  of  the 
militia,  that  some  straggling  Indians  had  been  seen  in  the  neighborhood,  and  a  scout  of 
three  men,  one  of  whom  was  suspected  of  being  secretly  a  royalist,  was  sent  out  into  the 
forest.  On  the  return  of  the  scout,  they  met  two  Indians  near  the  settlement,  who  accost, 
ing  them  in  friendly  terms,  and  pretending  to  be  hunting,  were  suffered  to  pass.  The  In. 
dians  took  a  circuitous  route,  and  in  a  short  time  met  them  again.  The  suspected  individ- 
ual had  now  disappeared,  having  taken  a  different  path  to  the  settlement.  The  Indians  still 
pretended  friendship  j  one  of  them  familiarly  took  the  muaket  from  one  of  the  men,  and 
knocking  out  the  flint,  handed  it  back.  The  other  attempted  the  same  thing,  but  his  ad- 
versary  perceiving  his  intention,  shot  him.  His  companion  fled,  and  the  men  icturned  to 
the  settlement.  This  circumstance,  together  with  n  rumor  that  a  large  body  of  Indians 
were  on  their  march  for  Schoharie,  excited  fears  that  this  little  settlement  would  be  the 
first  object  of  their  revenge.  Thny  immediately  despatched  a  messenger  to  Schoharie 
with  the  intelligence,  and  directed  him  to  ask  for  assistance.  A  part  of  a  company  of  con. 
tinental  soldiers,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Patrick,  was  sent  the  same  day  to  Cobbles, 
kill.  The  next  morning  a  party  of  Indians  were  seen  to  cross  the  creek  and  return  again 
i.,io  the  woods.  A  small  detachment  of  men  were  sent  in  pursuit.  These  wtre  soon 
driven  back  by  superior  force.  Captain  Patrick  then  marched  the  whole  of  his  little  band, 
and  1.5  volunteers  of  the  militia,  to  their  support.  The  Indians  were  driven  back,  but  soon 
made  a  stand,  and  after  firing  again  retroQied.  They  continued  to  retreat,  disputing  the 
ground  at  every  step,  evidently  increasing  in  number,  until  the  conflict  became  exceeding. 

•  Mr.  Jephtha  R.  Simms,  of  Fultonville,  who  is  at  present  writing  a  history  of  Scho. 
harie  county  and  its  vicinity,  for  which  object  he  has  taken  pains  in  collecting  authentic 
and  original  information,  in  a  letter  to  (he  authors  thus  alludt's  to  the  orihogrophy  of  this 
name.  "  Cobelskill  has  been  written  Cobuskill,  Cobbleskill,  and  as  I  writ"  it.  In  the  laws 
w^iich  record  the  fof>n*tipn  of  that  town,  it  ia  Rpellad  CobalskiU-.  Th6  iiBtn*  of  the  inss 
•ft«r  whom  it  waa  called  waa  Cobel." 


SCHOHARIE    COUNTY. 


517 


; ;  the  greater 
3r.     The  pop- 

I  miles.  Pop. 
and  Blenheim, 

797;  centrally 
ilboa,  Broome, 

II  villages  or 

0  died  in  this 
)tion :  "  David 
gust  1st,  1831, 
conquers.) 

1 ;  from  Scho- 
osvenors  Cor- 

\ear  the  brick 
IS  common  to 
iioharie,  Law- 
',  are  small  vil- 

s,  after  the  de- 
incursion  into 
/ampbell  in  his 

!en  families,  on  the 
•ected  no  fortifica- 
litia,  and  procuring 
It  a  meeting  of  the 
•jod,  and  n  scout  of 
as  sent  out  into  the 
[>nicnt,  who  accost- 

1  to  pass.  The  In- 
1  suspected  individ- 
.  The  Indians  still 
fie  of  the  men,  and 
e  thing,  but  hia  ad- 
he  men  iCturned  to 
ge  body  of  Indians 
iment  would  be  the 
*nger  to  Schoharie 
a  company  of  con- 
me  day  to  Cobblcs- 
>k  and  return  again 

These  wtre  soon 
e  of  his  little  band, 
ivcn  back,  but  soon 
'treat,  disputing  the 
became  exceeding. 

f  a  history  of  Scho- 
collecting  authentic 
(irthograpii;'  of  this 
rif"  it.    In  the  laws 

H  iinmA  nf  thft  man 


ly  fierce.  Captain  Patrick  was  at  first  wounded,  and  afterward  killed,  when  his  men 
sought  safety  in  flight.  The  Indians  immediately  pursued  them,  and  at  the  same  instant 
the  main  body,  which  had  been  concealed  in  the  thickets,  rushed  forth,  and  with  deafening 
yells  poured  a  shower  of  rifle  balls  upon  the  fugitives ;  their  number,  as  afterward  ascer- 
tained, was  about  300. 

"  The  death  ot  Captain  Patrick  alone  saved  his  men  from  entire  destruction ;  in  a  few 
moments  more  they  would  have  been  surrounded,  and  their  retreat  cut  off. 

"  The  inhabitants  of  the  settlement,  as  soon  as  they  saw  the  fugitives  emerging  from  the 
woods,  pursued  by  the  Indians,  fled  in  an  opposite  direction,  and  all  arrived  safe  at  Scho. 
harie  ;  their  rscape  was  favored  by  the  desperate  resistance  of  seven  of  the  soldiers,  who, 
takuig  possession  of  a  house,  fired  from  the  windows,  and  checked  the  pursuit  of  the  ene- 
my. The  Indians  at  length  succeeded  in  setting  the  house  on  fire,  and  six  of  its  brave  de. 
fenders  perished  in  the  flames ;  the  other  was  afterward  found  a  few  rods  distant,  much 
burned,  and  horribly  mutilated ;  a  roll  of  continental  money  was  put  in  his  hand,  as  if  in 
derision  of  the  cause  which  he  supported.  The  enemy  set  fire  to  the  buildings  in  the  vi. 
cinity,  and  after  burying  their  dead  and  mangling  the  dead  bodies  of  the  soldiers,  retired 
without  pursuing  the  fugitives  furtii'  Of  the  45  who  went  out,  21  escaped,  22  were 
killed,  and  42  taken  prisoners.    The  Indians  sufl'ered  severely." 

General  James  Dana  moved  into  this  town  soon  after  the  revolu- 
tionary war,  and  was  a  i-esidcnt  till  his  death.  He  was  born  in  Ash- 
ford,  Connecticut,  October  10th,  1732.  The  following  notice  re- 
specting this  meritorious  officer  is  from  the  manuscript  of  I.  H. 
Tiflany,  Esq.,  of  Fultonville,  which  he  has  drawn  up  with  care  and 
accuracy.  Most  of  the  facts  here  stated  were  related  to  Mr.  Tiffa- 
ny by  General  Dana  himself,  January  7th,  1816. 

He  appears  to  have  tomnienced  his  military  career  among  the  provincial  troops,  under 
Sir  William  Johnson.  He  assisted  in  building  the  fort  at  Lake  George,  and  was  at  the 
battle  of  Lake  Champlain,  where  the  fortificotion  was  attacked  by  the  French,  and  General 
Johnson  wounded.  At  the  conniiencement  of  the  American  revolution,  he  was  a  captain 
in  Colonel  Siorr'a  regiment,  in  General  Putnam's  brigade  of  Connecticut  militia.  He  ar. 
rived  at  the  American  camp  at  Cambridge,  where  General  Ward  commanded,  immediately 
after  the  aflair  at  Lexington.  He  was  among  the  troops  ordered  to  throw  up  a  breastwork 
on  Bunker's  Hill.  A  half-moon  fortificuiion  of  facines  and  dirt  was  erected  during  the 
night.  Colonel  Prescott  was  the  engineer  ;  he  requested  Captain  Dana's  orderly  sergeont 
to  ossist  in  laying  out  the  fortification.    The  British  embarked  at  Winnimeaset  ferry. 

When  the  second  division  of  500  troops  landed,  they  marched  up  Maiden  river  to  gain 
the  rear  of  the  American  fortification.  This  movement  was  first  perceived  by  Captain  Da- 
na,  and  communicated  to  General  Putnam.  By  his  orders,  500  of  the  Connecticut  troops 
were  marched  down  and  took  up  their  position,  and  formed  two  deep  behind  a  fence.  Cap- 
tain (afterward  Colonel)  Knowlton  commanded  this  detachment.  Captain  Dana  was  the 
second  in  command.  Putnam,  in  givi,ig  his  directions,  said  to  these  officers,  "  Do  you  re 
member  my  orders  at  Ticonderoga  ?"  "  Yes,"  was  the  reply  :  "  you  told  u«  not  to  fire  till 
u>e  could  Me  the  wkiltt  of  the  «»-  ny't  eyes."  "  Well,"  says  Putnam,  "  I  give  the  same 
orders  now." 

The  British  advanced  with  muifled  drums  and  soft  fifes ;  the  officers  and  soldiers  got 
over  the  fence  south  of  the  American  line.  Captain  Dana  was  posted  in  the  centre,  to. 
wards  which  the  Brilish  column  was  advancing.  The  order  was,  "  death  to  any  man  who 
fired  before  Captain  Dana."  When  the  column  was  eight  rods  distant,  Dana  ordered  the 
rear  rank  down  flat.  At  this  word  the  British  officer  faced  about  and  ordered  the  column 
to  display  from  the  centre.  At  that  instant  Captain  Dana,  Lieutenant  Grosvenor,  and 
orderly-sergeant  Fuller  fired,  and  the  British  commanding  officer  (supposed  to  be  Major 
Pitcairn)  fell  mortally  wounded.  The  British  troops  broke  and  retreated,  formed  and  ad. 
vanced  again,  which  probably  occupied  thirty  minutes.  When  they  arrived  at  the  fence 
they  fired.  Lieutenant  Grosvenor  was  wounded  in  the  hand,  and  a  bullet  also  passed 
through  B  rail  and  lodged  in  his  shirt.  Hailed  and  harndess.  Ca;  "in  Knowlton's  musket 
barrel  was  broken  off  by  a  cannon  ball.  Lieutenant  Grosvenor  ,-  und  up  his  hand  and  re. 
tired  from  the  field.  Within  four  or  five  nnnules  u.'  'jr  Grosvenor  was  wounded,  a  cannon 
ball  struck  a  rail  against  Dona's  breast,  which  knocked  him  down  breaihiess.  He  however 
recovered,  and  remained  until  the  line  was  ordered  off.    When  he  arrived  at  his  quarters, 

£ I  ._  u;.  ....,_   mnA  iit.«v>in  In  Arama  nr  iinfir***  himnfilf  fur  several  days. 

The  first  countermign  given  by  General  Washington  after  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  wu 


i   .     «-! 


h 


M^ 


> 


!    t.    31 


1 1 1 

4 


M 


If 


■51 


'I-  * 


518 


8CH0HARIE    COUNTY. 


"  Knowlton,"  and  the  parole  "  Dana."  In  July,  after  the  battle  ^f  Bunker  Hill,  an  oration 
was  deliveisd  by  Dr.  Leonard,  Washington's  chaplain.  After  the  oration  and  declaration 
had  been  pronounced,  an  aid  of  General  Washington  advanced  from  the  head-quarters, 
bearing  the  American  standard,  with  an  order  from  the  general  directed  to  Captain  Dana 
to  receive  it,  and  carry  it  three  times  around  the  front  or  interior  circle  of  the  army;  further- 
more, that  in  so  doing  he  must  not  let  the  colors  fall,  as  it  would  be  considered  as  ominous 
of  the  fall  of  America.  The  captain  declined,  fearful  of  his  ability  to  perform  this  duty  in  a 
proper  manner.  The  aid  remmed  to  head-quarters  with  the  apology :  but  soon  came  back 
with  General  Putnam,  who,  in  his  familiar  way,  clapped  Captain  Dana  upon  the  shoulder, 
and  said,  "  God  curse  it,  Dana,  you  look  like  a  white  man  ;  take  the  colors,  clear  away." 
The  army  immediately  opened  a  passage  to  the  right  and  left  for  his  excellency  Gen. 
eral  Washington,  and  tiie  other  officers.  The  next  day  the  general  in  his  orders  expressed 
the  most  flartering  approbation  of  the  manner  in  which  Captain  Dana  had  performed  the 
ceremony  of  displaying  the  flag. 

Captain  Dana  was  6  feet  and  1  inch  in  height,  noble  and  cominnnding  in  his  appearance, 
but  modest  and  retiring  in  his  manners.  He  was  frequently  offered  promotion  in  the  army, 
but  uniformly  declined.  Tlie  celebrated  General  Eaton,  afterward  so  distinguished  in  the 
war  with  Tripoli,  was  at  the  age  of  fifteen  his  waiter  and  secretary.  He  was  put  under 
Captain  Dana  at  the  request  of  his  father.  After  the  close  of  the  revolution.  Captain  Dana 
removed  to  Cobclskill,  where  he  occupied  a  small  log-cabin  or  house  till  his  death.  Not- 
withstanding his  humble  circumstances,  the  legislature  of  New  York,  in  consequence  of 
his  meritorious  services  in  tlic  revolution,  appointed  him  a  brigadier-general,  being  the  first 
who  held  that  office  in  the  county  of  Schoharie. 

CoNEsviLLE,  taken  from  Broome  in  1836,  is  the  SE.  corner  town 
of  the  county;  from  Schoharie  centrally  distant  20  miles.  Pop. 
1,621.  Cones ville  is  a  post-office.  Strikersville  is  a  small  settle- 
ment near  the  western  line. 

Fulton,  taken  from  Middleburg  in  1828;  from  Albany  42  miles. 
On  Stoney  creek,  in  this  town,  there  is  a  fall  of  nearly  100  feet  per- 
pendicular. Byrnville,  14  miles  SW.  from  Schoharie,  Fultonham, 
and  Breakabeen,  are  small  settlements.     Pop.  2,M6. 

Jkfferson,  taken  from  Blenheim  in  1803;  from  Albany  57,  from 
Schoharie  S  W.  20  miles.  Pop.  2,033.  This  town  is  inhabited  by  feast- 
em  emigrants  and  their  descendants,  who  are  extensively  engaged  in 
the  dairy  business  and  grazing.  Lake  Utsayanthe,  a  small  pond  here, 
is  the  source  of  the  Mohawk  branch  of  the  Delaware.  Jefferson  is 
a  small  village. 

Middleburg  was  taken  from  Schoharie  in  1797;  from  Albany  37 
miles.  Pop.  3,841.  The  inhabitants  are  principally  of  Dutcn  or 
German  origin.  Middleburg,  on  the  Schoharie  river,  5  miles  S.  from 
Schoharie,  is  a  village  containing  about  50  dwellings.  Huntersiand 
and  Franklinton  are  small  settlements. 

Remains  of  the  old  Middle  Fort,  noted  in  the  revolutionary  annals, 
arc  now  to  be  seen  a  short  distance  from  Middleburg  village,  on  the 
plain  east  of  the  road  to  Schoharie.  The  Upper  Fort  was  5  miles 
SE.,  near  the  margin  of  the  Schoharie  river,  in  the  present  limits  of 
Fulton, — the  lower  was  at  the  village  of  Schoharie,  5  miles  N.  This 
last  was  built  for  a  church,  and  is  at  present  used  as  such.  [See 
Schoharie.]  The  annexed  account  of  tne  attack  on  the  Middle  Fort 
by  the  British  and  Indians,  is  taken  from  the  "  Life  and  Adventures 
of  Timothy  Murphy,  the  Benefactor  of  Schoharie,'  a  pamphlet  pub- 
lished in  1831). 

11  T»  ii,^  {Uj!  n(  l?SO.  ths  eneRiv.  about  S()Q  stran?.  under  P.lr  S-.thn  .Tr.hnsnrs  ms^s  nr^t. 
parationB  for  dostroying  the  valleys  of  Schoharie  and  the  Mohawk.    Tho  forcea,  conaiating 


SCHOHARIE    COUNTY. 


51^ 


Hill,  an  oration 
and  declaration 
e  head-quarters, 

0  Captain  Dana 
e  army;  further, 
sred  as  ominoua 
rm  this  duty  in  a 
soon  came  back 
on  the  shoulder, 
rs,  clear  away." 
excellency  Gen. 
jrders  expressed 
d  performed  the 

1  his  appearance, 
ion  in  the  army, 
inguished  in  the 
e  was  put  under 
n,  Captain  Dana 
[lis  death.    Not- 

consequence  of 
il,  being  the  first 

corner  town 
miles.  Pop. 
small  settle- 

ny  42  miles. 

.00  feet  per- 

Fultonham, 

any  57,  from 
3ited  by  east- 
y  engaced  in 
ill  pond  here, 
Jefferson  is 

n  Albany  37 
of  Dutch  or 
nilcs  S.  from 
Iluntersland 

mary  annals, 

illage,  on  the 

was  5  miles 

3ent  limits  of 

les  N.     This 

such.     [See 

Middle  Fort 

I  Adventures 

imphlet  pub- 

..,...,..     .  «.  ^   ....>. 

forces,  coniitting 


of  British  regulars,  loyalists,  tories,  and  Indians,  assembled  on  the  Tioga,  and  marched 
thence  up  along  the  eastern  branch  of  the  Suaquehannah,  and  crossed  thence  to  Schoharie. 
On  the  16th  of  October,  they  encamped  about  four  miles  above  the  upper  fort.  It  was 
their  intention  to  pass  the  upper  fort  in  the  night,  and  to  attack  the  middle  fort  at  daybreak  : 
as  it  was  expected  that  the  upper  fort  would  be  the  first  object  of  attack,  they  hoped  to  surl 
prise  the  middle  fort  by  this  unexpected  movement.  Sir  John  had  ordered  his  troops  to  be 
put  in  motion  at  four  in  the  morning,  but  from  some  mistake  it  was  five  before  they  began 
their  march  ;  consequently  ihc  rear  guard  was  discovered  by  the  sentinels  of  the  upper  fort 
and  the  alarm  gun  was  fired,  which  was  quickly  answered  from  the  other  forts,  and  20  rifle, 
men,  under  the  supervision  of  Timothy  Murphy,*  were  seat  out  from  the  middle  fort  to  watch 
the  motions  of  the  enemy  ;  they  soon  fell  in  v.  ith  the  advanced  party,  and  retreated  back. 
The  firing  of  the  alarm  gun  disappointed  the  enemy,  and  became  the  signal  for  them  to  com- 
mence  the  destruction  of  the  settlement;  houses,  barns,  and  stacks  of  hay  were  burned, 
and  cattle,  sheep,  and  horses  were  killed  or  driven  awuy. 

"  The  Indians  being  in  advance  of  the  regular  forces,  were  the  first  to  approach  the  fort. 
Murphy,  whose  eye  was  ever  watching  the  enemy,  had  stationed  himself  in  a  ditch  a  few 
rods  south  of  the  fort,  that  he  might,  unperceived,  the  better  view  the  moverflents  of  the 
enemy.  The  Indians  approached  to  within  about  eighty  yards  of  the  fort,  when  Murphy 
fired  upon  them ;  and  as  he  arose  the  second  time  to  fire,  a  bullet  struck  within  a  few 
inch. 3  of  his  face,  and  glanced  over  his  head,  throwing  dirt  in  his  eyes.  He  then  ran  into 
the  fort,  not  however  without  bringing  to  the  ground  another  Indian. 

*  Murphy,  who  was  of  great  service  to  the  inhabitants  of  Schoharie,  was  a  native  of 
Virginia,  and  had  belonged  to  Morgan's  rifle  corps,  in  which  he  had  distinguished  himself 
aa  a  marksman.  After  the  capture  of  Burgoyne,  the  company  to  which  he  belonged  was 
ordered  to  Schoharie,  where  it  remained  until  their  term  of  service  CApired.  When  the 
company  was  disbanded.  Murphy  and  some  others  remained,  and  served  in  the  militia ;  his 
skill  in  the  desultory  war  which  the  Indians  carry  on,  gave  him  so  high  a  reputation,  that 
though  not  nominally  the  commander,  he  usually  directed  all  the  movements  of  the  scouts 
that  were  sent  out,  and  on  many  important  occasions  the  commanding  officers  found  it 
dangerous  to  neglect  his  advice  ;  his  double  rifle,  his  skill  as  a  marksman,  dnd  his  fleetness 
either  in  retreat  or  pursuit,  made  him  an  object  both  of  dread  and  of  vengeance  to  the  In- 
dians ;  they  formed  many  plans  to  destroy  him,  but  he  always  eluded  them,  and  sometimes 
made  them  suffer  for  iheir  tenu^ity. 

He  fought  the  Indians  in  their  own  way,  and  with  their  own  weapons.  When  circum. 
stances  permitted,  he  tomahawked  and  scalped  his  fallen  enemy ;  he  boasted  after  the  war 
that  he  had  slain  forty  of  the  enemy  with  his  own  hand,  more  than  half  of  whom  he  had 
scalped  ;  he  took  delight  in  perilous  adventures,  and  seemed  "  to  love  danger  for  danger's 
Bake."  Tradition  has  preserved  the  account  of  many  of  his  exploits ;  but  there  are  so 
many  versions  of  the  same  story,  and  so  nuirh  evident  fiction  mixed  with  the  truth,  that  we 
shall  give  but  a  single  instance  as  a  proof  of  the  dread  with  which  he  was  regard  d  by  the 
Indians. 

They  were  unable  to  conjecture  how  he  could  discharge  his  rifle  tv  'ce  without  having 
time  to  reload ;  and  his  singular  good  fortune  in  esraping  unhurt,  led  them  to  suppose  that 
ho  was  attended  by  some  invisible  being  who  warded  off  their  bullets,  and  sped  his  with 
unerring  certainty  to  the  mark.  When  they  had  learned  the  mystery  of  his  double-barrelled 
gun,  they  were  careful  not  to  expose  themselves  too  nmch  until  he  had  fired  twice,  know, 
ing  that  he  must  have  time  to  reload  his  piece  before  he  could  do  them  further  injury. 

One  day,  having  separattd  from  his  party,  he  was  pursued  by  a  number  of  Indians,  all 
of  whom  he  outran  excejiting  one  ;  Murphy  turned  round,  fired  upon  this  Indian,  and  killed 
him.  Supposing  that  the  others  had  given  up  the  pursuit,  he  stopped  to  strip  the  dead, 
when  the  rest  of  his  pursuers  came  in  sight.  He  snatched  the  rifle  of  his  fallen  foe,  and 
with  it  killed  one  of  his  pursuers ;  the  rest,  now  sure  of  their  prey,  with  a  yell  of  joy  heed, 
lessly  rushed  on,  hoping  to  make  him  their  prisoner ;  he  was  ready  to  drop  down  with  fa. 
tigue,  and  was  likely  to  be  overtaken,  when,  turning  round,  ho  discharged  the  remnining 
barrel  of  his  rifle,  and  killed  the  foremost  of  the  Indians ;  the  rest,  astonished  at  his  firing 
three  limes  in  succession,  fled,  crying  out  that  he  could  shoot  all  day  without  loading. — 
Annali  of  TVyon  county. 

"  In  stature.  Murphy  was  about  .'i  feet  G  inches,  and  very  well  proportioned,  with  dark 
complexion,  and  an  eye  that  would  kindle  and  flash  like  the  very  lightning  when  excited. 
He  was  exceedingly  quick  in  all  his  motions,  and  possessed  an  iron  frame  that  nothing  ap. 
parently  could  effect.  And  what  is  very  remarkable,  hii  body  was  never  wounded  or  scar, 
red  during  the  whole  war." 


C-; 


:f4£l 


■i  tli. 


i      H' 


li 


520 


SCHOHARIE   COUNTY. 


"  About  8  o'clock  the  enemy  commenced  a  regular  attack  on  the  fort,  which  was  re 
turned  with  effect  from  the  garrison.  The  regular  troops  fired  a  few  cannon  shot,  and 
threw  a  number  of  shells,  one  of  which  burst  in  the  air  above  the  fort,  doing  no  injury; 
another  entered  and  burst  in  the  upper  loft  of  the  fort,  doing  no  other  mischief  than  destroy, 
ing  a  quantity  of  bedding,  and  nearly  frightening  to  death  a  Htile  Frenchman  who  had  fled 
to  the  chamber  for  protection,  and  came  running  down  stairs,  at  the  same  time  exclaiming, 
•  de  diahle  pe  among  de  fedders.'  The  interior  of  the  fort  was  several  times  on  fire,  but 
was  as  often  extinguished  by  the  exertions  of  the  women.  The  Indians  retreated  behind 
a  row  of  willow  trees,  and  kept  up  a  constant  fire,  but  at  too  great  a  distance  to  do  effect. 
In  the  fort,  all  was  gloom  and  despondency;  the  garrison  only  amounted  to  150  regular 
troops,  and  about  100  militia.  Their  ammunition  was  nearly  exhausted — to  attempt  to  de. 
fend  the  fort,  appeared  to  be  madness ; — to  surrender,  wus  to  deliver  up  themselves,  their 
wives  and  children  to  immediate  death,  or  at  least  to  a  long  captivity.  Major  Wolsey, 
who  commanded  thfi  fort,  was  inclined  to  surrender  on  the  first  appearance  of  the  enemy, 
but  was  prevented  by  the  ofiiccrs  of  the  militia,  who  resolved  to  defend  it  or  to  die  in  the 
contest.  Wolsey's  presence  of  mind  fursook  him  in  the  hour  of  danger  ;  he  concealed  him. 
self  at  first  Vith  the  women  and  children  in  the  house,  and  when  driven  out  by  the  ridicule 
of  his  new  associates,  he  crawled  round  the  intrcnchments  on  his  hands  and  knees,  amid 
the  jeers  and  bravos  of  the  militia,  who  felt  their  courage  revive  as  their  laughter  was  ex 
cited  by  the  cowardice  of  the  major.  In  times  of  extreme  danger,  every  thing  which  has 
a  tendency  to  destroy  reflection  by  exciting  risibility  has  a  good  effect. 

"  The  enemy,  perceiving  that  their  shot  and  shells  did  little  or  no  execution,  formed 
under  shelter  of  a  small  building  near  the  fort,  and  prepared  to  carry  the  works  by  assault. 
While  the  preparations  were  making,  a  flag  was  seen  to  approach  the  fort ;  all  seemed  in- 
chned  to  admit  if,  when  Murphy  and  Bartholomew  Vroinan,  who  suspected  that  it  was 
only  an  artifice  to  learn  the  actual  strength  of  the  garrison,  and  aware  that  for  them  at  least 
there  was  no  safety  in  capitulation,  fired  upon  the  flag.  The  flag  retired,  and  some  soldiers 
were  ordered  to  arrest  Murphy ;  but  so  great  was  his  popnlurity  among  the  soldiers,  that  no 
one  dared  to  obey.  The  flag  approached  a  second  time,  and  was  a  second  time  driven 
back  by  Murphy  and  his  adherents.  A  white  Hug  was  then  ordered  to  be  raised  in  the 
fort,  but  Murphy  threatened  with  instant  death  any  one  who  should  obey.  The  enemy 
sent  a  flag  the  third  time,  and  on  Murphy's  turning  to  fire  upon  it,  Wolsey  presented  his 
pistol  and  threatened  to  shoot  him  if  he  did  ; — but  not  in  the  leaHt  intimidated  by  the  major's 
threat.  Murphy  very  deliberately  raised  his  rifle,  and  pointing  it  towards  him,  firmly  replied, "  I 
will  die  before  they  shall  have  me  prisoner.'  Major  Wolsey  then  retired  to  his  room,  where 
he  remained  until  Col.  Vromun  was  despatched  in  search  of  him.  He  was  found  covered 
up  in  bed,  trembling  like  a  leaf.  Col.  Vroman  accosted  him,  '  Was  you  sent  here  lo  sneak 
away  so,  when  we  are  attacked  by  the  tories  and  Indians  7  and  do  you  mean  to  give  up 
the  fort  to  these  bloody  rascals  ?' — To  which  Major  Wolsey  nuide  no  reply,  but  consented 
to  yield  up  the  command  to  Col.  Vroman.  At  this  change  of  officers,  unanimous  joy  per- 
vaded the  whole  fort.  And  even  the  women*  smiled  to  behold  the  portly  figure  of  Col. 
Vroman  stalking  about  the  fort— directing  and  encouraging  the  soldiers  in  his  melodious 
Low  Dutch  notes. 

"  The  British  officers  now  held  a  council  of  war,  and  after  a  short  consultation  with- 
drew ;  and  then  proceeded  down  the  Schoharie  creek,  burning  and  destroying  every  thing 
that  lay  in  their  way.  The  loss  of  the  garrison  in  this  affair  was  only  one  killed  and  two 
wounded,  one  mortally.  It  is  not  known  what  loss  die  enemy  sustained,  or  why  they  re- 
treated  so  hastily." 

S(;hoharik  was  organized  in  1788,  as  part  of  Albany  county :  it 
has  a  hilly  surface,  with  extensive  valleys  on  the  Schoharie  and  Fox 
creeks.  The  Schoharie  creek,  at  this  place,  is  about  10  rods  wide, 
and  the  flats  on  its  borders  are  from  1  to  2  miles  wide  and  of  sur- 
passing fertility.     Pop.  5,53a.     Schoharie  village,  the  county  seat, 


•  "One  of  them,"  says  Col.  Stone,  in  his  Life  of  Brant,  "on  interesting  young  woman, 
whose  name  yet  lives  in  story  mnoiig  her  own  numntains,  perceiving,  as  she  thought,  symp. 
toms  of  fear  in  a  soldier  who  had  been  ordered  lo  a  well  without  the  works,  and  within 
range  of  the  enemy's  fire,  for  water,  snatched  the  bucket  from  his  hands,  and  ran  forth  for 
it  herself.  Without  changing  color,  or  giving  the  tlighteit  evidence  of  fear,  she  drew  and 
brought  bucket  after  bucket  to  the  thirsty  soldien",  and  providentially  escaped  without  in 
jury.'^ 


SCHOHARIli    COUNTY. 


521 


irt,  which  was  re 
cannon  ehot,  and 
,  doing  no  injury; 
chief  than  destroy, 
man  who  had  fled 
3  time  exclaiming, 
times  on  fire,  but 
retreated  behind 
tance  to  do  effect. 
3d  to  150  regular 
—to  attempt  to  dc- 
)  themselves,  their 
.  Major  Wolsey, 
nee  of  the  enemy, 
it  or  to  die  in  the 
he  concealed  him. 
out  by  the  ridicule 
9  and  knees,  amid 
•  laughter  was  ex 
y  thing  which  has 

execution,  formed 
works  by  assault, 
)rt ;  all  seemed  in- 
lected  that  it  was 
It  for  them  at  least 
,  ond  some  soldiers 
le  soldiers,  that  no 
icond  time  driven 
:o  be  raised  in  the 
bey.  Tho  enemy 
ilsey  presented  his 
ated  by  the  major's 
n,  firmly  replied,  'I 
to  his  room,  where 
was  found  covered 
sent  here  to  sneak 
n  mean  to  give  vip 
|)!y,  but  consented 
nanimous  joy  per- 
jrtly  figure  of  Col. 
rs  in  his  niclodioua 

consultation  with, 
roying  every  thing 
3ne  killed  ond  two 
d,  or  why  they  re- 


ny  county :  it 
harie  and  Fox 
10  rods  wide, 
de  and  of  sur- 
3  county  seat, 


ng  young  woman, 
she  thought,  symp. 
works,  and  within 
,  and  ran  forth  for 
fear,  the  drew  and 
scoped  without  in 


Southeast  view  in  the  central  part  of  Schoharie. 

lies  on  the  flats,  near  the  junction  of  Schoharie  and  Fox  creeks,  32 
miles  W.  of  Albany.  It  contains  about  100  dwellings,  the  county 
buildings,  1  Lutheran  and  1  Dutch  Reformed  church,  and  an  aca- 
demy. The  above  engraving  is  a  SVV.  view  in  the  central  part 
of  the  village  :  the  eourthouse,  a  stone  building  3  stories  high,  is  seen 
on  the  right ;  the  Lutheran  church  and  the  academy  in  the  distance. 

"  In  the  year  1700,  a  number  of  families  from  the  Palatinates  in  Germany,  induced  by 
the  liberiil  oli'trs  made  by  Queen  Anne,  embarked  for  New  York,  and  having  proceeded  up 
the  Hudson  as  far  as  All)uny,  hituleil,  and  selected  a  few  of  their  mmiber  to  choose  a  place 
for  a  settiiMuent.  Of  these,  some  went  to  Schenectady,  and  thence  up  the  Mohawk, 
where  a  si-tilcment  of  Germans  had  been  formed  a  few  yeiirs  previous :  the  others,  hearing 
of  a  beautiful  country  to  the  soutiiwest,  penetrated  the  wilderness  in  that  direction;  and 
after  travelling  through  a  hilly,  and  in  some  parts  mountainous  country,  arrived  the  second 
day  on  the  height  of  land  cast  of  the  Schoharie  creek. 

"  Here  a  scene  of  extraordinary  beauty,  and  to  them  entirely  new,  burst  upon  their  sight. 
At  their  feet,  and  far  lielow  them,  was  a  plain  of  limited  extent,  embosomed  by  hills,  in 
some  places  risii"'  abruptly  to  the  height  of  1000  feet,  and  in  others  of  more  gentle  ascent, 
and  broken  by  deep  ravines.  The  declivity  of  the  hills  wos  covered  with  a  stinted  growth 
of  oiik,  too  scanty  to  hide  even  from  a  distant  view  the  rocks  amid  which  they  grew,  ond 
forming  a  striking  contrast  with  the  stalely  forest  and  luxuriant  vegetation  of  the  plain  be. 
low.  The  valley  had  liicn  partially  cleared,  and  the  alternate  8p>r:^  cf  woodland  ond 
meadow,  interspersed  with  dumps  of  trees,  added  variety  and  richnr*  'o  the  landscape. 
Aloiii'  its  western  boundary  ran  the  Schoharie  creek,  now  washing  ii:,'  base  of  the  hi!!, 
now  meandering  through  tile  Hats;  its  course  marked  through  the  woodlands  bv  tho  det-p 
green  of  the  trees  along  its  bank,  and  through  the  meadows  by  the  elms  that  \uv  J  its  bor- 
(lers;  sometimes  its  course  was  hidden  from  the  view  by  the  thick  foliage,  and  ag^in,  as  its 
channel  spread  out  wider,  or  its  course  inclined  to  the  east,  its  clear  waters  were  seen  glit- 
tering  in  the  sunbeams.  No  traces  of  any  occupants  of  this  valley  were  seen,  except  hero 
and  there  the  ruins  of  a  diverted  wigwam. 

"  The  travellers  returned  to  Allmnv,  and  gave  so  flattering  an  account  of  tho  country 
which  they  had  visited,  that  the  whole  company  started  immediately  for  Schoharie,  without 
wailing  for  the  relnrn  of  their  friends  from  the  Mohawk.  The  plocc  they  chose  (or  a  set. 
tiement  hod  forinerlv  been  occupied  by  a  port  of  the  Mohawk  tribe  ol  Indians;  but  they 
hod  most  of  them  liow  left  it.  The  settlers  were  illy  provided  with  inipieinents  ol  bus. 
bandry,  and  with  mnny  of  the  necessories  of  life,  which  wants  were  sevrr.ly  l<li 
many  years.     Wliether  they  paid  the  Mohawks  an  equivalent  (or  ilic  Ian 


I*; 


$' 


I  ,, 


nol  inlorm  ub.     it  was  nor,  however,  until 


rcvcri 

66 


a!  years  after,  'hs 


duriiij 
iriiiiiiiiui  does 


'  I 


I.  'ajs' 


522 


SCHOHARIE    COUNTY. 


1 


from  government.  A  commission  was  sent  to  grant  them  a  title  in  the  name  of  the  crown, 
and  to  extend  to  them  the  protection  of  the  laws.  Believing  this  to  be  a  pretence  for  ex. 
acting  taxes  from  them,  and  remembering  their  former  oppression,  they  drove  off  the  com. 
missioners,  and  refused  to  accept  his  proposals.  A  part  left  the  settlement,  and  went  up 
the  Mohawk,  and  the  remainder  were  finally  prevailed  upon  by  threats  and  persuasion  to 
accept  the  terms  offered  by  the  government  agent." — Annals  of  Tryon  county. 

The  following  extracts  are  from  a  pamphlet  publication  by  Mr. 
John  M.  Brown,  entitled  "  A  brief  sketch  of  tlic  first  settlement  of 
the  county  of  Schoharie  by  the  Germans,"  published  in  1823. 

"  Schoharie  was  first  inhabited  by  a  French  Indian  prisoner,  miirried  to  a  Mohawk  squaw. 
His  name  was  Karigondonte,  whose  father-in-law  sent  him  there,  for  fear  that  the  Moiinwk 
Indians  would  kill  him  when  they  got  drunk,  and  gave  him  land,  as  the  Mohawk  bore  a 
great  enmity  to  the  P'reiich.  Oilier  Indians,  Mohawk,  Mohegan,  Discarora,  Delaware,  and 
Oneidas,  flocked  to  him,  so  that  he  increased  to  a  nation  about  300  strong,  and  establish- 
ed chiefs  among  them ;  who  then  pretended  to  be  the  owners  of  all  that  vast  territory  of 
land,  and  granted  conveyances  thereof. 

"  Queen  Anne  having  intended  to  settle  America,  sent  her  agent  to  purchase  land  from 
the  natives ;  for  which  purpose  she  sent  messengers  to  Germany,  to  invite  people  to  come 
over  and  settle,  and  promised  that  they  should  have  the  land  they  possessed,  free.  In  con. 
sequence  whereof,  many  came  over  ;  and  a  purchase  was  made,  beginning  near  little  Scho- 
harie creek,  at  high.water  mark  of  the  big  Schoharie  river,  and  at  an  oak  stump,  bunicd 
out  hollow  by  the  Indians  to  serve  for  stamping  their  corn  ;  whore  astone  heap  was  erccied 
which  stands  to  this  day.  The  Indian  seal  of  a  turtle  and  a  snake  was  cut  on  the  stump, 
(here  I  must  digress  a  little,  and  mention  that  the  said  stump  or  stamp  block,  served  the 
Germans  for  their  first  grist-mill,)  from  thence  down  to  the  north,  including  all  the  low  land 
on  both  sides  of  the  creek,  for  the  space  of  about  eight  miles,  containing  20,000  acres. 

"  .  .  .  .  Now  being  safe  arrived,  in  the  first  week  after  three  children  were  born,  namely, 
Johanes  Earhart,  Wilhelinus  Bouck,  and  Elizabeth  Lawyer ;  they  found  the  land  good,  and 
much  of  the  flats  clear.  The  Indians,  who  were  all  the  people  they  found,  having  shifted, 
they  went  to  work  and  planted  corn,  which  they  got  of  the  natives ;  and  in  working  the 
ground  with  their  broad  hoes,  they  found  u  potatoc-like  root,  which  tlicy  called  earth-acorns: 
also  another,  they  called  earth-beans,  which  they  cooked  or  roasted,  and  so  served  them 
for  food. 

"  In  the  fall  of  1713,  Lambert  Stcrnbergh  carried  a  spint  of  wheat  along  the  Indian  foot- 
path from  Schenectady  to  Schoharie ;  there  sowed  or  rather  planted  it  over  more  than  an 
acre  of  ground,  which  grew  well ;  and  the  next  year  he  reajjcd  and  threshed  it,  and  mens. 
iired  83  skii)ple  out  of  it.  This  was  the  first  wheat  ever  raised  in  Schoharie  ;  and  by  about 
40  years  after,  it  was  reckoned  that  one  year  in  another,  they  carried  36,000  skippie, 
[27,000  bushels,]  to  Albany. 

"  Now  the  new  inhai)itanta  soon  began  to  think  themselves  well  ofl'.  By  their  industry, 
snd  great  fertility  of  the  soil,  they  soon  got  plenty  to  cat — wore  nioggisins,  buckskin 
breeches  and  jackets  of  leather,  which  they  plentit'ully  obtained  of  the  Indians.  Nine  of 
them  owned  the  first  horse,  which  was  a  gray.  But  now  a  new  and  very  great  diliiculty 
was  felt:  they  had  no  grist-inills,  no  teams,  no  horses,  no  roads  fit  for  passage,  but  liidiim 
foot-paths.  They  stamped,  and  ilso  peeled  their  corn  by  help  of  lye,  and  then  coukcd  it 
to  cut.  Their  wheat  they  carried  to  Schenect:  iiy  to  grind,  ii  space  of  It)  miles,  every  man 
about  a  skippie  to  his  load  :  soinetimcs  there  iviiuj  1  go  20  in  a  drove,  often  m<Mi  sind  wo. 
men  together.  This  they  had  to  do  for  3  or  luur  yeans,  until  a  grist.mill  was  built  by  one 
William  Fox. 

"  fiy  now,  the  people  began  to  think  'Iv'^msclves  very  well  off,  having  plenty  to  eat, 
\i''n:<.  to  have  stock — used  horses — in  ..,.  t'leir  own  block  sleighs  for  use  at  home,  aiitl 
wooden  shod  sleighs  to  go  to  Albany,  .it  knew  of  no  brilsh  collars,  (which  were  nn 
invention  of  Schenectady;)  made  a  trip  U-  ,-,!lmny — back  again  in  5  days.  Their  wagons 
for  summer  use,  were  mode  of  blocks  bpw;  d  o!?;  of  a  thick  water  beech  tree,  which  we 
now  call  button-wood." 

The  following  is  an  eastern  view  f  the  old  stone  church  situated 
about  a  mile  north  of  the  courthou  .  m  Schoharie,  which  was  used 
as  a  fort  during  the  revolutionary  war.  The  view  is  taken  from  a 
nainting  executed  about  17  yearfi  since,  and  now  in  the  possession  of 
ileury  Humiilon,  Esq.,  of  Schoharie.     Smce  that  time  the  church 


SCHOHARIE    COUNTY. 


523 


me  of  the  crown, 
pretence  tor  ex- 
ove  off  the  com- 
:nt,  and  went  up 
id  persuasion  to 
miy. 

ition  by  Mr. 
settlement  of 
1823. 

Mohawk  squaw, 
hat  the  Mohawk 
Mohawk  bore  a 
a,  Delaware,  and 
g,  and  eatahhsh- 
vast  territory  of 

rcliase  land  from 
3  people  to  come 
d,  free.  In  con. 
near  little  Sclio. 
,k  stuinp,  burned 
heap  was  erccicd 
:ut  on  the  slump, 
Slock,  served  the 
>  all  the  low  land 
U,000  acres. 
Te  born,  namely, 
c  land  good,  and 
1,  having  shifted, 
d  in  working  the 
led  earth-acorns: 
i  so  served  them 

:  the  Indian  foot- 
,'er  more  than  an 
led  It,  and  meas- 
e  ;  and  by  about 
3G,000  skipplc, 

}y  their  industry, 
gisius,  buckskin 
ulians.  Nine  of 
y  great  dilliculty 
isuge,  but  Indian 
li  then  cooked  it 
uiles,  every  man 
en  ni(Mi  and  wo- 
wns  built  by  one 

ig  plenty  to  eat, 

ise  at  home,  and 

(which  were  nil 

Their  wagons 

tree,  which  we 

ircli  situated 
ch  was  used 
taken  from  a 
lossessioii  of 
the  church 


Ancient  stone  church  in  Schoharie. 

has  been  somewhat  altered,  a  tower  havhig  been  erected  in  the  place 
of  the  spire.  It  is  very  antiquated  in  its  appearance.  On  many  of 
the  stones  are  carved  varioMS  names,  supposed  to  be  those  of  persons 
who  contributed  towards  its  erection,  lu  ancient  times  this  church 
was  surrounded  witii  a  picket  fence.  When  Sir  John  Johnson  rav- 
aged the  Mohawk  valley  in  1780,  he  visited  Schoharie,  and  after 
making  an  unsuccessful  attack  on  the  Middle  Fort,  he  proceeded  to 
tlie  Lower  Fort,  as  this  church  was  called. 

"  When  they  arrived  at  the  Lower  Fort,  they  showed  little  disposition  to  attack  if, 
although  its  garrison  did  not  amount  to  100  men.  They  8cparai(>d  into  two  divisions,  the 
regular  troops  marching  along  the  bank  of  the  creek,  and  the  Indians  filing  ofl' about  half  a 
mile  to  the  east  of  the  fort.  The  regulars  tired  a  few  cntmon-shot  without  effect,  one  only 
lodging  in  the  corner  of  the  church  ;*  and  then,  after  sinking  one  of  their  field. pieces  in  a 
morass,  inarched  round  to  the  north  of  the  fort,  where  they  were  joined  by  the  Indians. 
Here  they  fired  a  few  shot  with  small. arms,  and  a  few  of  the  Indians  approached  near 
enough  to  throw  their  bullets  into  the  tower  of  the  church,  where  some  marksmen  had 
been  stationed.  A  discharge  of  grape  from  the  fort  drove  them  back,  and  they  continued 
their  march  through  the  woods  to  Fort  Hunter,  on  the  Mohawk,  near  the  mouth  of  Schoharie 
creek,  where  they  arrived  after  dark. 

"The  beautiful  valley  of  Schoharie  creek  presented  a  scene  of  devastation,  on  the  night 
of  the  17lh  of  October,  not  easily  describ(>d.  Houses,  barns,  and  numerous  stacks  of  hay 
and  grain,  were  consumed ;  donieslie  animals  lay  dead  everywhere  over  the  fields ;  a  few 
buildings  belonging  to  the  royalists  had  been  spared,  hut  the  militia,  sallying  out,  set  fire  to 
them  in  revenge.  After  the  burning  of  Schoharie,  this  settlement  ceased  to  be  so  much  nn 
object  of  tory  vengeance  :  and  during  the  years  1781  and  1782,  though  there  were  frequent 
alarms,  little  daninge  was  done  by  the  enemy.  The  Indians  appeared  once  in  coiisiderablo 
numbers  at  (!obbleskill,  burned  a  few  buildings,  killed  one  man,  and  carried  oH'five  prison, 
ers  ;  but  the  body  of  the  inluibilants  had  taken  refuge  in  a  fort  which  they  had  built  on  their 
return  from  Schoharie  in  1781,  and  were  safe." — Annals  of  Tryon  County. 

Esperancc,  8  miles  N.  of  Sch    larie  courthouse,  is  a  village  of 
nf'.'.!!!t   70  dweUinifs.     Sloansville,   G 
small  villnges  or  si.'ttlements  in  this  town. 


Jlilivilh 
-~r 


il    Smith. ville-    arn 


w 


524 


BCHOHARIE    COUNTY. 


iM    'i  3  I 


.iii 


1 


Seward  was  formed  fi-om  the  south  part  of  Sharon  in  1840 ;  cen- 
trally distant  from  Schoharie  NVV.  20  miles.  Pop.  2,086.  Gard- 
nersvillc  and  Hynesville  are  the  names  of  the  post-offices.  In  July, 
1781,  a  battle  was  fought  in  this  town  between  the  Americans  and  a 
body  of  the  enemy,  principally  Indians,  under  the  command  of  a  tory 
by  the  name  of  John  Doxtader. 

"  Col.  Willet,  who  now  commanded  at  Fort  Plain,  in  July  sent  Lieut.  Gros,  with  36  men, 
as  a  secret  scout,  into  Durlugli,  now  the  town  of  Sharon,  [within  the  limits  of  the  new  town 
of  Seward,]  in  Schoharie  county.  They  discovered,  near  the  borders  of  that  settlement,  an 
Indian  trail,  and  followed  it  in  the  direction  the  Indians  had  gone.  The  scout  fell  in  tile 
alongside  of  the  path  made  by  the  Indians,  and  by  this  means  ascertained  that  the  force 
of  the  enemy  was  very  considerable.  Three  men  were  sent  on  to  make  further  discoveries. 
After  pursuing  the  trail  n  short  distance,  they  arrived  upon  the  borders  of  a  thick  cedar 
swamp,  5  or  6  miles  NE.  of  Cherry  Valley ;  here  they  found  the  camp  of  the  enemy,  in 
which  a  few  sentinels  only  were  stationed.  The  nuiin  body  of  the  enemy  were  out  on 
some  expedition.  One  of  the  men  stole  up  and  took  a  blanke*  from  beneath  a  tent,  with, 
out  being  discovered.  Having  made  the  necessary  observations,  they  followed  the  remain- 
der  of  the  scout  back  to  Fort  Plain.  It  was  almost  night  when  the  scout  arrived,  but  Col. 
Willet  added  70  men,  and  ordered  an  inniiediate  march.  They  were  joined  by  Major 
Robert  McKean,  with  about  30  men,  making  their  force  150.  McKean  informed  Col. 
Willet  that  the  enemy  were  about  300  strong,  principally  Indians,  under  the  command  of  a 
tory,  by  the  name  of  John  Doxtader — and  that  the  day  previous  they  had  destroyed  Curry, 
town,  a  small  settlement  near  the  Mohawk,  a  short  distance  above  Schenectady.  The  night 
was  very  dark,  and  there  was  no  road,  nothing  but  a  path  through  th '  woods.  About 
daylight  they  came  in  sight  of  the  camp.  A  scout  sent  forward  reported  that  the  enemy 
had  just  returned.  Col.  Willet  drew  up  his  men  in  two  parallel  lines,  and  then  ordered 
them  to  fall  back  and  conceal  themselves  behind  the  trees.  His  plan  was  favored  by  the 
thick  cedar  swamp  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  enemy's  camp.  Major  McKean  with  50  men 
occupied  the  right,  and  Col.  Willet  commanded  the  ii!ft  body,  composed  of  his  100  men. 
Two  men  were  then  sent  forward  to  pass  over  u  li-jce  of  open  ground  in  sight  of  the 
enemy.  When  discovered  they  wer2  directed  to  lead  in  between  the  two  lines.  The  ex. 
pectations  of  Col.  Willet  were  reali'/ed  ;  the  Indians,  as  soon  as  they  saw  these  men,  raised 
their  war-cry  and  commenced  an  itnincdiate  pursuit.  As  they  followed  in,  the  troops  of 
Major  McKean  opened  a  galling  and  destructive  fire  upon  them,  which  was  warmly 
seconded  by  Col.  Willet's  men  on  the  left.  The  Indians  were  beaten  at  their  own  game ; 
they  sought  shelter  behind  the  trees,  but  wore  driven  back  and  routed  at  the  point  of  the 
bayonet.  Col.  Willet  led  the  van,  and  waving  his  hat,  cheered  on  his  men.  The  camp 
of  the  enemy  and  all  their  plunder  was  taken.  They  retreated  down  towards  the  Susque- 
hannah,  and  were  pursued  with  considerable  loss.  Shortly  after  the  first  fire.  Major  McKean 
received  two  severe  wounds,  but  he  conliinied  his  command  until  the  rout  of  the  enemy 
was  complete.  His  faithful  soldiers  carried  him  back  to  Fort  Plain,  where  he  survived  but 
a  day  or  two.  The  victory  was  dearly  won  by  the  loss  of  this  brave  and  hardy  chieftain." 
— Annals  of  Tryon  County, 

Sharon,  taken  from  Schoharie  in  1797;  from  Albany  40  miles. 
Pop.  2,520.  Sharon,  20  N W.,  and  Lcesville  24  miles  from  Schoharie, 
are  small  villages. 

Summit,  taken  from  Cobelskill  and  Jefferson  in  1819  ;  from  Albany 
62  miles.  This  township  comprises  the  highest  mountains  in  the 
county,  forming  part  of  the  water  shed  between  the  Susquehannah  and 
Mohawk  rivers.  Summit  Corners,  20  SW.,  and  Charlotteville,  25 
miles  from  Schoharie,  are  small  settlements.    Pop.  2,009. 


1840;  cen- 
)86.  Gard- 
s.  In  July, 
'leans  and  a 
nd  of  a  tory 


s,  with  36  men, 
)f  the  new  town 
it  settlement,  an 
scout  fell  in  file 
d  that  the  force 
ther  discoveries. 
f  a  thick  cedar 
■  the  enemy,  in 
ly  were  out  on 
ith  a  tent,  with- 
pV'ed  the  remain- 
irrivcd,  but  Col. 
uined  by  Major 
1  informed  Col. 
B  command  of  a 
lestroyed  Curry- 
idy.  The  night 
woods.  About 
that  the  enemy 
d  then  ordered 
I  favored  by  the 
an  with  50  men 
)f  his  100  men. 
in  sight  of  the 
lines.  The  ex. 
lese  men,  raised 
1,  the  troops  of 
;h  was  warmly 
heir  own  game ; 
the  point  of  the 
len.  The  camp 
irds  the  Susque- 
,  Major  McKean 
jt  of  the  enemy 
he  survived  but 
lardy  chieftain." 

ly  40  miles, 
n  Schoharie, 

from  Albany 
itains  in  the 
channah  and 
otteville,  25 


SENECA    COUNTY.  625 


SENECA  COUNTY. 

Seneca  county  was  taken  from  Cayuga  in  1804;  since  which 
other  counties  have  been  formed  from  it.  Its  greatest  length  N.  and 
S.  is  36  miles  ;  medium  width,  12.  Centrally  distant  from  New  York 
317,  from  Albany  172  miles.  The  land  rises  gently  from  the  Cayuga 
and  Seneca  lakes,  and  the  whole  county  is  pleasantly  diversified  with 
hills  and  vales.  The  soil  is  well  adapted  to  the  culture  of  grain, 
grasses,  and  fruit  trees,  being  principally  a  vegetable  mould  or  calca- 
reous loam.  There  is  no  stream  of  importance  excepting  the  outlet 
of  the  Seneca  lake,  which  from  Waterloo  to  Seneca  lake  furnishes 
much  hydraulic  power.  The  lands  of  this  county  formed  part  of  the 
military  tract,  and  the  titles  therefore  are  derived  from  the  state 
through  patents  to  the  soldiers  of  the  revolution.  The  Erie  canal 
just  touches  upon  the  county  in  the  NE.  part,  in  the  town  of  Tyre. 
The  Auburn  and  Rochester  railroad  passes  through  the  towns  of 
Waterloo  and  Seneca  Falls.  The  county  is  divided  into  10  towns. 
Pop.  24,808. 

Covert,  taken  from  Ovid  in  1817;  from  Albany  177,  from  Ovid 
SE.  9  miles.     Pop.  1,744.     Covert  is  a  small  village. 

Fayette,  originally  named  Washington,  and  taken  from  Romulus 
in  1800;  from  Albany  178  miles.  Pop.  3,902.  West  Fayette,  Ca- 
noga,  and  Bearysville,  are  small  villages.  Waterloo  village  lies  par- 
tially in  this  town. 

Junius,  taken  from  Fayette  in  1803;  from  Albany  173  miles. 
Pop.  1,594.  Dublin  is  a  small  settlement  7  miles  northwest  from 
Waterloo. 

LoDi,  taken  from  Covert  in  1826  ;  from  Albany  175  miles.  Pop. 
2,238.  Lodi  village,  4  miles  S.  from  Ovid  village,  has  about  35 
dwellings.     Townsendville  and  IngersoH's  Store  are  post-offices. 

Ovid,  organized  in  1789;  bounds  since  altered;  from  Albany  171 
miles.  Pop.  2,719.  Ovid,  the  half-shire  seat,  is  about  17  miles  SE. 
of  Waterloo.  It  is  delightfully  situated  on  th^  Newburg  turnpike. 
The  village  commands  a  view  of  a  large  part  of  both  lakes,  and  of 
portions  of  9  adjoining  counties,  the  land  rising  gradually  to  it  from 
the  lakes,  rich,  arable,  and  finely  cultivated  in  farms.  There  is  here 
1  Presbyterian  and  1  Methodist  church,  a  flourishing  academy,  and 
about  100  dwellings.  Farmersville,  7  miles  SE.  from  Ovid  village, 
has  about  40  dwellings. 

Romulus  was  organized  in  1789;  from  Waterloo  centrally  distant 
S.  13  miles.  Romulus,  Hoytes,  and  Bayleytown,  are  small  settle- 
ments ;  the  latter  of  which  is  upon  Seneca  lake,  opposite  Dresden, 
where  there  is  a  ferry.     Pop.  2,066. 

Seneca  Falls  was  taken  from  Junius  in  1825.  It  is  intersected 
centrally  by  the  outlet  of  Seneca  Lake.  Pop.  4,101.  Seneca  Falls 
village  is  4  miles  E.  of  Waterloo,  1 1  from  Geneva,  3  W.  of  Cayuga 
bridge,  85  from  Utica,  and  167  from  Albany.     This  is  a  flourishing 


>26 


SENECA  COUNTY. 


East  view  of  Seneca  Fall:-  village. 

village,  containing  between  400  and  500  dwellings,  1  Baptist,  1  Pres- 
byterian, 1  Episcopal,  1  Methodist,  and  1  Catholic  church,  an  acade- 
my, and  3  newspaper  printing  establishments.  There  is  at  this  place 
a  heavy  water-power  of  47  feet  over  4  dams,  putting  in  operation  7 
extensive  flour-mills,  besides  quite  a  number  of  other  mills  and  manu- 
tacturing  establishments.  The  above  engraving  is  an  eastern  view 
of  the  village,  the  river,  and  the  Cayuga  and  Seneca  canal,  with  one 
of  the  locks,  &c. 

The  hrst  settlers  at  this  place  were  Horatio  Jones  and  Lawrence 
Van  Clief,  who  fixed  their  residence  here  shortly  after  the  revolu- 
tionuiy  war.  Van  Clief  was  a  soldier  in  Sullivan's  expedition.  The 
village  of  Seneca  Falls  was  founded  in  1815,  by  Col.  Mynderse,who 
settled  here  in  1795,  and  built  the  first  flouring  mills  in  this  section 
of  the  state.  In  1827,  the  village  contained  only  205  inhabitants. 
Bridgeport,  formerly  called  West  Cayuga,  at  the  W.  end  of  Cayuga 
bridge,  was  formerly  a  place  of  some  business,  but  at  present  is  in  a 
decayed  state,  the  canals  having  diverted  its  trade  to  other  places. 
In  1789,  James  Bennet  settled  at  this  spot,  and  in  connection  with 
Col.  John  Harris,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  lake,  kept  a  ferry  liero, 
which  was  of  great  importance  to  the  early  settlers  at  the  west. 

Tyre  was  taken  from  Junius  in  1829,  centrally  distant  from  Wa- 
terloo NE.  9,  and  from  Albany  171  miles.  Top.  1,507.  It  has  a  level 
surface,  and  that  part  of  the  town  bordering  on  the  Clyde  and  Seneca 
rivers  is  marshy. 

Varick,  taken  from  Romulus  in  1830.  Pop.  1,971.  It  is  centrally 
situated  13  miles  S.  from  Waterloo.  Varick  is  the  name  of  the 
post-oflice.     North  Romulus,  and  Romulusville  are  small  settlements. 

Waterloo  was  taken  from  Junius  in  1829.  It  has  a  level  surface 
and  fertile  soil.  Pop.  3,026.  The  flourishing  village  of  Waterloo  is 
situated  on  the  Seneca  outlet  and  the  Seneca  and  Cayuga  canal,  4 
miles  from  Seneca  Falls  village,  7  from  Geneva,  and  187  from  iVlha= 


'•^sm 


STEUBEN    COUNTY. 


62? 


im 


ptist,  1  Prcs- 

:h,  an  acade- 

at  this  place 

I  operation  7 
Is  and  manu- 
eastern  view 
iial,  with  one 

id  Lawrence 
r  the  revolu- 
dition.  The 
ynderse,  who 

II  this  section 
1  inhabitants, 
id  of  Cayuga 
resent  is  in  a 
other  places, 
nection  with 
a  ferry  here, 
he  west. 

nt  from  Wa- 
lt has  a  level 
e  and  Seneca 

't  is  centrally 
name  of  the 
1  settlements, 
level  surface 
f  Waterloo  is 
yuga  canal,  4 
7  from  Alba' 


South  view  of  the  courthouse  in  Waterloo. 

ny.  It  was  founded  in  1815,  by  the  late  Elisha  Williams,  of  Colum- 
bia county,  and  was  made  a  half-shire  village  in  1822.  It  contains 
about  300  dwellings,  4  churches — viz,  1  Episcopal,  1  Methodist,  1 
Presbyterian,  and  1  Baptist — and  about  2,000  inhabitants.  With  the 
village  of  Seneca  Falls,  Waterloo  possesses  the  advantage  of  the 
lateral  canal  uniting  the  Seneca  and  Cayuga  lakes  with  the  Erie 
canal.  The  water  for  the  mills  at  this  place  is  taken  from  the  river 
and  canal,  and  used  under  a  head  of  15  feet.  The  above  engrav- 
ing is  a  south  view  of  the  courthouse,  built  chiefly  at  the  expense  of 
Messrs.  E.  Williams  and  R.  Swift,  the  former  proprietors  of  the  soil 
on  which  the  village  is  erected. 


STEUBExN  COUNTY. 

Steuben  county,  named  in  honor  of  Major-general  Frederick 
William  Baron  de  Steuben,  the  celebrated  tactician  of  the  revolu- 
tionary army,  was  taken  from  Ontario  in  1796;  boundaries  since 
much  altered;  from  Albany  centrally  distant  SW.  210  miles,  from 
New  York  W.  220 ;  lengtii  and  breadth  40  miles.  The  surface  is 
brok(!n  and  hilly,  if  not  mountainous.  Along  the  rivers,  the  general 
aspect  of  the  county  is  uninviting,  except  that  in  some  parts  the  allu- 
vial flats  are  extensive  and  rich.  The  river  hills  are  rocky,  precipitous, 
and  covered  with  evergreens ;  but  the  upland  plains  have  a  rich 
variety  of  trees,  and  fertile  tracts  principally  of  clayey  loam.  The 
staj)les  of  the  county  arc  lumber,  grain,  cattle,  and  wool.  The  lum- 
bering is  the  chief  business  of  the  southern  towns ;  but  as  the  coun- 
try is  cleared  of  its  forests,  agriculture  rises  in  importance.  Chemung 
river  is  the  great  stream  of  the  county  ;  it  was  called  by  the  Senecas 
Cononque,  "  horn  in  the  water."  Its  flats  are  said  to  be  superior  in 
fertility  to  the  Mohawk.    This  county,  exceptinfr  the  town  of  'leading 


628 


STEUBEN  COUNTY. 


on  the  western  shore  of  the  Seneca  lake,  was  included  in  the  exten- 
sive cession  of  Ne,w  York  to  Massachusetts,  and  passed  from  that 
state,  throu^  Messrs.  Phelps  and  Gorham  and  Rohert  Morris,  to  Sir 
William  Pulteney.  It  was  mostly  settled  by  Pennsylvanians,  except- 
ing Prattsburg,  which  w^as  settled  by  New  Englanders.  The  county 
is  divided  into  27  towns.     Pop.  45,985. 

Addison,  originally  named  Middletown,  was  organized  in  179(5. 
This  town  was  settled  in  1793.  Its  early  inhabitants  attended  church 
at  Canandaigna,  80  miles  distant.  Addison  village,  10  miles  S.  from 
Bath,  has  about  40  dwellings.  Rathbunville  is  the  name  of  a  post- 
office.     Pop.  1,919. 

Bath,  organized  in  1796 ;  limits  since  much  altered  ;  from  New 
York  NW.  220,  from  Albany  SW.  210  miles.  Avoca,  Kenadavilie, 
and  Mud  Creek,  are  small  settlements  in  this  town.  Pop.  4.790. 
Bath,  the  county  seat,  on  the  bank  of  the  Conhocton*  river,  and  1 1 
miles  north  of  the  N.  York  and  Erie  railroad,  is  t>ne  of  the  most  pleas- 
ant villages  in  the  western  part  of  the  state.  The  public  square,  laid 
out  in  1792  by  Capt.  Charles  Williamson,  has  the  county  and  othei 
public  buildings,  and  several  elegant  private  mansions. 


View  of  the  east  side  of  Pulteney  Square,  Bath. 

The  above  view  of  the  eastern  side  of  the  square,  shows  on  the  right 
the  Presbyterian  church,  built  in  1822,  being  the  first  building  erected 
with  a  steeple  in  the  county.  The  one  on  the  left  is  the  Episcopal. 
There  are  in  the  village  also,  a  courthouse,  prison,  a  bank,  a  Metho- 
dist church,  and  about  200  dwellings.  Bath  was  first  settled  in 
1792,  by  Capt.  Charles  Williamson,  the  first  agent  of  Sir  William 
Pulteney,  after  whom  the  public  square  was  named.  Sir  William, 
who  was  a  noted  English  whig,  was  a  large  proprietor  in  this  vicinity. 


*  Conhocton,  in  the  Seituca  language,  nicans  "trees  in  the  water." 


\i    -4 


in  the  exten- 
ed  from  that 
klorris,  to  Sir 
linns,  cxccpt- 
Thc  county 

zed  in  17!)(;. 
jndoJ  church 
nilcs  S.  from 
ie  of  a  posl- 

;  from  New 
Kcnadaville, 
Pop.  4.79t5. 
river,  nnd  11 
3  most  pleas- 
c  square,  hiid 
ity  and  othei 


^m 

1 

ill 

1 

1 

i 

i 

i 

1 

th. 

3  on  the  right 
Iding  erected 
le  Episcopal, 
tik,  a  Metlio- 
it  settled  in 
Sir  William 
Sir  William, 
this  vicinity. 

Iter." 


STEUDEN    COUNTY. 


529 


Capt.  Williamson's  party  came  here  from  Williamsport  in  Pennsylva- 
nia, and  were  obliged  to  cut  a  road  all  the  way  through  the  forest. 
In  1795,  Capt.  Williamson  established  a  theatre  at  this  place.  He  is 
represented  to  have  been  a  scientitic  man,  of  liberal  and  extended  views. 
Subsequently  he  was  appointed  governor  of  one  of  the  West  India 
islands  ;  but  died  on  his  passage  thither.  As  early  as  1796,  the  va- 
rious settlements  in  this  region  began  to  exhibit  an  appearance  of 
resi)ectability  rarely  instanced  in  so  new  a  country.  A  printing 
office  was  then  established  here,  and  a  newspaper  printed,  entitled  the 
Bath  Gazette.  The  number  of  inhabitants  in  Bath  and  8  miles  around 
numbered  800.  There  were  also  2  schools,  1  grist-mill  and  5  saw- 
mills. 

The  following,  respecting  the  early  history  of  this  place  is  extract- 
ed from  the  Travels  of  Maude,  an  English  gentlemen,  who  visited 
this  region  about  the  year  1800. 

"  Bnth,  which  now  conlnins  about  40  families,"  says  this  traveller,  "was  laid  out  in  1792, 
the  same  year  that  Capt.  Williamson  forced  a  passage  to  this  till  then  unknown  country, 
tiirough  a  length  of  wilderness  which  the  oldest  and  most  experienced  woodmen  could  not 
be  tempted  to  assist  him  to  explore ;  tempted  by  an  offer  of  more  than  5  times  the  amount 
of  their  usual  wages.  Capt.  Williamson  was  then  accompanied  by  his  friend  and  relative, 
Mr.  Johnstone,  and  a  servant — afterward  a  backwoodsman,  was  prevailed  on  to  join  the 
party.  It  was  not  till  1795  that  this  country  could  supply  its  inhabitants  with  food  ;  for  till 
then,  their  flour  was  brought  from  Northumberland,  and  their  pork  from  Philadelphia ;  yet, 
80  rapidly  has  the  spirit  of  improvement  gone  forth  in  this  country,  so  suddenly  has  plenty 
burst  forth  where  so  late  was  famine,  and  so  quick  the  change  of  scene  from  dark  tangled 
forests  (whose  death-like  silence  yielded  to  the  growl  of  bears,  the  howl  of  wolves,  and  the 
yell  of  savages)  to  smiling  fields,  to  flocks  and  herds,  and  to  the  busy  hum  of  men,  that 
instead  of  being  indebted  to  others  for  their  support,  they  will  henceforth  annually  supply 
the  low  country,  Baltimore  especially,  with  many  hundred  barrels  of  flour  and  head  of 
cattle.  On  Capt.  Williamson's  first  arrival,  where  now  is  Bath,  he  built  a  small  log-hut  for 
his  wife  and  family.  If  a  stranger  came  to  visit  him,  he  built  up  a  little  nook  for  him  to 
put  his  bed  in.  In  a  little  time,  a  boarded  or  frame  house  was  built  to  the  left  of  the  hut ; 
this  also  was  intended  but  as  a  temporary  residence,  though  it  then  appeared  a  palace. 
His  present  residence,  a  very  commodious,  roomy,  and  well-planned  house,  is  situated  on 

the  right  of  where  stood  the  hut  long  since  consigned  to  the  kitchen  fire Bath  is  the 

capital  of  Steuben  county,  which  county  contains  at  present  (1800)  about  300  famihes. 
On  the  first  settlement  of  the  country  these  mountainous  districts  were  thought  so  unfavor- 
ably  of  when  compared  with  the  rich  flats  of  Ontario  county,  (or  the  Genesee  country,)  that 
none  of  the  settlers  could  be  prevailed  upon  to  establish  themselves  here  till  Capt.  William, 
son  himself  set  the  example,  saying, '  As  Nature  has  done  so  much  for  the  northern  plains, 
I  wiirdo  something  for  these  southern  mountains ;'  though  the  truth  of  the  case  was,  that 
Capt.  Williamson  saw  very  clearly,  on  his  first  visit  to  the  country,  that  the  Susquehannah 
and  not  the  Mohawk  would  be  its  best  friend.  Even  now  it  has  proved  so ;  for  at  this  day 
(1800)  a  bushel  of  wheat  is  better  worth  $1,00  at  Bath  than  60  cents  at  Geneva.  This 
difierence  will  grow  wider  every  year ;  for  little,  if  any,  additional  improvement  can  be 
made  in  the  water  communication  with  New  York,  while  that  to  Baltimore  will  admit  of 
very  extensive  and  advantageous  ones.  Its  present  efforts  arc  those  of  a  child,  compared 
with  the  manly  strength  it  will  soon  assume.  I  visited  Capt.  Williamson's  mills,  a  little 
west  of  Bath,  on  Conhocton  creek,  which  before  the  winter  sets  in  will  b(3  made  navigable 
15  miles  higher  up;  at  least  a  farmer  there  promises  to  send  an  ark  down  from  thence  in 
the  spring.  Should  he  succeed,  Capt.  Williamson  promises  him  a  gift  of  30  acres  of  land. 
The  navigation  of  the  Susquehannah  will  then  extend  to  withiu  6  miles  of  the  Canandaigua 
lake." 

The  following  inscriptions  were  copied  from  monuments  in  the 
graveyard  in  this  place. 

67 


m 


'  t  i»l ' 


<i  I'J  ^ 


h 


?   .'l! 


lili  .!> 


#4-^ 

I-"l 


530 


STEUBEN    COUNTY. 


"  George  C.  Edwards,  died  Nov.  18lh,  1837 ;  born  at  Stockbridge,  Masa.,  Sept.  28, 1787. 
—This  monument  records  the  affection  and  respect  of  the  Members  and  Court  of  the  Bur 
of  Steuben  county,  for  George  C.  Edwards.— Tribute  to  the  memory  of  a  just  Judge,  an 
able  Lawyer,  a  good  citizen,  and  an  honest  man.— The  richest  legacy  to  leave  for  posteruy 
is  a  good  name." 

"  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Dugald  Cameron,  a  native  of  Invc rnesshirc,  Scotland,  and  a 
resident  of  this  his  adopted  country  from  1794  until  his  decease,  which  took  place  in  the 
city  of  Albany  whilst  there  as  a  member  of  the  legislature  of  this  state,  on  the  5th  «»  March, 
1828,  aged  52  years.  In  his  death  the  churcii  was  deprived  of  a  liberal  donor,  the  public 
of  an  useful  and  faithful  representative,  the  poor  and  the  wayfaring  of  a  ready  and  benevo. 
lent  friend.—'  Mark  the  perfect  man  and  behold  the  upright,  tor  the  end  of  that  man  is 
peace.'  '• 

Bradford,  recently  formed;  from  Bath  centrally  distant  E.  12 
miles.     Jersey  is  the  post-office.     Pop.  1,515. 

Cameron,  taken  from  Addison  in  \S22;  from  Bath  S.  8  miles. 
Pop.  1,349.  The  Canistco  river,  which  name  in  the  Indian  tongue 
signifies  "  board  in  the  water,"  crosses  the  town.  Cameron  and  South 
Cameron  are  the  post-offices. 

Campiiell,  taken  from  Hornby  in  1831 ;  from  Bath  SE.  11  miles. 
Pop.  850.  There  is  a  post-office  at  Campbelltown  village,  and  one 
at  Hammond's  mills. 

Canisteo,  organized  in  1796;  from  Albany  241,  from  Bath  SW. 
14  miles.  Pop.  941.  The  rich  flats  of  the  Canisteo  river  in  this 
town  are  about  half  a  mile  in  width.  This  was  the  first  settled  place 
in  the  county.  It  was  settled  in  1790,  by  Solomon  Bennett,  3  fami- 
lies by  the  name  of  Stevens,  and  Capt.  .Jemison.  They  came  up  the 
Chemung  and  ('anisteo  rivers  from  Athens,  Pennsylvania.  Canisteo 
and  East  Canisteo  are  post-offices. 

Caton,  the  SE.  town  of  the  countj,  recently  erected  from  Printed 
Post ;  centrally  distant  from  Bath  '28  miles.     Pop.  797. 

Conhocton,  taken  from  Bath  and  Dansville  in  1812  ;  from  Albany 
215,  from  Bath  NW.  16  miles.  Pop.  2,985.  Liberty  is  a  small  vil- 
lage ;  Blood's  Corners  and  Patcl.in's  Mills  are  small  settlements. 

Dansville,  organized  in  1790;  since  altered  in  area  :  from  Albany 
240,  from  Bath  NW.  24  miles.  Pop.  2,725.  South  Dansville,  llo- 
gersville,  Doty's  Corners,  and  De  Wilts  Valley,  are  post-offices. 

Erwin,  taken  from  Painted  Post  in  1826  ;  from  Albany  212, /roin 
Bath  SE.  20  miles.  Near  the  mo<:th  of  the  ('onhooton  river  is  the 
small  village  of  Erwin,  upon  the  Great  Bend  and  Bath  turnpike. 
Upon  the  rivers  arc  rich  alluvial  flats,  well  cultivated,  and  a  iiue 
bridge  across  the  Conhocton  300  feet  long.  There  are  })ost-offices 
at  the  village  of  Erwin  and  Painted  Post.     Pop.  782. 

The  celebrated  "  piiintfd  pout,"  from  which  the  town  of  Piiinifld  Post  derived  its  name, 
formerly  stood  upon  the  bank  of  the  river.  There  liave  been  various  Htorics  in  /elation  lo 
its  origiii ;  the  followinj{  account  taken  from  the  narrative  of  the  captivity  and  suHerings  ot 
Gen.  Frcegift  I'aicliin,  who  ww  luken  prisoner  by  a  pariy  of  Indians  under  Uriini  durini; 
the  revolution,  is  probably  cornet.  "  Near  thin,  we  found  the  fnnioun  I'AINTKI)  POST, 
which  is  now  known  over  (he  whole  cuiiiiiiciii,  to  tlinfte  correrHant  with  the  early  himory 
of  uur  country;  the  orit(in  of  which  whh  uh  follows.  Whcilier  ii  wmim  in  the  revolution,  or 
in  the  Dunmore  battles  with  the  Indians,  which  cjinnienced  in  Virginia,  or  in  the  French 
".'ar,  I  do  not  know  •  an  Indicn  chief,  nn  this  xpot,  liml  been  vi  .orion*  in  battle,  killed  and 

•  n..t.     .,..„,...,...„    ,,,    .1.,.    .,..,.,1,.   r    ,,l'    .,),.. lit    r.ll  1'l,,u     ......,,    I I..K.-,.I..J     k..    .....I., 


ri-.<«  tM 


•  '^.4 


if 


).,  Sept.  28, 1787. 
Court  of  the  Bar 
a  just  Judge,  an 
eave  for  posterity 


,  Scotland,  and  a 
look  place  in  the 
the  5th  of  March, 
donor,  the  public 
L'udy  and  benevo. 
ud  of  that  man  is 

iistant  E.  lii 

1  S.  8  miles, 
iidiun  tongue 
ron  and  South 

SE.  11  miles. 
lage,  and  one 

n\  Bath  SW. 
river  in  this 
t  settled  place 
nnett,  3  t'anii- 
■  came  up  the 
,ia.     Canisteo 

from  Pt;inted 

from  Albany 
is  u  small  vil- 
tlenients. 

from  Albany 
)ansvili(;,  llo- 
st-olHcos. 
my  iJ12, /rom 
>u  river  is  the 
iath  turnpike. 
I'd,  and  a  liiie 
re  post-ollices 

derived  its  nnine, 
jrii'H  in  /elation  to 
'  and  mitleringa  of 
iider  nnini  during 
A.INTKI)  POST, 
li  the  early  hiniory 
the  rcvoluiion,  or 
,  or  in  the  French 
I  hattje,  killed  and 


STEUBEN    COUNTY. 


531 


be  taken  from  the  forest  and  hewed  four  square,  painted  red,  and  the  number  he  killed, 
which  was  28,  represented  across  the  post  in  black  paint,  without  any  heads,  but  those  he 
took  prisoners,  which  was  30,  were  represented  with  heads  on  in  black  paint,  as  the  others. 
This  post  he  erected,  and  thus  handed  down  to  posterity  an  account  that  here  a  buttle  was 
fought ;  but  by  whom,  and  who  the  Fufierers  were,  is  covered  in  darkness,  except  that  it 
was  between  the  whites  and  Indians." 

Greenwood,  taken  i*rom  Troupsburg  and  Canisteo  in  1827 ;  from 
Albany  251  ;  from  Bath  SW.  26  miles.     Pop.  1,138. 

HouNRY,  taken  from  Painted  Post  in  1826;  from  Albany  199,  from 
Bath  SE.  20  miles.     Pop.  1,048. 

HoRNELLsviLi.E,  taken  from  Canisteo  in  1820 ;  from  Albany  236. 
Pop.  2,121.  Ilornellsville,  so  called  from  George  Hornell,  its  first 
settler,  lies  on  a  branch  of  the  Canisteo  near  the  main  stream,  on  the 
road  from  Bath  to  Angelica,  20  miles  W.  from  the  former,  and  on  the 
line  of  the  New^  York  and  Erie  railroad  ;  it  contains  1  Presbyterian 
and  1  Methodist  church,  and  about  HO  dwellings.  Arkport,  on  the 
Canisteo,  and  Purdy  creek,  are  post-oflices. 

HowAKi),  taken  from  Bath  and  Dansvillein  1812;  centrally  distant 
W.  from  Bath  12  miles.  Bennet's  Flats,  post  village,  contains  2 
churches,  an  academy,  and  about  40  dwellin'7s.  The  names  of  the 
post-olHces  are  Howard,  Goffs  Mills,  Towlesville,  and  Neil's  Creek. 
Pop.  3,250. 

Jasper,  taken  from  Troupsburg  and  Canisteo  in  1827  ;  from  Bath 
S.  24  miles.     Pop.  1,187.     Adamsport  is  a  small  village. 

LiNDLRY,  reccntFy  formed  from  l-^win  ;  from  Bath  SE.  centrally- 
distant  24  miles.  Pop.  038.  Ervvin  Centre  and  Lindleytown  are 
the  post  offices.     The  limits  of  the  town  were  early  settled.     At  this 


Early  method  of  pounding  corn. 

period  there  being  no  mill."  in  this  section  for  grindinc  the  grain  of  the 
mhabitants,  they  adopted  a  substitute  for  preparing  Uieir  corn,  not  un- 
common among  the  early  settlements  in  this  region.  The  above  is  a 
representation  of  this  hiethod,  consisting  of  a  stump  hollowed  out  by 
<^_^  ..•  3  fv.nrfH!*   with  R  I'-^c  jittst'ht*<i  to  thft  t^nd  o!  u.  'touni?  saDlmf? 


532 


STEUBEN  COUNTY. 


bent  over  to  act  as  a  pestle.  This  process  was  slow  and  tedious,  it 
being  a  day's  work  to  convert  halt'  a  bushel  of  corn  into  samp.  The 
settlers  wiio  owned  a  few  slaves  employed  them  in  this  drudgery ; 
hence  the  process  was  vulgarly  termed  "  niggering  corn." 

Orange,  with  Bradford,  until  recently  comprehended  one  town,  un- 
der the  name  of  Jersey  ;  205  miles  from  Albany,  from  Bath  centrally 
distant  E.  15  miles.  Pop.  1,822.  Meads  Creek  and  Sugar  Hill  are 
names  of  post-offices. 

Painted  Post,  organised  in  1790;  from  Albany  210,  from  Bath 
centrally  distant  SE.  22  miles.  Pop.  1,072.  This  is  a  place  much 
noted  in  the  early  history  of  this  section  of  the  country.  The  cele- 
brated "■painted  post"  (for  the  history  of  which  see  Erwin  in  this 
county,)  from  which  the  place  derived  its  name,  stood  within  the  old 
limits  of  this  town.  The  flats  on  the  Chemung  river  are  very  rich, 
and  the  adjoining  hills  covercfl  with  pine  forests.  The  navigable 
feeder  of  the  Chemung  canal  is  supplied  from  the  river  at  the  "  c/iim- 
ney  narrows"  so  called  from  several  piles  of  rocks  rising  perpendic- 
ularly in  various  places  from  the  hill-side,  and  having  the  appearance 
of  chimneys.  Within  two  miles  of  the  western  boundary  of  the 
town,  on  the  Great  Bend  and  Bath  road  and  north  bank  of  the  Che- 
mung river,  is  the  little  village  of  Centreville,  which  was  formerly 
called  Painted  Post.  This,  includ-ng  the  village  of  Knoxville,  with 
which  it  is  nearly  connected,  contains  100  dwellings.  The  line  of 
the  Erie  railroad  runs  in  the  valley  of  the  Chemung  river,  which  at 
the  village  of  Corning,  on  the  south  hank  of  this  stream,  is  intersected 
by  the  Corning  and  Blossburg  railroad,  communicating  with  the  coal 
mines  of  Pennsylvania. 

Prattsbuho,  named  after  a  principal  proprietor,  was  taken  from 
Pulteney  in  1813;  from  Albany  202,  from  Bath  centrally  distant  N. 
14  miles.  Pop.  2,442.  Prattsburg  village  has  two  churches,  an  in- 
corporated academy,  and  about  80  dwellings. 

Pulteney,  taken  from  Bath  in  1808  ;  from  Albany  212,  from  Bath 
centrally  distant  NE.  18  miles.  Pop.  1,782.  Pulteney,  Peltonville, 
and  South  Pulteney,  are  post-offices. 

Readino,  the  NE.  town  of  the  county,  was  taken  from  Fredericks- 
to^'-,then  Wayne,  in  1806;  from  Albany  180  miles.  Pop.  1,535. 
Irekadvillc,  24  miles  NE.  from  Bath,  has  about  50  dwellings.  JefTer- 
son  or  Savoy  village,  on  the  inlet  of  the  lake,  partly  in  Dix  of  Tioga 
county,  has  about  300  inhabitants.  Rock  Stream,  near  Seneca  lake, 
has  a  cascade  of  140  feet.  There  is  a  post-office  called  North  Read- 
ing. 

Truupsburo,  settled  in  1805 ;  taken  from  Middletown  and  Canisteo 
in  1808  ;  from  Albany  247,  and  from  Bath  SW.  28  miles.  Pop. 
1,172.     Troupsburg  and  West  Troupsburg  are  the  post-offices. 

Tyrone,  taken  from  Wayne  in  1822;  from  Albany  104,  from  Bath 
NE.  10  miles;  settled  by  caV.grants  from  New  England,  New  Jer- 
sey, and  Orange  county,  *New  York.  Tvrone,  Tobanna,  and  Pine 
Grove,  an?  post-offices.     1  o|).  2,008. 

Ilnu.K^i      tnl/un     JV.-»it>     Hatli     in      1 UOO  .     frnr::    A!K— "^v     '^A"      4__11.. 

-._..T-^j  ..i„.  „ I    ...     ,..^^,    ironi  AIDanJ:    «U«,    ccilliatij 


SUFFOLK   COUNTY. 


533 


id  tedious,  it 
samp.  The 
s  drudgery ; 

nc  town,  un- 
ith  centrally 
gar  Hill  are 

),  from  Bath 
place  much 
The  cele- 
Irwin  in  this 
ithin  the  old 
•e  very  rich, 
e  navigable 
t  the  "  cliim- 
\  perpendic- 
appearance 
dary  of  the 
of  tile  Che- 
I'as  formerly 
jxville,  with 
Phc  line  of 
er,  which  at 
5  intersected 
ath  the  coal 

taken  from 
y  distant  N. 
rches,  an  in- 

!,  from  Bath 
Peltonville, 

Fredericks- 
Pop.  1,535. 
ngs.  Jeffer- 
)ix  of  Tioga 
Seneca  lake, 
Vorth  Read- 

ind  Canisteo 
niles.     Pop. 
oHices. 
I,  from  Bath 
J,  New  Jer- 


a, 


and  1' 


mu 


1^         f.^»4^— 11«. 


distant  from  Bath  NE.  8  miles.    Pop.  1,889.    "  At  the  head  of  tbn 
Crooked  Lake  lies  the  flourishing  village  of  Hammondsport,  founded 
in  1826  by   Lazarus  Hammond,  containing   1  Presbyterian  and   1 
Episcopal  church,  and  about  100  dwellings.     The  village  is  favora- 
bly situated  for  trade,  by  reason  of  the  lake.    It  must  become  the 
port  of  the  county,  whence  much  of  its  exports  will  seek  a  market  in 
the  centre  of  the  state,  and  at  the  towns  on  the  Hudson  river.     A 
steamboat  daily  plies  between  here  and  Penn  Yan,  the  capital  of 
Yates  county ;  thence  the  Crooked  Lake  canal  leads  to  the  Seneca 
Lake,  which  is  connected  with  the  Eric  canal  by  the  Seneca  and 
Cayuga  canal,  by  which  route  there  is  an  uninterrupted  water  com- 
munication with  New  York."     Urbana.  Cold  Springs,  and  Mount 
Washington,  are  the  names  of  the  post-olKces. 

Wavnk,  organized  in  170(5,  under  the  name  of  Frederickstown ; 
limits  and  name  since  altered;  from  Albany  109  miles.  Pop.  1,377. 
Wayne,  post  village,  at  the  north  end  of  Little  Lake,  18  miles  NE. 
froni  Bath,  has  about  40  dwellings.  There  is  a  post-otfice  at  Wayne 
Four  Corners. 

WiiKi'.LKu,  taken  from  Bath  and  Prattsburg  in  1820;  from  Albany 
210,  from  Bath  N.  10  miles.  IMp.  1,305.  Wheeler  and  West  Ur- 
bana are  post-offices. 

Wooniiui.L,  taken  from  Troupsburg  and  Addison  in  1828  ;  from 
Albany  236,  from  Bath  centrally  distant  S.  22  miles.  It  is  thinly  in- 
habitecl.     Pop.  820,     Newville  is  a  small  settlement. 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 

Suffolk  county,  which  comprises  about  two  thirds  of  Lon^  Island, 
was  organized  in  1683,  at  which  time  the  ridings  were  abolished,  and 
Long  Island  was  divided  into  three  counties,  as  they  have  remained 
ever  since.  It  is  about  one  hundred  and  ten  miles  in  length,  and  in 
some  parts  twenty  in  width.  On  \\w  north  side  next  the  sound  the 
land  is  considerably  Ijroken  and  hilly  ;  in  the  interior,  and  on  the 
south  side  it  is  mostly  a^andy  plain,  covered  for  the  greater  part  with 
forests  of  pine,  in  vvfiich  the  wild  deer  is  still  an  inhabitant.  The 
county  is  not  well  watered,  the  streams  being  few  and  small.  The 
chief  business  of  the  inhabitants  is  agriculture  and  fishing ;  they  also 
send  large  quantities  of  pine  wood  to  market.  The  original  settlers 
of  the  county  were  mostly  from  New  England,  and  the  inhabitants 
have  ever  retained  to  a  great  degree  the  habits  and  manners  of  the 
Puritans.  The  county  is  divided  into  1)  towns,  all  of  which,  except 
Riverhead,  were  organized  in  1788.     Pop.  32,408. 

Bhookuaven,  the  largest  town  in  the  county,  embraces  the  whole 
width   of  the   island.     It   contains   more   than    103.000   acres,  of 

--.i.-.-i. 1..  _! »  oc  nnn  _—  :..v^r.(.^<,f>J       Tlio  <»rt>/ii/»i'  n.'irt  of  the  in- 


i 

)> 

r    ■    '( 

i    ;    '    ! 

■'< 

1   ■  '] 

•1 

'.  ■^■'; 

tthB^.lL 


534 


SUFFOLK    COUNTT. 


habitants  are  distributed  along  the  villages  on  the  sound  and  the 
ocean.  The  middle  portion  is  for  the  most  part  covered  with  pine 
forests,  in  which  deer  abound.     Pop.  7,050. 

"  The  first  settlement  in  the  town  was  commenced  at  Setauket,  in  1655,  by  which  name  the 
town  was  at  first  called.   Most,  if  not  all,  the  original  planters  came  from  Boston  and  its  vicin- 
ity.   The  civil  aflTairs  of  the  settlement  were  conducted  by  magistrates  elected  from  among 
themselves,  and  by  rules  and  ordinances  adopted  in  the  primary  assemblies  of  the  people 
Alter  the  conquest  of  New  York  in  1664,  a  patent  of  confirmation  lor  their  purchases  of  the 
natives  was  obtained  from  (iovernor  Nicol.     The  first  minister,  Kev.  Nathaniel  Brewster 
was  settled  here  in  Ififii.     lie  was  a  grandson  of  Klder  William  Brewster,  one  of  the  founders 
ol  the  I'lymonth  colony,  wlio  Ciiine  over  in  the  May  Flower,  in  1620.     Mr.  Brewster  died  in 
1690.     It  would  seem  that  from      'e  or  some  other  infirmity,  he  Wiw  unable  to  disciiarge  his 
pastoral  duties  for  some  years        ore  his  death  ;  for  ut  a  town  meeting  held  October  31,  1685 
.Samuel  l.burne  was  chosen  b,  vote  to  be  minister  of  the  town,  'and   it  being  proposed  unto 
him,  that  in  regard  of  .•^ome  ttnuie^-  conscimcen,  he  would  omit  the  ccri'inmy  in  the  book  of  com- 
mon prayer,  the  said  .Siiniuel  promised,  that  accordJTigto  their  desire,  in'regard  of  tht-'ir  tender 
ronscimrea,  to  omit  and  not  i:8'  the  albn'saidc(remontf<r  in  the  public  worship,  MCfpf  to  jnic/i  as 
xlwiild  desire  the  same.'     The  ne.\t  itiinistrr,  Kev.  George  Phillips,  came  to  .^etauket  in  16OT 
and  continued  here  till  his  denth  in  17*).    The  next  mini.ster  was  liev.  David  Youni's  •  his 
successor,  llev.  Benjanun  Tallmadu'e,  was  settled  here  in  17i>4.  Mr.  Tallmadae  was  succeeded 
bv  I!ev   Noah  Wetniore.who  came  here  in  17.S():  Hev.  Zacliariah  Creene  was  his  succu'^or 
Tie  following  relative  to  seating  the  nieeting-house,  recorded  on  the  town  books,  is  a  curious 
relic ot  olden  times; — 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  trustees  of  Brookhaven,  August  6th,  1703:  Whereas  there  hath  been 
several  rude  actions  ol  late  happened  m  our  church  by  remson  of  the  people  not  being  seated 
which  is  much  to  the  dishonor  of  (Jod  and  the  discoiiracement  of  virtue.  For  preventing  the 
like  again,  It  IS  o>-rfcc«/ that  the  inhabitants  be  sealed  after  the  manner  and  form  following  • 
All  Ireeholders  that  have  or  shall  subscribe  within  a  mouth  to  pay  40  shillings  to  Mr.  Phillins 
towards  his  sallary  shall  be  seated  at  the  table,  and  that  no  womm  are  permitted  to  set  'here 
except  C'o(.  Smith  t  lady,  nor  any  tvomen  kind  ;  And  that  the  President  for  the  time  being  shall 
Pit  in  the  right-hand  seat  under  the  pulpit,  and  the  clerk  on  the  left :  the  trustees  in  the  front 
seat,  and  the  .Tustices  that  are  inhabitants  of  the  town,  are  to  be  seated  at  the  table   vhether 

they  pay  40  shillings  or  less.     '-J-"- --  »''•••  •  .    ..<    . 

20sMh  ■   ^ 

subsc 

for  the  ^        „  ,  ,  .    ,  „ 

women  whose  husbands  piiy  40 shillings,'  to  sit  according  to  their  age  ;  No.  il.lor  those  men's 
wives  that  pay  from  20  to  15  shillings.  The  alley  fronting  the  pews  to  be  for  such  maids 
whose  parenU  or  selves  shall  subseribe  for  two,  6  shillings;  No.  12,  far  those  men's  wives  who 
pay  from  10  to  15  shillings ;  No.  13,  for  maids;  No.  14,  for  girls;  and  No.  15,  free  for  any 
Captain  Clark  and  Joseph  looker  to  settle  the  inhabitants  according  to  the  above  order." 

,,r„"''"liJJ5  *=J!'"'i*^'.''  '"  V^'fuket,  the  first  Episcopal  church  on  Long  Island,  was  erected  in 
17.10.  Ihis  building,  alter  having  been  repeatedly  altered  and  repaired,  is  still  standins  The 
Congregational  church  at  Old  Mans,  was  first  erected  in  1720,  and  rebuilt  in  1805.  The  Pres- 
byterian church  was  built  in  1800,  at  Middletown,  and  another  at  I'ire.plHPe,  in  1828  •  the  first 
church  at  this  latter  place  was  erected  in  1740.  The  first  Congregational  church  at  Pitchocue 
was  built  in  17W,  the  present  in  1822.  The  Methodist  church  at  this  place  was  erected  in  l&o' 
J  he  Baptist  church  at  Corum  has  stood  about  ninety  years.  The  Methodist  church  at  Sionvi 
brook  was  erected  in  1817.  ' 

Setauket,  the  oldest  and  one  of  the  most  populous  villages  in 
the  town,  received  its  name  from  its  being  the  residence  of  the 
Seatalcott  tribe  of  Indians.  It  is  situated  on  both  sid»;s  of  the  har- 
bor, occupying  about  two  square  tniles.  The  village  of  Stonybrook 
is  on  the  western  side  of  the  town  adjoining  the  sound,  and  has  one 
of  the  best  btirbors  in  this  part  of  the  island.  There  arc  about  (10 
dwelhngs  ;  shipbuilding  to  a  considerable  extent  is  carried  on  in  this 
place.     Port  Jefferson  and  Mdlers  Place  are  small  villages. 

Corum  is  near  the  centre  of  the  town,  and  has  been  the  seat  of 
the  town  business  for  more  than  CO  years.  It  is  a  small  village 
contmning  about  150  inhabitants.  In,  or  near  the  village,  the  Dritish 
had  accumulated  a  large  quantity  of  forage  in  the  winter  of  1780 
which  was  destroyec  bv  Colonel  Tr.llmadce,  a  native  of  Setauket! 
The  pkn  of  this  expedition  was  approved  of  by  a  communication 
Irum  Grncrai  Washington. 


-i5i>^» 


■f^  .--y:'^.' 


SUFFOLK   COUNTY. 


535 


)und  and  the 
•ed  with  pine 


'  which  name  the 
iston  and  its  vicin- 
cted  from  among 
ies  of  the  people, 
r  purchases  of  the 
thaniel  Brewster, 
le  of  ihe  founders 

Hrewster  died  in 
"  to  discharge  hia 
October  31,  1685, 
ni;  proposed  unto 

the  book  of  com- 
ird  of  their  <f)u/er 
I,  except  to  .luck  as 
r^etauiiet  in  1697, 
livid  Youngs ;  hia 
re  was  succeeded 
I'as  hia  successor, 
joks,  is  a  curious 

!  there  hath  been 
not  being  seated, 
i)r  preventing  the 

I  form  following: 
;s  to  Mr.  Phillipa 
ilted  to  set  '.liere, 

time  i)eing  shall 
stees  in  the  front 
le  table,  whether 
Dr  shall  subscribe 
w.  No.  3,  such  as 
shillings^  No.  7, 
es;  andtorthcse 
,  for  those  men's 

lor  such  maids 
lien's  wives  who 

15,  free  for  any- 
bove  order." 

I,  was  erected  in 

II  standing.  The 
iH()5.  The  Pres- 
in  1828  ;  the  first 
ch  at  Patchocue 

erected  in  lb30. 
hurch  at  Stony. 

villages  in 
ence  of  the 

of  the  har- 
Stonybrooic 
and  has  one 
re  about  flO 
d  on  in  this 
es. 

the  scat  of 
nail  village 
,  the  British 
erof  1780, 
•f  Setaukct. 
imunication 


"In  pursuance  of  this  communication,  Major  Tallmadge  ordered  the  detachment  to  repair  to 
Fairfield.    Here  being  met  by  other  troops,  the  party  embarked,  the  21st  of  November,  1780, 
at  four  o'clock,  P.  M.,  in  eight  wiiale-boats.    The  whole  number,  including  the  crews  of  the 
boats,  amounted  to  eighty'  men.    They  crossed  the  sound  in  four  hours,  and  landed  at  Old 
Mans  #nine  o'clock.    The  troops  had  marched  about  five  miles,  when  it  beginning  to  rain, 
they  returned,  and  took  shelter  under  their  boats,  and  lay  concealed  in  the  bushes  all  that  night 
ana  the  next  day.    At  evening  the  rain  abating,  the  troops  were  again  put  in  motion,  and  at 
three  o'clock  in  the  morning  were  within  two  niiles  ol  the  fort.    Here  he  divided  his  men 
into  three  parties,  ordering  each  to  attack  the  fort  at  the  same  time  at  difl'erent  points.    The 
order  was  so  well  executed,  that  the  three  divisions  arrived  nearly  at  the  same  moment.    It 
was  a  triangular  enclosure  of  several  acres,  strongly  stockaded,  well  barricaded  houses  at  two 
of  the  ang'les.  and  at  the  third  a  fort,  with  a  deep  ditch  and  wall,  encircled  by  an  abatis  of 
sharpened  pickets,  projecting  at  an  angle  of  forty-nve  degrees.    The  stockade  was  cut  down, 
the  column  led  through  the  grand-parade,  and  in  ten  minutes  the  main  fort  was  cairied  by  the 
liayonet.     The  vessels  near  the  tort,  laden  with  stores,  attempted  to  escape,  but  the  guns  of 
the  fort  being  brought  to  bear  upon  them,  they  were  secured  and  burnt,  as  were  the  works  and 
stores.    The  number  of  prisoners  was  fifty-four,  of  whom  seven  were  wounded.    While  they 
were  marched  to  the  boats  under  an  escort,  Major  Tallmadge  proceeded  with  the  remainder 
of  his  detachment,  destroyed  about  three  hundred  tons  of  hay  collected  at  Corum,  and  re- 
turned to  the  place  of  debarkation  just  as  the  party  with  the  prisoners  had  arrived,  and  reach- 
ed  Fairfield  by  eleven  o'clock  the  same  evening ;  having  accomplished  the  enterprise,  inclu- 
ding a  march  of  forty  miles  by  land  and  as  much  by  water,  without  the  loss  of  a  man.    Con- 
gress passed  a  resolve  complimentary  to  the  commander  and  troops  engaged  in  this  expedi- 
tion, which  was  said  by  them  to  have  been  planned  and  conducted  with  wisdom  and  great 
gallantry  by  Major  Tallmadge,  and  executed  with  intrepidity  and  complete  success  by  the 
officers  and  soldiers  of  his  detachment " 


View  of  Patchogue  in  Brookhaven,  Long  Island. 

The  above  is  a  view  taken  at  the  western  #htrance  into  the  vil- 
lage of  Patchouge  ;  the  Congregational  and  Methodist  churches  are 
sern  ov\  the  left,  and  the  compact  part  of  the  village  in  the  distance 
.)ii  the  iight.  The  village  is  named  after  the  Patchogue  tribe  of  In- 
diai;f.  who  once  possessed  the  territory  in  this  part  of  the  island.  It 
contains  about  75  dwellings,  the  greater  part  of  which  have  been 
erected  within  a  few  years.  It  is  28  miles  from  Riverhead,  and  fiO 
from  New  York,  upon  the  ^reat  thoroughfare  from  Brooklyn  to  Sagg 
Harbor.  Four  miles  east  is  the  recently  built  village  of  Bell  Port, 
containing  about  30  dwellings,  an  academy,  2  ship-yards,  »fcc.  Five 
miles  east  of  hero  is  a  small  settlement  called  Fire-plaec,  known 
as  a  rendezvous  for  sportsmen.  Moriches  is  in  the  east  part  of  the 
town,  extending  east  from  Mastic  river.  The  groves  of  Mastic  are 
somewhat  celebrated. 

Easthampton,  the  most  easterly  town  on  Long  Island,  includes 
the  peninsula  of  Montauk  and  Gardiner's  Island.    It  is  centrally  dis- 


m 


ill  m 


f'l 


M 


mi' 


51    '      -  A} 


536 


SUFFOLK    COUNTY. 


tant  from  New  York  110  miles.  Pop.  2,076.  The  town  was  settled 
in  1649  by  about  thirty  families  from  Lynn,  Massachusetts,  and  the 
towns  adjacent.  The  town  continued  an  independent  planlat^n  or 
community  till  1657,  when  they  put  themselves  under  the  jurisoiction 
of  Connecticut.  The  Rev.  Thomas  James  was  the  first  minister  in 
the  town  ;  he  died  in  1696,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Nathaniel 
Hunting.  Mr.  Hunting  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Samuel  Buell  in 
1746.  The  fourth  minister  was  Rev.  Lyman  Bccchcr,  who  was  set- 
tled here  in  1799.  Mr.  Beecher  is  now  the  President  of  the  Lane 
Seminary  in  Ohio.  The  village  of  Easthanipton  is  confined  to  a 
single  street,  of  about  a  mile  in  length,  having  about  100  dwellings, 
mostly  of  an  antiquated  appearance,  a  church,  and  the  Clinton  acad- 
emy, erected  here  in  1785,  being  the  first  institution  of  the  kind  on 
Long  Island.  The  village  of  Amagansett,  containing  about  50  houses, 
is  three  miles  to  the  east.  Wainscott  is  a  small  village  in  the  SW.  part. 
Gardiner's  Island  contains  about  3,300  acres,  with  a  soil  mostly  of 
a  good  quality  ;  the  nearest  point  of  distance  to  Long  Island  is  three 
miles.  Lyon  Gardiner,  the  first  settler  on  the  island,  was  a  native  of 
Scotland.  lie  belonged  to  the  republican  party,  with  the  illustrious 
Hampden,  Cromwell,  and  others.  His  family  bible,  now  in  possession 
of  his  descendants  on  the  island,  contains  the  following,  written  in  his 
own  hand : — 

"  In  the  year  1(S5,  the  10th  day  of  July,  came  I,  Lyon  Gardiner,  and  Mary  my  wife,  from 
Woden,  a  town  of  Holland,  where  my  wife  waa  born,  being  the  daughter  of  one  ]")iricke 
WiUemson ;  her  mother's  name  was  Hachir,  and  her  aunt,  sifter  of  her  mother,  waa  the  wife 
of  Wouter  Leanderson,  Old  Burger  Muster,  dwelling  in  the  Hostadi-,  over  against  the  Bruser, 
m  the  Unicprne's  Head  ;  her  brother's  name  was  Punce  Garretson,  aim  old  liurger  Muster. 
We  came  from  Woden  to  London,  and  from  thence  to  New  England,  and  dwelt  at  Saybrook 
fort  four  years;  it  is  at  the  mouth  of  Connecticut  River,  of  which  I  was  commander;  and 
there  was  born  to  me  a  son,  named  David,  the  iirst  born  in  that  place  ;  and  in  '638  a  daughler 
was  born,  named  Mary,  30th  of  August,  and  then  I  went  to  an  ihdand  ol  my  own,  which  1  hud 
bought  of  the  Indians,  called  by  them  Manchonock,  by  us  Isle  of  Wight,  and  there  was  born 
another  daughter  the  14th  of  September,  MUl,  she  being  the  Iirst  diild  of  English  pareiiis 
born  there." 

The  notorious  pirate  William  Kidd  visited  this  island  and  buried 
a  valuable  treasure.  From  this  circumstance,  doubtless,  has  arisen 
the  numerous  legerfts  respecting  the  burial  of  "  Kidd's  money,"  in 
many  places  along  the  coast.  The  foil* iwing  is  a  brief  account  of 
Kidd : — 

"  William  Kidd,  the  famous  freebooter  and  pirate,  was  the  commander  of  i  merchant  ves- 
sel which  willed  between  New  York  and  Lon>.on,  and  celebrated  for  his  nautical  skill  and  ■  ti- 
terpnse :  on  which  account  he  was  strongly  recommended  by  Mr.  Livinc^^ton  of  New  York, 
then  m  London,  as  a  jjroper  person  to  take  charge  of  a  vessel  which  I-ord  Komney  and  cili- 
ers  had  purchased,  and  were  then  fitting  out  agauist  the  hordes  oC  marauders  which  inl'ei-t.'d 
the  Indian  w-i's,  am  preyed  upon  the  onimerce  of  all  nations.  The  expense  of  this  expedi- 
tion was  ijWMIO  sterling.  It  was  a  joint  fund,  to  whK^h  the  King,  Lord  Vomers,  (he  lOarl  of 
Knmsev,  the  Duke  ot  Shrewsbury,  the  liar!  .if  O.xHird,  Lord  Bellaniont,  and  Mr.  Liviiigst.in 
were  contribulore.  hidd  agrc 'd  to  be  concerned  to  the  amount  of  one-(ifih  of  liie  whole,  and 
Mr.  Livingston  became  Ins  surety  for  the  sum  of  mw.  He  soon  P<'t  ail,  and  arriv.'d  on  (he 
American  coast,  where  he  continued  for  some  time,  and  wis  useful  in  proiectuig  <mt  <om- 
mercc,  lor  \vhich  he  received  much  public  applause  ;  and  the  asseiiiblv  of  this  stale  voted  him 
the  sum  ol  fi«>  h»  nn  acknowledgment  of  his  Hervi<'es.  lie  soon  alter  esiabhshed  himsell  at 
the  Island  ot  Madagascar,  where  he  lay  like  n  shark,  darting  out  et  pleasure,  and  robbinB  with 
inipuniiy  ihe  vessels  oi  every  country.  Having  captured  a  larger  and  better  vessel  than  his 
own,  he  burnt  the  one  in  which  he  had  sailed,  mid  took  cnmnmnd  of  the  other;  in  which  he 
ranged  over  the  Indian  coast  inuii  the  K.-d  S-.m  to  Malabar,  and  his  denredations  exien.led 
roiii  ilieLa.'itern  Ocean,  hack  along  the  Atlantic  coast  of  South  America,  through  the  jia- 
haiiKi.^,  the  whole  W  e, t  Indus,  and  the  shores  of  Long  Loland.    The  lust  of  whic  were  se- 


was  settled 
tts,  and  the 
anlatk>n  or 
jurisoiction 
minister  in 
.  Nathaniel 
lel  Buell  in 
ho  was  set- 
f  the  Lane 
ifined  to  a 
I  dwellings, 
inton  acad- 
thc  kind  on 
50  houses, 
3  SW.  part. 
1  mostly  of 
md  is  three 
a  native  of 
3  illustrious 
I  possession 
ritten  in  his 


my  wife,  from 
of  one  Diricke 
r,  WHS  the  wile 
inst  tlie  CrusiT, 
i5nrger  Muster, 
elt  at  Snybrook 
uniander ;  iiiid 
'KM  a  (laii<rhlcr 
in,  whicii  1  liad 
there  was  born 
Knglii-h  pareiiUs 

and  buried 
,  has  arisen 
money,"  in 
account  of 


merrhnnt  vrs- 
■al  skill  and  >  n- 

ol'  New  York, 
iinnry  hikI  cili- 
whicii  itifwti'd 

of  this  oxpcdi- 
•N,  the  llarl  of 
^Ir.  Liviiiu-'ton 
the  whole,  and 
arrived  on  the 
etint:;  our  corn- 
stale  voted  him 
shed  hiin.«eil  lit 
d  rohhincwiih 
vetwel  tiian  hi:* 
r;  in  which  lie 
lionn  extended 
firo\igh  the  Ha- 
vhic".  were  w;» 


SUI'I'OLK    COUNTY.  537 

lected  as  the  fittest  for  d(  poMtiiia;  his  ill-sjotion  treasnr.'s  lip  is  supnosed  to  have  returned 
from  the  east  with  more  valuable  t^ijoil  than  ever  fell  to  the  lot  oi'  any  oIIht  individual  On 
his  homeward  passage  from  the  West  Indies  lo  liostoii.  where  he  was  (inallv  apnrf'hendpd  he 
anehoied  in  Gardiner's  bay,  and  in  the  presence  of  llie  owner  of  the  i-hind  Mr.  Gardiner 
and  under  the  must  solenni  iniinielioiis  oi'  seereey,  buried  a  pot  of  yold.  i-ilve'r^  and  precioua 
stones.  On  the  :5d  of  .Inly.  Kiitf),  lie  was  siiiiiliioned  before  Lord  Ik-UauKiiit  al  r.oslon,  and  or- 
dered to  report  hi-  precreijinsrt;  whil,."  in  tin-  service  of  the  ccinpiuiy  ;  wliicli  v>'l'usinl;  to  do 
he  was  iinnicdiately  arrested  aiul  lraii:-porti'd  to  l^^nglatiil,  where  lic'was  nird,  euuvii^ted  and 
cxeeuled  at  "  j;xeeulion  Jioek"  on  the  I'ilh  of  May,  1701.  lb'  was  loand  ;;iuliv  of  the  inur- 
(ler  ol'  William  .Moore,  gunner  of  the  ship,  and  wi'us  hung  in  chains.  .Mr.  ridlui  ( ;.  Ciardiner 
lia.s  a  small  piece  of  gold  elolh,  v^'hich  his  I'alher  received  iiom  .Mrs.  Weiinore,  who  gave  ab^o 
llie  I'ollowing  account  of  Kidd's  vi.'^it  to  the  island.  '  J  reiiu'iiiber.  (she  says,)  when  verv  yo\ing, 
hearing  my  niother  sav  thai  her  grandmother  was  the  wif'  to  Lord  Gardiner  when  the  pirate 
came  to  that  island,  lie  wanted  Mrs.  Oardiner  to  roasi  him  a  pin;  she  being  afraid  to  refuse, 
him,  roa.sted  it  very  nice,  and  he  was  much  pleased  with  it.  lie  then  made  her  a  present  of 
this  cloth,  which  she  gave  to  her  two  daughters;  what  became  of  the  olhrr  know  1  not ;  but 
tliis  was  handed  down  to  me,  and  is,  I  believe,  as  nice  as  when  tiist  given,  which  must  lie  up- 
wards  of  a  hundred  years  ' 

"It  having  been  ascertained  that  he  had  buried  treasures  upon  this  i.«land,  eommisfioners 
were  sent  by  tiovcni,  r  Bellamont,  who  obtained  the  same,  and  lor  which  they  gave  the  fol- 
lowing receipt: — 

"A  true  a('count  of  all  such  gold,  silver,  jewels,  and  merchandize,  late  in  the  pot«es,sion  of 
Captain  \\'illiam  Kid, I,  which  had  been  seized  and  seemed  by  us  pursuant  to  an  order  from 
his  I'lxcellency,  i\ichard  J.arl  of  Bellamont,  bearing  date  July  7,  IfiiW. 

Eeceived,  the  17ih  insiaiii,  oi'  Mr.  John  Llanliiier,  viii.  ounces. 

Xo.     1.  One  bag  of  dusl-ijold, (>S  3-4 

2.  One  bag  ol' coined  uiild, 11 

and  one  in  silver, 124 

3.  One  bag  oi' dust-gold, il  3-4 

4.  One  bag  of  silver  rings,  and  sundry  l)recions  stones,  ...  47-8 
."5.  (hie  ban  of  unpolished  stones,  -...-...12  1-2 
<).  One  piece  of  crystal,  carmdian  rings,  two  agates,  two  amethysts. 

7.  One  bag  silver  bntlons  and  lamps,     ....... 

8.  One  bag  of  broken  silver, 173  1-2 

9.  One  bag  of  gold  bars, ;}53  1-4 

10.  One  do. 2:W  1-2 

11.  One  bag  of  dus!-gold, 59  1-2 

12.  One  bag  of  silver  bars, 309 

f^amuel  Sewall,  Nathaniel  Bylield. 
Jeremiah  Dummer,  .\ndrew  Belcher, 

Commissioners." 


View  of  Montauk  Point,  Long  Island. 

The  peninsula  of  Montauk  contains  0,000  acres.  The  land  is 
owned  by  about  forty  individuals,  as  tenants  in  common.  The  Indi- 
ans have  non-fructuary  interest  in  a  portion  of  the  hind  ;  but  as  the 
race  is  nearly  extinct,  thi.s  incumbrance  must  be  of  short  duration. 
The  sitil  is  gfueraliy  good,  and  is  used  as  pasture  land.  The  surface 
is  rough,  and  in  some  places  precipitoius.  •*  There  is  a  snbimuty  and 
wildness.  as  well  as  solitarine.ss  here,  whicjt  leave  a  pinvntul  impres- 
sion on  tlie  heart.     In  u  >torm.  the  .scene  udiicli  tlic  ocean  presents  is 


ir 


» 


5^ 


SUFFOLK    COUNTY. 


awfully  grand  and  terrific.  On  the  extreme  point  stands  the  tall 
white  column  erected  by  the  government  for  a  lighthouse  in  1795,  at 
an  expense  of  $22,300.*^  It  is  constructed  of  stone,  in  the  most  sub- 
stantial manner."  Within  five  or  six  miles  of  this  place  the  Spanish 
schooner  Amistad,  in  possession  of  a  company  of  African  slaves, 
was  captured  and  carried  into  New  London.  The  following  partic- 
ulars respecting  the  schooner,  &c.,  was  written  by  one  of  the  officers 
of  the  United  States  brig  Washington : — 

JVeio  London,  August  26,  1839. 

"While  this  vessel  was  sounding;  this  day  between  (Gardiner's  and  Montank  Points,  a 
schooner  was  seen  lying  in-shore  olT  Cnllodon  Point,  under  circumstances  so  suspicious  as  to 
authorize  Lieutenant-comniandant  Gedney  to  stand  in  to  see  what  was  iier  character:  seeing 
a  number  of  people  on  tlie  beuch  with  carts  and  horses,  and  a  boat  piissing  to  and  Iro,  a  boat 
was  armed  and  despatched  with  an  olFicer  to  board  her.  ( 'n  coniinu;  alongside,  a  number  of 
negroes  were  discovered  on  her  deck,  and  twenty  or  thirty  more  were  on  the  beach — two 
while  men  cunie  forw-.rd  and  claimed  the  prolcclion  of  ihi;  oillcer.  Thi;  schooner  proved  to 
be  the  '  Amit^tad,'  Captain  Kamonliues,  from  the  llavanna,  boimd  to  Guanajah,  Port  Princi- 
pe, with  5J  blacks  and  two  passengers  on  board  ;  the  lormer,  lour  nights  after  they  were  out, 
rose  and  nuudered  the  captain  and  three  of  the  crew — they  then  took  possession  oi'the  vessel, 
with  the  intention  of  returning  to  the  coast  of  Africa.  Pedro  Montez,  passenger,  and  Jose 
Ruiz,  owner  of  the  slaves  and  a  part  ol' the  cargo,  were  only  saved  lo  navigate  the  vessel. 
After  boxing  about  tor  four  days  in  the  Bahama  channel,  the  vessel  was  steered  lor  the  bland 
of  St.  Andrews,  near  New  Providence — I'rom  thence  she  went  to  Green  Kev,  where  the  blacks 
laid  in  a  supply  of  water.  After  leaving  this  place  the  vessel  was  steered  by  Pedro  Montez 
for  New  Providence,  the  negroes  being  under  the  impression  that  she  was  steering  for  the 
coast  of  AJ^iica — they  would  not  however  permit  her  to  enter  the  port,  but  anchored  every 
night  ofl'the  coast.  "The  situation  of  the  two  whiter-  was  nil  this  time  truly  deplorable,  being 
treated  with  the  greatest  severity,  and  Pedro  Montez,  who  had  charge  of  tlie  navigation,  was 
Buflering  from  two  severe  wounds,  one  on  the  head  and  one  on  tlie  arm,  their  lives  being 
threatened  every  instant.  He  was  ordered  t'l  chanae  the  course  again  for  the  coa.st  of  Africa, 
the  negroes  themselves  steering  by  the  sun  in  the  daytime,  while  at  night  he  would  alter  their 
course  so  as  to  bring  them  bacTc  to  their  original  place  of  destination.  They  remained  three 
days  otr  Long  Island,  to  the  eastward  of  Providence,  alter  which  time  they  were  two  months 
on  the  ocean,  sometimes  steering  to  the  eastward,  and  whenever  an  occasion  would  p>.  rniit, 
the  whites  would  alter  the  course  to  the  northward  and  westward,  always  in  hoiies  of  falling 
in  with  some  vessel  of  war,  or  being  enabled  to  run  into  some  port,  when  they  would  be  re- 
lieved from  their  horrid  situation. 

"  Several  times  they  were  boarded  by  vessels  ;  once  by  an  American  schooner  from 
Kingston  ;  on  these  occasions  the  whites  were  ordered  below,  while  the  negroes  commu. 
nicatcd  and  traded  with  the  vessels ;  the  schooner  from  Kingston  supplied  them  with  a  de. 
mijohn  of  water  for  the  moderate  sum  of  one  doubloon — this  schooner,  whose  name  was  not 
ascertained,  finding  that  the  negroes  had  plenty  of  money,  remained  lashed  alongside  the 
'  Amistad'  for  twenty.four  hours,  though  they  must  have  been  aware  that  nil  was  not  right 
on  board,  and  probably  suspected  the  character  of  the  vessel — this  was  on  the  eighteenth 
of  the  jiresent  month;  the  vessel  was  steered  to  the  northward  and  westward,  and  on  the 
20th  instant,  distant  from  New  York  25  miles,  the  pilot. boat  No.  3  came  alongside  and 
gave  the  negroes  some  apples.  She  was  also  hailed  by  No.  4  ;  when  the  latter  boat  came 
near,  the  negr.T-.s  armed  tliemselves  and  would  not  permit  her  to  board  them  ;  they  were 
HO  exasperated  with  the  two  whites  for  bringing  them  so  much  out  of  their  way,  that  they 
cxp(  cted  every  moment  to  be  murdered.  On  the  2'4ih  they  made  Montauk  light,  and 
steered  for  it  in  the  hope  of  running  the  vessel  ashore,  but  the  tide  drifted  them  up  the  buy, 
and  they  anchored  where  they  were  foimd  by  ihe  brig  Washington,  oft'  Cultoden  point. 
The  negroes  were  found  in  communication  with  the  shore,  where  they  laid  in  a  fresh  supply 
of  water,  and  were  on  the  point  of  sailing  ngam  for  the  coast  of  Africa.  They  had  a  good 
supply  of  money,  some  of  which  it  is  likely  was  t'lken  by  the  people  on  the  beach.  After 
disarming  and  seiuling  them  on  board  I'roin  the  beach,  the  leader  jumped  overboard  with 
three  hundred  doubloons  about  him,  the  property  of  the  captain,  all  of  which  he  succeeded 
in  losing  from  his  person,  and  then  submitted  himself  to  be  captured.  The  schooner  was 
taken  in  tow  by  the  brig  and  curried  into  New  London." 

The  Africans  were  afterward  taken  to  Now  Haven  ;  and  an  inves- 
tigation was  had  before  the  United  States  court  at  Hartford.  In 
JanimrVx  1840,  their  case  was  tried  before  the  United  States  district 


ids  the  tall 
;  in  1795,  at 
e  most  sub- 
thc  Spanish 
can  slaves, 
ving  partic- 
the  officers 


gust  26,  1839. 
itauk  Points,  a 
suspicious  as  to 
laructer ;  seeing 
1  and  I'ro,  a  boiii 
le,  a  number  of 
liif  beach— two 
uoncr  proved  to 
idi.  Port  Prinei- 
'  they  were  out, 
on  o'Cthe  vessel, 
enger,  and  Jose 
ii>iitc  the  vessel. 
■(1  Ibr  the  Island 
.'here  the  blacks 
f  Pedro  Jlontej 
steering  Ibr  the 
anchored  every 
r-plorable,  being 
navigation,  was 
heir  lives  being 
coa.«t  of  Africa, 
vould  alter  their 
remuined  three 
ere  two  months 
1  would  permit, 
hopes  of  lalliiig 
■y  would  be  re- 
schooner  from 
pgroes  conimu. 
hem  with  a  de- 
5  name  was  not 
d  alongside  the 
ill  was  not  right 

the  eighteenth 
ard,  and  on  (he 
B  alongside  and 
litter  boat  came 
nn  ;  they  were 

way,  that  they 
tank  light,  and 
em  up  the  bay, 
Culloden  point, 
n  a  fresh  supply 
hey  had  a  good 
I  beach.  After 
overboard  with 
h  lifi  succeeded 
3  schooner  was 


nd  an  inves- 
irtford.  In 
at'jK  district 


•"T'' 


SUFFOLK   COUNTY. 


.  %39 


court.  Judge  Judson  decided  that  they  should  be  delivered  up" to 
the  President  of  the  United  States  to  be  sent  back  to  A'frica.  The 
United  States  attorney  having  appealed  from  this  decision,  the  case 
was  referred  to  the  Supreme  Court,  at  Washington,  which  set  in 
January,  1841.     This  court  declared  the  freedom  of  the  Africans. 

Huntington,  the  westernmost  town  in  the  county,  is  bounded  on 
the  N.  by  the  sound,  and  S.  by  the  ocean.  The  surface  in  the  N.  is 
rough  and  hilly,  in  the  centre  a  high  sandy  plain,  covered  with  pines 
and  shrub  oaks.  The  South  Bay  has  on  its  northern  shore  a  strip  of 
salt  meadow  nearly  a  mile  wide.  The  soil  near  the  sound,  and  par- 
ticularly upon  the  necks,  is  the  best  in  the  town.  Pop.  6,56^.  The 
earliest  deed  for  land  in  this  town  was  given  to  Gov.  Eaton,  of  New 
Haven,  for  Eaton's  Neck,  in  164C,  the  first  Indian  deed  to  the  ori- 
ginal settlers  of  Huntington,  and  comprised  six  square  miles. 

"  In  an  early  period  of  the  settlement,  in  this  town  as  well  as  in  others,  almost  all  domestic 
trade  was  carried  on  by  means  of  exchange.  Contracts  were  made  to  be  satisfied  in  produce, 
and  even  the  judgments  given  in  the  courus  were  made  payable  in  grain,  at  (i.xed  prices,  or  in 
merchantable  pay  at  the  current  price.  The  prici's  were  estalilished  by  the  governor  and  court 
of  assize  ;  and  in  166.J  the  as.se&sors  were  ordered  to  li.x  an  estimate  ibr  stocTi.  Accordingly,  a 
horse  or  mare  (bur  years  old  and  upward,  was  to  be  t;iken  in  pay  at  twelve  pounds  ;  a  cow 
four  years  old  and  upward,  at  live  pounds;  an  o.\  or  bull  of  the  same  age,  at  .six  pounds;  and 
other  article.«,  as  pork,  wheat,  corn,  &c.,  at  proportionate  prices,  lu  the  draft  of  a  contract 
betwoen  the  town  and  a  schoolmaster  in  1657,  the  salary  was  to  be  paid  in  current  pay  ;  and 
in  16S6  the  town  contracted  with  a  carpenter  to  make  an  addition  to  the  meeting-house,  to 
be  paid  in  produce.  Even  executions  issued  by  the  magistrates,  were  satislied  in  the  same 
way.  'At  a  town  meeting,  April  4,  Ib'fil,  it  was  agreed  that  a  firkin  of  butter  .should  be  paid 
in,  at  Stephen  .larvi.s's  house  by  the  middle  of  .lune,  for  the  satisfaction  of  a  debt  due  from  ye 
town  to  linsigne  Briant.'  The  more  edt'ctuallv  to  preserve  the  public  morals,  the  people  ex- 
cluded from  society  those  whom  they  thought  hkely  to  injure  them.  In  l(i(i2,  they  appointed, 
by  a  vote  at  town  meeting,  a  committee,  consisting  of  the  minister  and  six  of  their  most  re- 
speetaiiie  citi/en.«,  to  examine  the  characters  ol'  lliose  coming  to  settle  among  them ;  with 
power  to  admit  or  reject,  as  they  judged  most  likely  to  benefit  or  injure  society,  wuh  a  pro 
viso,  that  they  shoukl  not  exclude  any  '  thiit  were  '  ...  i  .  - 


and  forbid  any  inhabirant  t( 


louesl,  and  well  approved  by  honest  and 
sell  or  let  hiMJse  or  land  to  any  one  not  approvea 


judicious  men  , ^ - ^  .  .. 

by  the  committee,  under  the  penalty  often  pounds,  to  be  puid  to  the  loun,  Iti  l'jo.i,  the  town 
forbade  any  inhabitant  to  enlertaiu'u  certain  obnoxious  individual  longer  than  the  space  ol  a 
week,  either  gratuitously  or  Ibr  pay,  under  the  penally  of  forty  shillings." 

In  1660,  the  town  put  themselves  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Connec- 
ticut, and  in  \{S(Vi,  elected  two  deputies  to  attend  the  general  court 
at  Hartford.  The  connection  was  dissolved  on  the  conquest  of  New 
York,  in  1664.  The  first  minister  of  the  town  was  William  Lever- 
idge,  who  was  established  here  1658.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev. 
Eliphalet  Jones  in  1677.  Mr.  Jones  was  succeeded  by  Ebenezer 
Prime,  who  died  in  1779,  who  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Nathan 
Woodhull,  and  the  latter  by  the  Rev.  William  Schenck. 

The  following  shows  the  appearance  of  the  village  of  Huntington  as 
it  is  entered  from  the  westward.  The  Presbyterian  church  and  aca- 
demy ire  seen  in  the  distance,  near  the  central  part  of  the  engraving. 
The  Universalist  church  is  seen  near  the  burying  ground  on  the  right. 
There  are  about  one  hundred  dwellings  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
churches.  A  newspaper  is  published  in  this  place.  This  village  is 
40  miles  W.  from  Riverhead,  and  about  45  from  New  York.  The 
thriving  village  of  Babylon,  40  miles  from  New  York,  on  the  south 
side  of  the  island,  in  full  view  of  the  bay  and  ocean,  contains  about 
250  inhabitants.  It  is  situated  upon  Sumjuains  Airh,  and  has  a  fine 
stream  of  water  on  either  side,  iip-on  which  mills  iiave  long  been 


ii  i' 


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V      I, 
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540 


SUFFOLK    COUNTY. 


Western  view  of  Huntington  Village. 


erected      Tlio  v.llaso  of  Little  Cow  Harbor  Is  now  called  Centre 

1  ort,  and  the  name  ot  Great  Cow  Har[)or  changed   to  North  Port 

Ihe  steamer  Lexin<rton  was  burnt  near  Eaton's  Neck,  Jan.  13,  1840 

isLM.      This  town,  on  the  S.  side  of  the  island,  is  centrallv  distant 

about  45  miles  irom  Now  York.     It  received  its  name  froin  the  first 

settlers,  many  oi  whom   came  from  Islip,  in  Oxfordshire,  P^ndand. 

t  has  a  level  surface  and  a  light  and  sandy  soil,  rendered  productive 

by  manures  ot  sea-weed  and  fish.     The   bay  on  the  south  is  4  or  5 

miles  wide,  containing-  an  inexhaustible  variety  of  fish,  and  is  visited 

by   a   vast    number   of   wildfowl.      Pop.    l,i)o<).       The    extensive 

domain  known  as  ^icol's   Patent,  includes   more  than   sixty  square 

TcrI  1  Z\?  v"'  f'T'  ''\  '■"■■'''  '^"^■^''■■^^^^  '■^■"^"  tJ'^  Indians  in 
1G83  by  William  Nicol,  been  by  successive  entailment  preserved 
as  one  estate.  '■ 

RivERHEAD,  the  shire  town,  was  taken  from  Southold  in  1792  Only 
a  comparatively  small  portion  of  the  town  is  under  improvement ; 
much  of  Its  territory  is  covered  with  wood,  which  has  for  a  Ion- 
penod  been  a  staple  article  for  transportation.  ° 

The  following  is  a  southern  view  of  the  central  part  of  the  village  of 
Kiverhead,  as  seen  from  the  residence  of  Mr.  J.  P.  Terry,  about  .50 
rods  8.  from  the  courthouse.     The  village  is  situated  upon  Peconic 
creek  or  river,  a  mill   stream,  about  2  miles  above  Peconic   bay 
about  00  miles  from  New  York,  24  from  Sagg  Harbor,  and  23  fro  n 
Greenport.      Phe  village  contains  about  70  dwellings  a  large  pro- 
portion  of  which  are  one  story  in  height,  1  Metliodi'st,  1  Congrega- 
tional and  1  Swedenbourg  or  New  Jerusalem  church,  an  academy 
and  about  500  inhabitants.     The  courthouse,  seen  in  the  centml  part' 
of  the  engraving  with  a  small  spire,  has  stood  more  than  a  century, 
fwr  Ik'   '  ''T'\  ^;"^^f  f-.^t'Hiverhead.     Old  Aquabogu^, 

^rE^rr.;)/*     1    •'^"''  ^'■''''  ^""^'  ^"'^'"8  "^"•^^'  ^"d  Wading  River, 
are  srnaii  villages.  - 


■  called  Centre 

0  North  Port. 
,  Jan.  13,  1840. 
sntrally  distant 
e  fronn  the  first 
hire,  England, 
red  productive 
south  is  4  or  5 
.  and  is  visited 
riie  extensive 
n   sixty  square 

the  Indians  in 
ent  preserved 

in  1792.  Only 
improvement ; 
as  for  a  lontr 

fthe  village  of 
orry,  about  50 
upon  Peconic 
Peconic  bay, 
',  and  23  from 
,  a  large  pro- 
,  1  Congrega- 
an  academy, 
e  central  part 
an  a  century. 

1  Aquabogue, 
k^adincr  River, 


SUn'Ul-K    COUNTY. 


541 


South  viev:  of  the  central  part  of  Riverhead. 

Shelter  Island  is  a  town  comprohending  the  island  of  that  name  in 
Gardiner's  bay.  It  is  about  six  miles  long  and  four  broad,  contain- 
ing about  8,000  acres,  divided  into  several  farms.  Pop.  379.  The 
surface  of  the  island  is  generally  undulating,  and  covered  in  part  by 
oak  and  other  timber.  The  Indian  name  of  this  island  was  Manhan- 
snch-aha.-qushu-wamock,  meaning  an  i stand  sheltered  by  other  islands. 
It  was  ■  originally  purchased  by  James  Farret  from  the  Indians ;  it 
afterward  became  the  property  of  Nathaniel  and  Constant  Sylvester 
and  Thomas  Middleton.  In  1074,  the  rights  of  these  two  last  per- 
sons were  confiscated  by  the  Dutch  government,  and  sold  to  the  first 
ior  £500,  the  payment  of  which  was  enforced  by  a  party  of  soldiers. 
The  first  church  on  the  island  was  erected  by  the  Presbyterians  in 
1733  :  it  was  taken  down  in  1816,  and  the  present  church  erected  on 

the  same  spot.  ,         -.r    ,  -i         -n 

Smithto\v\  is  centrally  distant  from  J\ew  \ork47  miles,  lop. 
1,932.  The  town  is  nearly  10  miles  square  :  the  surface  on  the  north 
is'  broken  and  hilly,  and  on  the  south  a  perfectly  level  plain.  The 
inhabitants  are  much  scattered  over  the  surface.  There  are  several 
small  villages,  the  most  considerable  of  which  are  the  Branch  and 
the  settlement  called  Head  of  the  River. 

This  town  derives  its  name  from  Richard  Smith,  the  patentee. 
The  annexed  account  of  this  individual  has  been  obligingly  commu- 
nicated  by  J.  W.  Blydenburgh,  Esq. 

"  Sinithtown  tnkes  its  name  from  the  original  patentee  Richard  Smith,  jr.,  of  Narragansetf . 
who  Zh  his  father  Kiohard  Smith,  sen.,  and  other  relatives  came  trom  Crlouces  ershne, 
Enclan  to  Hos  on  in  1(«().  Smith  married  at  Boston.and  settled  with  his  lather  a  launton, 
Ifi^  where  e  emained  until  1611,  when  he  purchased  a  tract  o(  the  Narraganset  sachems 
'amone  the  hickes  of  the  Indians,'  computed  at  30,000  acres,  erected  a  house  tor  trade,  and 
caTivf-e  entertainment  to  travellers,-it  being  the  great  road  of  the  country.  1  he  dwelling 
0^4  hs\omi  on  the  present  site  of  the  Updile  house  in  North  Kingston,  and  it  is  said  tha 
1  .■  urese.rd  vemnrcontains  some  of  the  materials  of  the  old.    Smith's  was  the  hrsi  house  bui 

Crraean  rt    and  w^^^  probably  a  blockhouse.    Koger  Williams,  Wilcox  and  others,  built 
soon  Hi  er  and  Will  ams  sold  out  to  Smith  in  1651.    Smith  allerward  made  many  purchases 
of  the  ImVians  and  March  8,  1656,  Coginiquunt  leased  them  lor  60  years  an  immense  tract 
sin  fo  h..X'ell.ng     June.8,  1659,  th'e  salne  -chem  leased  them  lor  a^housanc^y^^^^^^ 
enlarged  tract.  whiJli  gave  nse  to  ^eat  disputes  wh^h  v^ere  the^fi"«l^''„^,^«trL-irt^^^^^ 
Loiur'lsland  and  the  settlement  ol  Smithtown.    In  16a4,  the  wui  mol,r  -•'"  •• 


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Fae-»tmiU  of  Richard  Smythe's  signature* 

cret  and  the  Long  Island  Indians,  which  continued  with  various  success  for  several  years.  In 
one  of  the  expeditions  made  to  Long  Island  by  Ninigret,  he  took  among  other  captives  14  ot" 
their  chief  women,  one  of  whom  proved  to  be  the  daughter  ot  Wyandanch,  chiet  sachem  of 
the  Montaugs.  These  squaws  were  taken  by  Lyon  Gardiner,  Ueutenant  of  Lord  Say,  to 
Smith's  house,  where  the  Indian  princess  remained  until  the  was  restored  to  her  father  by 

Gardiner. who {  '  '"^ "    '"^        "  '  "'' 

Smith's  house 

Smith  became  very  influential  with  tlie  Indian  chiefs.  He  negotiated  and  signed  the  treaty 
for  Connecticut ;  several  times  made  peace  between  the  Narragansetts  and  the  Massachusetts 
colonists,  until  his  eastern  neighbors  became  jealous  of  his  power,  and  actually  indicted  him  in 
their  court,  ordered  him  to  be  arrested  and  carried  to  Newport  for  trial.  They  attempted  to 
defeat  his  lease  of  the  Narragansett  lands,  which  occasioned  Roger  Williams  to  interfere  in 
his  behalf,  and  write  a  very  complimentary  letter  to  King  Charles  the  2d  concerning  him. 
In  disgust  at  their  conduct,  he  purchased  of  Lyon  Gardiner,  the  Neasaquake  lands  on  Long 
Islan£  whither  he  removed  and  left  his  eastern  possessions  with  his  relatives.  On  the  arrival 
of  Col.  Richard  Nicol,  he  received  a  patent  for  his  Smithtown  tract,  and  after  a  successiul 
lawsuit  in  the  general  court  of  assize  respecting  his  boundary,  he  at  length  secured  from  Sir 
Edmund  Androsa  a  confirmatory  patent,  under  the  title  of  Smithtown,  or  Smithfield,  dated 

"  Richard  Smith,  patentee  of  Smithtown,  made  his  will  March  5th,  1691,  and  died  soon  after. 
His  will  was  proved,  1692.  He  gave  to  Lodovica  Updike  all  his  homestead,  as  far  south  as 
was  then  fenced  in,  with  his  Sagoge  land,  on  condition  of  surrendering  his  "West  Quoge  farm. 
To  Daniel  and  James  Updike,  the  land  south  of  Wickford,  then  occupied  by  Jacob  Pindor  and 
John  Thomas.  To  Israel  and  James  Newton,  the  West  Quoge  farm.  To  Thomas  Newton, 
Hay  Island  and  his  house  in  Bristol.  To  Elizabeth  Pratt,  alias  Newman,  the  Boston  neck 
land,  on  which  Alexander  King  Uved.  He  gave  legacies  to  Richard,  son  of  Lodovicu  Up» 
dike,  and  Smith,  son  of  Thomas  Newton,  &c.,&c.,  leaving  his  town  on  Long  Island  to  his 
seven  children  in  equal  shares.  Hisson,  t)badiah,  was  drowned  in  crossing  Nessaquake  river, 
August  20th,  1680,  and  six  sons  and  a  daughter  survived  nim,  as  follows :  Jonathan,  who  mar- 
ried Mary  Brewster,  who  left  two  children— Richard,  who  married  Elizabeth  Tucker,  and 
left  5  children— Job,  who  married  Elizabeth  Thompson,  and  left  7  children— Adam,  who 
married  Elizabeth  Brown,  and  left  1  child— Samuel,  who  married  Hannah  Longbotham,  and 
left  6  children— Daniel,  who  married  Ruth  Tucker,  and  left  7  children- and  Deborah,  who 
married  William  Lawrence,  and  left  6  children.  .-  • ,    ., 

"  On  the  13th  March,  1735,  his  grandchildren  entered  into  an  agreement  to  divide  the  town 
according  to  the  proprietary  rights  of  their  parents,  the  seven  children,  and  it  was  Burve;'ed 
and  laid  out  in  pursuance  of  such  agreement.  ,       •     , 

"  Smith  was  buried  at  Neasaquake,  near  his  residence,  on  land  now  or  late  in  the  posBesBion 
ofJeaBe  W.Floyd." 

"It  is  probable,"  says  Thompson,  in  his  History  of  Long  Island,  "  that  horses  were  very 
rare  during  the  first  settlement  of  this  town,  or  that  they  had  not  as  yet  been  introduced  ; 
which  accounts  for  Mr.  Smith's  having  made  use  of  a  large  bull  lor  many  purposes  lor  which 
horses  were  afterward  used,  which  occasioned  him  to  be  desijnateH  as  the  buil-i-ider,  and  his 
posterity  to  this  day  m  the  Bull  SmiUu,  while  the  d.«cendanl8  of  Loi.  Vi  ham  Smith  ol  Brook- 
haven  are  as  lamiliarly  known  as  the  Taneirr  SmUhi,  he  having  once  filled  the  oll.ce  ol  gov- 
ernor of  Tangier.  There  are  also  iipnn  the  Inland  two  other  distinct  races  ot  families  by  the 
name  of  Smith,  the  one  rail'  .1  Rock  Smiths  and  the  other  Blue  Smiths,  the  origin  ol  which  w 
mailer  of  conjecture.  Many  singular  traits  of  character,  and  not  a  lew  strange  stories,  are  re- 
lated concerning  this  famous  progenitor  of  the  Smiths  of  Smithtown,  the  records  ot  which 
have  too  much  the  semblance  of  fiction  to  be  worth  pernetuatina  "  ,        .  .  i      . 

The  first  minister  of  the  town  was  the  Rev.  Abner  Heeve,  who  was  employed  here  abo>,t 
1785  He  V  J  <he  fatherof  Ihe  Hob.  Taopan  Reeve,  the  founder  of  the  celebrated  law  scnool 
at  LitclJicU,  Conn.  His  guccegBor,  the  Rev.  Napthali  Daguctt,  waasettled  here  in  1751.  Mr. 
Dtggett  al\erward  became  l»rcBident  of  Yale  College.  ITie  next  clergymen  were  Inomia 
Lewn,  Joihua  Hart,  and  Luther  Gleawin.    „    .    .    .  ^    ^  . .  , . 

"  In  a  note  to  Moulton's  History  of  New  York,  it  a  irtated  that  an  obituary  appeared  in  a 


•  The  »l.ove  fac-aimile  ia  taken  from  the  deed  given  by  Richard  Smith  to  hiiKrandiua  Oba 
diahj  <iom  which  it  appears  that  he  spelt  his  name  unlike  his  po«eriiy. 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 


543 


iveral  years.  In 
■r  captives  14  oi 
chiel  SHchtfin  of 
)!'  Lord  Say,  to 
to  her  father  by 
illed  Smithtown. 
18  of  the  whites, 
tance  therefrom, 
iigned  the  treaty 
le  Massachiigetta 
I  indicted  him  in 
ley  attempted  to 
na  to  intenere  in 
concerning  him. 
:  lands  on  Long 
On  the  arrival 
after  a  successful 
secured  from  Sir 
Smithfield,  dated 

i  died  soon  after. 
,  as  far  south  as 
'^est  Quoge  farm. 
acobPindor  anH 
'liomas  Newlon, 
the  Boston  neck 
)f  Lodovica  Upr 
ng  Island  to  his 
fessaquake  river, 
iithan,  who  mar- 
;th  Tucker,  and 
■en— Adam,  who 
iongbotham,  and 
d  Deborah,  who 

» divide  the  town 
it  was  8urve"ed 

in  the  possession 

horses  were  very 
jeen  introduced ; 
Lirposes  lor  which 
nil-ridtr,  and  his 
1  Smith  of  Urook- 
the  ollice  of  gov- 
of  families  by  the 
>rigin  of  which  is 
ge  stories,  are  re- 
recordt  of  whii.h 

>loyed  here  abo'.t 
brated  law  Hcnool 
lere  in  1761.  Mr. 
len  were  Tnoniaa 

lary  appettred  in  t 


hiiK'ttntl'^o'^^'^ 


newspaper,  printed  in  1739,  of  the  death  of  a  negro  at  Sniithtown,  Long  Island,  reputed  to 
have  oeen  one  hundred  andfortij  yean  old,  who  declared  tliat  he  well  remembered  when  there 
were  but  three  hou-icf  in  New  \ork.  The  memory,  therfrore,  of  this  remarkable  individual 
must  have  extended  back  to  the  first  settlement  of  New  Amsterdam,  (as  New  York  was  then 
called,)  in  l()2ri." 


r.  s 


Northern  view  of  Sagg  Harbor,  Long  Island. 

Southampton,  called  by  the  natives  Agawam,  was  settled  in  1040, 
principally  by  about  forty  families  from  Lynn,  Mass.  Its  name  was 
given  in  remembrance  of  Southampton,  Eng.  The  surface  of  the 
township  is  generally  level,  in  the  W.  and  N.  the  soil  is  light  and 
sandy,  in  the  S.  mixed  with  loam,  and  when  properly  manured,  pro- 
duces good  crops.  Pop.  6,205.  The  people  of  this  town  early  sought 
an  alliance  with  Connecticut,  and  were  received  into  their  jurisdiction 
in  1644.  They  were  represented  by  deputies  in  the  general  court  at 
Hartford.  The  Rev.  Abraham  Pierson  was  the  first  minister ;  he 
was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Robert  Ford  ham  in  1649,  who  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  Joseph  Taylor  in  1680,  and  Rev,  Joseph  Whiting 
in  1682.  Rev.  Samuel  Gelston  settled  here  in  1717,  and  remained 
Jibout  10  years. 

The  village  of  Southampton  is  built  on  a  single  street,  18  miles 
from  Rivernead.  Bridgeliampton,  Westhampton,  Good  Ground, 
Flanders  Speunk,  Quogue,  Canoe  Place,  and  Beaverdam,  are  names 
of  localities  and  villages.  Shinnecock,  or  Southampton  bay,  is  a  fine 
sheet  of  water,  10  miles  long,  and  from  3  to  4  wide.  The  territory 
of  Shinnecock,  containing  some  thousands  of  acres,  is  little  else  than 
a  collection  of  sand  hills.  A  small  remnant  of  the  Shinnecock  tribe 
of  Indians  still  linger  on  the  SE.  part  of  this  tract,  where  they  have 
a  small  church  and  a  few  dwellings. 

The  above  is  a  northern  view  of  Sagg  Harbor,  situated  in  the  NE 
corner  of  the  town,  100  miles  from  New  York.     It  has  a  good  har- 
bor,  lying  on  an  arm  of  Gardiner's  bay.     The  village  contains  400 
dwellings,  1   Presbyterian,  1   Methodist,  1  Catholic,  and  1   African 
church,  2  printing  otWcos,  and  about  3,000  inhabitants.     The  wealth 


544 


SUFFOLK    COUN'TY. 


and  trade  of  the  place  may  with  propriety  be  said  to  be  founded  on 
the  whaling  business. 

"  Sagg  Harbor  is  the  most  popnlona,  wealthy,  and  commeroinl  nlnre  in  tho  county,  and  mny 
therefore  not  improperly  be  considered  tlie  emporium  of  Suflolk.  J  he  cnpiliil  employed  ii; 
trade  here  probably  exceeds  that  of  the  whole  county  besides,  there  beuij?  nearly  a  million  of 
dollars  invested  in  the  wliale-fishery  alone,  employing  a  toiniage  of  more  than  six  t  lousaiid, 
exclusive  of  several  fine  packets  aiidolher  vessels  enpiised  in  the  coasuiig  buMiiPss.  It  is  sup- 
posed that  no  permanent  seltlenieiit  was  atlomptcd  here  previous  to  1  <30,  and  tlun  only  ii  tew 
smoU  cottages  were  erected  near  the  head  of  the  present  wliarf,  for  the  convenience  ot  those 
engaged  in  fishing.  Most  of  the  land  in  the  vicinity  was  then  i-overed  with  timber  and  lorcst, 
and  r  '  '  ' 
1760, 


many 

inhabitants  I 

nut  the  advantage  of  regular  prcacliing.  the  pco 
hath  at  the  beat  of  drum,  and  hear  a  sermon  rend  by  one  ol  the  (Mingro^ation.  I  hey  began  soon 
after  more  largely  to  appreciate  the  commercial  facilities  oflered  by  the  adjacent  waters,  and 
fresh  efTorU  were  made  to  improve  upon  the  old  practice  of  bmil-wlmhng.  tor  this  end  small 
sloops  were  fitted  out,  and  ranged  the  ocean  at  some  dislnnce  from  the  > oast ;  but  wlien  a  whalu 
was  caught,  it  became  necessary  to  return  to  port  for  the  purpose  of  boiling  out  the  oil  upon  the 
shore  i'lie  business  had  made  but  little  progress  when  hostilities  coniiiieiiced  between  the 
mother  country  and  her  colonies  in  1775  ;  and  this  island  being  the  next  year  abandoned  to  the 
enemy,  commerce  of  every  kind  was  of  course  suspended  till  'he  close  of  the  conlest  in  178:i. 
«evera'l  British  ships  took  their  suuions  in  the  bay,  anil  this  village  was  made  not  only  a  depot 
for  military  stores,  but  the  garrison  for  a  considerable  body  of  soldicis.  During  the  war  it  be- 
came the  theatre  of  one  of  the  most  extraordinary  leats  that  was  accomplished  during  the  revo- 
lution.  It  has  generally  been  denominated  Mti(r's  Expe<Mun,  and  the  circumsumces  are  thus 
related  by  the  hisUirians  of  that  period :  ,    .  j    , 

"'In  retaliation  for  the  hurinng  of  Ridgefield  in  Connecticut,  by  General  Ar-ioir    and  the 
wretches  under  his  > 
tory  excursion  'o  lyoiij 

and  to  destroy  these   .^   ,  .       .  , 

spirited  and  successful  of  that  eventful  period.  (Jeiieral  Parsons  conceived  it  possible  to  sur- 
prise the  place,  and  confided  the  execution  of  it  to  I.irutenanl-colonel  Mcigs.  who  embarked 
from  Newhaven,  May  21,  1777,  with  two  hundred  and  thirty-lour  uhmi,  in  iliniccn  whulc-boats. 
He  proceeded  to  Guilford,  but  on  account  of  the  roughness  of  the  sea,  could  not  jiass  the  sound 
till  the  twenty-third.  On  that  day,  at  one  o'clock  in  the  arternoon,  he  left  (iuillord  with  one 
hundred  and  seventy  men,  under  convoy  of  two  armed  sloops,  and  crossed  the  sound  to  South- 
old  where  he  arrived  at  six  o'clock.  The  enemy's  troops  on  this  part  of  the  island  had  marched 
for 'New  York  two  or  three  days  before,  but  it  was  reported  that  there  was  a  party  at  Sagg 
Harbor  on  the  south  branch  of  the  island  about  fifteen  miles  distant.  Colonel  .Meigs  ordered 
the  whale-boats  to  be  transported  over  the  land  to  the  hay  between  the  north  am  niulli  bninilies 


for  the  burning  of  Ridgefield  in  Connecticut,  by  General  U-ioir  ana  tlio 
1  command,  in  April,  1777,  o  few  soldiers  from  .Nevvhaven  went  on  a  prcdii- 
.oiig  Island.  A  quantity  of  provisions  hud  been  collecled  at  .Sagg  Harbor, 
He  was  the  object  of  the  expedition.    The  enterprise  was  one  of  the  most 


of  the  island,  where  one  hundred  ond  thirty  men  embarked,  and  at  twelve  o  clock  at  iiiglit  ar- 
rived safely  on  the  other  side  of  the  bay  within  four  miles  of  Sagg  1  arbor.  Here  the  boats 
were  secured  in  a  wood,  under  a  guard,  and  the  remainder  of  the  detachment  inarched  quickly 
to  the  harbor,  where  they  arrived  at  two  o'clock  in  the  morninf^,  m  the  greatest  rirder,  attacking 


were  secured  in  a  wood,  under  a  guard,  and  the  remainder  of  the  detachment  inarched  quickly 
to  the  harbor,  where  they  arrived  at  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  m  the  greatest  order,  attackinpr 
the  outpost  with  fixed  bayonets,  and  proceeding  directly  to  the  shipping  at  the  wliarl,  wliic 
they  found  mipreparcd  for  defence.     The  ulorm  was  given,  and  an  armed  schooner  with  twelve 
gun«  and  seventy  men  began  U>  fire  unon  them  at  the  distance  of  one  hundred  and  hlly  yards. 


ti.eir 
as  an 


which  coulinued  three  quarters  of  an  liour,  but  did  not  prevent  the  troops  Irom  execii  ing 
design  with  the  greatest  intrepidity  and  ellect.    Twelve  brigs  and  sloops,  one  ol  wlu-li  w 
armed  vessel  of  twelve  guns,  und  one  hundred  and  twenty  tons  ol  hay,  corn,  (lats,  ten  hogs 
heads  of  rum,  ond  a  large  quantity  of  merchandise,  were  entirely  destroyed.    Six  ot  the  eiicm> 
were  killed  and  ninety  taken  prisoners.     Not  mie  of  Colonel  Meig's  men  was  either  killed  o 


my 

were  Ritlea  ana  ninety  uiKen  prisoners,     nui  imc  ui  •  i.iifn.-.  .-...»  ^  .... ..  •■■-■  -  — ■■    -  [>f 

wounded.  He  returned  to  (iuilford  at  two  o'.lock  in  the  afternoon,  having  been  absent  on  y 
twenty-five  hours;  and  hi  that  time  had  transiwrted  his  trooi«  by  loud  ond  water  lull  ninety 
miles,  and  completed  his  undertaking  with  the  most  entire  sik  cess.' 

"  On  the  declaration  of  war  against  (.real  Ihilain  in  1«12.  preparations  were  niade  to  pro- 
tect this  place  amwA  the  eneniv,  and  a  small  detuchiiicnt  of  niilitiawaH  statmii.'d  here,  who 


tect  this  place  uiiaiii.*i  the  enemy,  oiiu  a  siiiaii  ueuiciuinin  .n  i.muu.i  ^..^  -•"•■. ■■  ■■  •     ■■- 

employed  theni.'-elves  in  erectinu'  a  fortilication  inioii  the  high  ground  overlooking  the  hari.or. 
No  regular  garrison  was  established,  however,  till  the  suiiiiner  of  IHIS,  when  the  ^rltl^h  ships, 
taking  their  station  in  (tardin.-r's  IJay.  threatened  to  laud  at  w-veral  points  m  the  viciiiitv  o 
this  iwrt.  At  thai  time  three  or  lour  hundred  men  were  placed  here,  and  weie  continued  ill 
the  end  of  the  war.  Some  part  of  the  time  a  compiniy  ot  artillery,  and  another  ol  regular 
trooi>s  were  stationed  here  ;  and  in  1M14  one  or  more  companies  ot  sea  leiiclbles.  Hut  at  lio 
time  was  tlie  number  of  soldiers  sulhcient  to  have  eliectually  defended  the  place  Hgainst  the 
enemy  had  the  capture  of  it  been  considerei^  by  them  an  object  ol  sufnciciit  iiiiportauce  to 
have  warranted  the  attempt.  It  was  wholly  impossible  to  have  prevented  their  lundmg  at 
various  places  bordering  upim  the  bay  and  they  accordingly  visited  lit  pleasure  (.ardiiier« 
Iitliind.  Moiuauk.  and  Oyster  Toiids  ;  taking  such  provisions  as  their  necessities  reiniircd,  ana 
tor  which,  it  in  believed,  they  Bciuially  p.nil  an  cquiviUcui.    lii  .luiic,  \6U,  a  luuiuU  ana  two 


SUFFOLK   COUNTY. 


545 


barges,  with  about  one  hundred  men  from  the  squadron  of  Commodore  Hardy,  attempted  to 
land  at  the  wharf  in  the  nisht ;  but  beinii  timely  discovered,  the  alarm  was  sounded,  and  the 
guns  of  the  fort  brought  '  j  bear  in  the  direction  of  the  boats ;  so  successful  was  the  means 
used,  that  the  designs  of  the  enemy  were  eflectually  frustrated.  They  had  only  tmie  to  set  fire 
to  a  sloop  which  they  took  from  the  wharf,  when  a  shot  from  the  fort  niked  her  fore  and  aft, 
and  obliged  them  to  abandon  her.  The  Americans  going  on  board,  extinguished  the  flames, 
when  they  found  a  quantity  of  guns,  swords,  pistols,  and  other  instruments,  which  the  inva- 
ders, (deeming  discretion  to  be  tlie  better  part  of  valor,)  had  left  in  iheir  hurry  to  escape." 

SouTHOLD  embraces  the  N.  branch  of  Long  Island,  and  includes 
Fisher's,  Plumb,  Robins,  and  Gull  islands.  It  is  centrally  situated  17 
miles  from  Riverhead,  and  103  from  New  York.  The  surface  is 
generally  level,  and  the  soil  a  sandy  loam,  and  productive  under  care- 
ful cultivation.  Pop.  3,907.  The  inhabitant's  are  principally  settled 
along  the  great  road  which  passes  centrally  through  the  town  in  a 
number  of  thickly  settled  neighborhoods  or  villages,  as  ax  Mattatuc, 
Cutchogue,  Southold,  Oyster  Ponds,  or  Orient,  forming  almost  a  con- 
tinued village. 


Southern  view  of  Greenport,  in  Southold. 

Greenport,  the  largest  village  in  the  town,  is  situated  at  what  is 
called  Southold  harbor,  a  part  of  the  great  Peconic  bay,  23  miles 
from  the  courthouse  at  Riverhead.  It  is  laid  out  into  streets  and 
building  lots,  and  contains  about  100  dwellings,  1  Baptist,  1  Meth- 
odist, and  1  Presbyterian  church,  and  wharves  and  railways  for  the 
accommodation  of  vessels.  The  water  is  of  sutficient  depth  for  large 
ships,  and  well  sheltered  from  storms.  The  village  was  commenced 
by  a  few  spirited  individuals  in  1827.  The  ancient  village  of  South- 
old  contains  1  Presbyterian  and  1  Universalist  church,  and  an  academy. 
The  peninsula  of  Oyster  Ponds  is  the  eastern  extremity  of  the  island ; 
the  village,  now  called  Orient,  contains  two  churches,  two  docks  or 
wharves,  and  upwards  of  500  inhabitants.  Fisher's  Island,  belong- 
ing to  this  town,  is  9  miles  from  New  London,  Conn.,  and  4  from  Sto- 
nington.  It  is  about  9  miles  long,  and  has  a  medial  width  oi  one  nriile, 
containing  about  4,000  acres.  This  island  was  purchased  by  Gov. 
Winthrop,  of  Connecticut,  in  1664,  and  has  been  in  possession  of  the 
Winthrop  family  ever  since.  The  staple  articles  raised  on  the  island 
are  wool,  butter,  and  cheese.  There  are  about  45  persons  of  ail  ages 
upon  the  island.     Flumb  Island  contains  about  800  acres  of  Innti,  and 

60 


546 


aULLIVAN    COUNTY. 


has  a  population  of  about  75  persons.  Great  and  Little  Gull  islands 
are  situated  in  what  is  called  tiie  Race,  on  account  of  the  swiftness 
of  the  current.  Great  Gull  contains  15  acres  ;  Little  Gull  one  acre, 
mostly  a  solid  rock.  Upon  this  last  island  a  lighthouse  has  been 
erected,  which  is  of  much  importance  to  the  navigation  of  the  sound. 

"The  Indian  name  of  this  town  is  Yennecock,  and  was  purchased  from  the  Corchougs,  a  tribe 
that  possessed  this  part  of  the  island,  in  the  summer  of  16  JO.  iMost  of  the  first  planters  were 
originally  from  Hingham,  in  Norfolk,  England,  and  came  here  by  the  way  of  New  Haven. 
The  Rev.  John  Youngs,  who  had  been  a  preacher  in  England,  was  their  leader,  lie  organized 
a  church  at  New  Haven,  and  they,  with  others  willing  to  accompany  them,  commenced  the 
settlement  of  this  town.  The  principal  men  among  them,  besides  Mr.  \  oungs,  were  William 
Wells,  Barnabas  Hortoii,  Thomas  Mapes,  John  Tuthill,  and  Matthias  Corvvin.  The  governor 
of  New  Haven,  Theophiliis  Eaton,  and  the  authorities  there,  had  not  only  aided  the  first  settlers 
in  their  negotiations  about  the  purchase  of  the  soil,  but  actually  took  the  conveyance  in  their 
own  names,  and  exercised  a  limited  control  over  the  territory  for  several  years,  which  event- 
ually occasioned  some  dissatisfaction  among  the  inhabitants.  The  civil  and  enclesinstical  con- 
cerns of  the  settlement  were  conducted  in  a  similar  manner  with  the  other  plantaticms  under 
tlie  jurisdiction  of  New  Haven.  All  government  was  reputed  to  be  in  the  church,  and  none 
were  admitted  to  the  entire  privileges  of  freemen,  or  free  burgesses  as  they  were  called,  except 
church  members ;  a  court  was  in  like  manner  instituted,  which  wag  authorized  to  hear  and  de- 
termine all  causes,  civil  and  criminal,  and  whose  decisions  were  to  be  according  to  the  laws  of 
God  as  contained  in  the  holy  scriptures.  In  the  general  court,  (or  town  meeting,)  consisting 
also  of  church  members,  was  transacted  the  ordinary  business  of  the  plantation.  In  these, 
orders  were  made  in  relation  to  the  division  of  lands,  the  enclosure  or  cultivation  of  common 
fields,  the  regulation  of  fences,  highways,  and  the  time  and  manner  of  permitting  cattle  and 
sheep  to  go  at  large  unon  the  common  lands  ;  and  such  further  measures  as  were  required  for 
the  mutual  defence  of  the  settlement  from  hostile  attacks  on  every  side.  One  of  the  first  ordi- 
nances required  every  man  to  provide  himself  with  arms  and  ammunition,  and  to  assemble  at 
an  appointed  place,  whenever  warned  so  to  do,  under  a  certain  penalty  for  neglect  in  any  of 
these  respects.  The  plantation  made  early  provision  for  the  education  of  children,  the  preser- 
vation of  good  morals,  and  the  support  of  religion.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  regulate  the 
ttdmisgion  of  new  settlers,  and  wo  one  could  become  an  inhabitant  without  their  approbation  ; 
and  no  planter  could  sell  or  let  his  house  or  land  to  a  stranger,  but  only  to  such  as  ware  ap- 
proved By  the  said  committee,  under  a  heavy  penalty." 


f  ii 


SULLIVAN  COUNTY. 

Sullivan  county  was  erected  in  March,  1809,  from  Ulster  county, 
and  received  its  name  in  honor  of  General  Sullivan,  an  officer  of  the 
revolutionary  army.  It  is  centrally  distant  from  New  York  about  100 
miles  NW.,  and,  by  the  routes  usually  travelled,  112  SW.  of  Albany. 
Greatest  length  NW.  and  SE.  45.  and  greatest  breadth  NE.  and 
SW.  37  miles.  The  county  of  Sullivan  is  situated  on  the  Delaware 
river,  W.  of  Ulster  county,  in  a  region  of  broken  land.  It  contains 
a  large  proportion  of  mountainous  country.  The  Newburg  and  Co- 
checton  turnpike  runs  centrally  and  westerly  across  the  county  ;  and 
on  this  road  and  the  Delaware  river  are  the  principal  settlements. 
The  New  York  and  Erie  railroad  runs  through  the  southern  portion. 
The  northern  part  is  the  wildest  and  least  settled.  The  Delaware  and 
Hudson  canal  passes  through  the  valley  of  Bashe's  kill  into  Orange, 
and  returns  from  that  county  by  the  valley  of  the  Delaware,  along 
which  it  extends  in  this  county  about  15  miles,  to  the  dam  oppo- 
site the  Laxawaxen  river.     The  country  along  the  Delaware  is  not 


SULLIVAN    COUNTY. 


547 


favorable  for  agriculture ;  generally  the  highlands  are  preferred  for 
cultivation,  being  more  dry,  and  productive  of  finer  gras>s  than  the 
valleys,  which  are  commonly  wet  and  cold.  Upon  the  Delaware, 
and  the  streams  which  How  into  it,  the  inhabitants  are  chiefly  engaged 
in  lumbering.  With  the  exception  of  a  small  tract  on  the  southeast, 
in  the  Minisink  patent,  the  whole  county  was  covered  by  the  Har- 
denburg  patent,  under  which  there  are  now  some  extensive  land- 
holders. The  inhabitants  are  chiefly  of  Dutch  and  New  England 
descent.  About  one  tenth  of  the  county  only  is  improved.  It  is  di- 
vided into  10  towns.     Pop.  15,030. 

Bethei,,  taken  from  Lumberland  in  1809;  centrally  distant  from 
New  York  135,  from  Albany  121,  and  from  Monticello  W.  8  miles. 
Pop.  1,483.     VVhitelake  and  Bethel  are  post-offices. 

CocHKCTON,  taken  from  Bethel  in  1828;  from  New  York  118, 
from  Albany  130  miles.  Pop.  622.  Cochccton  is  a  small  village 
upon  the  Delaware,  21  miles  NW.  of  Monticello.  Fosterdale  is  a 
post-office. 

Fallsburg,  organized  in  1820;  from  New  York  108,  from  Albany 
102,  from  Monticello  centrally  distant  NE.  8  miles.  Pop.  1,782. 
Fallsburg  and  Woodbuni  are  small  post  villages. 

FouESTBUiiG,  recently  formed,  is  centrally  distant  from  Monticello 
S.  8  miles.     Forestburg  is  a  small  village.     Pop.  433. 

Liberty,  taken  from  Lumberland  in  1807  ;  NW.  from  New  York 
110,  from  Albany  SW.  110,  from  Monticello  to  the  settled  portion 
of  the  town  N.   10  miles.     Liberty  is  a  small  village  of  about  40 

dwellings.     Pop.  1,570.  tvt       tr    i 

Lumberland,  taken  from  Mamakating  in  1798;  from  New  York 
115,  from  Albany  130,  nnd  from  Monticello  centrally  distant  SW.  20 
miles.  Pop.  1,205.  Lumbering  is  the  principal  business  of  the  in- 
habitants. Barryville  and  Lumberland  are  post-offices.  Narrows- 
burg  is  a  small  village.  .    . ,    ,  „     j-  .     x 

Mamakating,  organized  in  1798;  since  divided ;  centrally  distant 
from  New  York  85,  and  from  Albany  100  miles.  Pop.  3,418. 
Bloomingsburg,  upon  the  eastern  foot  of  the  Shawangunk  mountain, 
on  the  Newburg  and  Cochecton  turnpike,  13  miles  SE.  from  Mon- 
ticello, incorporated  in  1833,  has  about  60  dwellings.  Wurtsbo- 
rough  on  the  canal,  43  miles  from  Eddy  ville,  and  11  miles  from 
Monticello,  has  about  60  dwellings.  Near  here  is  a  valuable  lead 
mine.  Philipsport-is  a  small  village  on  the  canal,  4  miles  N.  from 
Wurtsborough.  Burlingham  is  a  small  village  on  the  Shawangunk 
creek,  4  miles  below  Bloomingsburg.  Mount  Vernon  and  West 
Brookville  are  post-offices.  This  town  was  settled  by  the  Dutch 
about  a  century  since.  r        t\t 

Neverbink,  organized  in  1798;  since  altered  in  area;  from  New 
York  115,  from  Albany  104,  and  from  Monticello  N.  13  miles. 
Pop   1,081.     Neversink  and  Grahamsville  are  post-offices. 

Rockland,  taken  from  Neversink  in  1798;  from  iVew  York  125, 
from  Albanv  110,  and  from  Monticello  N.  23  miles.  Pop.  826. 
Rockland,  Little  Beaver  Kill,  and  Purvis,  are  post-offices. 


548 


TIOUA    COUNT V. 


■11 


"    M 


'  ■■*■'*: 


Thompson,  taken  from  Mamakaling;  from  New  York  100,  and 
from  Albany  110  miles.     Pop.  2,610. 


Western  entrance  into  Monticello. 

Monticello,  the  county  seat,  on  the  Newburg  and  Cochecton  turn- 
pike, named  after  Jetferson's  residence,  was  founded  in  1804,  by 
Messrs.  Samuel  F.  and  J.  P.  Jones,  from  New  Lebanon.  Columbia 
county,  who  were  proprietors  of  most  of  the  lands  in  the  vicinity. 
Judge  Piatt  Pelton  built  the  second  frame  house  here  in  1806.  The 
above  view  was  taken  near  the  residence  of  Mr.  E.  W.  Edmonds, 
and  shows  on  the  right  the  steeple  of  the  Episcopal  church,  and  on 
the  left  the  Presbyterian  church  and  the  courthouse.  There  are 
about  60  dwellings  in  the  village  and  vicinity.  Thompsonville  is  a 
small  post  village.     Bridgeville  and  Gales  are  post-offices. 


TIOGA  COUNTY. 

Tioga  county,  taken  from  Montgomery  in  1794;  bounds  since 
much  altered  :  still  further  reduced  in  1836,  by  the  erection  of  Che- 
mung county  from  its  western  portion.  Greatest  length  E.  and  W. 
31,  greatest  breadth  N.  and  S.  29  miles.  This,  with  Chemung  county, 
is  part  of  the  broad  and  long  belt  extending  westerly  from  Ulster  and 
Green  counties  to  the  vicinity  of  Lake  Erie,  preserving  for  a  great 
part  of  the  distance  a  mean  height  of  about  1,600  feet  above  the 
level  of  the  ocean.  The  soil  of  the  county  consists  generally  of  sandy 
and  gravelly  loam,  interspersed  with  patches  of  mud  and  clay.  The 
uplands  are  commonly  better  adapted  to  grass  than  grain ;  but  the 
valleys  give  fine  crops  of  wheat  and  corn ;  oats,  barley,  peas,  beans, 
and  hops  thrive  almost  everywhere.  The  Susquehannah  is  the 
principal  stream  of  the  county.  The  Now  York  and  Erie  railroad 
crosses  the  county  E.  and  W. ;  and  the  railroad  from  Owego  to 
Ithaca  N.  and  S.    The  county  is  divided  into  9  towns.     Pop.  20,351. 


TIOGA   COUNTY. 


549 


Barton,  tajjen  from  Tioga  in  1824 ;  from  Albany  181  miles,  from 
Owego  W.  16.  Factory ville,  17  miles  SE.  from  Elmira,  is  a  small 
village  on  Cayuta  creek.  Barton  and  North  Barton  are  post-otfices. 
Pop.  2,305. 

Berkshire,  taken  from  Tioga  in  1808 ;  from  Albany  148,  from 
Owego  N.  14  miles.     Berkshire  is  a  small  village.     Pop.  955. 

Candor,  taken  from  Spencer  in  1811;  from  Albany  177,  from 
Owego  N.  8  miles.  Pop.  3,307.  This  town  was  settled  in  1796, 
by  emigrants  from  Hartford  county.  Conn.  Candor  village,  centrally 
situated,  has  about  370  inhabitants.  The  northern  portion  of  this 
town  once  belonged  to  the  Connecticut  school  fund.  Willseyville  is 
the  name  of  a  post-office,  around  which  there  is  a  settlement. 

Newark,  originally  named  Westville,  and  taken  from  Berkshire  in 
1823;  from  Albany  167,  from  Owego  NE.  8  miles.  Pop.  1,616. 
Newark  Valley  is  a  pleasant  and  thriving  village. 

Nichols,  taken  from  Tioga  in  1824 ;  from  Albany  167,  from  Owego 
SW.  10  miles.  Rushville,  in  the  valley  of  the  Susquehannah,  has 
about  400  inhabitants.  Canfield's  Corners  is  a  small  settlement. 
Pop.  1,986.  ^^    ,     . 

Owego  was  organized  in  1791 ;  distant  NW.  from  New  York  city 
177,  from  Albany  SW.  167,  from  Elmira  E.  36  miles.     Pop.  5,329. 
Owego  village,  the  county  seat,  is  pleasantly  and  advantageously 
situated  for  trade  upon  the  Susquehannah  river,  and  upon  the  line  of 
the  New  York  and  Erie  railroad,  30  miles  SE.  from  Ithaca.     The 
name  Owego  is  of  Indian  origin,  signifying  swift  or  swift  river,  and 
was  applied  to  the  Owego  creek,  which  empties  into  the  Susquehan- 
nah about  half  a  mile  from  the  village.     About  the  year   1783  or 
1784,  James  McMaster  and  Amos  Draper  purchased  of  the  Indians, 
what  they  called  a  half  township,  comprising  11,500  acres,  and  em- 
bracing the  site  upon  which  the  village  now  stands.    "In  1785, 
McMaster,  and  William  Taylor,  still  living  in  Owego,  and  then  a 
bound  bovto  McMaster,  came  and  cleared  in  one  season  10  or  15 
acres  of  land,  and  through  the  summer  planted  and  raised  a  crop  ot 
corn  from  the  same.     This  was  the  first  transition  of  the  ground, 
where  Owego  now  stands,  from  a  wilderness  state.    In  1794  or  1795, 
McMaster  and  Hudson,  a  surveyor,  laid  out  the  village  into  streets 
and  lots,  and  thus  laid  the  foundation  of  what  Owego  now  is  or  shall 

be  hereafter The  sources  of  wealth,  as  the  village  grew  up, 

were  salt  from  Salina,  brought  to  the  place  and  carried  down  the 
river  in  arks  for  the  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland  markets,  wheat 
from  the  north,  which  was  also  transported  down  the  river,  lumber, 
also,  and  plaster."* 

"  Between  Owego  and  Tioga  Point  there  were  a  number  of  Indians  lived  on  the  river 
plain  for  a  length  of  time  after  its  settlement  by  the  whites.  They  demanded  a  yearly  rent 
of  the  settlers  for  their  land,  until  a  treaty  was  held  with  them  at  T.oga,  3  or  4  y;a«  «f  " 
the  first  settlement.  An  Indian,  called  Captain  John,  wa»  their  chief,  <"•/'«««'*  "«"^^- 
They  were  always  pleased  to  have  white  people  eat  with  them;  and  would  appear  oBenO. 


^. 


•  See  Annals  of  Binghampton  and  of  the  country  connected  with  it,  from  which  the  early 
history  of  this  place  is  extracted. 


■( 


;1 

^1 


h^: 


550 


TIOGA   COUNTY. 


ed,  if,  when  calling  at  their  wigwams  when  they  were  eating,  they  refused  to  eat  with 
them.  In  seeking  their  rent,  which  they  expected  to  be  paid  in  grain,  opwhen  they  wished 
to  borrow,  or  buy,  or  beg,  they  never  would  ask  for  wheat,  but  always  for  corn.  It  is  said, 
that  some  of  the  squaws  could  make  an  excellent  kind  of  cake,  out  of  fine  Indian  meal, 
dried  berries,  and  maple  sugar.  When  they  wished  to  beg  something  to  eat,  instead  of 
expressing  it  in  words,  they  would  place  their  hand  first  on  their  stomach  and  then  to  their 
mouth.  This  mute  language  must  have  been  a  powerful  appeal  to  the  hospitality  and  sym. 
paihies  of  their  more  fortunate  brethren.  When  they  had  bad  luck,  it  is  said,  they  would 
cat  some  kind  of  root  which  made  them  very  sick  and  vomit,  that  they  might,  as  they  said, 
have  better  luck  in  future. 

"  A  few  years  after  the  country  was  settled,  there  prevailed  an  extensive  and  serious 
famine.  It  was  felt  more  particularly  in  the  region  between  Owcgo  and  Elmira,  embracing 
Tioga.  It  was  experienced  even  down  to  Wyoming.  For  6  weeks  or  more  the  inhabitants 
were  entirely  without  hread  or  its  kind.  This  season  of  famishing  occurred  immediately 
before  the  time  of  harvesting.  So  far  as  the  cause  of  this  destitution  was  accounted  for,  it 
was  supposed  to  result  from  a  greater  number,  than  usual,  of  new  settlers  coming  in,  and 
also  a  great  scarcity  prevailing  in  Wyoming  that  season.  This  being  a  nmch  older  settled 
country,  a  scarcity  here  would  materially  affect  the  newer  parts.  During  the  prevalency  of 
this  want  of  bread,  the  people  were  languid  in  their  movements,  irresolute  and  feeble  in 
what  they  undertook,  emaciated  and  gaunt  in  their  appearance.  The  inhabitants,  as  a  sub. 
stitute  for  more  substantial  food,  gathered,  or  rather,  it  is  believed,  dug  what  were  called 
wild  beans ;  which,  it  seems,  were  found  in  considerable  quantities.  These  they  boiled 
and  ate,  with  considerable  relish.  They  would  also  gather  the  most  nutritious  roots  and 
eat.  As  soon  as  their  rye  was  in  the  milk,  it  was  seized  upon,  and  by  drying  it  over  a 
moderate  fire,  until  the  grain  acquired  some  consistency,  they  were  enabled  to  pound  it 
into  a  sort  of  meal,  out  of  which  they  made  mush.  This  was  a  very  great  relief,  although 
the  process  was  tedious,  and  attended  with  much  waste  of  the  grain.  In  the  early  part  of 
the  scarcity,  while  there  was  a  possibility  of  finding  grain  or  flour  of  any  kind  abroad, 
instances  were  not  unfrequent,  of  families  tearing  up  their  feather-beds,  and  sending  away 
the  feathers  in  exchange  for  bread ;  and  instances  also  of  individuals  riding  a  whole  day 
and  not  obtaining  a  half  of  a  loaf.  During  the  time  of  this  great  want,  however,  none 
died  of  hunger.  There  were  two  young  men  that  died  in  consequence  of  eating  to  excess, 
when  their  hunger  came  to  be  relieved  by  the  green  rye." 


West  view  of  the  courthouse  and  other  buildings,  Owego. 

The  above  view  was  taken  near  the  residence  of  Dr.  Lucius  Allen. 
The  building  with  a  cupola  near  the  centre  of  the  drawing  is  the 
court' louse,  the  one  on  the  right  the  academy,  both  of  which  ^ce  the 
public  square.  The  building  seen  in  the  distance  is  the  Baptist 
church.  Besides  the  above,  there  are  in  the  village  1  Presbyterian 
and  1  Methodist  church,  the  Owego  bank,  capital  $200,000,  3  fine 


•efused  to  eat  with 
fwhen  tliey  wished 
jr  corn.  It  is  said, 
f  fine  Indian  meal, 
:  to  eat,  instead  of 
h  and  then  to  their 
lospitality  and  sym. 
is  said,  they  would 
might,  as  they  said, 

ensive  and  serioua 
Eimiri,  embracing 
lore  the  inhabitants 
lurred  immediately 
as  accounted  for,  it 
ers  coming  in,  and 
much  older  settled 
J  the  prevalency  of 
iolute  and  feeble  in 
ihnbitants,  as  a  sub. 
what  were  called 
These  they  boiled 
lutritious  roots  and 
)y  drying  it  over  a 
nabled  to  pound  it 
■eat  relief,  although 
[n  the  early  part  of 
f  any  kind  abroad, 
and  sending  away 
riding  a  whole  day 
nt,  however,  none 
of  eating  to  excea», 


,  Owego. 

.  Lucius  Allen. 
drawing  is  the 
which  face  the 
is  the  Baptist 
[  Presbyterian 
200,000,  3  fine 


TOMPKINS    COUNTY, 


651 


hotels,  and  about  200  dwellings.  The  railroad  which  extends  from 
here  to  Ithaca,  was  the  second  chartered  in  the  state,  (1828,)  and  is 
29i  miles  in  length.  East  Owego  and  Flemingville  are  names  of 
post-otfices  in  this  town. 

The  following  inscription  was  copied  from  a  monument  in  the  vil- 
lage graveyard. 

"  In  inimiory  of  Col.  David  Pixlev,  who  departed  this  life  Aug.  25th,  1807,  in  the  67th 
year  of  his  age — He  was  an  officer  of  the  revolution  at  the  siege  of  Quebec  in  1775,  under 
Gen.  Montgomery,  was  the  first  settler  of  Owego  in  1790,  and  continued  ita  father  and 
friend  until  his  death." 

RicHFORD,  taken  from  Berkshire  in  1833  ;  from  Owego  N.  18  miles. 
Richford  is  a  neat  but  small  village  centrally  situated.     Pop.  938. 

Spencer  was  taken  from  Owego  in  1806;  from  Owego  NW.  13  miles. 
Pop.  1,532.  Spencer,  on  the  Cattotong  creek,  has  several  churches 
and  about  450  inhabitants.  It  was  previous  to  1822  the  seat  of  jus- 
tice of  the  county.  The  courthouse  having  been  burnt,  it  was  re- 
moved to  the  then  half-shire  towns  of  Owego  and  Elmira,  the  latter 
of  which  is  now  the  seat  of  justice  for  Chemung  county.  East  Spen- 
cer is  a  post-office. 

Tioga  was  formed  in  1800  ;  from  Albany  176  miles.  Pop.  2,323. 
Smithborough,  12  miles  SW.  from  Owego,  and  Ransomville,  are 
small  villages. 


TOMPKINS  COUNTY. 

Tompkins  county,  named  in  honor  of  the  Hon.  Daniel  D.  Tomp- 
kins, formerly  Vice-president  of  the  United  States,  was  taken  from 
Cayuga  and  Sennca  counties  in  1817 ;  limits  since  changed.  Great- 
est length  E.  and  W.  34,  greatest  breadth  N.  and  S.  28  miles ;  cen- 
trally distant  from  New  York  212,  and  from  Albany  163  miles. 
This  county  forms  part  of  the  high  land  in  the  southwestern  portion 
of  the  state.  Its  summit  generally  is  elevated  from  1,200  to  1,400 
feet,  but  the  singular  and  deep  basins  in  which  lie  the  Cayuga  and 
Seneca  lakes,  have  given  a  peculiar  formation  to  its  surface,  and  to 
the  course  and  character  of  its  streams.  The  Cayuga  lake  indents 
it  on  the  N.  about  18  miles;  the  Seneca  lake  extends  southerly  on 
its  western  border  12  miles.  The  greater  portion  of  the  country 
declines  from  all  sides  towards  the  Cayuga  lake.  The  ascent  from 
the  shores  of  the  lake  is  gradual  and  smooth  to  the  eye,  yet  it  is 
rapid,  and  attains  within  2  miles  the  height  of  at  least  500  feet. 
This  gives  to  the  streams  a  precipitous  character.  The  towns  of 
Newfield,  Danby,  and  Caroline,  were  purchased  from  the  state  by 
Messrs.  Watkins  and  Flint.  The  towns  north  of  these,  excepting  a 
small  portion  in  the  northeastern  part  of  Dryden,  belong  to  the  mili- 


!§'• 

1 

• 

^  a 

552 


TOMPKINS  COUNTY. 


tary  tract.  That  portion  was  in  the  cession  to  Massachusetts.  The 
S?"nty  IS  chiefly  settled  by  New  England  emigrants.  The  New 
York  and  Erie  railroad  passes  through  the  county.  Tompkins  county 
is  divided  into  10  towns.     Pop.  38,113. 

Caroline,  taken  from  Spencer  in  1811;  W.  from  Albany  165 
centrally  distant  from  Ithaca  SE.  11  miles.  Caroline,  SpeedvilJei 
Mott's  Corners,  and  Slatersville,  are  small  post  villages,  of  which 
the  latter  is  the  largest.     Pop.  2,459. 

Danby,  taken  from  Spencer  in  1811;  from  Albany  172  miles. 
The  Ithaca  and  Owego  railroad  crosses  the  northeastern  border  ol' 
the  town.  Danby  is  a  small  village  G  miles  S.  of  Ithaca,  upon  the 
Owego  turnpike.    South  Danby  is  a  post-office.     Pop.  2,570. 

Dryden,  taken  from  Ulysses  in  1803;  from  Albany  153  miles 
Dryden  is  a  neat  village  11  miles  NE.  of  Ithaca,  containing  about  50 
dwellings.  Etna,  Verna,  and  West  Dryden,  are  smaller  settlements 
Pop.  5,433. 

Enfield  was  taken  from  Ulysses  in  1821 ;  from  Albany  171,  cen- 
trally distant  6  miles  W.  of  Ithaca.  West  Enfield  and  Enfield  are 
the  names  of  the  post-offices.     Pop.  2,343. 

Groton  originally  named  Division,  was  organized  in  1817  ;  from 
Albany  W.  160,  from  Ithaca  centrally  distant  NE.  14  miles 
McLeansville,  Groton,  PeruviUe,  Fall  Creek,  and  West  Groton  are 
small  post  villages.    Pop.  3,618. 

Hector  was  taken  from  Ovid  in  1802;  from  Ithaca  W.  16  miles 
Burdette,  Mecklenburg,  Reynoldsville,  and  Searsburg,  are  small  post 
villages.  There  are  one  or  two  other  post-offices  and  small  settle- 
ments m  the  town.  Pop.  5,654.  The  Hector  Falls,  a  beautiful 
cascade  of  20  feet,  are  upon  a  stream  which  empties  into  the  Seneca 
lake,  near  the  village  of  Burdette. 

Ithaca  was  taken  from  Ulysses  in  1821.  Pop.  5,811.  Around  the 
head  of  the  Cayuga  lake,  which  extends  about  two  miles  within  the 
limits  of  the  town,  are  several  thousand  acres  of  alluvial  flats.  From 
this  plain,  the  hills  rise  on  three  sides  in  the  form  of  an  amphitheatre, 
to  the  height  of  500  feet,  exhibiting  uncommonly  beautiful  and  mag- 
nificent scenery.  To  the  lover  ot  nature,  few  places  afford  scenes 
ot  more  interest  than  Ithaca.  There  are  several  splendid  cataracts 
withm  the  space  of  a  very  few  miles,  each  of  which  has  its  pecu- 
liar attractions,  among  which  are  the  Cascadilla,  Eagle,  Lucifer 
raghcanic,  and  those  on  Fall  creek,  about  a  mile  distant  from  the 
village  of  Ithaca.  These  last  are  the  most  visited,  and  derive  an 
additional  interest  from  the  tunnel,  a  subterraneous  work  of  art  200 
feet  m  length,  from  10  to  12  wide,  and  13  feet  in  height,  which'con- 
ducts  the  water  from  a  point  a  few  rods  above  the  first  fall  to  a  mill 
site  at  the  bridge  below. 

The  village  of  Ithaca  was  founded  by  the  late  Simeon  De  Witt  sur- 
veyor-general of  the  state.  It  is  beautifully  situated  about  a  mile  and 
a  half  above  the  Cayuga  lake,  partially  upon  the  flats  and  partially 
upon  the  hill.  It  is  distant  163  miles  from  Albany,  40  SE.  from 
Geneva,  and  29  from  Owego.     The  Cayuga  inlet  is  navigable  to  the 


sachusetts.  The 
ants.  The  New 
Tompkins  county 

•om  Albany  165, 
oline,  Speedville, 
illages,  of  which 

Ibany  172  miles, 
jastern  border  of 
Ithaca,  upon  the 
op.  2,570. 
bany  153  miles, 
itaining  about  50 
aller  settlements. 

\lbany  171,  cen- 
and  Enfield  are 

din  1817;  from 
NE.  14  miles, 
t^est  Groton  are 

ca  W.  16  miles. 
?,  are  small  post 
and  small  settle- 
alls,  a  beautiful 
into  the  Seneca 

11.  Around  the 
miles  within  the 
ial  flats.  From 
m  amphitheatre, 
lutiful  and  mag- 
;s  afford  scenes 
lendid  cataracts 
:h  has  its  pecu- 
Eagle,  Lucifer, 
listant  from  the 
.  and  derive  an 
i^ork  of  art,  200 
ght,  which  con- 
rst  fall  to  a  mill 

m  De  Witt,  sur- 
bout  a  mile  and 
ts  and  partially 
^  40  SE.  from 
lavigable  to  the 


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TOMPKINS    COUNTY. 


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lake  for  boats  of  50  tons.     Ithaca  is  well  located  for  trade.     It  com- 
municates with  the  Erie  canal  by  the  lake  and  Seneca  canal,  and  with 
the  Susquehannah  river  and  the  line  of  the  Erie  railroad,  by  the 
Owego  railroad.     The  village  contains  upwards  of  700  dwellings,  1 
Presbyterian,  1  Methodist,  1  Episcopal,  1  Baptist,  and  1  Dutch  Re- 
formed church,  the  Ithaca  Academy,  2  banks,  several  printing  otfices, 
a  very  extensive  map-publishing  establishment,  a  variety  of  mills  and 
manufactories,  and  about  4,000  inhabitants.     The  Ithaca  and  Owego 
railroad,  ihe  second  chartered  in  the  state,  (1828,)  is  29.i  miles  in 
length.     It  ascends  from  the  level  of  the  lake  by  two  inclined  planes ; 
the  first,  1,733^  feet  long,  rises  1  foot  in  4.28,  or  405  feet;  the  other, 
2,225  feet  long,  ascends  1  foot  in  21  feet.    The  whole  elevation  above 
the  lake  overcome,  is  602  feet  within  8  miles ;  after  which  there  is  a 
descent  of  376  feet  to  Owego.     Stationary  steam-power  is  used  upon 
the  first,  and  horse-power  upon  the  second  plane  and  other  portions 
of  the  road. 

The  Presbyterian  church  was  erected  in  1817;  the  society  which 
worships  in  this  house  is  the  oldest  in  the  village,  having  been  organ- 
ized in  1804  or  1805.  They  worshipped  in  a  common  school-house 
until  1816,  which  being  demolished  in  a  riot,  the  congregation 
were  obliged  for  a  season  to  meet  in  an  old  barn.  Their  first 
pastor  was  the  Ilev,  Mr.  Mandeville,  who  officiated  till  1816. 
William  Wisner,  A.  E.  Campbell,  and  John  W.  McCullough,  iiave 
been  succeeding  ministers.  The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  was 
erected  in  1819,  and  enlarged  in  1826.  The  Episcopal  church  was 
built  in  1824.  The  first  Baptist  society  was  constituted  in  Oct.  1826 ; 
their  church  was  opened  for  worship  in  Jan.  1831.  The  Reformed 
Dutch  church  was  organized  in  1830  ;  their  meeting-house  was  com- 
pleted in  1683.  The  Ithaca  Journal,  the  oldest  newspaper  in  the 
county,  was  established  by  Ebenezer  Mack,  in  1818. 

Lansing  was  taken  from  Genoa  of  Cayuga  county  in  1817.  Lud- 
lowville,  10  miles  N.  of  Ithaca,  has  about  60  dwellings.  Lansingville 
12,  North  Lansing  10,  and  South  Lansing  8  miles  from  Ithaca,  are 
small  villages.     Pop.  3,673. 

Nevvfield  was  originally  named  Spencer,  and  organized  in  1811 
as  part  of  Tioga  county.  Newtield,  7  miles  SVV.  of  Ithaca,  is  a%mall 
post  village,  containing  2  churches  and  about  00  dwellings.  It  was 
founded  i-i  1820.     Pop.  3,572. 

Ui,Y99E3  was  organized  in  1801.  Trumansburg,  11  miles  NW. 
from  Ithaca,  has  1  Baptist,  1  Methodist,  and  1  Presbyterian  church, 
and  about  100  dwellings.  Jacksonville,  Waterburg,  and  Halseyville, 
are  small  settlements.  On  Ilalsey  creek,  about  10  miles  from  Ithaca, 
are  the  Taghcanic  Falls,  shown  in  the  following  engraving.  This 
cataract  is  about  200  feet  in  height,  and  the  rocks  tower  100  feet 
above  the  top.  Viewed  from  above  or  beneath,  tlu^  scene  is  one  of 
sublimity.  The  latter,  however,  is  the  best.  To  witness  this,  the 
visiter  is  obliged  to  go  down  the  stream  about  a  mile,  and  return  by 
the  valley,  which  is  Ix.unded  by  a  rocky  gorge,  with  ncrnendicular 
rocks  rising  in  some  places  400  or  600  feel  above  the  bed  oi  tlio 

70 


I*      i' 


554 


TOMPKINS    COUNTY. 


Taghcanic  or  Goodwin's  Falls,  Ulysses. 

creek,  when  the  scene  bursts  suddenly  upon  him  in  all  its  wiidness 
and  majesty. 

The  following  account  of  an  adventure  with  a  bear,  at  this  place, 
communicated  by  Mr.  George  Weyburn,  a  resident  in  this  vicinity, 
shows  that  not  many  years  have  elapsed  since  this  was  a  spot 

"  Where  beaata  with  man  divided  empire  claimed." 

One  Sunday  evening  in  October,  about  47  years  since,  ns  my  father,  Mr.  Samuel  Wey. 
burn,  was  returning  from  feeding  his  horse  on  the  north  side  of  tiie  creelt,  near  where  tho 
distillery  now  stands,  his  dog  started  up  a  bear  and  her  two  cubs.  They  followed  thtir 
course  up  the  hill  on  the  south  side  of  the  creek  until  near  tho  summit,  a  few  rods  above 
the  mill-site  fall,  where  the  cubs  took  to  a  Irer.  My  fiitlirr  rim  to  the  house,  and,  having 
obtained  his  gun,  pursued.  Heing  dir< cted  by  the  barking  of  the  dog,  he  passed  about  30 
rods  beyond  the  tree  in  which  the  cubs  were,  and  there  he  found  the  bear  with  licr  buck 
against  a  tree  standing  on  tho  brink  of  the  gulf,  defending  herself  from  the  attacks  of  the 
dog.  He  fired,  and,  .is  it  afterward  proved,  broke  one  of  her  fire  legs.  The  aniniitl  re. 
treated  into  the  gulf,  and  was  seen  no  more  that  night.  In  the  mean  time  my  mother, 
brother,  and  myself,  wIk  had  followed  in  the  pursuit,  came  to  the  tree  into  which  the  cubs 
had  retreatec,  who,  being  frightened  at  the  report  of  the  gun  and  the  sound  of  our  voices, 
began  to  cry  wiaw  .'  mam  !  in  tho  most  iillecting  tones,  strongly  resembling  the  hiinmii 
voice.  My  mother  having  called  my  father,  ho  shot  the  cubs  and  returned  home.  The  next 
morning,  my  father  thinking  that  he  had  either  killed  or  severely  wounded  the  animal,  for  the 
want  of  a  better  weapon,  (having  expended  his  only  charge  of  gunpowder  the  evening  pre. 
vious,)  took  a  pitchfork  and  proceeded  in  quest  of  the  enemy,  accompanied  by  myself  and 
brother.  I  was  armed  with  a  small  axe  ;  but  my  brother,  not  being  ecpiipped  for  war,  wus 
allowed  to  accompany  us  Adrf-hnnded.  Thus  accoutred  and  followed  by  our  dog,  we  p.). 
ceeded  to  within  about  40  rods  of  the  great  fall,  when  my  father,  apprized  of  the  nearneiw 
of  the  enr my  by  the  barking  of  the  dog,  ran  and  left  us  in  the  rear.  We  soon  catne  in 
sight  of  the  bear  and  dog,  who  were  passing  from  the  left  wall  of  the  precipice  across  the 
basin  to  the  right,  and  ascended  up  almost  to  the  perpendicular  rock,  a  distance  of  80  or 
100  fuel.  My  father,  climbing  up  lower  down,  was  enabled  to  intercept  her  passage  in 
coniequenco  of  her  broken   limb.     Here  tiic  nction  agnin  commenced  by  his  giving  her 

thraa  thrust^  with  tlia  (nr\i.      Tti«  firai  uml  naLnn/l  u.<.r«  nnur  iKo  (<•.»   >k„  >l.;>.l  •>.... ..L  l.ur 


all  its  wildness 

ir,  at  this  place, 
in  this  vicinity, 
as  a  spot 


r,  Mr.  Samuel  Wey. 
•eek,  near  where  tho 
rhey  followed  their 
lit,  a  few  rods  above 
house,  and,  having 
,  he  piiHsi'd  (ibi)ul  30 
B  bear  with  lior  buck 
rn  the  attacks  of  the 
gs.  The  aniiiml  re. 
an  time  my  mother, 
into  which  the  cubs 
sound  of  our  voicen, 
cmhling  tho  hiinian 
ed  home.  The  next 
■d  the  animal,  for  the 
der  the  evening  pre. 
nnied  by  myself  and 
luipped  for  war,  was 
by  our  dog,  we  p.j. 
ized  of  the  ucunieBa 
We  soon  came  in 
precipice  across  the 
a  distance  uf  80  ur 
crpt  her  pasfiai;^  in 
ed  l>y  his  giviiifr  her 
.  ihr  third  struck  lie? 


ULSTER    COUNTY, 


555 


shoulder-blade,  when  she  turned  upon  him  and  he  met  her  with  a  tlirust  in  her  face,  putting 
out  one  of  her  eyes  with  one  prong  and  tearing  her  tongue  with  the  other.    She  then  rushed 
towards  him,  his  feet  gave  away,  and  as  he  fell  she  caught  him  by  the  clothes,  near  his 
breast.     At  this  juncture,  he  seized  her  and  threw  her  below  him.    This  he  repeated  two 
or  three  times  in  their  descent  towards  the  bottom  of  the  ravine,  during  which  she  bit  him 
in  both  his  legs  and  in  his  arms.    At  the  bottom,  in  the  creek,  lay  a  stone  whose  front 
was  not  unlike  the  front  of  a  common  cooking  stove,  the  water  reaching  to  the  top.    Near 
this,  4  or  5  feet  distant,  stood  a  rock  on  the  bank.    Into  this  snug  notch  it  was  his  good 
hick  to  throw  his  antagonist,  with  her  feet  and  claws  towardt  the  rock  in  the  stream.    In 
this  situation  he  succeeded  in  holding  her  with  his  back  to  hers,  and  braced  between  the 
rocks.    With  his  left  hand  he  held  her  by  the  back,  and  with  his  right  clenched  her  by  the 
neck  until  I  came  up.     I  struck  her  with  all  my  might  on  the  back  with  the  axe.    At  this 
my  father  sprang  from  her  and  seized  his  fork.    The  bear  turned  towards  us  with  a  shake 
and  a  snort — I  gave  her  a  severe  blow.     She  fell,  but  recovering  herself,  endeavored  to 
retreat.    We  renewed  the  conflict,  and  ere  long  the  lifeless  corpse  of  the  animal  proclaimed 
U9  masters  of  the  field.    The  victory  was  dearly  bought,  the  blood  was  running  in  streams 
from  my  father's  hands,  and  from  his  limbs  into  his  shoes.    On  examination,  he  found  that 
she  had  bitten  him  in  each  limb,  inflicting  four  ugly  wounds  at  each  bite,  besides  a  slit  in 
his  wrist,  supposed  to  have  been  done  by  one  of  her  clawp  '" 


ULSTER  COUNTY. 

Ulster,  an  original  county,  was  organized  in  1G83.  It  is  from 
New  York  centrally  distant  N.  110,  and  from  Albany  S.  60  miles. 
Greatest  length  E.  and  W.  50,  breadth  N.  and  S.  40  miles.  The 
face  of  the  country  is  mountainous.  The  Shawangunk  mountain  en- 
ters the  county  from  Orange,  and  running  NE.  nearly  30  miles,  sinks 
into  low  and  irregular  hills  in  Hurley;  but  its  continuity  is  preserved 
to  Kingston  near  the  Hudson.  Northward  of  that  village  it  again 
rises,  until  it  is  identified  with  the  Catskill  mountains.  Between  the 
Blue  and  Shawangunk  mountains  is  a  broad  valley  through  which 
winds  the  Rondout  river,  a  stream  whose  name  is  a  corruption  of 
the  word  Redoubt,  so  named  after  a  fortification  built  upon  the  stream 
by  the  early  Dutch  settlers.  The  Wallkill  runs  a  northeast  course 
south  of  the  Shawangimk  mountain,  receiving  the  Shawangunk  creek, 
and  uniting  with  the  Rondout,  8  miles  from  its  mouth.  The  three 
streams  above  noticed  are  the  great  drains  of  the  county,  and  atford 
very  advantageous  mill  power,  within  a  few  mWos  of  the  tide,  much 
of  which  is  yet  unemployed.  In  the  west  the  Ncvisink  river  and  other 
tributaries  of  tlu;  Delaware  have  their  sotirces.  The  Delaware  and 
Hudson  canal  enttns  the  county  at  its  southwest  border,  and  passing 
through  the  towns  of  Wawarsing,  Rochester,  Marbletown,  and  Hur- 
ley, unites  in  the  town  of  Kingston  with  the  Rondout,  24  miles  from 
the  Hudson.  The  inhabitants  are  much  engaged  in  manufacturing, 
and  much  attention  fi  is  been  given  to  the  raising  of  sheep  and  cattle, 
for  which  purpose  iew  counties  are  better  adapted.  The  county  was 
lettled  by  the  Dutch  as  early  as  KUO.  Tradition  says  that  at  a  very 
early  period  there  were  settlers  upon  the  Minisink  on  the  Dela- 
ware, who  transported  some  valuable  minerals  by  the  road  a 


aiOIsi 


IIJC 


,JJ> 


.1 


ULSTER   COUNTY. 


Rondout  to  the  North  river.  This  county  appears  to  have  suffered 
more  from  Indian  hostilities  than  any  other  portion  of  the  country 
while  under  the  Dutch.  The  county  is  divided  into  14  towns.  Pop. 
45,724. 

Esopus,  formerly  called  Kline  or  Little  Esopus,  taken  from  Kings- 
ton in  1810  ;  from  Albany  69,  from  Kingston  S.  6  miles.  Elmores 
Corners  is  a  small  post  village,  half  a  mile  west  of  the  Hudson. 
Pop.  1,927. 

Hurley,  organized  in  1788  ;  from  Albany  64  miles.  The  inhabit- 
ants are  chiefly  descendants  from  the  early  Dutch  settlers  and  New 
England  emigrants,  and  their  progeny.  Pop.  2,201.  Hurley,  on  the 
right  bank  of  the  Esopus,  3  miles  SW.  from  Kingston,  and  Rosendalc, 
8  miles  SW.,  are  small  villages.  At  the  latter  place  a  large  quantify 
of  lime  is  manufactured,  celebrated  for  its  strength  and  durability. 
Pop.  2,201. 


Eastern  view  of  Kingston. 

Kingston  was  organized  in  1788.  It  has  a  rolling  surface,  anil 
generally  a  good  soil.  Pop.  5,824.  It  was  one  of  the  earliest  Dutch 
settlements  in  the  state,  having  commenced  in  1016,  and  is  s.iid  to  have 
been  the  third  place  settled  in  New  York.  In  1 662,  it  had  a  settled  min- 
ister, and  the  county  records  commence  about  thafperiod.  Kingston 
village,  formerly  called  Esopus,  was  incorporated  in  1805.  The 
above  engraving  shows  the  appearance  of  the  village  as  viewed  from 
the  residence  of  J.  H.  Rutzer,  Esq.,  which  is  situated  on  a  gentle 
eminence  a  few  rods  south  of  the  Rondout  road.  The  Catskill  moun- 
tains are  seen  in  the  extreme  distance.  The  village  is  regularly  laid 
out  on  ten  streets,  and  beautifully  situated  on  the  fertile  pine  flats  el- 
evated about  40  feet  above  the  Esopus  creek.  These  flats  commence 
at  Kingston  and  extend  to  Saugerties,  about  ten  or  twelve  miles,  and 
are  from  2  to  2i  miles  in  width^^  The  village  contains  the  county 
Wiidings.  I  Dutch  Kefbrmed,  1  Episcopal,  1  Methodist,  and  1  Bap- 


ULSTER   COUNTY. 


657 


to  have  suffered 
1  of  the  country 
14  towns.    Pop. 

ken  from  Kings- 
miles.     Elmores 
of  the  Hudson. 

s.  The  inhabit- 
ettlers  and  New 
Hurley,  on  the 
I,  and  Rosendale, 
I  a  large  quantity 
1  and  durabilitv. 


liu^'  surfaco,  and 
bo  earliest  Dutch 
jd  is  said  to  have 
lad  a  settled  min- 
criod.    Kingston 

in  1805.  The 
:?  as  viewed  from 
ited  on  a  gentle 
le  Catskill  moun- 

is  regularly  laid 
rtile  pine  flats  el- 
0  flats  commence 
welvc  miles,  and 
itains  the  county 
)dist.  and  1  Bap- 


tist church,  an  academy,  2  banks,  3  newspaper  establishments,  a  large 
iron  foundry,  and  about  275  dwellings,  many  of  which  are  built  of 
blue  limestone.  It  is  58  miles  from  Albany,  93  from  New  York,  and 
about  3  from  the  landing  on  Hudson  river.  The  village  of  Rondout, 
about  a  mile  from  the  Hudson,  was  founded  in  1828  by  the  Delaware 
and  Hudson  Canal  Company,  being  a  place  of  deposit  for  their  coal. 
It  contains  a  church  and  about  75  dwellings.  Eddysville,  a  small 
village  partly  in  Esopus  and  partly  in  Kingston,  is  at  the  head  of 
navigation  on  Rondout  creek,  4  miles  above  its  mouth,  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  Hudson  and  Delaware  canal. 

"  Tn  the  year  1663,  the  Indians  near  Esopus,  (now  Kingston,)  who  had  for  some  time 
evinced  discontent  with  their  Dutch  neighbors,  seem  to  have  united  in  a  plan  for  extermi. 
nating  the  whites.  In  the  month  of  June,  while  they  amused  the  people  with  a  negotia- 
tion  for  better  neighborhood,  they  seized  the  opportunity,  while  the  men  of  the  village  were 
at  their  agricultural  employment  abroad,  to  enter,  as  'tis  said,  under  pretence  of  trade,  and 
in  a  very  short  time  killed  or  carried  off  captive  sixty.tive  persons.  The  Netherlanders, 
who  from  anterior  hostilities  had  been  induced  to  erect  a  fort,  rallied  and  seized  their  arms; 
but  the  natives,  as  if  intending  further  aggression,  likewise  erected  a  palisaded  fortification, 
and  were  probably  increasing  in  force,  when  Martin  Crygier  arriving  from  New  Amsterdam 
with  troops  sent  by  Governor  Sluyvesant,  the  red  men  fled  to  the  mountains. 

"  During  part  of  this  summer  the  dircctor.general  repaired  to  Esopus,  and  by  sending  out 
parties,  not  only  kept  the  superior  numbers  of  the  enemy  in  check,  but  made  inroads  among 
the  hill  fastnesses,  destroyed  the  Indian  villages  and  forls,  laid  waste  and  burnt  their  fields 
and  magazines  of  maize,  killed  many  of  their  warriors,  released  the  Dutch  captives  to  the 
number  of  twenty-two,  and  cultured  eleven  of  the  enemy.  These  vigorous  operations 
were  followed  by  a  truce  in  December,  and  a  treaty  of  peace  the  May  following." 

The  village  of  Kingston  was  one  of  the  largest  places  in  the  prov- 
ince of  New  York  previous  to  the  revolution.  It  was  laid  in  ashes 
by  the  British  under  General  Vaugl.an  in  October,  1777,  and  a  large 
quantity  of  public  stores  were  destroyed.  It  is  stated  that  at  that 
period  the  village  was  nearly  as  large  as  it  is  at  the  present  time. 
Every  house,  excepting  one  in  which  Mrs.  Hammersly  resided,  was 
destroyed.  This  lady  being  acquainted  with  some  of  the  British 
officers,  it  was  spared  on  her  account.  The  following  account  of  the 
burning  of  this  place  is  from  the  Connecticut  Journal  of  Oct.  27  :— 

"  In  our  last  we  observed  that  the  British  proceeded  up  the  river  past  this  place.  As  they 
went  along,  they  burnt  a  few  mills,  houses,  and  boats.  On  Friday  they  reached  Esopus, 
and  there  landed  a  number  of  men,  who  marched  up  to  the  defenceless  town  of  Kmgston, 
about  two  miles  from  the  river,  and  immediately  set  it  on  fire ;  the  conflagration  was  gen- 
eral  in  a  few  minutes,  and  in  a  short  time  that  pleasant  and  wealthy  town  was  reduced  to 
ashes  ;  only  one  house  escaping  the  flames.  Thus  by  the  wantonness  of  power,  the  third 
town  in  this  state  for  size,  elegance,  and  wealth  is  reduced  to  a  heap  of  rubbish ;  and  the 
once  happy  inhabitants,  (who  are  chieWy  of  Dutch  descent,)  obliged  to  solicit  for  shelter 
among  strangers,  and  those  who  possessed  lately  elegant  and  convenient  dwellings,  obliged 
to  take  up  with  such  huts  as  they  find  can  defend  them  from  the  cold  blasts  of  approaching 
winter  We  learn  that  the  inliabitanta  saved  the  best  part  ot  their  movable  properly,  but 
■ome  lost  the  best  part  of  their  temporal  all.  'Tis  said  the  enemy  took  little  ume  to  plun- 
der  being  told  that  General  Clinton  was  at  hand  with  1,500  men,  butunluckilvnotsonear 
aa  to  save  the  town.  They  burnt  several  vessels  and  houses  at  the  landing,  ili.m  scaniper- 
ed  off  precioitately  to  their  vessels.  Next  day  they  burnt  several  houses  at  Rhynebeck 
Flatta.  and  proceeded  as  far  as  Livingston's  manor,  where  they  burnt  a  few  more ;  our 
troopa  are  now  up  with  them.  It  is  hoped  they  wtU  be  able  to  put  a  stop  to  these  depreda. 
tiona." 

The  following  is  an  eastern  view  of  the  house  of  James  W,  Baldwin, 
p—    »i..  .t.,,^A,nr,  nn  tho  rnmoT  nf  Mnidpn-lane  and  Fair-street, 


•li.i' 


Ill 


f  M 


tt 


558 


ULSTER    COUNTY. 


The  huilding  in  which  the  Constitution  of  New  York  was  formed. 

in  the  village  of  Kingston.  It  is  built  of  blue  limestone,  which  was  pro- 
cured in  the  vicinity.  It  was  in  a  chamber  in  this  building  that  the 
convention  met  and  formed  the  first  constitution  of  the  state  of  New 
York,  which  was  adopted  April  20th,  1777.  "It  embraced  the  out- 
lines of  a  state  government ;  defined  the  powers  and  duties  of  the 
executive,  legislative,  judicial,  and  military  departments  ;  prescribed 
the  mode  of  elections,  and  secured  to  the  citizens  their  natural  and 
unalienable  rights.  From  the  adoption  of  this  instrument  to  the  pres- 
ent day,  the  state  of  New  York  has  been  under  the  empire  of  laws 
either  framed  or  adopted  by  representatives  elected  by  the  spontane- 
ous suffrages  of  her  citizens." 

During  the  revolutionary  war  a  number  of  royalists  were  executed 
in  this  town  for  treason.  Judge  Hasbrouck  of  Kingston,  who  was 
at  that  time  a  lad,  says  that  two  of  them  were  executed  on  the  first 
hill  from  the  landing.  It  appears  that  these  unfortunate  men  expect- 
ed to  be  reprieved  ;  when  they  drew  near  the  gallows,  and  saw  the 
preparation  for  their  execution,  they  became  overwhelmed  with  a 
sense  of  their  awful  situation,  and  exclaimed,  "  O  heer !  vergeeven 
onze  zonde"  (O  Lord  !  forgive  our  sins.)  The  father  of  Judge  Has- 
brouck, one  of  the  principal  men  of  the  place,  although  a  firm  friend 
to  the  American  cause,  was  opposed  to  the  execution,  and  suffered 
much  anguish  of  mind  on  account  of  these  harsh  and  bloody  meas- 
ures. These  men,  although  tories,  weft  persons  of  respectability,  who 
had  families.  Between  20  and  30  royalists  who  were  taken  up,  en- 
listed in  the  American  army,  and  thus  saved  their  lives. 

Marbletown,  organized  in  1788  ;  from  Albany  S.  66  miles.  Mar- 
ble of  a  superior  quality  abounds.  Marbletown  7  miles  SW.  of 
Kingston,  Stony  Ridge  10  SW.,  and  High  Falls  on  the  Rondout 
12  miles  from  Kingston,  are  small  settlements.  Yaughcripple  Bush, 
12  miles  from  Kingston,  is  a  hamlet.     Pop.  3,812. 

Marlborough,  organized  in  1788 ;  from  Albany  75  miles.  The 
inhabitants  are  more  generally  of  English  origin  than  any  other  town 
in  the  county^     Mariborouffh;  26  miles  S.  of  Kinsrston  and  Milton 


ULSTER    COUNTY. 


659 


formed, 

vhich  was  pro- 
liiding  that  the 
5  state  of  New 
)raced  the  out- 
duties  of  the 
ts ;  prescribed 
}ir  natural  and 
!nt  to  the  pres- 
mpire  of  laws 
/  the  spontane- 

were  executed 
ston,  who  was 
ed  on  the  first 
te  men  expect- 
3,  and  saw  the 
helmed  with  a 
'er !  vergeeven 
of  Judge  Has- 
1  a  firm  friend 
1,  and  suffered 
bloody  meas- 
;ctability,  who 
I  taken  up,  en- 

B  miles.    Mar- 

liles  SW.  of 

the  Rondout 

icripple  Bush, 

)  miles.  The 
ny  other  town 
sn  and  Milton 


22  miles,  are  both  on  the  Hudson,  and  have  each  about  30  dwellings. 
Latintown  is  a  small  village  centrally  situated.     Pop.  2,534. 

New  Paltz  was  organized  in  1788;  from  Albany  S.  70  miles. 
The  inhabitants  are  descendants  of  the  primitive  Dutch  settlers.  Pop. 
5,412.  New  Paltz,  on  the  Wallkill,  16  miles  SW.  from  Kingston,  has 
about  30  dwellings,  principally  of  stone,  in  the  ancient  Dutch  style, 
and  an  incorporated  academy.  New  Paltz  Landing,  on  the  Hudson 
opposite  Poughkeepsie,  20  miles  S,  of  Kingston,  is  a  small  settlement. 
Dashville  and  Springtown  are  small  villages  on  the  Wallkill. 

Olive,  taken  from  Marbletown,  Hurley,  and  Shandanken  in  1823 ; 
from  Albany  S.  64  miles.  "  The  City"  and  Caseville,  14  miles  W. 
of  Kingston,  are  small  settlements.     Pop.  2,023. 

Plattekill,  taken  from  Marlborough  in  1800 ;  from  Albany  76 
miles.  Pleasantville,  26  miles  S.  from  Kingston,  and  Modena,  are 
small  settlements.     Pop.  2,123. 

Rochester,  organized  in  1788;  from  Albany  75,  from  Kingston 
SW.  centrally  distant  17  miles.  This  town  was  originally  named 
Mombackus,  meaning  Indian  flice.  Accord  and  Kyserike  are  post- 
offices.     Pop.  2,674.     Rochester  is  a  small  settlement. 

Saugerties,  taken  from  Kingston  in  1811.  Pop.  6,119.  Maiden, 
on  the  Hudson,  13  miles  N.  of  Kingston,  is  a  place  of  considerable 
business,  and  has  an  academy  and  about  40  dwellings.  Glasgo,  on 
the  river,  9  miles  N.  from  Kingston,  is  a  small  settlement. 

Ulsterville,  (late  Saugerties,)  at  the  confluence  of  the  Esopus 
creek  with  the  Hudson,  100  miles  N.  of  New  York,  44  S.  from  Al- 
bany, and  10  from  Kingston.  "  This  place,  now  one  of  the  most 
thrifty  on  the  river,  was  undistinguished  until  the  year  1826,  when 
Mr.  Henry  Barclay,  of  New  York,  duly  appreciating  the  value  of  the 
water-power,  became  the  purchaser  of  it  and  several  farms  in  tkp 
vicinity.  By  a  strong  dam  and  a  raceway,  cut  65  feet  perpendicularly 
through  the  'rock,  there  has  been  obtained  the  use  of  the  water  under 
a  fall  of  47  feet,  which  mav  be  applied  twice  in  its  descent.  The  en- 
terprising proprietor  estallishod  a  large  paper  mill,  extensive  iron 
works,  and  erected  a  building  for  calico  printing,  since  converted  into 
a  paint  manufactory.  The  business  of  the  country  now  centres  here  ; 
and  the  trade  employs  30  or  40  sloops  and  schooners,  of  from  80  to 
150  tons  burden.  In  1825,  there  was  not  a  single  church  here :  there 
are  now  five  neat  edifices  for  public  worship."  Five  miles  above 
Ulster  village,  upon  the  creek  at  Whittaker's  Falls,  there  is  a  very 
flourishing  manufacturing  village.  ^^ 

Shandaken,  a  name  signifying  in  Indian, "  rapid  waters,  and  as  the 
old  settlers  report,  the  name  of  an  Indian  who  anciently  resided  there. 
This  town  is  in  the  NW.  extremity  of  the  county,  and  was  taken  from 
Woodstock  in  1804;  from  Kingston  NW.  30  miles.  Pop.  1,464. 
Shandaken,  Shandaken  Corners,  and  Pine  Hill,  are  the  post-ottices. 

Shawangunk.  S/iatmn,  in  the  language  of  the  Mohegan  Indians, 
means  white  salt,  and  Gunk,  rocks  or  piles  of  rocks.  The  terni 
Shawangunk,  is  said  to  have  been  applied  by  them  to  a  precipice  ol 
white  rocks  of  the  mill-stone  kind,  near  the  top  o{  these  mountains, 


660 


ULSTER    COUNTY. 


and  facing  the  east.  This  town  was  organized  in  1788;  distant 
from  Albany  S.  91,  from  Kingston  SW.  28  miles.  In  this  and  the 
adjoining  towns  the  skeletons  of  9  mammoths  have  been  dug  up ;  one 
of  which  has  been  sent  entire  to  Europe,  and  the  other  exhibited  in  a 
museum  at  Philadelphia.  The  one  at  Philadelphia  must  have  been  4 
or  5  times  as  large  as  an  elephant.  Shawan^unk,  New  Henly,  Bruyns- 
wick,  and  Ulsterville,  are  names  of  post-ofhces.     Pop.  3,885. 

Wawarsing  was  taken  from  Rochester  in  1806  ;  from  Albany  SW. 
80  miles.  Waa-wa-sing,  in  the  Indian  language,  means  blackbird's 
nest.  At  the  Hong  Falls  upon  the  river,  there  is  a  descent  of  64 
feet  nearly  perpendicular,  and  one  mile  below  them,  near  the  village 
of  Napanock,  is  another  cascade,  and,  including  the  rapids,  a  fall  of 
200  feet.  Iron  ore  and  plumbago  of  good  quality  are  found  here. 
Wawarsing,  24  miles  SW.  from  Kingston,  and  Port  Hixon,  on  the 
canal,  are  small  settlements.  Elleuville,  Napanock,  and  Port  Benja- 
min, all  on  the  Hudson  and  Delaware  canal,  are  small  villages. 
Pop.  4,044. 

The  following  are  extracts  from  ancient  newspapers : 

From  the  Connecticut  Journal,  Sept.  2,  1778. 

"  PouGHKEEPSiE,  AuG.  17. — We  have  also  certain  accounts  that  Andrieson  and  Osterhout, 
who  were  taken  by  the  Indians  and  tories  at  Leghewegh,  in  Ulster  county,  some  time  ago, 
made  their  escape  from  them  when  within  one  day's  march  of  Niagara,  and  are  returned 
home.  They  were  committed  to  the  charge  of  three  Indians,  one  a  captain,  and  two  squaws, 
who  treated  them  with  great  severity,  threatened  to  kill  Osterhout,  who  from  fatigue  and 
hunger  could  not  travel  as  fast  as  they  would  have  him.  At  night,  the  Indians  thinking 
themselves  secure  from  their  great  distance  back  into  the  country,  went  to  sleep ;  when 
Andrieson  proposed  to  Osterhout  to  seize  the  opportunity  of  putting  them  to  death ;  which 
(Osterhout  declining,)  he  executed  himself  by  very  expeditiously  tomahawking  the  three 
Indians  before  they  were  so  far  recovered  from  their  sleep  as  to  make  any  effectual  resiet- 
aMe.  The  squaws  waking  with  the  noise,  took  to  their  heels  and  escaped.  Whereupon 
ilidrieson  and  Osterhout,  possessing  themselves  of  the  Indians'  provisions,  consisting  of  3 
or  4  ducks  and  2  quarts  of  samp,  with  the  most  valuable  part  of  the  Indians'  plunder,  con- 
sisting of  some  fine  linen  shirts,  a  laced  beaver  hat,  with  other  articles  of  clothing,  and 
some  silver,  with  each  of  them  a  gun,  set  out  for  home,  where  they  arrived  after  17  days' 
march,  much  worn  out  with  fatigue  and  hunger,  but  in  high  spirits." 

From  the  Connecticut  Journal  of  May  19,  1779. 
"  We  have  advice  from  Warwasink  in  Ulster  county,  that  on  Tuesday  last,  the  4th  inst., 
a  party  of  the  enemy,  supposed  to  be  mostly  tory  inhabitants,  burnt  four  dweUing-houees 
and  five  barns  in  that  neighborhood  at  the  Famine  Kill,  and  killed  six  people,  besides  three 
or  four  more  who  are  supposed  to  be  burnt  in  their  houses.  Advice  of  the  mischief  being 
brought  to  Col.  Cortlandt,  stationed  there  with  his  regiment,  he  immediately  marched  in 
pursuit  of  the  enemy,  whom  he  twice  got  sight  of  on  a  mountain,  exchanged  some  shots 
with  them,  though  at  too  great  a  distance,  and  endeavored  to  surround  them,  but  in  vai;i: 
they  all  made  their  escape.  In  their  flight  they  left  a  young  woman  whom  they  had  taken, 
from  whom  we  received  the  account,  thut  their  number  was  3  Indians,  and  27  while 
savages." 

From  the  Connecticut  Journal,  Oct.  11,  1781. 
"  Early  in  the  morning  of  the  22d  ult.,  a  party  of  Indians  and  tories,  consisting  of  about 
400,  entered  the  beautiful  settlement  of  Warwarsing,  situated  on  the  great  road  leading  from 
Minisink  to  Esopus,  about  35  miles  from  the  former ;  at  their  first  coming  to  the  place, 
they  were  hailed  by  a  sentinel  who  was  at  the  gate  of  a  piquet  fort  where  was  a  sergeant's 
guard  kept,  (which  were  the  only  soldiers  in  that  quarter ;)  they  not  making  any  answer, 
induced  the  sentinel  to  fire  and  run  within  the  fort,  which  alanned  the  garriion.  The 
enemy  kept  up  a  constant  fire  upon  the  fort  for  some  time,  but  without  effect,  and  at  last 


retired 


iJiCt 


w<>;!nded,     Thr.y  then  pr 


A^A 


WARREN    COUNTY. 


561 


788 ;  distant 
this  and  the 
dug  up;  one 
xhibited  in  a 
have  been  4 
3nly,  Bruyns- 
;,885. 

Albany  SW. 
s  blackbird's 
Bscent  of  64 
r  the  village 
(ids,  a  fall  of 

found  here, 
[ixon,  on  the 

Port  Benja- 
nall  villages. 


to  burning  and  plundering  the  place.    The  inhabitants  being  alarmed  by  the  firing  at  the 
fort,  all  made  their  escape,  except  one  John  Kettle,  whom  they  killed.     The  loss  of  these 
poor  people  is  very  great ;  the  fate  of  an  hour  reduced  them  from  a  state  of  ease  and  afflu- 
ence  to  want  and  beggary.     Thirteen  elegant  dwelling-houses,  with  all  the  out-buildings 
and  furniture,  14  spacious  barns  filled  with  wheat,  besides  barracks,  stables,  stacks  of  hay 
and  grain,  were  all  consumed.     Between  CO  and  70  horses,  mostly  very  fine,  a  great  num. 
ber  of  cattle,  sheep,  and  hogs,  were  driven  off.     Col.  Pauling,  getting  intelligence  of  the 
above,  immediately  collected  about  200  New  York  levies  and  militin,  and  pursued  thein 
about'40  miles ;  but  was  not  able  to  overtake  them.*     It  appeared  that  they  fled  in  confu. 
sion  as  they  left  a  considerable  quantity  of  plunder  behind  them  in  many  places.     By  a 
white  man  who  has  been  with  them  3  years,  and  made  his  escape  while  Warwnrsin^'  was 
in  flames,  we  learn  that  this  party  was  from  Niagara,  and  that  they  were  4  weeks  and  3 
days  on  their  way ;  that  they  were  exceedingly  distressed  for  want  of  provisions,  insomuch 
that  they  eat  up  their  pack-horses  and  dogs.    He  adds  that  the  garrison  of  Niagara  was  in 
a  melancholy  situation  for  the  want  of  provisions  and  the  necessaries  of  lite,  and  thtit  the 
tories  there  most  bitterly  execrate  the  day  they  were  deluded  by  the  tyrant's  emiasanes  to 
take  up  arms  against  their  native  country." 

Woodstock,  organized  in  1788  ;  from  Albany  SW.  50,  from  King- 
ston NW.  centrally  distant  12  miles.  Bristol  and  Woodstock  are 
small  villages.    Pop.  1,692. 


m  and  Osterhout, 
^,  some  time  ago, 
and  are  returned 

and  two  squaws, 
from  fatigue  and 
Indians  thinking 
it  to  sleep ;  when 

to  death ;  which 
iwking  the  three 
ly  effectual  resieU 
«d.  Whereupon 
8,  consisting  of  3 
tns'  plunder,  con. 

of  clothing,  and 
ved  after  17  days' 


last,  the  4th  inst., 
r  dwelling-houses 
>ple,  besides  three 
lie  mischief  being 
ately  marched  in 
anged  some  shots 
hem,  but  in  vai:i: 
n  they  iiad  taken, 
IS,  and  27  white 


insisting  of  about 
road  leading  from 
ing  to  the  place, 
!  was  a  sergeant's 
king  any  answer, 
le  garrison.  The 
cflect,  and  at  last 
iy  ?hsn  pracssded 


WARREN  COUNTY. 

* 

Warren  county,  taken  from  the  NW.  part  of  Washington  county 
in  1813.  It  is  principally  situated  on  the  west  side  of  Lake  George, 
centrally  distant  from  New  York  240,  and  from  Albany  75  miles. 
Greatest  length  N.  and  S.  44,  greatest  breadth  E.  and  W.  40  miles. 
With  the  exception  of  a  small  district  on  the  SE.,  the  whole  county 
is  mountainous.  The  mountains,  which  are  of  primitive  formation, 
are  covered  with  a  heavy  growth  of  trees,  and  contain  it  is  said 
abundance  of  iron  ore  of  good  quality,  but  have  very  small  portions 
of  arable  soil.  The  valleys,  which  are  narrow,  contain  some  lertile 
alluvion,  on  secondary  limestone.  The  principal  employment  ot  the 
inhabitants  is  getting  lumber,  which  is  sent  to  market  by  the  rivers, 
lake,  and  Champlain  canal.     This  county  embraces  about  one  halt 


»Col.  PauUng  arrived  at  the  outskirts  in  time  to  catch  a  ghmpse  of  the  enemy's  rear, 
and  to  relieve  some  of  the  inhabitants,  among  whom  were  a  man  and  his  wife,  who  had 
conducted  themselves  with  distinguished  bravery.  His  house  was  constructed  of  unhewn 
logs,  in  the  woods,  and  in  advance  of  all  others.  On  the  appearance  of  the  foe,  he  fled  o 
his  castle  with  his  wife,  and  securing  it  in  the  best  maniier  he  could,  gave  battle  to  a  par  y 
of  the  Indiana  who  laid  siege  to  his  fortress.  Being  well  armed,  he  defended  himself  with 
soumuch  spirit,  that  they  recoi'-'  with  loss.  Finding,  after  ««^"°»  .'!«''"'?'*',  ^J^Vfy 
could  not  force  an  entrance,  ndians  collected  a  heap  of  combustibles  .«>  f  «;   f"^.  /^ 

the  premises.  Retiring  a  short  oistance  to  see  the  result,  the  man  watched  his  Wt"nity 
and  rushing  out  with  a  couple  of  buckets,  he  procured  water,  which  was  close  at  hand  and 
extineuishld  the  fire.  The  Indians,  of  course,  ran  down  upon  him  ;  but  not  being  quick 
cnoS  of  foot  to  prevent  his  gaming  the  door,  hurled  their  toniahaujs  ''^  f>"  ^ead-hap^ 
without  efTect.  He  entered  his  castle,  made  fast  his  sally-port,  and  re-commenced  his  de. 
i^rrT  Just  at  this  moment  Col.  Pauhng  with  his  troops  appeared  in  sight,  whereupon  the 
Indiana  raised  the  siege  and  departed.— Z,»/e  of  Brant. 

71 


if 


1    71.,.  _w„f_.-.^ 


fi6S 


WARREN    COUNTY. 


of  the  Horicon  or  Lake  George,  the  greater  part  of  Schroon  lake,  the 
whole  of  Brant  lake,  and  many  smaller  ones.  The  Horicon  is  a 
beautiful  sheet  of  water  33  miles  long,  and  about  2  wide,  and  dis- 
charges its  waters  northward  into  Lake  Champlain  at  Ticonderoga. 
Its  waters  are  very  deep  and  clear,  and  abound  with  the  finest  fish. 
The  mountain  scenery  of  this  lake  is  excelled  in  its  romantic  beauties 
by  none  in  the  world.  Schroon  and  Brant  lakes  are  beautiful  sheets 
of  water,  and  abound  with  fish  similar  to  Lake  George.  The  county 
is  divided  into  10  towns.     Pop.  13,470. 

Ath(jl,  originally  called  Thurman ;  distant  from  Albany  70,  and 
from  Caldwell  WNW.  18  miles.     Pop.  1,210. 

Bolton,  bounded  on  the  east  by  Lake  George,  from  Caldwell  N. 
9  miles.     Pop.  1,153. 

Caldwell,  the  shire  town  of  Warren  county,  was  organized  in 
1810,  and  named  in  honor  of  James  Caldwell,  Esq.,  a  principal  pro- 


View  of  Caldwell,  on  Lake  George. 

prietor  and  benefactor.  It  has  a  mountainous  surface,  and  embraces 
the  south  end  of  Lake  George.  Pop.  G3.5.  Caldwell  village  lies  at 
the  head  of  Lake  George,  62  miles  from  Albany.  9  from  Glenn's  Falls, 
and  27  from  Saratoga  springs.  The  village  consists  of  about  50 
dwelhngs. 

The  scenery  in  this  vicinity  is  of  a  wild  and  picturesque  character,  similar  to  the  High, 
lands  of  Scotland.  Westward,  rises  a  range  of  mountains,  the  higlicst  of  which  is  Prospect 
or  Rattlesnake  Hill,  which  is  an  elevation  of  about  1,500  feet.  Remains  of  forts  William 
Henry  and  George,  are  still  to  be  seen  at  the  head  of  the  lake,  a  short  distance  east  of  ihe 
courthouse. 

This  village  and  the  lake  has  become  quite  a  fashionable  place  of  resort  during  the  warm 
season  of  the  year.  Besides  the  attractions  of  the  natural  scenery,  it  is  rendered  interesting 
from  having  been  the  iheutre  of  important  military  operations.  The  celebrated  "  Battle  of 
Lake  George,"  on  Sept.  8tli,  1755,  was  fought  in  the  vicinity  of  Bloodi/  Pond,  so  called 
from  the  i'act  that  corpses  of  the  slain  were  thrown  into  it.  The  battle  was  between  the 
pruvincial  trooiis  uniiir  Miijor-c-cneral,  ■■il';!  rwnrd  Sir  William  JohnHon  aided  bv  s  body  of 
Lliiiaas  under  Uciidrick  the  Mohawk  chieftain,  and  a  body  of  French  Canadians  and  Indi- 


WARREN   COUNTY. 


503 


sns  under  Baron  Dieskau,  a  French  nobleman.  The  baron  embarked  at  Fort  Frederick,  at 
Crown  Point,  with  2,000  men  in  battenux,  and  landed  at  Skeensboro,  now  Whitehall.  Hav. 
ing  understood  that  .Johnson  lay  carelessly  encamped  at  the  head  of  Lake  George,  he  de. 
termined  to  attack  him. 

The  following  account  of  the  conflict  that  ensued,  is  given  by  Dr. 
Dwight,  who  received  much  of  his  information  from  eye-witnesses 
of  the  action. 

On  the  night  of  Sunday,  Sept.  7,  at  12  o'clock,  information  was  brought,  that  the  enemy 
had  advanced  4  miles  on  the  road  from  Fort  Edward  to  Lake  George  ;  or  half  way  between 
the  village  of  Sandy-Hill  and  Glenn's  falls.  A  council  of  war  was  held  early  in  the  morning, 
at  which  it  was  resolved  to  send  a  party  to  meet  tliem.  The  number  of  men,  determined 
upon  at  first,  was  mentioned  by  the  general  to  llendrick;  and  his  opinion  was  asked.  He 
replied,  "  If  they  are  to  fight,  tJiey  are  too  few.  If  they  are  to  be  killed,  they  arc  too  many." 
The  number  was  accordingly  increased.  Gen.  Johnson  also  proposed  to  divide  them  into 
3  parties.  Hendrick  took  3  sticks,  and,  putting  them  together,  said  to  him,  "  Put  these 
together,  and  you  can't  break  them.  Take  them  one  by  one,  and  you  will  break  them 
easily."  The  hint  succeeded,  and  Hendrick's  sticks  saved  the  party,  and  probably  the 
whole  army,  from  destruction. 

The  party  detached  consisted  of  1,200,  and  were  commanded  by  Col.  Ephraim  Williams, 
a  brave  and  skilful  officer,  greatly  beloved  by  the  soldiery,  and  greatly  respected  by  the 
country  at  large.  Lieut.  Col.  Whiting,  of  New  Haven,  was  second  in  command,  and 
brought  up  the  rear.  Col.  Williams  met  the  enemy  at  Rocky  brook,  4  miles  from  Lake 
George.  Dieskau  had  been  informed  of  his  approach  by  his  scouts,  and  arranged  his  men 
in  the  best  possible  order  to  receive  them,  extending  his  line  on  both  sides  of  the  road  in 
the  form  of  a  half-moon.  Johnson  did  not  begin  to  raise  his  breastwork  until  after  Williams 
had  marched ;  nor,  as  a  manuscript  account  of  this  transaction,  now  before  me,  declares, 
until  after  the  rencounter  between  Williams  and  the  enemy  had  begun. 

Williams  marched  his  men  directly  into  the  hollow  of  the  half.moon.  This  will  be  ex. 
plained  by  the  fact,  that  the  whole  country  was  a  deep  forest.  When  the  enemy  saw  them 
completely  within  his  power,  he  opened  a  fire  of  musketry  on  the  front  and  on  both  flanks 
of  the  English  at  the  same  moment.  The  English  fell  in  heaps;  and  at  the  head  of  them 
their  gallant  commander.  Hendrick,  also,  was  mortally  wounded,  fighting  with  invincible 
courage  in  the  front  of  his  people.  He  was  shot  in  the  hack  :  a  fact  which  filled  him  with 
disdain  and  anguish  ;  as  he  thought,  that  he  should  be  believed  to  have  fled  from  the  enemy. 
The  truth  was,  the  horns  of  the  half.moon  were  so  far  advanced,  that  they  in  a  great  mpn*. 
ure  enclosed  the  van  of  the  English,  and  fired  upon  them  from  the  rear.  From  this  fire 
Hendrick  received  the  wound  which  terminated  his  life. 

Upon  ths  death  of  Col.  Williams,  Lieut.  Col.  Whiting  succeeded  to  the  command  of  the 
detachment.  He  was  an  officer  of  great  merit,  and  had  gained  much  applause  at  the  re- 
duction of  Louisburgh ;  and,  in  consequence  of  his  gallant  conduct  at  that  picge,  had  been 
made  a  captain  in  the  regular  British  service.  Whiting,  seeing  the  danger  of  his  men, 
immediately  ordered  a  retreat ;  and  conducted  it  so  judiciously,  that  he  saved  the  great 
body  of  them  from  destruction,  in  circumstances  of  extreme  peril ;  in  which  their  own  con- 
fusion and  alarm,  and  the  situation  of  the  ground,  threatened  their  extermination  no  less 
than  the  superior  numbers  of  the  enemy. 

The  noise  of  the  first  fire  was  heard  at  Lake  George.  EtTorta  began  then  to  bo  made  in 
earnest  by  the  general  for  the  defence  of  the  camp :  and  a  party  of  300  men  were  despatched 
under  Lieut.  Col.  Cole,  to  support  the  retreating  corps.  A  few  stragglers,  both  English  and 
Indians,  came  into  the  camp,  and  announced,  what  had  indeed  been  already  sufficirntly 
evident  from  the  approaching  sound  of  the  musketry,  that  the  French  army  was  superior  in 
numbers  and  strength  to  Col.  Williams'  corps,  and  was  driving  them  towards  the  camp. 
Some  time  after  "  the  whole  party  that  escaped,"  says  Gen.  Johnson,  "  came  in  in  large 
bodies ;"  a  decisive  proof  of  the  skill  and  coolness  with  which  Lieut.  Col.  Whiting  con- 
ducted  this  retreat.  These  men  also  arranged  themselves  in  their  proper  places,  and  took 
their  share  in  the  engagement  which  followed. 

About  half  after  1 1  o'clock,  the  enemy  appeared  in  sight  marching  up  the  road  in  the 
best  order  towards  the  centre  of  the  English.  When  they  came  to  the  bottom  of  an  open 
valley,  directly  in  front  of  the  elevation,  on  which  Fort  George  was  afterward  built,  a^nd  on 
which  the  centre  of  the  English  army  was  posted,  Dieskau  halted  his  men  about  15  min. 
utes,  at  the  distance  of  httle  more  than  150  yards  from  the  breastwork.  I  have  never  seen 
a  reason  assigned  for  this  measure.  I  tnink  I  can  assign  one.  The  Indians  were  sent  out 
on  the  right  Hank,  and  a  part  of  the  Canadians  on  the  left,  intending  to  come  m  upoa  Uio 


-    i 


It',  il 


964 


WARREN    COUNTY. 


rear  of  the  English,  while  the  main  body  attacked  them  in  front.  The  ground  wa8  remark, 
ably  favorable  to  this  design  ;  being  swampy,  thickly  forested,  and,  therefore,  perfectly  fitted 
to  conceal  the  approach  of  these  parties.  The  Indians,  however,  were  soon  discovered  by 
Lieut.  Col.  Pomeroy,  who  immediately  mentioned  tlie  fact  to  the  general;  and,  observing 
to  him,  that  tliese  people  were  extremely  afraid  of  cannon,  requested  that  one  or  two  \nv  es 
might  be  pointed  against  them.  They  were  then  near  the  ground  on  which  Fort  William 
Henry  was  afterward  built.  The  general  approved  of  the  proposal.  A  shell  was  instantly 
thrown  among  them  from  a  howitzer,  and  some  field-pieces  showered  upon  them  a  quantity 
of  grape-shot.     The  Indians  fled. 

The  baron,  in  the  mean  tune,  led  up  his  main  body  to  attack  the  centre.  They  began 
the  engagement  by  firing  regularly  in  platoons ;  but  at  so  great  a  distance,  that  they  did 
very  little  execution.  This  circumstance  was  favorable  to  the  English ;  and  soon  recover- 
ing from  the  panic  into  which  they  had  been  thrown  by  the  preceding  events  of  the  day, 
they  fought  with  great  spirit  and  firmness. 

Gen.  Johnson,  at  the  commencement  of  the  battle,  received  a  flesh  wound  in  his  thigh, 
and  the  ball  lodged  in  it.  He  bled  freely,  but  was  able  to  walk  away  from  the  army  to  his 
tent.  Gen.  Lyman  then  took  the  command,  and  continued  in  it  during  the  action.  This 
gentleman,  who  seemed  to  have  no  passions,  except'  those  which  are  involved  in  the  word 
humanitif,  immediately  stationed  himself  in  the  front  of  the  breastwork;  and  there,  amid 
the  thickest  danger,  issued  his  orders,  during  5  hours,  to  every  part  of  the  army,  as  occasion 
demanded,  with  a  serenity  which  many  covet,  and  some  boast,  but  very  few  acquire.  The 
main  body  of  the  French  kept  their  ground,  and  preserved  their  order,  for  a  considerable 
time ;  but  the  artillery,  under  the  command  of  Capt.  Elyre,  a  brave  English  oflicer,  who 
performed  his  part  with  much  skill  and  reputation,  played  upon  them  with  such  success, 
and  the  fire  from  the  musketry  was  so  warm  and  well-directed,  that  their  ranks  were  soon 
thinned,  and  their  ettbrts  slackened  sufficiently  to  show  that  they  despaired  of  success  in 
this  quarter.  They  then  made  another  effort  against  the  right  of  the  English,  stationed 
between  the  road  and  the  site  of  Fort  William  Henry,  and  composed  of  Ruggles'  regiment, 
Williams',  now  commanded  by  Lieut.  Col.  Pomeroy,  and  Titcomb's.  Here  a  warm  fire 
was  kept  up  on  both  sides  about  an  hour ;  but  on  the  part  of  the  enemy  was  unavailing. 

At  4  o'clock,  the  English,  and  the  Indians  who  fought  with  them,  leaped  over  their 
breastwork,  and  charged  the  enemy.  They  fled,  and  were  vigorously  pursued  for  a  short 
distance.  A  considerable  number  were  slain  in  the  pursuit.  The  wounded,  and  a  very 
few  others,  were  made  prisonere.  Among  these  was  Dieskau.  He  was  found  by  a  soldier, 
resting  on  a  stump,  with  hardly  an  attendant.  As  he  was  feeling  for  his  watch,  in  order  to 
give  it  to  the  soldier,  the  man,  suspecting  that  he  was  searching  for  a  pistol,  discharged  the 
contents  of  his  musket  through  his  hips.  He  was  a'  ried  into  the  camp  in  a  blanket  by  3 
men,  with  the  greatest  rare  and  tenderness,  but  on;  !.;;v  in  fitreme  distress. 

Hendrick  had  lived  'o  this  day  with  singular  honor,  nnJ  uied  fighting  ith  ;  spirit  not 
to  be  excelled.  He  was  at  this  time  from  GO  tr  .':'  •  .  ,(.  d,  ,^e.  His  heua  was  covered 
with  white  locks:  and  what  is  uncommon  amoi.g  i..t.ia.is,  he  was  corpulent.  Immediately 
before  Col.  Williams  began  his  march,  he  mounted  a  stage,  and  harangued  his  people.  He 
had  a  strong  masculine  voice ;  and,  it  was  thought,  might  be  distinctly  heard  at  the  distance 
of  half  a  mile ;  a  fact  which,  to  my  own  view,  has  diffused  a  new  degree  of  probability  over 
Homer's  representations  of  the  effects  produced  by  the  speeches  and  shouts  of  his  heroes. 
Lieut.  Col.  Pomei  who  was  present,  and  heard  this  effusion  of  Indian  eloquence,  told 
me,  that,  although  did  not  understand  a  word  of  the  language,  yet  such  was  the  anima. 
tion  of  Hendrick,  il'u  fire  of  his  eye,  the  force  of  his  gesture,  the  strength  of  his  emphasis, 
the  apparent  propriety  of  the  inflections  of  his  voice,  and  the  natural  appearance  of  his 
whole  manner,  that  himself  was  more  deeply  affected  with  this  speech,  than  with  any  other 
which  he  had  ever  heard.  In  the  Pennsylvania  Gazette,  Sept.  25,  1755,  he  is  styled  "  the 
famous  Hendrick,  a  renowned  Indian  warrior  among  the  Mohawks  ;"  and  it  is  said  that 
his  son,  being  told  that  his  father  was  killed,  giving  the  usual  Indian  groan  upon  surh 
occasions,  and  suddenly  putting  his  hand  on  his  left  breast,  swore,  that  his  father  was  still 
alive  in  that  place,  and  that  there  stood  his  son.  Baron  Dieskau  was  conveyed  from  AU 
bany  to  New  York,  and  from  thence  to  England ;  where  soon  after  he  died. 

The  capture  of  Fort  William  Henry,  at  this  place,  Aug.  9th,  1757, 
and  the  massacre  by  the  Indians,  created  a  great  sensation  in  all  the 
northern  states.  The  following  account  of  the  capture  of  the  fort, 
is  extracted  from  Professor  Silliman's  Tour. 

The  Marquis  de  Montcalm,  after  three  inefl'ectual  attempts  upon  Fort  William  Henry, 
made  great  etTorta  to  besiege  it  in  form,  and  in  August,  1757,  having  landed  ten  thousand 


i 


WARREN    COUNTY. 


565 


d  was  remark. 
perfectly  fitted 
discovered  by 
and,  observing 
B  or  two  iiii  'es 
1  Fort  William 
1  was  instantly 
heui  ;s  quantity 

They  began 
,  that  they  did 
I  soon  recover- 
nts  of  the  day, 

d  in  his  thigh, 
the  army  to  his 
(  action.  This 
ed  in  the  word 
nd  there,  amid 
ny,  as  occasion 

acquire.  The 
a  considerable 
sh  officer,  who 

such  success, 
anks  were  soon 
1  of  success  in 
glish,  stationed 
ogles'  regiment, 
■e  a  warm  fire 
s  unavailing, 
ped  over  their 
sued  for  a  short 
led,  and  a  very 
nd  by  a  soldier, 
tch,  in  order  to 
discharged  the 
a  blanket  by  3 

IS. 

ith  !:  spirit  not 
lU  was  covered 
Immediately 
(lis  people.  He 
1  at  the  distance 
probability  over 
s  of  his  heroes, 
eloquence,  told 
was  the  anima- 
f  his  emphasis, 
learance  of  his 

with  any  other 
3  is  styled  "  the 
i  it  is  said  that 
roan  upon  such 

father  was  still 
'eyed  from  Al- 
1. 

f.  9th,  1757, 

>n  in  all  the 

of  the  fort. 


William  Henry, 
d  ten  thousand 


men  near  the  fort,  summoned  it  to  surrender.  The  place  of  his  landing  was  shown  me,  a 
little  north  of  the  public  house ;  the  remains  of  his  batteries  and  other  works  are  still  visi. 
ble ;  and  the  graves  and  bones  of  the  slain  are  occasionally  discovered. 

He  had  a  powerful  train  of  artillery,  and  although  the  fort  and  works  were  garrisoned 
by  three  thousand  men,  and  were  most  gallantly  defended  by  the  commander.  Colonel 
Monroe,  it  was  obliged  to  capitulate  ;  but  the  most  honorable  terms  were  granted  to  Colo- 
nel Monroe,  in  consideration  of  his  great  gallantry.  The  bursting  of  the  great  guns,  the 
want  of  amnmnition,  and  above  all,  the  failure  of  General  Webb  to  succor  the  fort,  although 
he  lay  idle  at  Fort  Edward  with  four  thousand  men,  were  the  causes  of  this  catastrophe. 

The  capituhtion  was,  however,  most  shamefully  broken  ;  the  Indians  attached  to  Mon- 
calm's  army,  while  the  troops  were  marching  out  of  the  gate  of  the  fort,  dragged  the  men 
from  the  ranks,  particularly  the  Indians  in  the  English  service,  and  butchered  them  in  cold 
l,lood— they  plundered  all  without  distinction,  and  murdered  women  and  little  cliildren, 
with  circumstances  of  the  most  aggravated  barbarity.*     The  massacre  continued  all  along 
the  road,  through  the  defile  of  the  mountains,  and  for  many  miles,  the  miserable  prisoners, 
especially  those  in  the  rear,  were  tomahawked  and  hewn  down  in  cold  blood ;  it  might 
well  be  called  the  bloody  defile,  for  it  was  the  same  ground  that  was  the  scene  of  the  bat. 
des,  only  two  years  before,  in  1755.     It  is  said  that  efforts  were  made  by  the  French  to 
restrain  the  barbarians,  but  they  were  not  restrained,  and  the  miserable  remnantof  the  gar- 
rison  with  difficulty  reached  Fort  Edward  pursued  by  the  Indians,  although  escorted  by  a 
body  of  French  troops.     I  passed  over  the  whole  of  the  ground,  upon  which  this  tragedy 
was  acted,  and  the  oldest  men  of  the  country  still  remember  this  deed  of  guilt  and  mtamy. 

Fort  William  Henry  was  levelled  by  Montcalm,  and  has  never  been  rebuilt.  Fort 
George  was  built  as  a  substitute  for  it,  on  a  more  commanding  site,  and  although  often 
mentioned  in  the  history  of  subsequent  wars,  was  not  I  believe  the  scene  of  any  very  me. 
morable  event. 

Chester,  taken  from  Thurman ;  from  Albany  80,  and  from  Cald- 
well N.  18  miles.  Chester  is  a  village  having  about  40  dwellings,  6 
mercantile  stores,  3  churches— 1  Presbyterian,  1  Baptist,  and  1  Meth- 
odist. It  is  situated  on  the  Canada  road,  near  the  outlet  of  Friends 
and  Loon  lakes.  The  land  in  the  vicinity  is  fertile.  Pottersville  is 
a  post-office  in  the  N.  part.     Pop.  1,623. 

Hague,  originally  named  Rochester,  and  taken  from  Bolton  in 
1807 ;  from  Caldwell  NE.  30  miles.     Pop.  610. 

"  Rocers  Rock  is  on  the  west  side  of  Lake  George,  in  the  northeastern  border  of  the  town, 
2  miles  from  the  outlet.  It  rises  out  of  the  water  at  an  angle  of  more  than  forty.five  degrees 
to  the  height  of  3  or  400  feet.  The  face  of  the  rock  for  more  than  100  leet  is  a  perfectly  smooth 
slide  readiine  from  top  to  bottom.  This  rock  derives  its  name  Irom  the  lollowing  incident. 
Durina  the  wfnter  of  1758,  Major  Rogers  was  one  of  a  party  which  was  surprised  and  put  to 
flisiht  by  the  Indians  at  the  outlet  of  the  lake.  R  ogers  came  nloiie  to  the  summit  ol  this  rock, 
whither  he  knew  the  Indians  would  follow  him  by  liis  tracks  in  the  snow,  and  where  he  could 
mevent  pursuit  by  a  singular  strataeem.  Throwing  his  pack  down  the  precipice,  he  .slipped 
oH'hi'^  snow  shoes,  and  without  chancing  their  position,  turned  himseh  about  and  again  put 
them  on  his  feet.  Thus  equipped,  he  retreated  several  rods  along  the  southern  brow  o  ttie 
rock  The  Indians  coming  to  the  spot  went  no  further,  as  they  saw  the  two  tracks  both  lead- 
ing the  same  way  and  apparemly  made  by  two  pei-sons  who  had  come  to  the  Precipice  and 
chosen  to  throw  themselves  olf  rather  than  to  fall  into  the  hands  ol  their  pursuers.  Meanwhile 
Rogers  made  good  his  descent  to  the  foot  of  the  rock,  where  he  resumed  his  pack,  and  ea- 
caned  on  the  ice  to  the  head  of  the  lake.  .  ,     „  ^  i  . 

"'  Sabbath-day  Point  Ls  a  low  neck  of  land  stretching  into  Lake  George  from  the  western 
shore,  3  miles  ?rom  the  little  village  of  Hague.  On  §abbath-day  Pomt  Lord  Amherst  wth 
his  army  stopped  for  refreshment  upon  the  morning  of  the  babbath,  ""d  gave  this  beaut  lu 
spot  the  name  by  which  it  is  known.  It  is  a  charming.place,  and  susceptible  of  f^a'  embel- 
lishment.  In  the  summer  of  1756,  a  small  body  ol  provincials  who  had  retreated  to  this  point 
defeated  a  superior  force  of  French  and  Indians,  who  had  attacked  them  in  gun-boats. 

HoRicoN,  recently  formed  from  Hague  and  Bolton ;  centrally  dis- 


«  Men  and  women  had  their  throata  cut,  their  bodies  ripped  open,  and  their  bowels,  with 
insult,  thrown  in  their  faces.    Infants  and  children  were  barbarously  taken  by  the  heels 
and  their  brains  dashed  out  against  stones  and  trees.    The  Indians  pursued  the  hnelish 
nearly  half  the  way  to  Fort  Edward,  where  the  greatest  number  of  them  arrived  in  a  most 
forlorn  condition. 


i .. 


If' 


566 


WAEREN    COUNTY. 


tant  N.  from  Caldwell  24  miles.  Pop.  663.  Horicon  post-office  is 
in  the  SW.  part,  on  the  Schi-oon  branch  of  the  Hudson. 

JonNSBURG,  the  NW.  corner  town,  taken  from  Thurman  in  1805; 
from  Albany  85,  from  Caldwell  NW.  21  miles.  Johnsburg  is  a  small 
settlement,  and  lies  about  3  miles  west  of  the  Hudson.     Pop.  1,156. 

Luzerne,  first  settled  about  1770,  taken  from  Queensbury  in  1808; 
from  Albany  55,  centrally  distant  SW.  from  Caldwell  8  miles.  Lu- 
zerne  is  a  small  village  on  the  Hudson.  Hadley's  and  Jessup's  falls 
are  in  this  town.     Pop.  3,6(54. 

Queensbury  was  organized  in  1788.  The  soil  in  the  E.  part  of 
the  town  is  a  strong  and  productive  loam,  in  the  W.  it  is  sandy. 
Pop.  3,064.  The  village  of  Glenn's  Falls,  in  this  town,  lies  on  the 
N.  bank  of  the  Hudson,  53  miles  from  Albany,  3  W.  from  Sandy 
Hill,  and  17  from  Saratoga.  It  received  its  name  from  from  a  Mr. 
Glenn,  the  first  settier,  whose  house  is  still  standing  about  20  rods 
from  the  falls. 


Distant  view  of  the  village  of  Glenn  Falls. 

The  above  is  a  SE.  view  of  the  village  as  seen  from  the  S.  bank 
of  the  Hudson.  There  are  here  about  120  dwellings,  1  Pres- 
byterian, 1  Methodist,  and  1  Baptist  church,  a  female  seminary,  a 
printing  office,  and  about  a  dozen  mills  on  both  sides  of  the  river 
for  sawing  lumber  and  marble.  The  Presbyterian  and  Methodist 
churches  and  the  academy  an;  seen  on  the  right,  and  part  of  the  bridge 
over  the  Hudson  at  the  falls,  on  the  left. 

Thc«p  fnlls  have  a  total  drsccnt  of  about  70  fret.  Thp  water  flown  in  one  sheet  over 
the  brink  of  thp  precipice,  900  feet  in  lenRth,  and  when  in  full  flood,  rushofi  in  one  mass  down 
the  cutarnei,  filling  the  mind  of  a  spectator  on  tho  bridge  with  awe  and  nc|n\irtttion.  In 
ordinary  soaauns  the  river  ia  divided  at  the  fnlla  by  rocka  into  three  channela,  which  have  an 
■ngulur  descent  of  suvtrnl  hundred  feet.  These  falls  have  evidently  receded  from  a  pow- 
tion  lower  down  the  airuain.  The  bonka  below  are  in  some  places  70  feet  in  perpcndicu. 
Inr  height,  formed  of  rocks,  in  which  tho  stratification  is  beautifully  disposed,  containing 
tnany  organic  fcrnains.  The  navigablr  ferdcf  of  the  Chnfnplair.  cr.nai  is  taken  froin  the 
river,  two  miles  above,  and  paaaes  along  the  elevated  bank  of  the  river  aecn  in  the  engrav 


i 

i 


WASHINGTON    COUNTY. 


56"^ 


post-office  is 

nan  in  1805; 
Jrg  is  a  small 
Pop.  1,156. 
'ury  in  1808; 
I  miles.  Lu- 
Jessup's  falls 

le  E.  part  of 
it  is  sandy. 

n,  lies  on  the 
from  Sandy 

n  from  a  Mr. 

ibout  20  rods 


I  the  S.  bank 
ngs,  1  Pres- 
'■  seminary,  a 

of  tlie  river 
1(1  Methodist 

of  the  bridge 


n  one  nht^et  over 
in  one  ninss  down 

clnurution.  In 
la,  which  have  an 
ided  from  a  po«i- 
!t  in  perpcndicu. 
poBcd,  contuining 

taker,  from  ihe 
en  in  the  cngrav 


ing.  It  is  believed  that  as  many  as  eighteen  or  twenty  persons  have  been  drawn  over  the 
falls,  within  the  memory  of  those  now  living,  only  two  of  whom  escaped  death.  Animals 
are  frequently  drawn  over,  and  almost  invariably  perish. 

Warrensburg,  formed  in  1813  ;  N.  from  Albany  68  miles.  It  is  a 
mountainous  district,  covered  with  wood  and  abounding  in  iron  ore. 
The  main  branch  of  the  Hudson  flows  on  tiie  west  boundary,  and 
the  Schroon  branch  on  the  E.  and  S.,  uniting  with  the  former  m  the 
SW.  Warrensburg,  on  the  Schroon  branch,  6  miles  N.  of  Caldwell,  is 
a  village  containing  two  churches  and  about  60  dwellings.   Pop.  1,469. 


WASHINGTON  COUNTY. 

Washington  county  received  its  present  name  in  1784,  having 
previously  been  called  Charlotte  county,  when  it  claimed  to  include 
a  part  of  the  present  state  of  Vermont.  Its  greatest  length  is  64 
miles  ;  average  breadth  to  South  Bay,  of  Lake  Champlain,  17  miles  ; 
and  thence  on  the  N.  6  miles.  Centrally  distant  from  New  York 
210,  from  Albany  60  miles. 

The  face  of  the  country  is  very  much  diversified.  That  around 
Lake  George  is  generally  rugged  and  mountainous,  presenting  sum- 
mits from  600  to  1200  feet  in  height.  All  the  northern  part  is  broken 
and  hilly.  The  southern  part,  though  considerably  uneven,  presents 
a  very  large  proportion  of  arable  land,  well  adapted  for  the  various 
products  of  agriculture.  In  the  northern  part,  which  is  comparatively 
new,  the  pine  forests  supply  large  quantities  of  lumber.  The  county 
is  abundantly  watered.  As  a  whole,  it  holds  a  respectable  rank  in 
agriculture,  producing  much  wheat,  but  is  better  adapted  to  grass.  A 
large  proportion  of  the  })opulation  is  from  New  England,  and  largo 
emigrations  are  yearly  making  from  Vermont.  The  county  is  divi- 
ded into  17  towns.     Pop.  41,()U5. 

Argvle,  organized  in  1788;  N.  from  Albitny  44  miles.  The  tract 
comprised  in  the  original  town  of  Argyle,  was  granted  by  George 
II.,  in  171'J,  to  141  Scotch  emigrants,  who  severally  drew  a  farm 
lot  of  from  150  to  600  acres,  with  a  town  lot  of  from  15  to  16  acres. 
Argyle,  8  miles  SE.  from  Sandy  Hill,  has  about  50  dw(>llings.  North 
Argvlo  5,  and  South  Argyle  1 1  miles  from  Sandy  Hill,  are  small  set- 
tlements.    Pop.  3,113. 

Cambriixm;,  organized  in  1788,  N.  from  Albanv  35  miles.  Cam- 
bridge, a  large  but  scattenul  villages  has  an  acaclcmy  for  (|ualiiying 
young  men  as  teachers,  and  about  120  dwellings.  liuskirl^'s  Bridge, 
upon  Honsick  river,  partly  in  Pittstown.  llensselaer  county,  lias  from 
30  to  40  dwellings.  Centre  Cambridge  is  a  small  village  centrally 
situated.     Pop.  2,004. 

Drkhukn,  taken  from  Putnam  in  1822,  by  the  name  of  South  liiiy  , 
from  Albany  72,  and  from  Sand] 


>''•■•■■■ 


•11     -^T       «^ 


M 


II 


i 


'♦»■         .. 


I 


568 


WASHINGTOJf   COUNTY. 


a  mountainous  and  wild  country,  between  lakes  Champlain  and 
George.  In  the  forests  deer  and  wolves  are  said  to  be  common. 
Pop.  697. 

Easton,  taken  from  Stillwater  and  Saratoga ;  from  Albany  N.  27, 
from  Salrn  SW.  16  miles.  Union  village  is  partly  m  this  town  and 
partly  in  Greenwich.  Easton  is  a  post  village,  containing  about  50 
dwellings.  North  Easton  and  South  Easton  are  small  settlements 
with  post-offices.     Pop.  3,002.  r  ^ir    .i!  u    • 

Fort  Ann  was  originally  organized  by  the  name  of  Westheld  ;  it 
received  its  present  name  in  1808.  The  face  ot  the  township  is  di- 
versified with  mountains  and  valleys.  On  Wood  creek  there  are  ier- 
tile  alluvial  flats  and  plains,  but  a  great  part  ot  this  extensive  town- 
ship is  sterile  and  barren.  Pop.  3,559.  The  village  of  Fort  Ann, 
which  gives  its  name  to  the  townshif),  on  Wood  creek  and  the  canal, 
58  miles  from  Albany  and  10  S.  from  Whitehall,  contains  about 
50  dwellings  and  3  churches.  It  is  situated  on  the  site  of  old 
Fort  Ann  erected  in  1757,  and  was  a  place  of  some  importance 
during  the  colonial  wars.  About  two  miles  south  ot  the  village,  ves- 
tiges of  Burgoyne's  road,  constructed  of  logs,  &c.,  in  1777,  are  still  to 

be  seen.  p  „      .  r 

Professor  Silliman  in  his  tour  gives  the  following  account  ot  a  se- 
vere battle  fought  near  this  place,  between  a  detachment  of  the  British 
and  one  of  the  American  army,  July  8th,  1777 : — 

At  a  narrow  pass  between  some  high  rocks  and  the  river,  we  were  shown  the  place 
where,  on  the  8th  of  July,  1777,  the  'Jtli  British  regiment,  belonging  to  General  Burgoyne's 
army,  sustained  a  heavy  loss,  by  a  conflict  with  the  Americans  under  Co bnel  Long. 

After  the  surrender  of  'ricondorogii,   General  Burgoyne  endeavored  to  keep  up  the 
alarm,  bv  spreading  his  parties  over  the  country.    With  this  view.  Colonel  Hill,  at  the  head 
of  the  9lh  regiment,  was  despatched  after  Colonel  T„.ng,  who,  with  four  or  hve  hundred 
men,  principally  the  invalids  and  convalescents  of  the  army,  hud  taken  post  at  l<ort  Anne, 
and  was  directed  by  General  Schuyler  to  defend  it.     Colonel  Long,  with  his  pnriy,  did  not 
wait  an  attack  from  the  enemy,  but  boldly  advanced  to  meet  them.     "  At  halt  past  ten  in 
the  morning,  (says  Major  Forbes,  of  the  British  regiment,)  they  attacked  us  m  jront,  with 
a  heavy  and  well-directed  fire;  a  large  body  of  them  pitssed  the  creek  on  the  efl,atidhred 
from  a  Ihick  wood  across  the  creek  on  the  left  Hunk  of  the  regiment:  they  then  Legiin  to 
recross  the  creek  and  attack  us  in  the  rear;  we  then  found  it  neces.-nry  to  clmnge  mir 
ground,  to  prevent  the  regiment's  being  surrounded  ;  wo  took  post  on  the  top  ot  a  In  1  to 
our  right.     As  soon  as  we  had  taken  post,  tli.^  enemy  made  a  very  vigorous  attack,  wliiHi 
continued  for  upwards  of  two  lioiiis  ;  and  they  certainly  would  have  Orced  us,  had  it  not 
oeen  for  some  Indiana  that  arrived  and  gave  the   Indian  wlioo].,  which  we  answered  wiih 
three  cheers;  the  rebels  soon  after  that  gave  way."    The  giving  way  ol  the  Aniericans  wns 
however,  caused,  not  bv  the  teirorof  ibo  war-whoop,  but  by  the  tailure  of  tlieir  ninnmni. 
tion.     The  fact  was.  the  British  regiment  was  worsted,  and  would   i)roi)ably  have  Ufcri 
taken  or  destroyd,  hud  Colonel  Long  been  well  supi-lied  with  amtnuiiilion.     It  was  ciml 
by  Captain  Money,  another  British  officer,  Uiat  the  fiie  was  even  heavier  than  it  wasintlu' 
obstinate  battle  of  September  19th,  on  Bemus'  heights.     The  scene  ol  ihis  battle  is  very 
correctly  described  above,  by  Major  Forbes.  ....  ,..     i         i    „„,i 

On  leaving  the  street  of  Fort  Anne  village,  we  crossed  a  bridge  over  Wood  creek,  nn  I 
were  now  on  its  left  bank  Immediately  after,  we  came  to  a  narrow  pass,  only  wide  enout'li 
for  the  carriufce.  (d  cut,  in  a  great  measure,  out  of  a  rocky  ledge,  which  tenninates  Here, 
exactly  ni  the  .  •  :<.  This  ledge  is  ilie  southern  end  of  a  high  rocky  hill,wliic!i  converReD 
towards  Won.!  t  k,  and  between  the  two  is  a  narrow  tract  of  level  ground,  which  tcmii. 
nates  at  the  pa«  already  mentioned.  On  this  ground  the  battle  took  place,  and  the  wooa 
on  the  right  bank  of  the  creek,  from  which  the  Americans  hred  upon  the  left  Hank  ot  ino 

Britiih.  \m  Kill  there,  and  it  was  up  this  rocky  hill  that  they  retreated  and  took  their  stand. 
bencral  Burgoyne,  as  usual,  claimed  a  victory  in  ilii«  oiiwr,  which  tit  uiidBWOoa  is  .^^•c 


WASHINGTON    COUNTV. 


569 


lamplain  and 
•  be  common. 

Ubany  N.  27, 
this  town  and 
ning  about  50 
,11  settlements 

Westfield ;  it 
ownship  is  di- 

there  are  ier- 
^tensive  town- 

of  Fort  Ann, 
and  the  canal, 
;ontains  about 
10  site  of  old 
le  importance 
le  village,  ves- 
777,  are  still  to 

count  of  a  sc- 
t  of  the  British 


re  shown  the  place 
jlenernl  Burgoyiie's 
olonel  Long. 
;d  to  keep  up  the 
lel  Hill,  at  the  head 
uur  or  five  hiiiidrt'd 
post  at  I'^ort  Anne, 
h  his  piirty,  did  not 
At  lialf  past  ten  in 
ed  us  in  front,  with 
in  the  left,  and  fired 
they  then  LegHn  lo 
liinry  to  clmngc  (iiir 
the  top  of  a  hill  to 
orous  utiaek,  which 
)rced  UP,  had  it  not 
1  wu  answered  wiih 
the  Atiierienns  was, 
•e  of  their  ninnuini. 
rohahly  have  nun 
lilion.  It  was  niihI 
LT  than  it  was  in  ihu 
)i  this  hallie  is  very 

;r  Wood  rreelt.and 
s,  only  wide  enoniih 
eh  terniinales  here, 
lill,  whieh  eoiiverRea 
round,  whieh  lenni. 
j)lucc,  and  the  wood 
the  left  llank  of  iho 
id  took  their  stand. 


been  a  bloody  contest,  as  indeed  it  obviously  must  have  been,  from  the  narrowness  of  the 
defile  and  the  confCfiueiit  nearness  of  the  contending  parties.  Capiuin  Montgomery,  of 
Colonel  Hill's  regiment,  was  left  wounded  on  the  held,  and  taken  prisoner  by  the  Ameri- 
cans, which  could  not  have  been  the  fact,  had  the  royal  party  been  victorious." 

Fort  Edwakd  was  taken  from  Argyle  in  1818.  The  surface  of 
the  town  is  level  or  gently  undulating,  and  the  soil  mostly  of  a  good 
quality.  Pop.  1,728.  Fort  Edward  is  a  small  village,  situated  on  the 
Hudson  river  and  Champlain  canal,  47  miles  from  Albany,  and  about 
3  from  Sandy  Hill.  There  is  a  dam  above  the  village  900  feet  long 
and  27  high,'which  supplies  a  feeder  to  the  canal.  Fort  Miller  and 
Fort  Edward  Centre,  also  on  the  Champlain  canal  and  Hudson  river, 
are  small  settlements. 

Fort  Edward,  from  which  this 
town  derives  its  name,  was  built 
in  1755,  of  timber  and  earth,  16 
feet  high,  22  feel  thick,  and  had 
eix  cannon  on  its  ramparts.  It  hud 
a  deep  fosse  in  front ;  it  was  situ- 
ated  about  half  a  mile  south  of  the 
lock  of  the  Champlain  ':anal,  in  the 
village,  and  was  at  first  called  Fort 
Lyman,  from  General  Lyman,  a 
distinguished  officer  in  the  French 
war.  This  spot  was  also  named 
the  first  cani/iii^  jilnce,  being  the 
point  where,  in  the  expeditions 
against  Canada,  the  troops,  stores, 
&c,,  were  landed  and  curried  to 
Wood  creek,  a  distance  of  12 
miles,  where  they  were  again  em- 

For,  Ed,>urd~rff,rm<;, :  A.  m.^.zi...,  B.  b.rr.cki,  C.  •lorehouM,  D.  Hoi-  jj^fl^pj. 

Binl    F.  «  Hunker,  K.  Colunel  Bigly'n  bnil^'e.  ««,r> 

The  Village  of  Fort  Edwar.l  is  rendered  memorable  as  being  the  spot  where  M.ss  M'Crea 
vicnnlN,  IVlr.   .lones  leu   mi    '^"  .  mnior.     As  the  p  uce  where  Miss 

I  appears  that  ^^^  •  J^':^'    -^  „'",  '|'^,^,  ) U  i„.o  the  British  camp.     Some  aecounu.  Male 
Indians  to  go  tor  Miss  M  IK  a,  am    onni,      ■  .  ^^^^^,^^ 

,ha.  when  the  Indians  came  n..ar  the  house  'J' V  '  J<  "1  .  ';  ,'  h,„  '  The  liui.  ns  also 
,.ein«^on.  her  lover  she  ; ;  ^^'^^ll^  [•  'l.  ^J'h^'  :::.;i.;:d  L^^"  l^.ort  distaine,  ahout 
took  Mrs.  Lumpb.ll  wi  h  them.  WU  n  in  s  jar  y  ,  ..ilndians. 

that  an  aged  Indian  chut,  leartu   oi  t  le  '""'"l""'      '  ,      ,  ji     .       ^„r„„u  lurward, 

proaehing  Miss  M'Cren.  he  'f^^'^^^^  tuTh  ''TrrKl  ":..  re  or'.,  t.u.t  the  In. 
sunk  iuM  tomahawk  into  her  luad,  and  tlicn  •''^«  ''  Y  .  .  ,  „„y„i,.t..|  lover." 
dinns  divided  the  scalp,  an.l  that  each  party  <■»";««  J""  '  ,  ,"  ,  ■'^y  !  ,N  west  of  the 
She  was  now  stripped  ot  her  Ho.h.ng  ""'\"X  '  i  I  m  t  ■  ■  "c.ent  pine  repie. 
place  where  she  was  killed,  an.l  »'''  '";;^V,"^];'«  J^  ^  ^^  ,  i^luU  they  cxh.ln.ed  a 
v,.„,..d  in  ihB  eni.'rnvinc.     U  i«  Mated  by  those  who  miw  iier  rinii._  ,_  ^  ^^^^  ^,^^  ^^^  ^^^^^ 

mJ«t  shocking  »ptctacro ;  her  limb,  were  mvicB  owohen.  snu  c.-v.-  

78 


570 


WASIHNGTON    COU'NTY. 


The  Jane  M'Crea  tree,  Fort  Edward. 

An  American  officer,  Lieutenant  Palmer,  who  had  been  slain  that  day  by  the  Indians  with 
18  of  his  men,  about  80  rods  northwest  of  the  pine  tree,  was  also  thrown  undei  the  log 
near  Miss  M'Crea,  and  liie  remains  of  both  partially  covered  with  brushwood  and  buahes. 
The  engraving  shows  the  appearance  of  the  spot  where  the  body  of  Miss  M'Crea  was 
fouiid.  The  pine  tree  which  was  then  standing,  still  remains,  having  a  venerable  and 
ancient  appearance.  Her  name  is  inscribed  on  the  tree,  with  the  date  1777,  and 
"no  traveller  passes  this  spot  without  upending  a  plaintive  moment  in  contemplating 
the  untimely  fate  of  youth  and  loveliness."  At  its  root  it  is  about  5  feet  in  diameter, 
standing  about  four  rods  west  from  the  road  to  Sandy  Hill,  and  abr)ut  80  rods  north  of  the 
village,  on  the  side  of  a  sandy  ridge.  A  fine  spring  issues  a  few  feet  below  this  tree.  The 
bodies  of  Miss  M'Crea  and  Lieutenant  Palmer  were  taken  and  buried  three  miles  below 
the  fort,  near  what  was  called  the  "  black  house."  About  18  years  since,  her  remains  were 
taken  up  and  re-interred  in  a  village  burying  ground  at  Fort  Kdward;  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cum- 
mings,  of  Albany,  preached  a  funeral  sermon  on  the  occasion.  At  the  lime  of  her  death 
she  was  about  twenty  years  of  age,  and  is  represented  as  having  been  of  a  middling  stature, 
finely  formed,  dark  hair,  and  uncommonly  beautiful.  Mr.  .lones,  who  was  about  twenty 
five,  survived  her  death  but  a  short  period,  and  it  is  said  his  hair  turned  gray  the  first  night 
alter  receiving  the  fatal  news. 

Granville  wos  organized  in  1788.  The  township  is  liandsonieiy 
diversified,  and  the  soil  is  of  a  superior  (piahty,  well  watered  by 
springs,  rivulets,  &c.  Pop.  3,840.  The  town  was  principally  settled 
by  emigrants  Irom  the  New  England  states.  There  are  3  villages 
having  post-offices,  Granville  village,  or  Granville  Corners,  63  miles 
Irom  Albany,  17  from  Salem,  and  21  from  Sandy  Hill,  i:;  the  most 
compact  settlement;  it  consists  of  about  75  dwellings,  having  1 
Methodist,  1  Episcopal,  and  1  Friends  church,  an  academy,  a  wool- 
len  I'uctory.  &c. 

The  following  is  a  nortln  "stern  view  of  the  central  part  of  Middle 
Granville,  about  2  miles  north  of  Grnnville  Cornprs  vill.qirf.  Thf 
village  consists  of  about  .SO  dwellings,  1  Congregational,  and  1  Pres. 


rie 


by  the  Indians  with 
•own  uiidei  the  log 
i.shwood  and  bushes, 
f  Miss  M'Crea  was 
ing  n  venrrahle  and 
le  date  1777,  and 
It  in  contemplating 
5  feet  in  diameter, 
BO  rods  north  of  the 
elow  this  tree,  Tho 
d  three  miles  below 
;e,  her  remains  were 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Cum. 
le  time  of  her  death 
fa  middling  stature, 
)  was  about  twenty 
I  gray  the  first  night 

is  handsomeiy 
;1I  watered  by 
ncipally  settled 
are  3  villaces 
jrners,  63  mues 
II,  iz  the  most 
iiifs,  having  1 
idemy,  a  wool- 
part  of  Middle 
al,  and  1  Pres- 


WASHINGTON    COUNTY. 


671 


Northwest  view  of  the  central  part  of  Middle  Granville. 

byterian  church,  a  number  of  mills,  &c.  The  Congreo;ational  church 
and  school-house  are  seen  on  tho  right  of  the  engraving ;  tlie  moun- 
tainous elevations  seen  in  the  extreme  distance  are  in  the  town  of 
Pawlet,  in  the  state  of  Vermont,  about  six  miles  distant.  North  or 
West  Granville,  18  miles  from  Sandy  Hill,  has  a  church,  an  acade- 
my, and  is  a  substantial  village  scattered  for  a  considerable  distance 
alonf"  the  road.     South  Granville  is  a  small  village. 


Southeastern  view  of  Union  Village. 

Greenwich  was  taken  from  Argyle  in  1803.  The  surface  of  tho 
township  is  uioderately  uneven  ;  the  soil  is  principally  a  gravelly  loam, 
and  is  under  pood  cultivation.     Pop.  3,3'?l». 

The  above  engraving  shows  the  apprnrnncr  of  Union  village, 


im       '1 


672 


WASHINGTON    COUNTY. 


as  seen  from  the  elevated  ground  near  the  school-house,  on  the 
Easton  side  of  the  Battenkill.  This  flourishing  village  is  35  miles 
from  Albany,  12  from  Salem,  and  about  5  E.  from  Schuyierville.  It 
contains  4  churches — 1  Baptist,  1  Dutch  Retbrmed,  1  Congregational, 
and  1  Methodist — an  academy,  a  bank,  a  newspaper  printing  office,  a 
number  of  mills  and  factories,  and  about  1,500  inhabitants.  The 
Baptist  church,  the  oldest  in  the  village,  is  seen  on  the  right  of  the  en- 
graving ;  a  few  rods  westward  is  the  Methodist  church  ;  the  Dutch 
Reformed  church  is  in  the  central  part ;  and  on  the  extreme  left 
is  seen  part  of  the  front  of  the  Congregational  church,  which  is  with- 
out a  spire.  The  village  was  founded  in  1809.  Battenville  and 
Franklinton  are  small  manufacturing  villages,  on  the  Battenkill.  North 
and  East  Greenwich  and  Lake,  are  post-offices,  with  settlements. 

Hampton,  from  Albany  NE.  70,  from  Salem  N.  25,  and  from 
Sandy  Hill  NE.  85  miles.  Hampton  and  Low  Hampton  are  post- 
offices.     Pop.  972. 

Haktfobd,  taken  from  Westfield,  originally  the  name  of  Fort  Ann, 
in  1703;  from  Albany  NE.  54  miles.  Hartford,  13  miles  NE.  from 
Sandy  Hill,  and  South  Hartford,  2  miles  south  of  the  former,  are 
small  post  villages.     Pop.  2,158. 

Hkbron  is  centrally  distant  north  of  Salem  7  miles.  Pop,  2,498. 
Hebron,  North  Hebron,  and  South  Hebron,  are  small  post  villages. 

.Iackson,  taken  from  Cambridge  in  1815;  from  Albany  NE.  40, 
from  Salem  S.  G  miles.  Jackson  and  Anaquascook  are  post-offices. 
Pop.  1,730. 

KiNGSBL'RY  was  organized  in  1788.  It  has  a  surface  generally  level 
and  well  cultivated,  and  in  former  times  was  mostly  covered  with  fine 
groves  of  white  pines.  Pop.  2,773.  This  town  has  three  villnges — 
viz,  Sandy  Hill,  Kingsbury,  and  Adamsville.  Sandy  Hill,  on  the  north 
bank  of  the  Hudson,  is  the  half-shire  village  of  the  county,  and  was 
incorporated  in  1810.  It  is  situated  upon  a  high  sandy  plain,  about 
100  feet  above  the  river,  opposite  Baker's  Falls,  where,  in  the  course 
of  60  rods,  the  river  descends  76  feet.  The  contemplated  railroad 
from  Saratoga  to  Whitehall  is  to  cross  the  Hudson  here  by  a  viaduct 
1,100  feet  in  length. 

The  following  is  a  south  view  of  the  central  part  of  the  village  of 
Sandy  Hill,  48  miles  from  Albany.  In  the  central  part  of  the  en- 
graving is  seen  a  triangular  enclosure,  set  out  with  ornamental  trees 
and  shrubbery.  The  courthouse  is  on  the  right,  and  the  church  on 
the  left.  The  village  contains  a  Presbyterian  and  Episcopal  church 
and  upwards  of  100  dwelling-houses.  James  Bradshaw  was  the  first 
settler  in  the  village,  and  the  second  was  Albert  Baker,  who  came 
here  in  1768.  His  family  w.as  the  11th  which  settled  in  Kingsbury. 
Kingsbury  village,  5  miles  from  Sandy  Hill,  is  situated  on  the  road 
to  Fort  Ann,  and  has  1  Baptist  church  and  about  30  dwellings. 
Adamsville,  6  miles  from  Sandy  Hill,  is  a  village  containing  a  Bap- 
tist church  and  25  dwellings. 

The  fir«t  minister  settled  in  the  town  was  Francis  Baylor,  a  Moravian.  He  remained  but  a 
■hort  time,  and  irll  in  tho  ymr  1777.    The  tiretmccdnn'-houM!  was  built  soon  alter  the  rcvoiu- 


WASHINGTON    COUNTY. 


573 


louse,  on  the 
i  is  35  miles 
aylerville.  It 
^ngregational, 
inting  office,  a 
bitants.  The 
ight  of  the  en- 
h  ;  the  Dutch 
extreme  left 
which  is  with- 
attenville  and 
tenkiii.  North 
ttlements. 
25,  and  from 
pton  are  post- 

i  of  Fort  Ann, 
iles  ]\E.  from 
le  former,  are 

Pop.  2,498. 
lost  villages, 
bany  NE.  40, 
'e  post-ofHces. 

generally  level 
■ered  with  fine 
ree  villages— 
II,  on  the  north 
unty,  and  was 
y  plain,  about 
,  in  the  course 
lated  railroad 
e  by  a  viaduct 

the  village  of 
art  of  the  en- 
amenta!  trees 
the  church  on 
scopal  church 
V  was  thi^  first 
:er,  who  came 
in  Kingsbury, 
i  on  the  road 
30  dwellings, 
taining  a  Bap- 


He  remained  but  a 
on  aller  the  rcvolu- 


Southern  view  of  the  central  part  of  Sandy  Hill. 

tion,  and  is  still  standins  and  occupied  by  the  Rapti.-ts.  During  tlic  war  iht;  town  wmh  burnt 
by  Burgoyne'g  army,  which  lay  encamped  here  about  six  weeks.  Tiie  I les>iaiis  occupied  the 
ground  in  the  vicimly  ol'  the  new  bury  inn-yard  at  Sandy  Hill,  wliile  the  ( iri-iiadiere  lay  at  Moss 
btreet,  2  miles  north,  and  the  light  iul'antry  under  Fru/.er  at  Fort  Eilward  Hill. 

The  site  on  whicli  stands  the  village  of  Sandv  Hill,  was  formerly 
the  scene  of  Indian  barbarities.  The  following  anecdote  is  related 
by  Professor  SiUiman,  in  his  Tour  from  Hartt'ord  to  Quebec  in  the 
autumn  of  1819. 

From  Mr.  H,  a  verv  respectable  inhabitant,  I  leanu'd  the  tbllowina;  singular  piece  of  his- 
tory tMd  Afr.  Schoonlioven,  recently  livin;,'  in  thi.-i  vicinilv,  and  nr(il)ably  still  surviving,  al- 
though at  the  great  age  ot'niore  thuu  ibur.-core.  iniornied  .\lr.  H.  that  durmg  the  last  French 
war,  he  and  six  or  seven  other  American.-i  coniinii  through  the  wilderness,  lioni  Fort  ^Villiam 
Henrv,  at  the  liead  of  Lake  (Jeorge,  to  .S.iiidy  Hill,  had  the  nii,~l'ortuue  to  be  taken  prisoners 
by  a  jjarty  ol'the  savag<'s.  They  were  conducted  to  the  spot  which  is  now  the  central  green 
of  Sandy  Hill,  and  ordered  to  sit  down  in  a  row,  upon  a  log.  Mr.  Schoonh(^cu  pointed  out 
to  Mr.  H.  the  exact  place  where  tlu'  log  liv  ;  it  was  nearly  in  lionl  ol'  the  Ifouse  where  we 
dined.  The  Indians  then  began,  very  drlibcrately,  to  tomahawk  their  victims,  connaencing 
at  one  end  of  the  log.  and  sphtting  the  skulls  ol'  their  prisoners,  in  regular  succession  ;  while 
the  survivors,  compelled  to  sit  stilT,  and  to  vvitn-ss  the  awliil  late  oltlielr  companions,  awaited 
their  own,  in  uimlterable  horror.  Mr.  Schoonhuveu  was  the  la.-t  but  one,  upon  the  end  ol'the 
log,  opposite  to  where  ihe  massacre  commenced;  tin-  work  ot'  de;iih  had  already  piocceded 
to  liim,  and  the  hlted  tomahawk  was  ready  lo  descend,  when  a  chii'i'gave  a  signal  to  slop  the 
butchery.  Then  approaching  Mr.  Schoonhoveti,  lie  mildly  said,  "Do  you  not  remember  that 
(at  such  a  lime)  when  your  young  men  were  dancing,  poor  Indians  came,  and  wanted  to 
dance  too  ;  your  young"  men  said,  '  No  !— Indians  shall  iiol  dance  with  us  ;'  but  you  (I'or  it 
seems  this  chief  liad  recognised  his  features  only  in  the  critical  moment)  you  said,  Indiana 
shall  dance— now  1  will  show  you  that  Indians  can  remember  kindness. "  Tlii.s  chance  recol- 
lection (profidenlial,  we  hud  belter  call  it)  saved  the  life  of  Mr.  Schoonhoven,  and  of  the 
other  survivor.  ,     •  .    i      j 

Silrange  mixture  of  generosity  and  cruelly !  For  a  Iritlmg  allront,  they  cherished  and 
glutted  vengeance,  fell  as  that  ol  iul'ernals,  without  measure  ol  retribution,  or  discrimination 
of  objects;  for  a  luvor  equally  trilling,  ihey  manifested  magnaiiiinity  exceeding  all  corres- 
pondence to  the  beneiit,  and  capable  of  airesling  the  stroke  of  deaih,  even  when  falling  with 
the  rapidity  of  lightning. 

Two  miles  north  of  the  village  of  Kingsbury  is  the  spot  where  a 
bloody  battle  was  fought  in  the  French  war,  between  a  body  of  troops 
under  Putnam  and  Rogers,  and  500  Frencli  and  Indians  connnanded 
by  Molang. 

"  In  the  month  of  August.  1758,  five  hundred  men  were  employed,  under  the  orders  of  Major* 
Rogers  and  Putnam,  to  waich  the  moiiiuis  of  the  enemy  near  Ticoiideroga.  At  boutli  bay 
•hev  separated  tlie  party  in'o  two  eo.ual  divisions,  and  Rogers  took  a  posiUon  on  W  ooU  CreeH, 
twelve  mile*  distant  from  Putnam.  ' 


674 


WASHINGTON    COUNTY. 


"  Upon  being,  some  time  afterward,  discovered,  they  formed  a  reunion,  and  concerted 
measures  for  returning  to  Fort  Edward.  Their  march  through  the  woods  was  m  three  dtvitiont, 
bu  FILES ;  the  right  commanded  by  Rogers,  the  left  bv  Putnam,  and  the  centre  by  Captain 
D'El!.  The  first  night  thev  encamped  on  the  banks  of  Clear  River,  about  a  mile  from  old  tort 
Ann,  which  had  been  foriiierly  built  bv  General  Xi(;holson.  Next  morning  Major  Rogers, 
and  a  Brilis^h  officer  named  Irwin,  incautiously  sutf  red  thems<.-lves,  from  a  spirit  ol  false  emu- 
lation,  to  be  engaged  in  tiring  at  a  mark.  Nothing  could  have  been  rnore  repugnant  to  the 
military  principles  of  Pulmiin  than  such  conduct,  or  reprobated  by  hini  in  more  pointed  terms. 
As  soon  as  the  heavy  dew  which  hud  fallen  the  preceding  night  would  permit,  the  detachnient 
moved  in  one  body,  Putnam  being  in  front,  D'1-Jll  in  centre,  and  R  ogor.'-  in  the  rear.  The  iniper- 
vious  growth  of  shrubs  and  under-brush  that  had  t^prung  up,  where  the  land  had  been  partially 
cleared  some  years  before,  occasioned  this  change  in  the  order  ot  maich.    At  the  moment  of 


came.    The 


and  niis?ed''the  word  for  the  other  divisions  to  advance  lor  his  support, 
action  Uiontih  widely  scattered,  and  urincipally  fought  between  man  and  man,  soon  grew 
irerier  il  and  iiiten«ely  warm.  It  would  be  as  diflienlt  as  useless  to  describe  this  irregular  and 
ferocious  mode  of  fighting.  Rogers  catne  not  up  ;  but,  as  he  declared  ufterwuid,  tornied  a 
circular  tile  between  our  party  and  Wood  creek,  to  prevent  their  being  taken  in  rear  or  enfi- 
laded  Successful  as  he  ronimonlv  was,  his  conduct  did  not  always  pass  without  unlavorable 
inniuialion.  Notwithstanding,  it  was  a  current  saying  in  the  camp, '  that  H ogers  always  .«fn/, 
but  i'utnam  led  his  men  to  action,'  vet,  in  justice,  it  ought  to  be  remarked  here,  that  the  latter 
has  never  been  known,  in  relating  the  story  of  this  day's  disaster,  to  afiix  any  stigma  upon  the 
conduct  of  the  former.  •     ,,    .  ,u  t    j.       •     j. 

"Major  Putnam,  perceiving  it  would  be  impracticable  to  cross  the  creek,  deternnned  to 
maintain  his  ground.  Inspired  by  his  example,  the  officers  and  men  behaved  with  gi-eat  bru- 
very  sometimes  they  fought  aggreaately  in  open  view,  and  sometimes  mdividuallv  under 
cover-  takiii"  aim  fiom  behind  theT  bodies  of  trees,  and  acting  in  a  manner  independent  ot 
each  other.  For  himself,  having  discharged  his  fiizee  several  times,  at  length  it  missed  fare, 
while  the  muzzle  was  pressed  auain.*t  the  brea.«t  of  a  large  and  well  proportioned  savage. 
This  warrior,  availing  himself  of  the  indefensible  attitude  of  his  adversary,  with  a  tremendous 
war-whoop,  sprang  forward,  with  his  lifted  hatchet,  and  compel  ed  him  to  surrender ;  and 
havini  disarmed  and  bound  him  fast  to  a  tree,  returned  to  the  battle.  ^        .        • 

"Tfie  intrepid  Captains  D'KJl  and  Harman,  who  now  commanded,  were  forced  to  give 
ground  for  a  httle  distance :  the  savages  conceivnig  this  to  be  the  certain  harbinger  ot  victory, 
rushed  impetuously  on,  with  dreadful  and  redoubled  cries.  Rut  our  two  partisans,  collecting 
a  handful  of  brave  men,  gave  the  pui-suers  so  warm  a  reception  as  to  oblige  them,  m  tum,  to 
■  yond  the  spot  at  which  the  action  had  commenced.  Here  they  made  a  stand, 
round  occa.*ioned  the  tree  to  which  Putnam  was  lied  to  be  directly  between 


retreat  a  little  beyond  the  spot  at  which  the  action  had  commenced.  Here  they  made  a  stand. 
This  change  ofground  occa.*ioned  the  tree  to  which  Putnam  was  tied  to  be  directly  between 
the  fire  of  the  ll^o  parties.    Human  imagination  can  hardly  figure  to  iU«elf  a  more  deplorable 


situation.  The  balls  flew  incessantly  from  either  side,  many  struck  the  tree,  while  some  passed 
through  the  sleeves  and  skirts  of  his  coat.  In  this  state  of  jeopardy,  unable  to  move  his  body, 
to  stir  hirf  limbs,  or  even  to  incline  his  head,  he  reniHined  more  than  an  hour  bo  equally 
balanced,  and  so  obstinate  was  the  light !  At  one  moment,  while  the  buttle  swerved  in  lavor 
of  the  enemy,  a  young  savage  chose  an  odd  way  of  discoverins  his  humor.  He  found  1  utnani 
bound.  He  might  have  despatched  him  at  a  blow.  l!nt  he  Foved  better  to  excite  the  terrors 
of  the  prisoner,  1)y  hurling  a  tomahawk  at  his  head,  or  rather  it  should  seem  his  object  was  to 
see  how  near  he  could  throw  it  without  touching  him— the  weapon  struck  in  the  tree  a  num- 
ber  of  times  at  a  hair's  breadth  distance  from  the  mark.  When  the  Indian  had  finished  his 
amusement,  a  French  ba-H-otlicer  (a  much  more  inveterate  savage  by  natui-e,  though  descended 
from  so  humane  and  polished  a  nation)  perceiving  Putnam,  came  up  to  him,  and,  'eve  ling  a 
fuzee  within  a  foot  of  his  breast,  attempted  to  discharge  it— it  missed  lire.  Inellectually  did 
the  intended  victim  solicit  ffie  treatment  due  to  his  situation,  by  repeating  that  he  was  a  pri- 
soner of  war.  The  degenerate  Frenchman  did  not  understand  the  language  of  honor  or  ol 
nature  :  deaf  to  their  voice,  and  dead  to  sensibility,  he  violently,  and  repeatedly,  pushed  ilie 
muzzli!  of  his  gun  against  Putnam's  ribs,  and  finally  gave  him  a  cruel  blow  on  the  jaw  wim 
the  butt-end  ol  his  piece.    After  this  dastardly  deed  he  left  him.    ,    ,  ,      ,  , 

"  At  length  the  active  intrepidity  of  U'Ell  and  Harman,  seconded  by  the  persevering  valor 
of  their  followers,  prevailed.  They  drove  from  the  field  the  enemy,  who  lefl  about  ninety 
dead  behind  them.  As  they  were  retiring,  Putnam  was  untied  by  llie  Indian  who  had  madB 
him  prisoner,  and  whom  he  afterward  called  miu<lcr.  Having  been  conducted  for  some  d* 
tance  from  the  place  of  action,  he  wa*  stripped  of  his  coal,  vest,  stockings,  and  shoes;  loudea 

-.1  .•  -1 _i r  .1 J,.-/  ..«  »....ij  K..  «;iu.i  •ittnn  U\nt .  oti*i\^iir[y  pinioiieu| 

After  he  had 


with  us  inan'y  o'f"  the  piicksof 'the  wounde'tf  as  could  be  piled  upon  hini ';  strongly  pinioned, 

...  •  •^         .  •      T     "^         I  I      .  .1  .1 1.1    1.. II..J  ...1*1.  A   ^.,^A         Aitttf   hi 


and  his  wrists  tied  as  closely  together  as  they  could  be  pulled  with  a  curd, 
marched,  through  no  pleasant  paths,  in  this  painful  manner,  lor  many  a  tedious  mile,  ihe  pariy 
(who  were  exces.sively  fatigued)  halted  to  breathe.  His  hands  were  now  immodcra  tiy 
swelled  from  the  lightness  of  the  ligature ;  and  the  pain  had  become  intolerable.  His  l«ei 
were  so  much  scratched,  that  the  blood  dropped  fast  from  them.  Exhausted  with  bearing  a 
burden  above  his  strength,  and  frantic  with  tdrmenta exquisite  beyond  euiiutuiite,  In-  •^"'''raica 
tha  Irish  inteipreter  to  implore,  as  the  last  and  only  grace  he  detarcd  of  the  ^BVHges,  that  ilfy 


WASHINGTON    COUNTY. 


575 


n,  and  concened 
i  in  three  diviiioni, 
;entre  by  Captain 
niie  from  old  Fort 
g  Major  Kogers, 
ipirit  of  false  emu- 
repugnant  to  the 
ore  pointed  terms, 
it,  the  dftiu'linient 
rear.  The  iniper- 
lad  been  partially 
At  the  moment  of 
B  htmdred  men  to 
m  them.  Having 
the  wood  most  ta- 
,  into  the  common 
nenced  an  attack 
,  returned  the  (ire, 
b'EUcame,  The 
I  nian,  soon  grew 
this  irregular  and 
terward,  I'ornied  a 
yn  in  rear  or  enli- 
iihout  luiluvorable 
ogers  always  nmt, 
ere,  that  the  latter 
ly  stigma  upon  the 

ek,  determined  to 
'ed  with  great  bru- 
indjvidually  under 
ler  iiidependcnt  of 
igth  it  missed  fire, 
iportioiied  savage, 
with  a  tremendouB 
to  surrender ;  and 

ere  forced  to  give 
irbinger  of  victory, 
artisans,  collecting 
e  them,  in  turn,  to 
they  made  a  stand, 
e  directly  between 
a  more  deplorable 
while  some  passed 
to  move  his  bodv, 
hour  So  equally 
e  swerved  in  favor 
He  found  Putnam 
B  excite  the  terrors 
n  his  object  was  to 
in  the  tree  a  num- 
n  had  finished  his 
,  though  descended 
m,  and,  levelling  a 
Inellectually  did 
that  he  was  a  pri- 
lage  of'  honor  or  of 
atedly,  pushed  the 
w  on  the  jaw  witli 

e  persevering  valor 
B  left  about  ninety 
ian  who  had  madB 
iicted  for  some  dis- 
and  shoes ;  loaded 
strongly  pinioned, 
ord.  At\er  he  had 
lous  mile,  the  parly 
now  inunoderutely 
olerable.  His  feet 
led  with  bearing  a 
ruiioe,  \w  rntn-atrd 
» tavngep,  that  they 


would  knock  him  on  the  head  and  take  his  scalp  at  once,  or  loose  his  hand-  A  French 
officer,  instantly  interposing  ordered  his  hands  to  Ge  unbound,  and  some  of  the' packs  to  be 
taken  otl.  By  this  time  the  Indian  who  captured  hini,  and  had  been  absent  with  the  wounded 
coimng  up  gave  him  a  pair  of  mocca.'^i.is,  and  e.xpres.sed  great  indignation  at  the  unworthy 
treatment  his  prisoner  had  suflered.  i.c  uu^uimji 

"That  savage  chief  again  returned  to  the  care  of  the  wounded,  and  the  Indians,  about  two 
hundred  m  number,  went  before  the  rest  of  the  iwrtv  to  the  place  when-  the  whole  were  that 
night  to  encamp.  They  took  with  them  Major  Putnam,  on  whom,  be.'ides  innumerable  other 
outrages,  they  had  the  barbarity  to  inflict  a  deep  wound  with  the  tomahawk  in  the  left  cheek 
His  suflerings  were  m  this  place  to  be  con-'-ummated.  A  scene  of  horror,  infiniiely  greater 
than  had  ever  met  his  eyes  before,  was  now  preparing.  It  was  determined  to  rou><i  him  alive 
For  this  purpose  they  led  him  into  a  dark  forest,  stripped  him  naked,  bound  him  to  a  tree  and 
piled  dry  brush,  with  other  fuel,  at  a  small  di.Hance,  in  a  circle  round  him.  They  accompa- 
nied tlieir  labors  as  if  for  his  funeral  dirge,  with  screams  and  sounds  iuimitiible  but  by  savage 
voices.  Then  thev  set  the  piles  on  fire.  A  sudden  >howcr  damped  the  rising  flame.  Still 
they  strove  to  kindle  it,  until,  at  last,  the  blaze  ran  fiercely  round  the  circle.  Major  Putnam 
soon  began  to  feel  the  scorching  heat.  His  hands  were  so  tied  that  he  could  move  his  body. 
He  ot\en  shifted  sides  as  the  fire  approached.  This  sight,  at  the  veiy  idea  of  which  all  but 
savages  must  shudder,  afforded  the  highest  diversion  to  his  inhiimun  tormentors,  who  demon- 
ftrated  the  delirium  of  their  joy  by  correspondent  yells,  dances,  and  gesticulations.  He  saw 
clearly  that  his  final  hour  was  inevitably  come.  He  summoned  all  his  resolution,  and  com- 
insed  his  mind,  as  far  as  the  circumstances  could  admit,  to  bid  an  eternal  farewell  to  all  he 
held  most  dear.  To  quit  the  world  \voLild  scarcely  have  cost  a  single  pang  ;  but  for  the  idea 
of  home,  but  for  the  remembrance  of  domestic  endearments,  of  the  affectionate  partner  of  his 
soul,  and  of  their  beloved  offspring.  His  thought  was  ultimately  fi,\ed  on  a  happier  state  of 
existence,  beyond  the  tortures  he  was  beginning  to  endure.  The  bitterness  of  death,  even 
ol'that  death  which  is  accompanied  with  the  keenest  agonies,  was^  in  a  manner,  past— nature, 
with  a  feeble  struggle,  was  quitting  its  last  hold  on  siiblnnary  things— when  a  French  officer 
rushed  through  the  crowd,  opened  a  way  by  scattering  the  burning  l)rands,  and  unbound  the 
victim.  It  was  Molang  himself— to  whom  a  savage,  unwilling  to  see  another  human  sacrifice 
immolated,  had  run  and  communicated  the  tidings.  That  commandant  spurned  and  severely 
reprimanded  the  barbarians,  whose  nocturnal  powwos  and  hellish  orgies  he  suddenly  ended. 
Putnam  did  not  want  for  feeling  or  gratitude.  The  French  commander,  fearing  to  trust  him 
alone  with  them,  remained  until  he  could  deliver  him  in  safety  into  the  hands  of  his 
master. 

"  The  savage  approached  his  prisoner  kindly,  and  seemed  to  treat  him  with  particular  afTec- 
tion.  He  offered  him  some  hard  biscuit :  but  finding  that  he  could  not  chew  them,  on  ac- 
count of  the  blow  he  had  received  from  the  Frenchman,  this  more  humane  savage  soaked 
some  of  the  biscuit  in  water,  and  made  him  suck  the  pulp-like  part.  Determined,  however, 
not  to  lose  his  captive  (the  refreshment  being  finished)  he  to<ik  the  moccasins  from  his  feet, 
and  tied  them  to  one  of  his  wrists:  then  directing  him  to  lie  down  on  his  back  upon  the  bare 
ground,  he  stretched  one  arm  to  its  full  length,  and  bound  it  fast  to  a  young  tree  ;  the  other 
arm  was  extended  and  bound  in  the  same  manner— his  legs  were  stretched  apart  and  fastened 
to  two  saplings.  Then  a  number  of  tall,  but  slender  poles  were  cut  down,  which,  with  some 
l(ing  bushes,  were  laid  across  his  body  from  head  to  foot ;  on  eiicii  i-ide  lay  ns  many  Indians 
a.«  could  conveniently  find  lodging,  in  order  to  prevent  the  possibility  of  Ins  escape.  In  this 
disagreeable  and  painful  posture  he  remained  until  morning.  During  this  night,  the  longest 
and  most  dreary  conceivable,  our  hero  used  to  relate  that  he  felt  a  ray  of  clicerfiilness  come 
easuully  across  his  mind,  and  could  not  even  refrain  troni  smiling  when  he  reilected  on  this 
ludicrous  group  for  a  painter,  of  which  he  himseh' was  the  princimd  figure. 

"  The  ne.Yl  day  he  was  allowed  hi.-;  blanket  and  mocca.siiis,  and  permitted  to  march  without 
carrying  any  pack,  or  receiving  any  insult.  To  allay  his  extreme  hunger,  a  little  bear's  meat 
was  given,  wiiich  he  sucked  through  his  teeth.  At  night  the  party  arrived  at  Ticonderogu, 
and  the  prisoner  was  placed  under  the  care  of  a  French  guard.  The  savages,  who  had  been 
prevented  from  gluttinf'  their  diabolical  thirst  for  blood,  took  other  opportu~nity  of  manifesting 
tlieir  malevolence  for  the  disappointment,  by  horrid  grimaces  and  angry  gestures ;  but  they 
were  suffered  no  more  to  offer  violence  or  personal  indignily  to  him 

"  Alter  having  been  examined  by  the  Maruiiis  de  Montcalm,  Major  Putnam  was  conducted 
to  Montreal  by  a  French  ofilcer,  who  treated  him  with  the  greatest  indulgence  and  humanity." 
—Humphrey's  Life  of  Putnam. 

Putnam,  the  extreme  northern  town  of  the  county,  was  taken  from 
Westfield  m  1806 ;  from  Albany  90,  and  from  Sandy  Hill  N.  30  miles. 
Pop.  785.  Palmerston  mountain,  in  this  town,  rises  to  the  height  of 
1,500  feet. 

Salem  was  organized  in  1788;  has  a  hilly  surface  with  narrow 
valleys  and  plains,  and  generally  a  fertile  soil.     Pop.  2,855. 

The  following  is  a  view  of  Salem,  the  half-shire  village  of  Washing- 
ton county,  as  seen  from  an  elevation  on  the  main  road  at  the  northern 
extremity  of  the  village,  showing  the  principal  street  and  the  public 


m 


576 


WASniNCJTON    COUNTY. 


North  view  of  Salem  village. 


buildinfTs.  The  village  is  46  miles  from  Albany  and  21  from  Sandy 
Hill,  and  consists  of  upwards  of  100  dwellings,  1  Presl)yterian,  1  Asso- 
ciate Reformed  Congregational  church,  an  academy,  the  county  build- 
int^s,  offices,  stores,  printing  otlice,  &c.  The  Presbyterian  church  and 
courthouse  arc  seen  on  the  left  of  the  engraving,  the  Con<n-egational 
near  the  centre,  and  the  acadeinv  on  tiic  extreme  right.  1  he  village 
was  incorporated  in  1803  ;  the  academy  in  this  place  has  been  incor- 
porated for  about  half  a  century,  and  is  a  very  respectable  mstitution, 
where  quite  a  number  of  eminent  men  have  been  educated. 

Salem  was  first  setttlcd  about  the  year  ITf)!),  by  two  companies  of  emigrants,  one  from 
Scotland  and  Ireland,  the  other  from  New  Enfiland.  Thry  worshipped  together  mulor  the 
ministry  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Clark,  an  Iri.h  preacher,  till  diliiMenees  arose  about  occa- 
sional  communion,"  and  about  "  receivini:  the  ccn-enant  oi  tho^  three  kingdoms.  Vm 
controversy  occasioned  a  separation  in  1769.  A  Presbyterian  church  was  torined  and  the 
Rev  John  Warford,  the  first  nnm^Uer,  was  installed  in  1789.  He  labored  about  U  years, 
and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Samuel  Tomb,  who  continued  in  the  nnnisiry  till  his  .leatlim 
1832.  His  successors  have  been  Rev.  .lohn  Whitoii  and  Rev.  A.  B.  Lambert.  I  he  hrst 
Presbvterian  church  was  built  in  1774,  and  f  .r  three  years  it  was  used  for  barracks  a„J  a 
Btoreliouse.  It  was  burnt  by  the  royalists  in  1778.  The  next  house  was  bu.l  """h  Juc  y 
after  the  war,  and  was  burnt  by  accident  m  18:36.  The  third,  erected  at  a  cost  ol  f  lO.UUU, 
was  burnt  in  April,  1840  ;  another  is  now  erecting. 

The  following  inscription  is  copied  from  a  monument  in  the  village 
graveyard. 

"  Here  lie  the  earthly  remains  of  the  Rev.  .Tames  Proudfit,  pastor  of  the  Ass.  Ref.  Con- 
grepation,  Salem,  who,  after  manifesting  the  most  ardent  zeal  j.nd  disinterested  faid.fulness 
in  the  gospel  of  his  Master  during  the  period  of  iitty  years,  fell  asleep  in  Jesus  Oc  .  -.-J, 
1802  — '  Well  done  !  good  and  faithful  servant,  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord.  1  ney 
that  turn  many  to  righteousness  shall  shine  as  the  stars  forever.'  '  To  him  that  oycrconioth 
will  I  grant  to  sit  witii  me  in  my  throne,  even  us  I  also  overcame,  and  urn  set  down  witli 
my  Father  in  his  throne.'  " 

White  Creek,  the  SE.  town  of  the  county,  was  taken  from  Cam- 
bridge in  1815;  centrally  distant  S.  from  Salem  12  miles.  Pop. 
2  204  North  White  Creek  and  Little  White  Creek  are  small  post 
villases.  White  Creek  Centre  and  Wait's  Corners  are  small  settle- 
ments. 


WA8HtNGTON    COCNTY. 


577 


Whitehall,  organized  in  1788,  has  a  great  diversity  of  surface. 
The  soil  is  principally  a  stiff  clay,  well  adapted  to  grass.    Pop.  3,810. 


Northern  view  of  Whitehall. 

The  above  engraving  shows  the  appearance  of  the  village  of  White- 
hall as  seen  from  the  rocky  eminence  which  rises  perpendicularly 
from  the  waters  of  Lake  Chainplain,  a  short  distance  to  the  north, 
overlooking  the  harbor.  The  village  is  compactly  built,  and  lies  in  a 
rocky  ravine,  at  the  junction  of  Wood  creek  and  the  Champlain  canal 
with  the  waters  of  Lake  Champlain,  73  miles  from  Albany  and  21 
from  Sandy  Hill.  The  mouth  of  the  creek  and  canal  are  seen  in  the 
central  part  of  the  engraving.  The  waters  of  the  canal  descend  a 
distance  of  06  feet  by  'three  locks.  There  is  a  steamboat  communi- 
cation with  this  place  and  St.  Johns  in  Canada,  150  miles  distant. 
The  steamboat  landing  is  seen  on  the  left  at  the  foot  of  a  rocky  emi- 
nence about  200  feet  high ;  the  Presbyterian  and  Episcopal  churches 
are  on  the  right.  The  village,  which  is  a  place  of  extensive  business, 
consists  of  about  150  dwellings,  a  number  of  mills,  many  warehouses 
for  the  commission  and  forwarding  business,  a  number  of  churches, 
and  a  bank.  In  the  vicinity  are  the  decaying  hulks  of  the  British  ves- 
sels captured  by  Com.  McDonough  during  the  last  war  off  Plattsburg. 

The  Indian  name  of  tliis  place  was  Kah.cho.quah.iw,  "  the  place  where  dip.fish."  It 
was  formerly  called  Skenesborounh,  so  named  from  Muj.  Skene,  a  royalist,  who  resided 
here  previous  to  the  revolution.  The  pass  at  this  place  was  seized  by  a  detachment  of  vol. 
unteers  from  Connecticut  in  May,  1775.  Maj.  Skene  and  his  family,  with  a  numlier  ot 
soldiers  and  several  small  pieces  of  cannon,  were  taken.  When  Ticonderoga  was  abaii. 
donrd  on  the  approach  of  BiirKoyne,  the  public  stores  were  embarked  on  bonrU  ot  -UO 
batieaux  and  sent  up  the  lake  to  Skenesborough  under  a  convoy  of  5  galleys.  1  ticy  were 
pursued  by  a  British  brigade  of  gun-boats  and  overtaken  at  Skenesborougli.  1  wo  ot  the 
galleys  were  taken,  and  the  other  three  blown  up,  and  the  Americans  being  unable  to  make 
an  effectual  stand,  set  fire  to  the  works,  fort,  mills,  batieaux,  and  escaped  as  tliey  ^■'^t''''  " 
Fort  Ann.  This  place  was  occupied  by  Burgoyne  as  his  head-quarters  for  a  consiUeraDie 
time  while  his  troops  were  clearing  a  road  to  Ford  Edward.  On  the  heights  overiookuig 
the  harbor  are  the  remains  of  a  battery  and  blockhouse. 


<  h 


578 


WAYNE   COUNTY. 


WAYNE  COUNTY. 

Wayne  county  was  taken  from  the  NW.  corner  of  Ontario,  and 
the  N.  of  Seneca  counties  in  1823.  Greatest  length  from  E.  to  W. 
35  miles  ;  greatest  breadth  N.  and  S.  30. 

The  surface  is  much  diversified ;  on  the  N.  the  ancient  beach  of 
Lake  Ontario  extends  with  the  lake  E.  and  W.  from  it  4  to  8  miles ; 
forming  in  its  whole  course  a  road  through  the  county,  known  as  the 
" ridge  road"  The  Erie  canal,  for  nearly  the  whole  of  its  devious 
course  of  forty-three  miles  through  the  county,  keeps  the  valley 
of  Mud  creek  and  the  Clyde.  The  soil  is  generally  highly  fer- 
tile. The  greater  portion  of  the  county  on  the  west,  including  one 
fourth  of  the  towns  of  Galen,  Rose,  and  Huron,  was  in  the  grant  to 
Massachusetts  and  in  Phelps  and  Gorham's  purchase,  passing  from 
those  gentlemen  to  Robert  Morris,  and  from  him  to  Sir  William 
Pulteney,  from  whom  the  present  possessors  derive  title.  The  rem- 
nant in  the  east  pertained  to  the  military  tract.  The  county  is  divided 
into  15  towns.     Pop.  42,068, 

Arcadia,  taken  from  Lyons  in  1825;  from  Albany  186  miles. 
Newark,  6  miles  W.,  and  Lockville  5  miles  W.  of  Lyons,  each  on 
the  canal,  are  villages.     Fairville  is  a  post-office.     Pop.  4,982. 

Butler,  taken  from  Wolcott  in  1826 ;  from  Lyons  NE.  centrally 
situated  14  miles.  Butler  and  South  Butler  are  post-offices.  Pop. 
2,287. 

Galen,  organized  as  part  of  Seneca  county,  and  taken  from  Junius 
in  1812;  NW.  from  Albany  172  miles.  Pop.  4,245.  Clyde,  incor- 
porated in  1835,  is  situated  upon  the  Erie  canal,  8  rniles  E.  from 


Southern  view  of  Clyde. 

Lyons.  The  above  view  was  taken  on  the  S.  side  of  the  Clyde 
river,  and  shows  the  principal  portion  of  the  village.  The  steeple  in 
the  centre  of  the  view  is  that  of  the  Methodist  church,  the  one  to  the 
left  the  Presbvterinn,  and  that  to  the  risrht  the  Baptist.  The  villaGfe 
is  a  place  of  much  business,  and  contains  about  130  dwellings. 


WAYNE   COUNTY. 


679 


Ontario,  and 
om  E.  to  W. 

ent  beach  of 
4  to  8  miles ; 
known  as  the 
f  its  devious 
IS  the  valley 
f  highly  fer- 
including  one 
I  the  grant  to 
passing  from 
Sir  William 
5.  The  rem- 
nty  is  divided 

y  186  miles, 
^ons,  each  on 
4,982. 

^E.  centrally 
•ffices.     Pop. 

from  Junius 
Clyde,  incor- 
liles  E.  from 


^■n-- 


of  the  Clyde 
"he  steeple  in 
he  one  to  the 

The  village 
ellings. 


*-K 


Huron,  taken  from  Wolcott  in  1826,  by  the  name  of  Port  Bay ; 
from  Albany  193,  from  Lyons  NE.  15  miles.     Pop.  2,020. 

Lyons  was  taken  from  the  S.  end  of  Sodus  in  1811  ;  area  since 
diminished.  The  surface  of  the  township  is  hilly,  and  the  soil  of  an 
excellent  quality.     Pop.  4,300. 


lUTTTTTTTTrrnrT      LaKJi^LJ 


M^W 


Eastern  entrance  into  Lyons. 

Lyons,  the  shire  village,  was  incorporated  in  1831.  It  is  situated 
at  the  junction  of  Mud  creek  with  the  Canandaigua  outlet,  (below 
which  the  stream  takes  the  name  of  Clyde  river,)  and  on  the  Erie 
canal,  181  miles  from  Albany,  34  from  Rochester,  15  N.  of  Geneva, 
and  16  S.  of  Sodus  Point.  The  village  contains  about  250  dwellings, 
1  Presbyterian,  1  Lutheran,  1  Methodist,  1  Baptist,  and  1  Episcopal 
church,  the  county  buildings,  a  bank,  2  newspaper  printing  offices, 
a  number  of  mills,  &c.  The  accompanying  view  was  taken  at  the 
bridge  over  the  Erie  canal,  at  the  eastern  entrance  into  the  village, 
and  shows  in  the  distance  a  number  of  public  buildings.  The  village 
was  originally  laid  out  by  C.  Williamson,  agent  for  the  Pulteney 
estate,  and  is  said  to  have  derived  its  name  from  the  similarity  of  its 
situation  to  the  city  of  that  name  in  France.  The  first  settlement 
was  commenced  in  June,  1798,  by  emigrants  from  New  Jersey  and 
Maryland.  Mr.  Van  Wickle,  from  New  Jersey,  "  moved  in,  along 
with  40  persons."     Alloway  is  a  small  manufacturing  village. 

"  In*1834,  a  white  oak  tree  was  cut  in  this  town,  two  miles  west  of  Lyons,  measuring 
4i  feet  in  diameter.  In  the  body  of  the  tree,  about  3*  feet  from  the  ground,  was  found  a 
large  and  deep  cutting  by  an  axe,  severing  the  heart  of  the  tree,  and  exhibitmg  with  per- 
feet  distinctness  the  marks  of  the  axe  at  the  present  time.  The  whole  cavity  thus  created 
by  the  original  cutting  was  found  to  be  encased  by  460  years'  growth  of  the  wood,  i.  e.,  it 
was  concealed  beneath  460  layers  of  the  timber,  which  had  grown  over  it  subsequently  to 
the  cutting.  Consequently  the  original  cutting  must  have  been  m  the  year  1J7A  or  ii» 
years  before  the  discoveiy  of  America  by  Columbus.  The  tree  was  cut  by  James  F.  Jiarile 
of  Newark,  a  forwarding  merchant,  and  the  timber  used  by  him  in  building  the  boat 
Newark,  now  belonging  to  the  DeToit  line.    The  cutting  was  at  least  six  inches  deep. 

Macedon,  taken  from  Palmyra  in  1823.  Macedon  Centre,  22  miles 
NW.,  and  Macedon  on  the  canal,  20  miles  W.  of  Lyons,  are  small 
settlements.    Pop.  2,397. 


I 


m 


580 


WAYNE    COUNTY. 


Marion,  originally  named  Winchester,  and  taken  from  Williamson 
in  1825  ;  from  Lyons  centrally  distant  NW.  13  miles.  Marion  Cor- 
ners is  a  small  settlement.     Pop.  2,158. 

Ontario,  originally  named  Freetown,  and  taken  from  Williamson, 
was  organized  as  part  of  Ontario  county ;  centrally  distant  from 
Lvons  NW.  24  miles.  Ontario  and  West  Ontario  are  the  post- 
oillces.     Pop.  1,903. 

Palmyra  was  organized  by  the  general  sessions  of  Ontario  county, 
purswint  to  the  act  of  27th  of  -Ian.  1789;  since  modified.  It  com- 
priseo  two  townships  of  Phelps  and  Gorham's  purchase,  being  No. 
12,  in  the  2d  and  3d  ranges.  Tiie  surltice  of  the  town  is  gently  un- 
dulating, and  the  soil  of  a  superior  quality.     Pop.  3,550. 


Eastern  view  in  Main-street,  Palmyra. 

The  village  of  Palmyra  is  situated  on  Mud  creek  and  the  Erie 
canal,  IM  miles  distant  from  Albany  by  the  post  route,  1 1  from  Lyons, 
13  from  Canandaigua,  and  22  from  Rochester.  It  is  a  place  of  con- 
siderable business,  containing  about  250  dwellings,  1  Presbyterian, 
1  Episcopal,  1  Methodist,  and  1  Baptist  church,  a  bank,  2  newspaper 
printing  offices,  a  number  of  mills,  &c.  The  accompanying  engrav- 
ing shows  part  of  Main-street,  looking  westward. 

Joseph  Smith,  the  founder  of  the  Mormon  sect,  began  his  |tul)lic 
career  in  and  near  this  village.  The  following  account  of  Smith, 
and  his  operations,  is  derived  from  authentic  sources  of  information. 

Joseph  Smith,  the  founder  of  Mormonism,  was  born  in  Royalton,  Vt.,  nnd  removed  to 
MBni'htstiT,  Ontario  cM.unty,  N.  Y.,  about  the  year  1820,  at  an  oarly  a^e,  with  his  parentii, 
who  were  in  quite  huiiible  circuniHtancoH.  He  wa8  occasioniilly  eiTiph)ycd  in  Puh)iyrii  as 
a  laborer,  and  bore  the  reputation  of  a  luzy  nnd  ignorant  young  man.  According  to  the 
testimony  of  respectable  iiulividuals  in  that  plncf,  Smith  and  his  father  were  perauiiB  ol 
doubtful  moral  character,  addicted  to  disrcputHbic  habits,  and  moreover  extremely  supcrsti- 
tiouB,  believing  in  tli(!  existence  of  witchcriift.  Thoy  nt  one  time  procured  a  tninerul  rod, 
and  dug  in  variouH  places  fur  money.  Smith  teniitii'd  iha'.  when  digging  he  had  kpcu  the 
pot  or  chest  containing  the  treanurc.  but  never  was  fortunate  enough  to  get  it  into  his  huiidn. 
He  placed  a  singular  looking  stone  in  his  hat,  and  pretended  by  the  light  of  it  to  maiit' 


w 


WAYNE    COUNTY. 


581 


many  wonderful  discoveries  of  gold,  silver,  and  other  treasures,  deposited  in  the  earth.    He 
commenced  his  career  as  the  founder  of  the  new  sect  when  about  the  age  of  18  or  19,  and 
appointed  a  number  of  meetings  in  Palmyra,  for  the  purpose  of  declaring  the  divine  revela- 
tions  which  he  said  were  made  to  him.     He  was,  however,  unable  to  produce  any  excite. 
inent  in  the  village  ;  but  very  few  had  curiosity  sufficient  to  listen  to  him.     Not  having 
the  means  to  print  his  revelations,  h',  applied  to  Mr.  Crnne,  of  the  society  of  Friends,  de. 
daring  that  he  was  moved  by  the  spirit  to  cull  upon  him  for  assistance.    This  gentleman 
bid  him  to  go  to  work,  or  the  state  prison  would  end  his  career.    Smith  had  bettor  success 
with  Martin  Harris,  an  industrious  and  thrifty  farmer  of  Palmyra,  who  was  worth  about 
$10,000,  and  who  became  one  of  his  leading  disciples.     By  his  assistance,  5,000  copies  of 
tlio  Mormon  Bible,  (so  called,)  were  published  at  an  expense  of  about  ^3,000.     It  is  possi- 
ble  that  Harris  might  have  made  the  advances  with  the  expectation  of  a  profitable  specula, 
tion,  as  a  great  sale  was  anticipated.     This  work  is  a  duodecimo  volume,  coniuining  590 
piiges,  and  is  perhaps  one  of  the  weakest  productions  ever  attempted  to  be  palmed  off  as  a 
divine  revelation.     It  is  mostly  a  blind  mass  of  words,  interwoven  with  scripiurnl  language 
and  quotations,  without  much  of  a  leading  plan  or  design.     It  is  in  fact  such  a  production 
as  might  be  expected  from  a  person  of  Smith's  abilities  and  turn  of  mind.     The  following 
is  a  copy  of  the  title  page  : 
i'Thk  Hook  of  Mormon:  an  account  writtkn  by  tiik  hand  or  Mormon,  iton  plates  taken  fkok 

THK  IM-ATES  of  NkI'IH. 

»  WlHTPforp  it  in  an  nbriil;;ni<'nt  of  the  rccdiil  of  llic  people  of  Neplii,  aiul  also  of  the  Lnnmniteii ;  written 
to  the  i.aiiiimlli's,  wliicli  are  a  rtiiiiiuiit  of  the  house  of  Israi'l,  and  also  to  ihe  Jew  and  Gentile,  written  by 
way  ol  coniiiiaiidnienl,  and  also  liy  the  spirit  of  I'ropliecy  and  Itev.'lalioii.  Written  and  .-.ealed  up  and  hid 
up  to  tlie  l.oRn  lliat  they  may  not  iie  deslroyiMi,  to  come' forth  hy  tlie  (•il't  and  iK)wer  of  (Jod  unto  the  inter 
pretalion  thereof,  sealed  hy  tlie  hanil  of  Moroni  and  hid  up  unto  the  Lord  to  come  forth  in  due  time  by  the 
way  of  the  Centile:  the  iiiterpreiatioii  thereof  hy  llie  gift  of  (Jod,  an  ahridiiment  talten  from  the  booli  of 
lUlier.  Also,  wliieli  is  a  lleeord  of  tlie  People  of  .tared,  wlii':h  were  scattered  at  the  lime  the  Lord  con- 
foundiMl  the  laiauaae  of  tlie  pi-ople  when  they  were  huildiii;;  a  tower  to  set  to  Heaven,  wliicli  is  to  shew 
iinlo  the  lennianl  of  the  liousi^  ot  Israel  l\ow  ureal  things  tlie  Loan  hath  done  unto  their  fathers,  and  that 
Ih'  y  may  l<now  the  covenants  of  the  Loau,  and  tliiit  they  are  not  cast  oil"  forever ;  and  also  to  the  convincing 
of  the  Jew  and  Oentlie,  tliaf  Jksis  is  tlie  ("hrist,  the  Ktkrsal  God,  manifcsiing  Himself  unto  all  nations. 
And  nov/  if  there  are  faults  it  lie  the  misiake  of  men,  wherefore  condemn  not  the  tilings  of  God  that  ye  may 
be  lound  spotless  at  tile  indainent  seat  of  Christ. 

"  Hy  Joseph  Siiiiih,  Junior,  Author  and  Proprietor,  Palmyra.  Printed  by  E.  B.  Grandiii,  for  the  Author, 
183U." 

At  the  close  of  the  hook  is  "  the  testimony  of  three  witnesses,"  viz :  Oliver  Cowdery, 
David  Whittncr,  and  Martin  Harris,  in  which  they  state  unto  all  nations,  kindreds,  tongues 
and  people,  that  they  have  seen  the  plates  containing  the  record,  and  the  engravings  upon 
tlieni,  &c.  On  the  last  page  is  contained  the  testimony  of  eight  witnesses,  of  which  the 
following  is  a  copy  : 

"  llM  it  liiiown  unto  all  nations,  kindred,  tongues,  and  people,  unto  whom  this  book  shall  come,  that  Joseph 
Biiillh,  Jr.,  the  Author  and  I'niprielor  of  this  work,  hath  shewi'd  unto  us  the  plates  of  which  hath  been 
BiKiken,  which  have  the  aiipearance  of  ({old  ;  and  as  many  of  the  leaves  as  the  said  Smith  has  translated  w« 
did  handle  with  our  hands,  and  we  also  saw  the  eiiKraviniis  theri'ol,  all  of  which  had  the  appearance  of 
ancient  work  and  of  curious  workmanship.  And  this  we  hear  record,  with  words  of  soberness,  that  the  said 
tiniitli  has  shown  unto  us.  for  we  have  seen  and  iiKfriiD,  and  know  of  a  surely  that  the  said  Hniilh  has  Rot 
the  plates  of  which  we  have  spoken.  And  we  dive  our  nanus  unto  the  world  thai  which  we  have  seen  aiid 
we  lie  noi,  (iod  Ixarlna  witness  of  il.  Cluistian  VVhitmer,  Jacob  VVliilmer,  Peter  VVhitnier,  Jr.,  John 
Whiimer,  Hiram  Pa|>e,  Joseph  Sinllli,  Senior,  Hyriim  Smith,  Samuel  II.  Smilli." 

In  the  preface.  Smith  states  "  that  the  plates  of  which  have  been  spoken,  were  found  in 
the  township  of  Manchester,  Ontario  (Hiimty,  New  York." 

It  is  staled  by  persons  in  Palmyra,  that  when  he  exhibited  these  plates  to  his  followeri, 
they  were  done  up  in  a  niiivas  bag,  and  Siiiiih  made  the  declaration,  that  if  they  uncovered 
them,  the  Almighty  would  strike  them  dead.  It  is  said  that  no  one  but  Smith  could  rend 
what  was  engraved  upon  them  ;  which  he  was  enabled  to  do  by  looking  through  a  peculiar 
kind  of  spectacles  found  buried  with  the  plates. 

Soon  after  the  publication  of  the  Mormon  Bible,  one  Parley  B.  Pratt,  a  resident  of  Lor. 
rain  county,  Ohio,  happening  to  pt.ss  through  Palmyra,  on  the  canal,  hearing  of  the  new 
reliKioii,  called  on  the  prophet  and  was  soon  converted.  Pratt  was  intimate  with  Sidney 
Rigdon,  a  very  popular  preacher  of  the  dcnomin.ition  called  "  Reformers"  or  "  Disciples." 
About  the  time  of  the  nriival  of  Pratt  at  .Manchester,  the  Smiths  wore  fitting  out  an  expe. 
dilion  for  the  western  country,  under  the  command  of  Cowdery,  in  order  to  convert  the 
Indians  or  Laniunites,  as  th.'V  lerniud  them.  In  October,  1830,  this  nnssion,  coniiistmg  ot 
Cowdery,  Pratt,  Peterson,  aiid  VVhitmer,  arrived  >.ii  .Mentor,  Ohio,  the  residence  of  Rigilon, 
well  supplied  with  the  new  Bibles.  Near  this  place,  in  Kirtland,  there  were  a  lew  tainiliea 
bejongitig  to  Rigdon's  congregation,  who  having  become  extremely  lanatical,  were  daily 
looking  for  some  wonderfiil  event  to  take  place  in  the  world.  Seventeen  of  these  personn 
readily  believed  in  Mornionisin,  nnd  were  uii  re.immersed,  in  ono  iii«hi,  by  Cowdtry.    by 


582 


WAYNE   COUNTY. 


The  Mormon  Hill. 

rTlie  above  U  n  iinrtlieni  view  of  (lie  Mormon  Hill  in  tiie  town  of  Manchester,  ahout  3  miles  in  a  soiithern 
direction  from  ralnivrii.  It  is  alioiit  HO  feet  in  lii'iglit,  and  la  a  upecimen  of  the  form  of  numcrouBelevations 
ill  ihiH  stclion  of  the  slate.  It  derlvi-s  it«  name  from  lM>inK  the  sixit,  (if  we  are  to  credit  the  tcaliniony  of  Jo 
seph  Hiiiitli,)  wliere  the  plates  containing  the  Hook  of  Miirnioii  were  tbund.] 

the  conversion  of  Rigdon,  soon  after,  Mormonism  received  a  powerful  impetus,  and  more 
than  one  hundred  converts  were  speedily  added.  Rigdon  visited  Smiih  at  Palmyra,  where 
he  tarried  about  two  months,  receiving  revelations,  preaching,  &c.  He  then  returned  to 
Kirtland,  Ohio,  and  was  followed  a  few  days  after  by  the  prophet  Smiih  and  his  connec. 
tions.  Thus  from  a  state  of  almost  beggary,  the  family  of  Smith  were  furnished  with  the 
"  fat  of  the  land"  by  their  disciples,  many  of  whom  were  wealthy. 

A  Mormon  temple  was  erected  at  Kirtland.  at  an  expense  of  about  $50,000.  In  this 
building,  there  was  a  sacred  apartment,  a  kind  of  holy  of  holies,  in  which  none  but  the 
priests  were  allowed  to  enter.  An  unsuccessful  application  was  niade  to  the  legislature  for 
the  charter  of  a  bank.  Upon  the  refusal,  they  established  an  unchartered  institution,  com. 
menced  their  banking  operations,  issued  their  notes,  and  made  extensive  loans.  The 
society  now  rapidly  increased  in  wealth  and  numbers,  of  whom  many  were  doubtless  drawn 
thither  by  mercenary  motives.  But  the  bubble  at  last  burst.  The  bank  being  an  unchar. 
tered  institution,  the  debts  due  were  not  legally  collectable.  With  the  failure  of  this  insti- 
tution,  the  society  rapidly  declined,  and  Smith  was  obliged  to  leave  the  state  to  avoid  the 
Bheriif.  Most  of  the  sect,  with  their  leader,  removed  to  Missouri,  where  many  outrages 
were  perpetrated  against  them.  The  Mormons  raised  an  armed  force  to  "  drive  off  the 
infidels ;"  but  were  finally  obliged  to  leave  the  stale.  By  the  last  accounts,  they  were 
establishing  themselves  at  Nauvoo,  Illinois  ;  and  it  is  said  are  now  in  a  more  flourishing 
condition  than  ever,  rapidly  making  converts  by  means  of  their  itinerant  preachers  in  va- 
rioua  sections  of  our  own  country  and  even  in  England. 

Rose,  taken  from  Wolcott  in  1826;  from  Albany  177  miles.  Rose 
Valley  is  a  small  post  village,  10  miles  NE.  from  Lyons.  Pop.  2,031. 

Savannah,  taken  from  Galen  in  1824 ;  from  Lyons  centrally  situ- 
ated E.  13  miles.     Pop.  1,707. 

Souus  was  organized  in  1780;  bounds  since  altered ;  from  Albany 
180  miles.  Sodus,  on  the  Ridge  road,  13  miles  NW.,  and  Sodus 
Point,  15  miles  from  Lyons,  are  small  village's.  At  Nicholas  Point, 
on  Sodus  bay,  a  body  ..f  Stmknra  s<-itifd  in  1825.  They  have  a 
a  church,  but  arc  few  in  number.  At  Sodus  bay,  on  Lake  Ontario, 
the  United  States  have  made  a  pier  for  the  improvement  of  the  har- 
boi ,  of  about  a  mile  in  length.  The  lake  steamers  enter  the  harbor 
and  bay.    Pop.  4,303. 

The  following  isextracted  from  Thompson's  History  of  the  late  War: 

"On  the  18th  of  Junr,  1813,  the  British  fleet  appeared  before  the  town  of  Sodus,  on  ■ 

bay  VI    sua:  nainr,  Triisiu  i-  •••;••— — ^" 

etee  and  Oiwego  riven.    Oenersl  Burnit,  of  the  New  York  militia,  iuiiprcting  that  ihe» 


m 


WANYE   COUNTY. 


583 


3  niilci!  in  a  southern 
'  niinieroii8  elevations 
t  tlie  tuutinioiiy  of  Jo 

tnpctus,  and  more 
It  Palmyra,  where 
then  relumed  to 
h  and  his  connec. 
'urnished  with  the 

$50,000.  Iti  tkiB 
lich  iiotifl  but  the 
the  legislature  for 
]  institution,  com. 
isive  loans.  The 
■e  doubtless  drawn 
[  being  an  unchar- 
lilure  of  this  insti. 
;  state  to  avoid  the 
ero  many  outrages 
to  "  drive  off  the 
icounts,  they  were 
a  more  flourishing 
It  preachers  in  va- 

7  miles.  Rose 
s.  Pop.  2,031. 
centrally  situ- 

from  Albany 
v.,  and  Sodus 
lichulas  Point, 
They  have  a 
Lake  Ontario, 
mt  of  the  har- 
ter  the  harbor 

■the  late  War: 

wn  of  Sodus,  on  t 

iriij.  hntwnen  Gen. 

UHpecting  that  ihuy 


intended  to  land  their  troops,  and  capture  a  quantity  of  provisions,  ordered  out  a  regiment 
from  lh«  county  of  Ontario.  The  militia  collected  in  great  haste,  and  arrived  at  Sodus  on 
the  following  n?orning.  But  the  enemy,  well  knowing  that  his  appearance  would  excite 
the  alarm  of  the  inhabitants,  drew  off  his  forces  until  their  apprehensions  should  be  subsi- 
ded,  and  reappeared  in  the  evening  of  the  19th,  a  few  hours  after  the  militia  had  been  dis. 
charged.  In  contemplation  of  his  return,  the  inhabitants  had  removed  all  the  public  stores 
from  the  buildings  on  the  water's  edge,  to  a  small  distance  in  the  woikIb,  and  on  the  re- 
appearance  of  the  hostile  squadron,  a  second  alarm  was  immediately  given,  and  expresses 
Bent  after  the  discharged  militia,  which  overtook  and  brought  them  back,  with  a  large  rein- 
forcement.  Before  their  return,  the  enemy  had  landed,  and  finding  that  the  provisions  had 
been  removed,  they  set  fire  to  all  the  valuable  buildings  in  the  town,  and  destroyed  most  of 
the  private  property  of  every  description.  They  then  agreed  to  stipulate  with  the  inhabi- 
tants,  to  desist  from  destroying  the  remaining  houses,  on  condition  of  their  surrendering  the 
flour  and  provisions,  which  they  knew  hod  been  deposited  at  that  place.  These  articles 
were  then  not  more  than  two  hundred  yards  from  the  village,  yet  the  enemy  did  not  choose 
to  attempt  their  capture,  lest  he  might  be  drawn  into  an  ambuscade  ;  but  he  threatened  the 
entire  destruction  of  every  house  in  the  town,  if  they  were  not  immediately  delivered  over 
to  him.  The  appearance  of  the  militia  prevented  the  execution  of  this  threat,  and  the  en- 
emy immediately  returned  to  his  shipping,  and  moved  up  the  lake  on  the  following  morn- 
ing." 

Walworth,  taken  from  Ontario  in  1829  ;  from  Albany  208,  from 
Palmyra  NW.  6  miles.  Walworth  Corners  is  a  small  village.  Pop. 
1,734. 

Williamson,  taken  from  Sodus  in  1802 ;  area  since  altered  ;  from 
Albany  206  miles.  Pop.  2,147.  Pulteneyvillc,  21  miles  NW.  from 
Lyons,  on  Lake  Ontario,  and  Williamson  Corners,  are  small  post  vil- 
lages. 

The  following  account  of  the  invasion  of  Pulteney ville,  May  15th, 
1814,  by  the  British,  is  from  the  Ontario  Messenger,  published  at  that 
time  at  Canandaigua : — 

"  General  Porter  has  received  a  letter  from  General  Smith,  communicating  the  particii. 
lara  of  the  late  visit  of  the  enemy  to  that  place,  of  which  the  following  is  a  aummary  ;  '  On 
Saturday  evening,  15th  iilt.,  the  British  squadron  was  discovered  making  towards  Pulteney- 
ville,  and  information  sent  to  General  Swift,  who  repaired  thither  in  the  course  of  the  sue- 
ceeding  night  with  130  volunteers  and  militia.  On  Sunday  a  flag  was  sent  on  shore  de. 
manding  a  peaceable  surrender  of  all  public  property,  and  threatening  an  immediate  de- 
struction  of  the  village,  (which  is  on  the  margin  of  the  lake,)  in  case  of  refusal.  General 
Swift  returned  for  answer  that  he  should  oppose  any  attempt  to  land,  by  all  means  in  his 
power.  Soon  after  the  return  of  the  flag,  General  Swift  was  induced,  by  the  pressing  so. 
licitations  and  entreaties  of  the  iiilmbitants  of  the  town,  to  permit  one  of  thy  citizens  to  go 
to  the  enemy  with  a  flag,  and  ofter  up  the  surrrnder  of  the  property  contained  in  a  store, 
house  at  the  water's  edge,  consisting  of  about  100  barrels  of  flour,  considerably  damaged, 
on  condition  that  the  commanding  ofilcer  would  stipulate  not  to  take  any  other,  nor  molest 
the  inhabitants.  Before  the  return  of  the  flag,  the  enemy  sent  their  bouts  with  sevrrnl 
hundred  men  on  shore,  who  took  possession  of  the  flour  in  the  store  and  were  proceeding 
to  further  depredations.  General  Swift,  whose  force  was  too  inferior  to  justify  an  open  at- 
tack, (and  which,  if  otiempted,  must  have  exposed  his  men  to  the  guns  of  the  whole  fled,) 
commeticod  n  lire  upon  them  from  an  odjaceut  wood,  whi"h  wounded  several,  and  becaino 
so  harassing  as  to  induce  them  to  re-embark,  whence  they  commenced  a  cannonade  from 
the  fleet  upon  the  town,  which  was  continued  for  some  time,  but  with  no  other  injury  than 
a  few  shot-holes  through  the  houses.  Three  hundred  barrels  of  good  flour  had  been  re. 
moved  back  front  the  storehouse  a  few  days  before,  leaving  the  damaged  flour,  whirh  wan 
the  only  booty  obtained  by  the  enemy.  The  three  hundred  barrels  of  flour  were  depositetJ 
about  u  mile  back  of  the  town,  of  which  the  enemy  were  npiirized  by  sonic  prisoners  they 
took.  But  they  chose  to  forego  the  plunder  of  it,  rather  than  trust  themselves  in  the  woods 
with  Generol  Swift  and  his  riflemen.' " 

WoLcoTT,  taken  from  Junius,  and  organized  as  part  of  Seneca  coun- 
ty in  1807;  area  since  altered;  from  Albany  184  miles.     Wolcott 


584 


WE8TCHE3TKR    COUNTV. 


18  miles  NE.  from  Lyons,  is  a  village  of  about  (50  dwellings. 
Creek  is  a  small  settlement,  26  miles  from  Lyons.    Pop.  2,482. 


Rea 


if 


WESTCHESTER  COUNTY. 

Westchester  county  is  of  ancient  date.  It  was  represented  in 
the  first  legislative  assembly  in  the  colony,  which  met  at  New  York 
in  1691.  And  it  has  constituted  one  county  to  this  time,  having  been 
organized  as  such  by  the  general  acts  of  1788  and  1801.  This  coun- 
ty comprises  a  very  important  section  of  the  state.  Washed  on  the 
west  by  the  Hudson,  and  on  the  south  by  the  East  river  and  Long 
Island  sound,  it  enjoys  very  superior  advantages  for  trade  and  com- 
merce. The  county  generally  exhibits  a  beautiful  diversity  of  sur- 
face. The  northwestern  corner  is  considerably  broken  by  the  8E. 
border  of  the  Highlands,  of  a  mountain  character,  and  a  range  of 
hills  of  moderate  height  extends  from  York  Island  towards  the  NE. 
extremity,  on  which  are  situated  the  heights  and  hills  much  known  in 
the  revolution.  Based  upon  primitive  rock,  the  soil  is  naturally  ster- 
ile, but  is  rendered  productive  by  careful  and  painful  cultivation.  Of 
wheat  it  produces  little,  and  the  inhabitants  import  a  large  portion  of 
their  bread-stuffs.  Summer  crops  are  good,  and  by  the  use  of  plaster, 
valuable  returns  in  grass  are  obtained.  The  chief  business  of  the  in- 
habitants consists  in  supplying  New  York  city  with  garden  stuffs, 
held  vegetables,  butter,  poultry,  &c. 

This  county  suffered  severely  during  the  revolution.  The  whole 
southern  part  was  marked  by  the  marches,  works  of  defence,  or 
skirmishes  and  battles  of  hostile  armies.  And,  indeed,  the  active  op- 
erations of  the  war  in  1776,  were  principally  confined  to  this  region, 
and  in  the  autumn  to  tiiis  county,  where  the  two  armies  were  in  full 
force,  constantly  on  the  alert,  and  under  the  eyes  of  their  respective 
commanders.  The  county  is  divided  into  21  towns,  all  of  which 
were  organized  under  the  act  of  March  7th,  1788,  excepting  New 
Castle.     Pop.  48,687. 

Bedford,  from  New  York  NE.  44  miles,  was  first  settled  under  a 
Connecticut  license  in  1681  or  1682,  at  a  plac(!  called  the  hop-ground. 
on  account  of  its  natural  product.  The  original  patent,  dated  1007, 
bears  the  Connecticut  seal,  and  it  was  not  until  1700  that  the  settle- 
ment was  attached  to  New  York  by  order  of  King  William.  Bed- 
ford, the  half-shire  town,  has  a  courthouse  and  about  4.'i  dwellings. 
Whitlockville  is  a  small  village.  John  .lay  during  the  latter  piu't  of 
his  life  resided  in  the  northern  part  of  this  town.  The  annexed 
sketch  of  his  life  is  from  Blake's  Biograj)hical  Dictionary : — 

"JounJay,  LL.  D.,  first  chicf.juBtico  of  the  United  Sintcs  under  lito  constitution  of 
1789,  graduated  at  Kirigii,  (now  Coiiinibia  t'olii'Ke,)  ITCl,  iind  in  17()H  wos  adniittcd  to  the 
u..  u..  „.__  .„„,.;.....,!  I,;  ii.;.  f.r-t  A.!!!!"r!;-a!i  i^iiii-rr!'."-  in  1774.  U^'iriir  on.  !!•!•  cunimittco 
with  L«u  and  Livingston  to  draft  on  uddreas  lo  tlie  people  uf  Grtul  Britain,  liu  wa»  ihe 


WESTCHESTKR    COUNTY. 


585 


The  residence  of  the  late  Chief.Justtce  Jay,  Bedford. 

writer  of  that  eloquent  production.  In  the  congress  of  1775,  he  was  on  various  important 
committees,  performing  more  service  perhaps  than  any  other  member  except  Franlilin  and 
John  Adams.  In  May,  1776,  he  was  recalled  to  assist  in  forming  the  government  of  New 
York,  and  in  consequence  his  name  is  not  attached  to  the  Declaration  of  Independence ; 
but  July  9ih,  he  reported  resolutions  in  the  provincial  convention  in  favor  of  the  deiliiraiion. 
After  the  fall  of  New  York  and  the  removal  of  the  provincial  assembly  to  Poughkcepsie, 
Mr.  Jay  retained  his  resolute  patriotism.  The  very  eloquent  address  of  the  convention  to 
the  people  of  New  York,  dated  Fishkill,  December  23, 1776,  and  signed  by  A.  Ten  Broeck, 
as  president,  was  written  by  him.  March  12,  1777,  he  rei)orted  to  the  convention  of  New 
York  the  draft  of  a  form  of  government,  which  was  adopted,  and  many  of  the  provisions 
of  which  were  introduced  into  the  constitution  of  other  states.  From  May  3,  1777,  to 
August  18,  1770,  lie  was  chief-justice  of  the  state,  but  resigned  that  office  in  consequence 
of  his  duties  qr  president  of  congress.  Tiie  glowing  address  of  that  body  to  their  constit. 
uenis,  dated  September  B,  1779,  was  i)repared  by  him.  On  the  29ih  of  September,  he  was 
appointed  minister  plenipotentiary  to  the  court  of  Spain.  He  was  one  of  the  commission- 
era  to  negotiate  peace  with  Great  Britain,  and  signed  the  definitive  treaty  of  peace  at  Paris, 
September  3,  1783.  He  returned  to  America  in  1784.  Congress  had  previously  appointed 
him  secretary  of  state  for  foreign  aft'airs.  In  the  dillicidt  circumstances  of  the  country,  the 
secretary  was  in  efl'ect  the  head  of  the  government.  Mr.  Jay's  services  were  of  great  im- 
portance.  He  drew  up,  October  13,  177t(,  an  elaborate-  rejiort  on  the  relations  between  the 
United  Stales  and  Great  Britain,  Though  not  a  member  of  the  convention  which  formed 
the  consiiiuiion  of  theUniied  Slates,  lie  was  prisentnt  Annapolis,  and  aided  by  his  advice. 
He  also  assisted  Madison  and  Hainilt(ni  in  writing  the  Federalist.  In  the  convention  of 
New  York  he  contributed  to  the  adoption  of  the  constitution.  He  was  appointed  chief, 
jusiice  i)y  Washington,  September  26,  1789.  In  1794,  he  was  appointed  minister  plenipo- 
tentiary to  (jreat  Britain,  and  succeeded  in  negotiating  the  treaty  wiiich  still  goes  by  his 
name.  Ho  wius  governor  of  the  state  of  New  York  from  1795  to  1801.  The  remainder 
of  his  lifo  he  passed  in  retirement.    He  died  in  1829,  aged  84." 

Cortland.  The  surface  of  this  town  on  the  north  is  covered  by  the 
highlands,  and  lias  some  lofty  summits,  the  principal  of  which  is  the 
Colleberg  and  Anthony's  nose.  The  town  has  inconsiderable  portion 
of  arabhT  land.  Pop.  5,502.  Croton  and  Cortlandtown  are  small 
post  villages, 

Pocksiill'  village  was  incorporated  in  1820.  It  is  situated  12 miles 
north  of  Sing  Sing,  and  immediately  south  of  the  southern  termina- 
tion of  the  highlands.  The  annexed  engraving  shows  tin;  ap|)oar- 
ance  of  the  viHnge  as  seen  from  an  elevation  a  few  rods  nortinvard 
from  the  road  to  Carmcl.     The  old  Dutch  Rofornicd  and  the  Epis- 

74 


J,%X 


hi  ^ 


i   J: 


I 


I 


f' 


4 


iWi 


58[ 


WESTCHESTER    COUNTY. 


East  view  of  Peekskill. 

copal  church  are  discernible  on  the  right. ;  the  Methodist  and  tiie 
Presbyterian  church,  having  a  small  tower,  are  on  the  extreme  left. 
The  elevated  spire  of  the  new  Dutch  Reformed  church  is  in  the  cen- 
tral part  of  the  view.    Hudson  river,  with  the  towering  highlands,  is 
seen  in  the  distance.     The  village  represented  in  the  engraving  is 
situated  on  an  elevation  200  feet  above  the  level  of  the  river,  half  a 
mile  from  the  landing,  on  both  sides  of  a  deep  ravine,  in  which  flows 
Gregory's  brook,  a  rapid  stream.     There  are  in  the  village  a  bank, 
2  printing-offices,  2  large  iron  foundries,  &c.     There  is  an  academy, 
a  large  edifice,  situated  on  a  commanding  eminence  at  the  south.     It 
■was  erected  by  subscription,  at  an  expense  of  ^7,000.     The  village, 
including  the  landing,  contains  upwards   of  '200   dwellings,  and  2 
churches  for  Friends,   besides   those   mentioned  above.     There  is  a 
steamboat  ferry  at  this  place   to  Caldwell's  landing,  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  Hudson,  two  miles  distant.     Verplauck's  point  and  Conti- 
nental village,  places  distinguished  in  the  revolutionary  war,  are  with- 
in the  limits  of  this  town.    This  latter  place,  which  had  barracks  fur 
2,000  men,  was  burnt  by  the  British  in  October,  1777;   the  following 
account  of  which  is  extracted  from  the  Connecticut  Journal  of  April 
2d,  1777. 

Fithkill,  3ffi;T/i  27  — Our  post  iit  ri'('k'!--k!ll,  Hiiii'f  llii>  r'-imiviil  o(  the  inililin  of  llic  I'Hsti'in 
Btatps,  has  Ix'cii  in  ii  iimmiiT  in  n  (Ifl'iMici'lf'ss  sidMliou,  llnTi'  iM-iiii.'  "iily  p.nt  <il'  2  fuiiin'iiis 
stHlioiied  thiTH  iiiidt'r  ihi'  care  ol  (li-n.  McDmiiriil  iUiioiuiliiHr  ii>  nhniil  'i'lQ  nicn.  'I'lif  I'lii'iiiy 
having  ri'ci'ivud  iiiti'lliucnci^t  liii.-',  tiiniu'il  an  cxiii'dilion  lliitln'i-  willi  ■,\  virw  Ni  lakf  or(li'- 
stroy  till-  ."toroH  belon^nnii  tomr  ('untin'Miial-  limi  wic  dinxi-iicd  tlu'ic.  Ai'ciirdi:ii;lv  on  Sun- 
day IdKl  tlii-y  apncared  wiiii  ;i  Irimili',  linir  iniiininrt',  hik!  M'v>'rul  oilier  !»niidl  vi'.wjs  in  the 
bay,  and  laiidea  about  1,()0<)  iiirti,  wilh  wvrr.il  pieces  of  iMiiiioii.  ( Icneral  ^lcnoiit;id  no! 
thinkiiiR  it  pnideiit  to  ha/.nrd  a  buttle  wilb  sneh  an  nnecpial  (oree,  and  ncit  having  xeiL-oniilil'" 
advice  nl'tbe  eneinyV  ninvenieiil,  was  nniler  llie  necessiiy  of  deslrnyniu  ibeir  slures  in  order 
to  prevent  llieir  lalliiijt  inli'  tb  ir  bundH,  and  retired  nlmnt  two  miles  ml"  tbe  pass  in  the  ilitrh- 
iandu,  carryinu  with  him  his  biiL'irme  and  mibtiiry  stores;  bis  advanced  jriiiird  beinj;  hl:iiioiied 
at  Corll-LLndi's  b.onse  m  the  valley  'I'll  •  encinv  tbe  same  diiy  took  po.sKession  nl' the  viilaiie, 
and  rfinained  close  in  ilieir(]Miirleis  imiil  the  next  day  in  ihe  ailernoon.  when  a  party  ni  ilieiii, 
consistini!  nl  about  2(K1  men.  posse-<-^ed  llcni'-elves  ol'  a  beiirllt  a  liltle  fonlh  ol' (  orllaiull's. 
The  general  having  ri'ccived  ii  feiiiiorcenu  ni  ironi  (  ol.  i  laiiKvoorl's  regiineni,  ol  about  SI 


N 


V 


WESTCHESTER    rOI'XTV. 


587 


.*~^^,-- .        ..,„.^' 

-  =  ---^ 

i 

m 

1 

w 

imm 

i 

;list  and  the 
;xtreme  left. 
3  in  tlie  cen- 
lighlands,  is 
engraving  is 
river,  halt  a 
which  flows 
lage  a  bank, 
in  academy, 
10  south.  It 
Tiie  village, 
lings,  and  2 
TIkm-c  is  a 
the  opposite 
it  and  C'onti- 
ar,  are  with- 
barracks  for 
he  following 
rnal  of  April 


(iii  of  ilio  fmU'vn 
lit  ol'  2  P'miMfiii.i 
icn.  'J'lif  fiii'iiiy 
I'W  to  tiikf  or  (|i'- 
'onliiitrlv  on  Snii- 
illl  vr.-srls   ill   lllt^ 

il  Mcl)oiit;iil  not 

llivill!.'  SClL'-OllHllIf 

ir  stores  in  order 
piiHfi  ill  till'  HiL'h- 
il  in'iri^  stiillonn'J 
"ion  ol'  the  villim'', 
I  n  piirty  ot  lii'-ni, 
ih  ol'  (  orll'iiiilt's. 
nciit,  <i|  about  SI 


•I 


men,  tinder  tlip  command  of  Lieut.  Col.  Willet,  Deniiiit..f1  iliBm  t«  o..„. ,  .  ,  r 
enemy  from  ihnt  .-ininonce.  Col.  Willet  hnvinurceo  .li  m  >d  "  ,hp  n?  '"  ^'^."^"^'^^.'he 
advanced  with  his  small  party  with  the  ^-reatest  lim  ne^'  fj,.^d  ,:  f  Zu^Tl  T'"T"?' 
The  enemy  inslanlly  lled'with  the  creatr-st  p,ecipita?i,m  l"™  C^mln  H^"!^''  '''fu"'  •' n' 
and  the  wf.ole  body,  panicstruck,  betook  themselves  t,^iherr4,fnmnceT«b.i;l?''^'''  '"''^' 
of  the  niirht ;  and  by  the  last  accounts  they  had  sailed  do  vn  the  ve  1  ^;  e  .b™  T7 
they  gave  out  they  Intended  to  stop  at  Tarrvtown,  on  their  "u  dmvn  n  «  ,PmL  1  ^^• 
our  magazine  of  forage  at  Wnght4  milk  "Lj^on  'their  evacuaiingZ'  plat'  S  M^DoS 
took  possession  of  his  former  quarters,  and  detached  a  party  of  men  to  watch  their  mmions 
■'^''5.!"^™J  ?_".''^!^_"^_'=?';.?".  ¥>'•'. ^e^"  ''■^ceedingly^  disappoint^ed,  as  they  have  not  been  able 


standing  the  disparity  of  numbers  was  great,  and  the  measure  absolutely  necessar'y  it  w^fl 
with  the  utmost  reluctance  they  retired  to  the  pass.  As  usual,  these  heroes  of  Britain  have 
burnt  some  houses,  plundered  the  inhabitants  of  what  they  could  conveniantly  take  with  them 
IriL'htened  the  women  and  children,  and  raised  the  spirits  of  their  tory  brethren  in  that  quar- 
ter, but  which,  alas,  as  is  always  the  case  when  unnaturally  elevated,  are  now  auain  prooor- 
tiouably  depressed.  "^ 

Pcekskill  is  the  birthplace  of  John  Paukling,  the  American  farmer,  who  intercepted 
Andre,  the  British  spy,  at  Tarrytown,  some  fifteen  miles  below  this  place.  His  monument 
i.s  situated  about  two  miles  to  the  north  of  the  village.  It  is  built  of  marble,  of  a  pyramidal 
shape,  about  fifteen  feet  in  height,  and  running  to  a  point.  It  is  enclosed  in  an  iron  railing 
about  twelve  feet  square.    The  main  inscripiion  is  on  the  south  side,  and  runs  thus  : 

"  Here  repose  the  mortal  remains  of  John  Paulding,  who  died  on  the  18th  day  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1818,  ill  the  GOtli  year  of  his  age.  On  the  morning  of  the  23d  of  September,  1780, 
accompanied  by  two  young  farmers  of  the  county  of  "VVestcliesier,  (whose  names  will  one 
day  be  recorded  on  their  own  deserved  monuments,)  he  intercepted  the  Briiish  sjiy,  Andre. 
Poor  himself,  he  disdained  to  acquire  wealth  by  sacrificing  his  country.  Rejecting  the  temp- 
tation of  great  rewards,  he  conveyed  his  prisoner  to  the  American  camp,  and  by  this  act 
of  noble  self-denial,  the  treason  of  Arnold  was  detected  ;  the  designs  of  the  enemy  baffled  ; 
West  Point  and  the  American  army  saved,  and  these  U.  S.,  now  by  the  grace  of  God 

free  and  independent,  rescued  from  imminent  peril."     On  the  opposite  side  is  written 

"  The  corporation  of  the  city  of  New  York  erect  tiiis  tomb  as  a  memorial  raised  to  public 
giniiiude."  On  the  east  side  is  a  beautiful  wreath  engraved  on  the  marble,  with  the  word 
"  Fidelity." 

East  Chester.  The  village  of  East  Chester  is  situated  at  the 
head  of  a  bay  on  Long  Island  sound,  10  miles  NE.  from  New  York, 
on  the  old  turnpike  and  stage  road  to  Boston,  and  ccntaii.s  an  Epis- 
co])al  church  and  about  25  dwellings.  Bronx  is  the  name  of  a  small 
settlement  and  post-othce  in  the  northern  part  of  the  tovn,  in  the 
vicinity  of  which  are  valuable  marble  quarries.     Pop.  l.SOiJ, 

GuioENi^jnuucH  is  pleasantly  situated  on  the  Hudson,  22  miles  N.  of 
the  city  of  New  York.  Top.  3,301.  On  the  banks  of  the  river  are 
splendid  sites  for  country  residences,  many  of  which  are  occupied  by 
the  vvciilthy.  About  two  miles  below  the  village  of  Tarrvtown, 
beautiliilly  situated  on  the  Hudson,  is  the  country  residence  of  Wash- 
ington Irving,  Esq.,  and  well  known  as  the  *'  Van  Tassel  house." 
Dobbs'  Ferry,  a  noted  place  in  the  revolution,  is  situated  on  the  Hud- 
son, 22  miles  N.  of  New  York,  and  opposite  the  northern  termination 
of  the  Palisad<>s.  There  is  here  a  village  containing  2  churches,  and 
about  30  dwellings,  Hastings  is  a  small  settlement  and  landing  on 
the  Hudson,  2  miles  below  Dobbs'  Ferry :  3  miles  E.  of  Tarrytown, 
is  the  small  village  of  Grecnsburgh,  where  there  is  a  store,  a  tavern,  a 
few  neat  dwellings,  and  a  Presbyterian  church,  in  whose  cemetery 
rest  the  remains  of  Isaac  Yun  Wart,  one  of  the  captors  of  Andre ; 
over  which  is  a  marble  monument,  consisting  of  a  base  and  pyramid, 
with  the  Ibllowing  inscription : 


\> 


588 


AVESTCHE3TER    COUNTY. 


8     h 


Van  Tassel  home,  the  residence  of  Washington  Irving. 

"Here  repose  the  mortal  remains  of  Isaac  Van  Wart,  an  elder  of  the  Greenburgh 

church,  who  died  on  the  23d  of  May,  1828,  in  the  69th  year  of  his  age.     Having  hved  the 

life  he  died  the  death  of  tlic  Christian.— The  citizens  of  the  county  olWestchest^er  erected 

this  tomb,  in  testiinunv  of  the  high  sense  lliey  entertained  for  the  virtuous  aiid  patriotic 

conduct  of  their  felluw-citizen,  and  as  a  ineniorial  sacred  to  public  gratitude.— Vincit  Amor 

PatritE  —Nearly  half  a  century  before  this  monument  was  built,  the  conscript  fathers  ol  Amen- 

ca  had  in  the  senate  chamber,  voted  that  Isaac  Van  VVurt  was  a  faithtul  patriot— one  in  whom 

the  love  of  country  was  invincible,  and  this  tomb  bears  testimony  that  the  record  is  nue.- 

Fidelity.     On  the  23d  of  Sept.  1780,  Isaac  Van  Wart,  accompanied  by  John  Paulding  and 

David  Williams,  all  farmers  of  the  county  of  Westchester,  intercepted  Major  Andre  on  his 

return  from  the  American  lines  in  the  character  of  a  spy,  and  notwithstanding  the    arge 

bribes  offered  them  for  his  release,  nol)ly  disdained  to  sacrifice  their  country  for  gold,  se. 

cured  and  carried  him  to  the  commanding  officer  of  the  district,  whereby  the  dangerous 

and  traitorous  conspiracy  of  Arnold  was  brought  to  light,  the  insidiou.s  designs  ot  the  enemy 

baffled,  the  American  army  saved,  and  our  beloved  country  freed,"  &.c. 

Tarrytown  is  pleasantly  situated,  28  miles  N.  of  New  York,  on  an 
elevation  overlooking  the'Hudson,  opposite  the  widest  part  ot  Tap- 
pan  bay.     The  village  contains  4  churches,  80  or  90  dwellings,  ai.d 
about  1,000  inhabitants.     The  above  is  a  view  of  the  place,  situated 
about  one  fourth  of  a  mile  N.  of  the  village  where  Andre  was  taken 
prisoner,  in  Sept.  1780,  by  three  militiamen.     The  road  at  that  time 
ran  a  little  to  the  west  of  its  present  location.     The  three  were  play- 
in<r  cards  in  the  field  on  the  right  of  the  engraving,  which  was  then 
covered  with  trees  and  shrubbery,  when  their  attention  was  arrested 
by  the  clattering  of  a  horse's  hoofs  over  a  wooden  bridge  tlirovvn 
across  the  little  brook  seen  in  the  foreground.     They  left  their  cards, 
and  arrested  Andre  in  the  vicinity  of  the  place  where  now  stands  a 
small  pine  tree,  near  which  a  human  figure  is  placed  in  the  engraving. 

The  annexed  account  of  the  taking  of  Andre,  is  from  a  manuscript 
^ncopcsion  of  Isaac  H,  Tiflrnny,  Esq.,  of  Fultonville  ;  being  tlie 
fa  personal  conversation  which  he  had  with  David  Williams, 


m  t! 
note 


U^d 


WESTCHESTER    COUNTY. 


589 


the  Greenburgh 
Having  lived  the 
sichcsier  erected 
us  and  patriotic 
e. — Vincit  Amor 
fathers  of  Ameri- 
Dt — one  in  whom 
record  is  true. — 
din  Paidding  and 
jor  Andre  on  his 
anding  the  large 
1 11  try  for  gold,  se- 
y  the  dangerous 
gns  of  the  enemy 


■  York,  on  an 
part  of  Tap- 
wellings,  ai.d 
•lace,  situated 
Ire  was  taken 
d  at  that  time 
CO  were  play- 
lich  was  tlion 
was  arrested 
ridfie  thrown 
;it  their  cards, 
now  stands  a 
the  engraving. 

I  a  manuscript 
lie  ;  being  tlie 
avid  Wilhams, 


North  view  of  the  place  where  Andre  was  taken  prisoner. 

one  of  the  actors  in  the  scene  at  Broome,  Schoharie  county,  Feb. 
13,  1817. 

William?,  Van  Wart,  and  Paulding,  (Williams  aged  between  22  and  23,  the  other  two 
being  y()un,','('r,)  were  going  to  see  sonic  relations  20  miles  below.  The  three  were  seated 
bcsiJe  the  road  in  tlio  bushes,  amusing  themselves  at  cards,  when  their  attention  was  ar- 
rested  by  the  galloping  of  a  horse.  On  approaching  the  road,  they  saw  a  gentleman  riding 
towards  llu'm,''seated  on  a  large  brown  horse,  which  was  afterward  observed  to  have  marked 
on  the  near  shoulder  the  initials  U.  S.  A.  The  rider  was  a  light,  trim-built  man,  about  5 
feet  7  inches  in  height,  with  a  bold  military  countenance  and  dark  eyes,  and  was  dressed 
in  a  round  hat,  blue  surtout,  crimson  coat,  with  pantaloons  and  vest  of  nankeen.  As  he 
neared  them,  the  three  cocked  their  muskets  and  aimed  at  the  rider,  who  immediately 
checked  his  horse,  and  the  following  conversation  ensued: 

Andre.  '•  (Jentlemen,  I  hope  you  are  of  our  party  !" 

J'auldinff.  "What  party?" 

Andre.  "  The  lower  party." 

Paiildin<r.  "  Wo  do."  ,     ,_     • 

Andre.  "  I  am  a  British  officer  ;  I  have  been  up  in  the  country  on  particular  business,  and 
would  not  wish  to  be  detained  a  single  moment." 

He  thereupon  pulled  out  a  gold  wutcli,  and  exhibited  it  as  an  evidence  that  he  was  a 
gentleman,  and  returned  it  again  to  his  fob.    Paulding  thereupon  remarked,  "  We  are  Ameri. 

can.i."  ,  .  ,  .  .•       .  1 

Andre.  "  God  bless  my  soul !  a  man  nnist  do  any  thing  to  get  along— I  am  a  continental 
officer,  going  down  to  Dobbs  Ferry  to  get  information  lioin  below." 

\ndre  then  drew  out  and  presented  a  puss  f-oni  General  Arnold,  in  which  was  the  as. 
sumed  name  of  .Tohn  Anderson.  Seizing  hold  upon  the  reins  ot  the  horse,  they  ordered  him 
to  dismount.  Andre  exclaimed,  "  You  will  bring  yourself  into  trouble  !"  "  W  e  care  not 
for  that,"  was  the  reply.  They  took  him  down  ten  or  fifteen  rods  beside  a  run  ot  wa'er. 
and  Wi'lliams  proceeded  to  search  the  hat,  coat,  vest,  shirt,  and  pantaloons,  in  which  they 
found  S80  in  continental  money ;  and  at  last  ordered  him  to  take  of!  his  boots.  At  this, 
he  changed  color.  Williams  drew  olf  the  left  boot  tirst,  and  Pfuilding  seizing  it  excluiined, 
"  Mv  God  !  here  it  is  !"  In  it  three  half  sheets  of  written  paper  were  found  enveloped  by 
a  half  sheet,  marked,  "  contents  West  Point."  Paulding  again  exclaimed,  "  My  God .  he  » 
a  spy  .'"     On  pulling  off  the  other  boot,  a  similar  package  was  found.  ,     c  i  j 

Andre  was  now  allowed  to  dress,  and  they  marched  him  across  the  road  into  the  held 
about  twenty  rods.  The  young  men  winked  to  each  other  to  make  further  discoveries,  and 
inquired  from  whom  he  got  the  papers  ?  "  Of  a  man  at  Pine's  bridge,  a  stranger  to  me, 
reillied  Andre.  He  then  offered  them  for  his  liberty,  his  horse  and  equipage,  watch,  and 
100  guineas.  This  they  refused  to  take,  unless  he  informed  them  where  he  obtained  the 
manuscript.  He  refused  to  comply,  but  again  offered  his  horse,  equipage,  and  one  thousand 
guineas.     They  were  firm  in  their  denial,  and  Andre  increased  his  offer  to  ten  thousand 

^  .  ,  _'  _,....  J J..  .„  .u„w  „.iuiiod   wlii/.h  oh""ld  lifl  denosited  in  any  place 

guinea?  :inti  rsr*   iittlrs^'  ui y:*,""'*- "~  *'"■. '-^t  --^   ...i--.^        _.    *,  ,    ,  -  ." 

deeirod.-that  they  mighi  keep  him  and  .end  some  one  to  New  York  with  his  order,  so 


if 


590 


WESTCHESTER    COUNTY. 


i      ,'      L 


that  they  could  oblain  them  unmolested.  To  this  they  replied,  "  that  it  did  not  signify  for 
him  to  make  any  oflbr,  for  he  should  not  go."  Tliny  then  proceeded  to  the  nearest  mili. 
tary  station,  which  was  at  North  Castle,  about  twelve  miles  distant.  On  the  way,  Ar.  Jre 
gave  them  his  watch,  telling  them  that  "  it  was  a  prize."  On  delivering  him  to  Colonel 
Jamieson,  the  commanding  officer,  that  gentleman  enjoined  the  strictest  secrecy,  at  the  same 
time  expressing  an  opinion  that  there  were  others  doubtless  concerned  in  the  plot.  Major 
Tallmadge,  who  had  commanded  a  guard,  received  Andre  at  Col,  Jamieson's  quarters, 
and  afterward,  with  about  twenty  men,  conducted  liim  to  Col.  Sheldon,  at  Salem.  The 
three  accompanied  Andre  part  of  the  way,  and  then  left.  During  the  night,  Tallmadge 
ciinsed  Andre  to  be  tied  to  a  tree- at  Comyen  hill.  From  Salem  he  was  conveyed  to  West 
Point,  luid  from  thence  to  Tappiin. 

William!',  Paulding,  and  Van  Wiirt.  stood  within  the  ring  when  Andre  was  hung. 
When  the  officer  infornu'd  him  that  his  time  had  nearly  expired,  and  in<iuired  if  he  had  any 
thing  to  say,  he  answered,  "  Notjiing  bnt  for  them  to  witness  to  the  world  that  he  died 
like  a  bravo  man."  Tiic  hangman,  who  was  painted  bliiek,  oilered  to  pnt  on  the  noose — 
"  Take  oH'voiir  black  hands  !"  said  Andre  ;  then  putting  on  the  noose  liiaiscif,  took  out  his 
handkerchief,  tied  it  on,  drew  it  iij),  l)owcd  with  a  smile  to  his  acquaintances,  and  died. 

David  Williams,  now  (Feb.  1.3,  IS  17,)  aged  fil,  was  born  at  Tarrytowii,  of  Dutch  ex- 
traction,  and  speaks  that  language.  Paulding  and  Van  Wart  were  also  Dutch  ;  neidier 
of  the  three  spoke  Entrlish  well.  Congress  gave  each  a  farm  in  Westchester  couiuy,  of  the 
valne  of  XoOO,  an  amiiiity  of  $200  through  life,  together  with  an  elegant  silver  medal,  on 
one  side  of  which  was  liio  inscription,  "  Fidelity"  and  on  the  reverse,  the  motto  "  Amur 
•pntriic  vincit,"  (the  love  of  country  conquers.) 

IlAUUirfON  is  28  miles  N.  of  New  York  and  3  east  of  White  Plains. 
Pop.  1,139.  This  is  a  fertile  township,  mostly  inhabited  by  Friends. 
Harrirton  Pm-cliase  is  a  thickly  settled  agricultural  vicinage,  where  is 
located  a  meeting-house  and  a  post-office. 

Lewishoro,  originally  South  Salem,  received  its  present  name  in 
1840 :  centrally  distant  NE.  from  Bedford  0,  and  from  New  York 
.50  miles.  Pop.  1,019.  Cross  River,  South  Salem,  Vista,  and  Gol- 
den's  Bride,  are  names  of  the  post-offices.  At  Cross  River  there  are 
2  churches  and  about  20  dwellings. 

Sarah  Bishop,  the  hermitess,  resided  near  the  boundary  line  of 
Lewisboro  and  the  state  of  Connecticut.  She  lived  on  Long  Island 
at  the  time  of  the  revolutionary  war.  Her  fiither's  house  was  burnt 
by  the  British,  and  she  was  cruelly  treated  by  a  British  officer.  She 
then  left  society  and  wandered  among  the  mountains  near  this  part 
of  the  state,  where  she  found  a  cave  near  Ridgefield,  in  which  she 
resided  till  about  the  time  of  her  death,  which  took  place  in  1810. 
She  sometimes  came  down  to  the  adjoining  town  of  Ridgefield,  Conn., 
to  attend  public  worship  on  the  Sabbath.  It  is  said  that  the  wild 
animals  were  so  accustomed  to  see  her,  that  they  were  not  afraid  of 
her  presence.  The  following  account  of  a  visit  to  this  hermitess,  is 
taken  from  a  newspaper  printed  at  Poughkeepsie,  in  1804. 

"Yesterday  I  went  in  the  company  of  two  Capt.  Smiths  of  this  town  to  the  mountain,  to 
visit  the  hermitage.  As  you  pass  the  southern,  an  elevated  ridge  of  the  mountain,  and  begin 
to  descend  the  southern  steep,  you  meet  with  a  perpendicular  descent  of  a  rock,  m  the  front 
of  which  is  tins  cave.  At  the  loot  of  this  rock  is  a  gentle  descent  of  rich  and  fertile  grouiid, 
extending  about  ten  rods,  when  it  instantly  forms  a  trightfiil  precipice,  descending  hall  a  mile 
to  the  poiid  called  Long  pond.  In  the  front  of  the  rock,  on  the  north,  where  the  cave  is,  and 
level  with  the  ground,  there  appears  a  large  frustum  of  the  rock,  of  a  double  fathom  in  size, 
thrown  out  by  some  unknown  convulsion  of  nature,  and  lying  in  the  front  of  the  cavity  from 
which  it  was  rent,  partly  enclosing  the  mouth,  and  forming  a  room ;  the  rock  is  left  entire 
above,  and  forms  the  roof  of  this  humble  niansuin.  This  cavity  is  the  habitation  of  the  her- 
mitess, iu  which  she  has  pa.ssed  the  best  of  her  years,  excluded  from  all  society  ;  she  keeps  no 
{lomestie  animal,  not  oven  fowl,  rat.  or  dog.  Her  little  plantation,  consisting  of  half  an  acre, 
is  cleared  of  its  wood,  and  reduced  to  grass,  where  she  has  raised  a  tew  peach  trees,  and 
yearly  plants  a  few  hills  of  beans,  cucumbers,  and  potatoes;  the  whole  is  aurr  )uudcd  with  a 


WESTCHESTER    COUNTY. 


591 


i 


not  signify  for 
be  nenrest  mill, 
the  way,  Ar-  Ire 
him  to  Colonel 
Bcy,  at  the  same 
he  ph)t.  Major 
ieson's  quarters, 
It  Salem.  The 
gilt,  Tallmadge 
iiveycd  to  West 

icjre  was  hung, 
'd  if  he  had  any 
Id   that  he  died 

on  the  noose — 
t'lf,  took  out  his 
OH,  and  died, 
II,  of  Dutch  ex. 

Uuicli ;  neither 
?r  county,  of  the 
.silver  medal,  ou 
,c  motto  "  Amur 


k^liite  Plains, 
by  Fricntls. 
ge,  where  is 

ent  name  in 

New  York 

ta,  and  Gol- 

•er  there  are 

dary  line  of 
Long  Island 
e  was  burnt 
)fficer.  She 
ear  this  part 
1  which  she 
ace  in  1810. 
afield,  Conn., 
tiat  the  wild 
lot  afraid  of 
hermitess,  is 
4. 

;he  mountain,  to 
intain,  and  begin 
rock,  in  the  tront 
id  fertile  ground, 
iding  halt  a  mile 
■  the  cave  is,  and 
lo  fathom  in  s-ize, 
f  the  cavity  from 
rock  is  lelt  entire 
ation  of  the  her- 
ly  ;  ?he  keeps  no 
x  of  half  an  acre, 
peach  trees,  and 
irr  luiidcd  with  a 


luxuriant  grape  vine,  \yh\ch  overspreads  the  surrounding  wood,  and  is  very  productive.    On 
the  opposite  side  of  this  little  tenement,  is  a  line  fountain  of  excellent  water.    At  this  fountain 
we  found  the  wonderful  woman,  whose  appearance  it  is  a  little  ditlicult  to  describe  ;  indeed, 
like  nature  in  its  first  state,  she  was  without  form.    Her  dress  appeared  little  else  than  one 
confused  and  shapeless  mass  of  rags,  patched  together  without  any  order,  which  obscured  all 
human  shape,  excepting  her  head,  which  was  clothed  with  a  luxuViancy  of  lank  grav  hiiir  de- 
pending on  every  side,  as  time  had  formed  it,  without  any  covering  or  ornament.    When  slie 
dit^covered  our  approach,  she  exhibited  the  apnearance  of  a  wild  and  timid  animal :  she  started 
and  hastened  lo  her  cave,  which  she  entered,  and  barricadoed  the  entrance  with  old  shells, 
pulled  from  the  decayed  trees.    We  approached  this  humble  habitation,  and  alter  some  con- 
versation with  its  inmate,  obtained  liberty  to  remove  the  pallisadoes  and  look  in  ;  for  we  were 
not  aide  to  enter,  the  room  being  only  sulUcient  to  accommodate  one  person.    We  saw  no 
uten.'iil  either  for  labor  or  cookery, save  an  old  pewter  basin  and  a  gourd  shell;  no  bed  but  the 
solid  rock,  unless  it  were  a  few  old  rags,  scattered  here  and  there  ;  no  bed-clothes  of  any  kind  ; 
not  the  least  appearance  of  food  or  lite.     She  had,  indeed,  a  place  in  one  corner  of  her  cell, 
where  a  fire  had  at  some  time  been  kindled,  but  it  did  not  app"ar  there  had  b'i'n  one  for  some 
months.     To  oonlirm  this,  a  gentleman  says  he  pa.^sed  her  cell  5  or  6  days  aticr  the  great  fall 
of  snow  in  the  beiiinniiig  of  .March,  thai  sliu  had  no  lire  then,  and  had  not  been  out  of  her  cave 
since  the  snow  hati  fallen.     How  i-lie  subsists  during  the  severe  season,  is  yet  a  mystery  ;  she 
savs  she  eats  but  little  tle^li  of  any  kind  ;  in  the  summer  she  lives  on  berries,  nuts,  and  roots. 
We  conversed  with  her  for  some' lime,  i'ouiid  her  to  be  of  a  sound  mind,  a  religious  turn  ot 
thoufiht,  and  entirely  happy  in  her  .-ituation  ;  of  this  she  has  given  repeated  prools  by  refu.«ing 
to  qiut  this  dre*ry  abode,    ."^he  keeps  a  Bible  with  her,  and  says  she  takes  much  satisfaction, 
and  spent  much  time  in  reading  it." 

Mam.aroneck  has  a  hilly  surface,  and  the  township  is  generally 
under  good  cultivation.  Pop.  1,410.  The  village  of  Mamaroneck 
is  about  24  miles  from  New  York,  and  1(51  from  Albany.  It  is  sit- 
uated on  a  bay  about  one  mile  from  the  sound,  which  admits  vessels 
of  100  tons  burden.  The  village  contains  2  churches,  2  cotton  fac- 
tories, and  about  50  dwellings. 

The  following  letter  of  Gen.  Samuel  Parsons,  dated  at  Mamaro- 
neck, Nov.  21st,  1777,  to  Gov.  Tryon,  with  his  answer,  is  copied 
from  a  newspaper  printed  at  the  time. 

"SiK, — Adding  to  the  natural  horrors  of  war  the  most  wanton  destruction  of  property, 
is  an  act  of  cruelly  unknown  to  civilized  nations,  and  unaccustomed  in  war,  until  the  ser- 
vants  of  the  king  of  Great  Britain  have  convinced  the  impartial  world,  no  act  of  inhumanity, 
m.'  stretch  of  despotism,  are  too  great  to  exercise  towards  those  they  term  rebels. 

"  Had  any  apparent  advantage  been  derived  from  burning  the  house  on  Philips'  manor, 
At  Monday,  there  would  have  been  some  reason  to  justify  the  measure ;  but  when  no 
benefit  whatever  can  be  proposed,  by  burning  those  buildings  and  stripping  the  women  and 
children  of  necessary  apparel,  to  cover  them  from  the  severity  of  a  cold  night,  and  capti. 
vating  and  leading  in  triumph  to  your  lines,  in  the  most  ignominious  manner,  the  heads  of 
those  families,  I  know  not  what  justifiable  cause  to  a.'?sign  for  those  acts  of  cruelty ;  nor 
can  I  conceive  a  necessity  for  your  further  order  to  destroy  Tarrytown. 

"  You  cannot  be  insensible  it  is  every  day  in  my  power  to  destroy  the  houses  and  build, 
ings  of  Col.  Philips,  and  those  belonging  to  the  family  of  Dclancy,  each  as  near  your  lines 
as  those  buildings  were  to  my  guards;  and  notwithstanding  your  utmost  diligence,  you  can. 
not  prevent  the  destruction  of  every  house  this  side  of  King's  bridge.  It  is  not  fear,  it  is 
not  want  of  opportunity  that  has  preserved  those  buildings  ;  but  a  sense  of  the  injustice  and 
savngenesa  of  such  a  line  of  conduct  has  saved  them  :  and  nothing  but  necessity  will  induce 
me  to  copy  examples  of  this  sort  so  often  set  by  your  troops. 

"  It  is  not  my  inclination,  sir,  to  war  in  this  manner,  against  the  inhabitants  within  your 
lines,  who  suppose  themselves  within  your  king's  protection.  But  necessity  will  oblige  me 
to  retaliate  in  kind  upon  your  friends,  to  procure  the  exercise  of  that  justice  which  humanity 
used  to  dictate  :  unless  your  explicit  disavowal  of  your  two  captains,  Emnierick  and  Barns, 
shall  convince  me  these  houses  were  burned  without  your  knowledge  and  against  your 
order.    I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant,  Sa.muel  H.  Parsons." 

Governor  Tryon's  answer,  dated  King's  bridge  camp,  Nov.  23d,  1777. 

«»SiR,_Could  I  possibly  conceive  myself  accountable  to  any  revolted  subject  of  the  king 
of  Great  Britain,  I  might  answer  your  letter  received  by  the  flag  of  truce  yesterday,  respect. 
ing  the  conduct  of  the  party  under  Capt.  Emnieriek'a  command  up"n  the  taking  of  Peter 
and  Cornelius  Van  Tassel) ;  I  have,  however,  candor  enough  to  assure  you,  as  much  aa  I 


ifil 


502 


VVESTCHESTKR    COUNTY. 


abhor  every  principle  of  inhumanity,  or  ungenerous  conduct,  I  should,  were  I  in  more  an. 
thority,  burn  every  committee  man's  house  within  my  reach,  as  I  deem  those  agents  the 
wicked  instruments  of  the  continued  calamities  of  this  country :  and  in  order  sooner  to 
purge  this  country  of  them,  I  am  willing  to  give  twenty-five  dollars  for  every  acting  com- 
mittee  man,  who  shall  be  delivered  up  to  the  king's  troops :  I  guess  before  the  end  of 
next  campaign,  they  will  be  torn  in  pieces  by  their  own  countrymen,  whom  they  have  for. 
cibly  dragged  in  opposition  to  their  principles  and  duty  (after  fining  them  to  the  extent  of 
their  property)  to  take  up  arms  against  their  lawful  sovereign,  and  compelling  them  to  ex- 
change  their  happy  constitution,  for  paper,  rags,  anarchy,  and  distress, 

"  The  ruins  from  the  conflagration  of  Now  York,  by  the  emissaries  of  your  party  last 
year,  remain  a  memorial  of  their  tender  regard  for  their  fellow  beings  exposed  to  the  '  se. 
verity  of  a  cold  night,' 

"  This  is  the  first  correspondence  I  have  held  with  the  king's  enemies,  on  my  part  in 
America,  and  as  I  am  immediately  under  the  command  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  your  future 
letters,  dictated  with  decency,  would  be  more  properly  directed  to  his  excellency, 

"  I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant,  William  Tryon,  Major  Gen, 

"  To  Gen.  Parsons." 

This  came  on  Sunday  the  23d  inst.,  and  by  some  means  or  other 
Gen,  Delancy's  house  at  Bloomingdale,  on  York  Island,  tt)ok  fire  on 
the  25th  at  liight. 

Fimn  the  Connecticut  Journal,  Dec.  10,  1777, 

"  James  Delancy,  late  sherifl'  of  Westchester,  and  colonel  of  the  enemy's  militia,  was 
taken  last  week  by  one  of  our  scouts;  the  colonel  was  found  under  a  bed,  and  for  a  better 
defence,  had  surrounded  himself  with  a  bulwark  of  baskets.  He  was  drugged  from  his 
humble  redoubt,  put  under  a  proper  guard,  and  sent  to  a  place  better  secured," 

The  following  relative  to  the  situation  of  this  county  in  1777,  is 
taken  from  the  3d  vol.  of  Dr.  Dwight's  Travels. 

"  In  the  autumn  of  1777,  I  resided  for  some  time  in  this  co\mty.  The  lines  of  the  Biit. 
ish  were  then  in  the  neigliborhood  of  King's  bridge ;  and  those  of  the  Americans  at  Byrain 
river.  These  unhappy  people  were,  therefore,  exposed  to  the  depredations  of  both.  Ofttn 
they  were  actually  plundered  ;  and  always  were  liable  to  this  calamity.  They  feared  every- 
body whom  they  saw,  and  loved  nobody.  It  was  a  curious  fact  to  a  philosopher,  and  a 
melancholy  one  to  a  moralist,  to  hear  their  conversation.  To  every  question  they  gave 
such  an  answer,  as  would  please  the  inquirer;  or,  if  they  despaired  of  pleasing,  such  an 
one  as  would  not  provoke  him.  Fear  was,  apparently,  the  only  passion  by  which  ili^ 
were  animated.  The  power  of  volition  seemed  to  have  deserted  them.  They  were  not 
civil,  but  obsequious ;  not  obliging,  but  subservient.  They  yielded  with  a  kind  of  apathy, 
and  very  quietly,  what  you  asked,  and  what  they  supposed  it  impossible  for  them  to  retain. 
If  you  treated  them  kindly,  they  received  it  coldly;  not  as  kindness,  but  as  a  compensation 
for  injuries  done  them  by  others.  When  you  spoke  to  them,  they  answered  you  without 
either  good  or  ill-nature,  and  without  any  appearance  of  reluctance  or  hesitation :  but  they 
subjoined  neither  questions,  nor  remarks,  of  their  own  ;  proving  to  your  full  conviction, 
that  they  felt  no  interest  either  in  the  conversation,  or  in  yourself.  Both  their  conntenunces, 
and  their  motions,  had  lost  every  trace  of  animation  and  of  feeling.  Their  features  were 
smoothed,  not  into  serenity,  but  apathy  ;  and  instead  of  being  settled  in  the  attiiude  of  quiet 
thinking,  strongly  indicated,  that  all  thought,  beyond  what  was  merely  instinctive,  had  tied 
their  minds  forever. 

"  Their  houses,  in  the  mean  time,  were  in  a  great  measure  scenes  of  desolation.  Their 
furniture  was  extensively  plundered,  or  broken  to  pieces.  The  walls,  floors,  and  windows, 
were  injured  both  by  violence  and  decay ;  and  were  not  repaired,  because  they  had  not  the 
means  of  repairing  them,  and  because  they  were  exposed  to  the  repetition  of  the  same  in- 
juries.  Their  cattle  were  gone.  Their  enclosures  were  burnt,  where  they  were  cnpable  ot 
becoming  fuel ;  and  in  many  cases  thrown  down,  where  they  were  not.  Their  fields  were 
covered  with  a  rank  growth  of  weeds  and  wild  grass.  Amid  all  this  appearance  of  dcsolu- 
tion,  nothing  struck  my  own  eye  more  forcibly  than  the  sight  of  this  great  road— the  passage 
from  New  York  to  Boston,  Where  I  had  heretofore  seen  a  continual  succession  of  horses 
and  carriages,  and  life  and  bustle  lent  a  sprightliness  to  all  the  environing  objects,  not  a 


single,  solitary  travp|!cr  wns 


visible  frorn  v.'c.ok  to  v.'psk,  or  from  month  to  month.     The 


worid  was  motionless  and  silent;  except  when  one  of  these  unhappy  people  venlured  upon 
a  rare  and  lonely  excursion  to  the  house  of  a  neighbor,  no  less  unhappy ;  or  a  scouting 


WESTCUKSTER    COUNTY. 


593 


in  1777,  is 


party,  traversing  the  country  in  quest  of  enemies,  alarmed  the  inhabitants  with  expecfationB 
of  new  injuries  and  sufferings.  The  very  trucks  of  tlie  carringes  were  grown  over,  and  ob. 
literated :  and,  where  they  wore  discernible,  resembled  the  faint  impressions  of  chariot 
wheels  said  to  be  left  on  the  pavements  of  Herculane\nn.  The  grass  was  of  full  height  for 
the  scythe ;  and  strongly  realized  to  my  own  mind,  for  ihe  first  time,  tiie  proper  import  of 
that  picturesque  declaration  in  the  Song  of  Deborah :  '  In  the  days  of  Shamgar,  the  son  of 
Anath,  in  the  days  of  Jael,  the  highways  were  unoccupied ;  and  the  travellers  walked 
through  by-paths.     The  inhabitants  of  the  villages  ceased  :  they  ceased  in  Israel.'" 

Mount  Pleasant  is  a  large  and  fine  township,  diversified  with  hills 
and  valleys.     Pop.  7,308,     Beds  of  marble  abound  in  this  vicinity, 
and  are  extensively  quarried  at  Sing  Sing  and  other  places.     Sing 
Sing,  Pleasantville,' Sparta,  and  Unionville,  are  villages.    The  village 
of  Sing  Sing,  34  miles  from  New  York,  and  111  from  Albany,  was 
incorporated  in  1813.     Its  name  is  derived  from  the  Chinese  Tsing- 
sing,  the  title  of  a  celebrated  governor,  in  (Miina,  of  a  city  so  called. 
It  is  said  to  have  been  brought  to  this  country  by  a  Dutch  settler 
who  had  traded  with  China.     The  village  is  situated  on  an  uneven 
spot  of  ground,  and  is  quite  diversified  in  its  appearance ;  and  is  a 
thriving  place,  having  4  churches,  an  academy  for  males,  an  institu- 
tion for  females,  a  number  of  mills,  and  upwards  of  200  dwellings. 


Sing  Sing  Prison. 

The  above  is  a  view  of  the  State  Prison  on  the  bank  of  the  Hud- 
son  in  Sing  Sing  village,  which  usually  contains  from  800  to  900 
convicts.  The  following,  relative  to  the  history  of  the  prison,  &c.,  is 
taken  from  an  article  published  in  the  N.  Y.  Express,  April  13th,  io4l. 

"  In  1823,  the  solitary  system  of  imprisonment  was  abandoned  at  the  Auburn  Pnson,  and 
was  succeeded  in  1824  bv  the  present  system  of  shutting  up  the  convicts  m  separate  cells 
by  night,  and  compelling  them  to  labor  diligendy  during  the  day.  pn„,„;npd  but 

•'  The  adoption  of  this  system  rendered  the  Auburn  prison,  ^^.ch  in  1824  contained  b^^^^ 
550  separate  cells,  insufficient  for  the  accommodation  of  al  the  convicted  felons  '"'he  state 
and  .n  act  of  the  legislature  was  passed  in  March,  1824,  for  the  "^,«j'°" 'li'^,^^^^;/";* 
prison  in  the  first  o?  second  senatorial  districts  which  the  comm.ssioneTS  appo.nte^^^^^^^^^ 
purpose  thought  proDor  to  locate  in  Mount  Pleasant,  Smg  b.n-r,  owing  '"  ''^  .TTm'?!^ 
bodie'.  of  marble,  its  heal  thy  situation,  and  its  accessibility  by  water.  Uni  it=  ^'  ;=,:.:' «^^ 
1826,  Capt.  E.  Lynde,  former  agent  of  the  Auburn  pnson,  with  100  convicts,  in  obedience 

75 


!'!• 


ir 


504 


WESTCHESTER    COUNTY. 


.    ;hi'-J 


i^fc. 


to  instructions,  proceeded  to  Sing  Sing,  and  commenced  the  erection  of  the  state  prison 
there.  This  was  completed  in  1829,  and  contained  800  cells.  By  the  addition  of  several 
additional  counties  to  this  prison  district,  greatly  increasing  the  number  of  convicts,  it  was 
discovered  that  these  accommodations  were  insufficient,  and  200  more  cells  were  ordered 
to  be  added,  which  result  was  obtained  by  adding  another,  or  fifth  story  to  the  prison  build, 
ing — which  addition  was  completed  in  1831. 

"  In  May,  1828,  the  convicts  then  in  the  old  state  prison  in  this  city  were  removed  to  Sing 
Sing,  and  the  old  prison  here  was  emptied  of  its  inmates,  and  abandoned  forever  asaprisom. 
"  The  Mount  Pleasant  prison  at  Sing  Sing  is  33  miles  from  this  city  on  the  eastern  shore 
of  the  Hudson  river,  and  the  ground  on  which  it  stands  is  about  10  feet  above  high.water 
mark.  The  prison  grounds  contain  130  acres,  and  the  wharf  is  approachable  by  vessels 
drawing  12  feet  of  water.  The  prison,  keeper's  house,  workshops,  &c.,  are  built  of  rough 
dressed  stone.  The  prison  for  the  males  is  480  feet  in  length  from  north  to  south,  and  44 
in  width,  fronting  towards  the  west,  or  the  Hudson  river.  This  building  is  five  stories  high, 
containing  a  line  of  100  cells  in  each  story  on  the  west  side,  and  as  many  more  on  the  east 
side,  making  1,000  cells  in  all.  The  western  yard  is  enclosed  by  two  buildings  40  feet 
wide,  and  2  stories  high,  which  are  occupied  as  the  kitchen,  hospital,  chapel,  workshops, 
storehouses,  &,c.,  and  extend  from  the  prison  westerly  to  the  edge  of  the  water.  The  south 
wing  adjoins  the  prison,  but  communicates  with  it  only  througli  the  hospital.  The  north 
wing  connects  with  the  prison  by  a  wall  20  feet  in  height,  running  north  and  south  10  feet, 
enclosing  together  an  area  of  494  feet  by  412.  In  the  centre  of  the  west  yard  is  a  range 
of  shops,  40  feet  wide,  fronting  on  the  Hudson,  and  running  parallel  with  the  prison  276 
feet,  with  wings  extending  easterly  towards  the  prison  140  feet,  which  arc;  occupied  as  stone 
shops.  The  guard-house  is  on  the  bank  or  height  on  the  east  side  of  the  prison,  about  170 
feet  above  the  level  of  the  yard,  commanding  a  perfect  view  of  the  east  yard,  and  most  of 
the  west.  Within  the  last  few  years,  an  additional  building  has  been  erected  on  the  heights 
east  of  the  main  prison  for  the  purposes  of  a  female  prison  exclusively,  which  is  capable  of 
containing  about  72  female  convicts,  one  in  each  cell,  and  in  which  that  number  is  now 
confined. 

"  The  officers  of  the  prison,  or  those  connected  with  its  government,  business,  interests, 
health,  and  morals,  are — five  inspectors,  a  principal  keeper,  agent,  clerks,  physician,  and 
chaplain,  25  assistant  keepers,  and  26  guards.  These,  except  the  clerk,  arc  appointed  by 
the  Board  of  Inspectors,  and  hold  their  offices  during  their  pleasure.  The  clerk  is  appointed 
by  the  governor  and  senate,  and  holds  his  office  for  four  years.  The  inspectors  are  ap. 
pointed  every  two  years  by  the  governor  and  senate,  and  on  them  the  government  of  the 
prison,  its  discipline,  police,  its  moneyed  concerns,  contracts,  Slc,  by  law  devolves.  They 
are  required  to  meet  every  two  months,  and  inspect  the  prison,  and  to  make  a  report  an. 
nually  to  the  legislature  soon  after  it  convenes.  The  duties  of  the  principal  officers  are  de. 
fined  by  law,  and  are  such  an  the  good  government  and  welfare  of  the  institution  require. 

"  In  this  prison  the  convicts  nre  compelled  to  labor  in  silence — no  conversation  by  word, 
look,  or  gesture  being  allowed  between  or  amongst  them  If  any  information  is  needed  by 
the  prisoner  in  regard  to  his  business,  he  modestly  applies  to,  and  obtains  it  of  his  keeper, 
one  of  whom  is  always  near  him  in  cuch  dciwu'ii'ient  of  labor. 

"The  utmost  harmony  of  movomeiit  in  the  various  businesses  conducted,  and  the  most 
perfect  order  reigns.  The  whole  internal  innchinery  of  the  prison,  with  its  more  th;in  800 
hardy  convict  laborers,  resembles  more  the  quiet  industry  iiiid  snlmrdinaiion  to  aulliurity  of 
B  woll-regidnted  tiiniily,  than  an  uistiiuliun  fir  ilie  puiil.sliiiient  of  hardened  oflenderN. 

"  The  ho  irs  of  Inborare  not  more  than  laboring  men  out  of  prison^ generally  lubor.  The 
food  alfonlcd  h  ample.  The  ration  for  encli  diiy  conMistM  of Ciilier  16  oiniceMof  good  prinui 
beef,  or  12  ounces  of  prinir  pork,  H  ounces  of  rye  tlour,  12  ouiuth  of  sifted  Iruimn  niml, 
and  half  a  gill  o\'  molasses  per  nmn  ;  and  three  bunhilM  of  polatocf,  or  40  pounds  of  rii"',  4 
quarts  of  rye  in  the  grain  for  cotl'ee,  2  quiiris  of  vinegar,  iind  two  ounces  of  pciiper  lo  every 
100  ralionH.  This  is  all  weighed  or  measured  out  each  day  by  the  hwperiniendent  of  the 
kitchen.  The  bread  is  well  baked,  and  the  provisions  well  cooked  by  wonie  of  the  convicts 
employed  for  that  purpose.  Their  prf>vi»ions  are  put  in  small  wooden  vessels  called  kids, 
which  are  phiceii  on  racks,  one  of  which  each  prisoner  lakes  as  he  retires  from  labor  to  his 
cell,  in  winch  he  is  locked,  and  where  silently  ho  eats  his  repast.  If  nny  convict  requires 
more  food,  on  making  his  wants  known,  he  is  Rupplird  from  the  kitchen. 

"  At  the  close  of  the  day,  in  long  lines  ihcy  march  to  their  respective  cells,  accompaiiicd 
by  their  keepers,  and  being  locked  in,  partake  of  their  food  and  indulge  in  repose.  Kach 
cell  has  o  bunk  of  wood  or  Iriiini',  made  of  pine,  6  feet  long  and  two  wide,  4  or  6  inches 
from  the  floor,  4  blanliets,  a  bible,  piiii.cu|p  for  their  collce,  small  tin  eiip  for  vinegar,  an  iron 
spoon,  a  cotjib,  and  a  loHci.  Tin  se  are  u  I  i^rpi  cienn,  or  niiuie  mi  « iieii  iii«sy  «re  oiiui  wiSt'. 
From  19  tu  14  cunvuita  are  employed  u\  wathing  the  clotliei  and  bedding  uf  the  pnsonorai 


WESTCHESTER   COUNTY. 


595 


some  others  do  the  cooking;  and  once  a  week  they  are  all  shaved  by  a  convict  who  acts 
as  barber. 

"  The  tailoring  is  done  by  convict  tailorn,  who  make  and  repair  all  the  prisoners'  gar- 
ments. Clean  underclothes  are  placed  in  their  cells  each  week.  At  night  they  are  care. 
fully  watched  by  a  keeper  and  four  armed  guards,  who  pace  the  galleries  noiselessly,  with 
socks  on  their  feet — observe  that  all  is  safe — notice  every  noise ;  and  are  prepared  to  quell 
any  disturbance  that  might  possibly  arise.^  This  latter  is,  however,  almost  impossible,  as 
each  prisoner  is  in  a  small  cell  by  himself,  and  secured  by  powerful  bolts  and  bars. 

"  The  moral  and  religious  condition  of  the  prisoners  is  also  carefully  attended  to.  Prayer 
generally  at  night,  and  a  sermon  and  prayers  every  Sabbath  morning  by  the  chaplains  in 
the  chapel,  a  bible,  and  latterly  other  religious  books  in  the  cells,  constitute  a  portion  of 
their  spiritual  privileges,  A  Sunday  school,  attended  by  some  250  convicts  as  pupils,  and 
a  bible.class  of  120  or  more  of  them,  are  also  in  active  operation  each  Sabbath  in  the  cha. 
pel.  The  effects  of  these  united  means  of  mental  and  moral  culture  on  many  of  the  con- 
victs, are  highly  beneficial,  and  promissory  of  good  fruits  at  a  future  day.  They  render 
the  convicts  more  orderly  and  sober-minded,  and  divert  their  attention  from  less  profitable 
subjects." 

The  famous  Sleepy  Hollow,  the  noted  location  described  in  the 
"  Sketch  Book"  by  Washington  Irving,  is  situated  in  the  south  part  of 
this  township,  near  Tarrytown ;  it  is  a  long  ravine  of  2  or  3  miles, 
through  wnich  a  road  passes  on  which  is  situated  several  romantic 
dwellings. 


)f  the  pnsonora ; 


Ancient  Dutch  church. 

The  above  is  a  northwestern  view  of  the  old  Dutch  Reformed 
church  situated  in  the  southern  part  of  this  town,  about  a  mile  north 
of  the  place  where  Andre  was  taken  in  Tarrytown.  It  i.s  believed 
to  be  the  oldest  church  now  standing  in  the  state.  A  tablet  placed 
on  tht>  church  boars  the  inscription,  "  Erected  and  built  by  Frederick 
Philips.*  and  C^atharine  Van  Cortlandt,  his  wife,  in  10»»."  The  pulpit 
and  communion  table  were  brought  from  Holland  at  the  time  of  the 

•  Frederick  Philips  was  the  original  psteniee  of  Philips'  Pstent,  a  very  extensive  trsct  in 
this  county,  originally  comprising  no  less  than  20  milis  aquurc,  bounded  west  by  the  Hud. 

1    K.! *L    _i*   -L_     .L    ,-i'  *l /^..,*..n  Mf     Pk. ■;>««*  i,«itilA«1  iM\   Ilia  ntlin/tr  nKnlit 

Bt;n,  nna  iymg  suuiis  ui   n:r   :i:-f-,  -.   -.- .•-- ......_ 

the  year  1680,  and  built  his  dwelling,  a  stone  mansion,  u  few  ruds  west  o(  the  church. 


WESTCHESTER   COUNTY. 

erection  cf  the  clmrch.  The  building  has  latterly  undergone  some 
repairs  internally  and  externally,  by  which  it  has  lost  considerable 
of  its  venerable  appearance.  'Unfortunately,  the  pulpit  has  not  es- 
caped the  hand  of  modern  innovation,  but  the  communion  table 
still  remains  unchanged,  a  venerable  relic  of  a  former  age.  This 
church  and  vicinity  has  been  made  celebrated  by  Irving's  well-known 
"  Legend  of  Sleepy  Hollow." 

"  The  sequestered  situation  of  this  church,"  says  the  author  of  this  legend,  "  seem  always 
to  have  made  it  a  favorite  haunt  of  troubled  spirits.  It  stands  on  a  knoll  surrounded  by 
locust  trees  and  lofty  elms,  from  among  which  its  decent  whitewashed  walls  shine  mod. 
estly  forth  like  Christian  purity  b'.aming  through  the  shades  of  retirement.  A  gentle  slope 
descends  from  it  to  a  silver  sheet  of  water,  bordered  by  high  trees,  between  which,  peeps 
may  be  caught  at  the  blue  hills  of  the  Hudson.  To  look  upon  its  grass-grown  yard,  where 
the  sunbeaiiio  ocem  to  sleep  so  quietly,  one  would  think  that  there  at  least  the  dead  might 
rest  in  peace.  On  one  fide  of  the  church  extends  a  wide  woody  dell,  along  which  laves 
a  large  brook  among  broken  rocks  and  trunks  of  fallen  trees.  Over  a  deep  black  part  of 
the  stream,  not  fai'  from  tiie  church,  was  formerly  thrown  a  wooden  bridge ;  the  road  that 
led  to  it  and  the  bridge  itself  were  thickly  shaded  by  overhanging  trees,  which  cast  a  gloom 
about  it  even  in  the  daytime,  but  occasioned  a  fearful  darkness  at  night." 

It  was  in  this  church  that  the  never-to-be-forgotten  Yankee  peda- 
gogue Ichabod  Crane,  in  rivalry  to  the  old  Domine,  led  off  the  choir, 
making  the  welkin  ring  with  the  notes  of  his  nasal  psalmody.  It 
was  too  in  the  ravine  just  back  of  the  church,  that  this  redoubtable 
hero,  Ichabod,  had  his  fearful  midnight  encounter  with  the  headless 
horseman,  and  forever  disappeared  I'rom  the  sight  of  the  goodly  in- 
habitants of  Sleepy  Hollow. 

Newcastl?:  was  organized  from  Northcastle  in  1791 ;  from  New 
York  N.  37,  from  Bedford  W.  (5  miles.  Pop.  1,529.  Newcastle  is 
a  small  post  village,  in  the  northeast  angle  of  the  town. 

New  Rochei.le  is  situated  on  Long  Island  sound,  20  miles  north- 
east of  New  York.  Pop.  1,81(5.  Settlements  were  early  made  in 
this  town  by  Huguenots,  who  fled  from  France  after  the  repeal  of  the 
edict  of  Nantz.  The  village  of  New  Rochelle  is  delightfully  situa- 
ted in  sight  of  the  sound,  on  the  turnpike  road  from  New  York  to 
Connecticut,  and  contains  4  churches,  several  hotels,  and  about  60 
dwellings.  There  is  a  small  settlement  at  the  landing  on  the  sound 
containing  an  elegant  hotel,  &c. 

Northcastle  is  36  miles  NE.  from  New  York,  and  centrally  dis- 
tant 5  SW.  of  Bedford.  Pop.  2,0.')8.  Northcastle  is  a  post-office, 
around  which  there  is  a  small  settlement. 

North  Sai.em  is  in  the  NE.  corner  of  the  county,  .55  miles  from 
New  York,  and  12  from  Bedford.  Pop.  l,ltJl.  North  Salom,  post 
village,  has  3  churches,  several  mills  and  stores,  and  in  its  vicinity 
about  40  dwellings. 

Pei.ham  is  situated  on  the  sound,  18  miles  NE.  from  New  York. 
Pop.  789. 


Tliii  dwelling  wm  fortified  against  the   Indians,  and  went  by  the  name  of  Castle  Philips. 
It  in  now  rjinding,  and  is  occupied  by  his  great  grund.dtiiightcr,  IV1i-s.  Cornelia  Ueekmon. 

A  l*l.»..^l.    .1...    »._.. ..!<>.•«    \^^a    \\M»n      n./ul^pMivn/J       I.Mmni>.a    r\t     fVin      r\twt    U/.t«.B    ■..•a    afill    ...    Ko    KOOIl 


iu  the  atone  walla  of  the  cellar. 


WESTCHESTER   COUNTY. 


597 


PouNDRiDGE  is  situatcd  4  miles  E.  from  Bedford.  Pop.  1,407. 
Poundridge,  post  village,  centrally  situated,  contains  1  Presbyterian, 
1  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  about  15  dwellings. 

Rye,  the  southeast  town  of  the  county,  is  distant  from  New  York 
ae  miles.  Pop.  1,803.  Port  Chester,  post  village,  formerly  called 
Sawpits,  is  on  the  New  York  and  Connecticut  turnpike,  and  west 
side  of  Bvram  river,  which  is  here  the  boundary  line  of  Connecticut 
and  New' York ;  it  is  pleasantly  situated,  and  contains  3  churches, 
and  about  100  dwellings.  This  place  possesses  a  convenient  landing 
for  steamboats  and  sloops.  The  village  of  Rye,  on  the  New  York 
turnpike,  1  mile  from  the  sound,  contains  3  churches,  2  academies, 
and  about  30  dwellings.  The  old  Jay  mansion  is  situated  in  the 
western  part  of  the  town.  . 

ScARSDALE  is  24  milcs  from  New  York,  and  3  S.  of  White  1  lams. 

Pop.  255. 

SoMERs  is  on  the  north  line  of  the  county,  50  miles  Nh.  ot  New 
York,  and  10  cast  of  Peekskill.  Pop.  2,082.  Somers  is  a  neat  post 
village,  containing  2  churches  and  about  40  dwellings.  Owensville 
is  a  post  village,  where  there  arc  located  several  factories  and  about 

30  dwellings.    .  ,         ■,     t  •  i       n        .  • 

WESTcHEriTER  has  an  uneven  surface,  and  a  soil  winch  will  sustain 
a  high  degree  of  cultivation.  Pop.  4,154.  This  town  was  probably 
first  settled  in  1042,  by  a  Mr.  Throckmorton  and  35  associates,  who 
came  from  New  England  with  the  approbation  of  the  Dutch  authori- 
ties. It  was  called  by  the  Dutch,  Eastdorp.  The  manor  of  Mor- 
risiana,  originally  containing  about  3,000  acres,  belongs  to  the  dis- 
tincuished  family  of  Morris  ;  it  is  in  the  SVV.  corner  ot  the  town, 
opposite  Hell  Gate.  This  manor  gave  name  to  a  town  from  1788  to 
1791,  part  of  the  present  town  of  Westchester.  Westchester  village, 
at  the  head  of  navigation  of  Westchester  creek,  2  miles  Irom  the 
sound,  and  14  NE.  from  New  York,  contains  about  50  dwellings. 
West  Farms,  on  the  Bronx  river  at  the  head  of  navigation,  3  miles 
from  the  sound  and  12  from  New  York,  contains  about  GO  dwellings. 

"GouvERNEim  Morris  wm  born  nt  Morrimmin,  Jan.  31,  1752.  He  graduated  at  Kings 
college,  New  York,  in  1768.  He  was  bred  to  the  law  m  winch  he  obtuuied  u  great  rcpn. 
t«tion.  In  1775,  ho  was  a  delegate  to  the  provincial  congress  in  New  York,  l"  1' -h, 
(Dec.)  he  acted  as  one  of  the  eoniiniit..e  fur  drafting  a  consmut...n  for  the  htate  ot  New 
York  which  was  reported  in  March,  1777,  and  adopted  in  April  of  that  year,  alter  repeuted 
and  very  able  debateB.  He  wa«  employed  in  the  public  service  in  var.ou.  ;'«P";-'"^"|' '  """^ 
the  revolutionary  contest,  in  all  of  which  ho  display,  d  great  zeal  and  ability.    Ader  tho 

ovolutir.Crcni^^^  from  public  life,  and  pas.ed  a  number  o  years  in  private  purHuits 
exceS  being  a  very  active  member  of  the  convention  which  framed  the  conxtm.  ion  ot 
ZSlSe.  In  179a.  he  was  appointed  minister  to  J'^rr/lHUr^s  chose"; 
tbnt  rsnacitv  until  Oct.  1794.  He  returned  to  America  in  1798.  and  in  IHUU  was  liiohui 
BSH^or  from  New  York.    In  the  summer  of  1810.  he  examined  the  rouie  lur  the  Lrie 

u  :  and  S  a  pn.minent  part  in  originating  and  P^o^n^nn.,  ^^.i^nM^^^r^  ^^ 
m  Morriwons  Nov.  5.  1816.  He  passed  tho  latter  years  of  his  life  at  Murrisiaiia.  exeri  wing 
:L  d^g  nl  "d  tnunificent  hospitalfty.  reviewing  the  studies  of  ^- -^1^:';;;^ ^^^ 
on  a  very  interesting  eorrcHpondcnce  with  stiile.smen  and  literati  in  Lurope  and  Amenta. 
The  BcTvily  of  h  rnind.  the  richne^  of  his  fancy,  and  the  eopiou«ne«.  of  his  cloquen  con. 
versaS  were  Z  admiration  of  all  his  acquaintance  ;  and  he  was  uiuvcrsally  adualted  ta 

,  i   .  . l;-U_J  —J  r.>.«n>inan>  inan  of  niir  COUnlrV. 


iil 

ft* 


i 


A 


il 


598 


WESTCHEdTKR    COUNTY. 


Southeast  view  o     White  Plains  village,  {cenlraf  part.) 


White  Plains  has  a  hilly,  but  mostly  an  arable  soil,  well  adapted 
for  grazing.  Pop.  1,087.  'The  half-shire  village  of  White  Plains  is 
situated  on  the  old  post  road  to  Boston,  27  miles  NE.  from  New  York, 
125  from  Albany,  and  14  miles  SW.  from  Bedford.  It  contains  2  Meth- 
odist, 1  Presbyterian,  1  Episcopal,  and  1  Baptist  church,  the  county 
buildings,  an  academy,  70  or  80  dwellings,  and  about  550  inK:.b- 
itants.  The  above  view  shows  the  appearance  of  the  central  part 
of  the  village :  the  courthouse,  an  ancient  building,  is  seen  on  the 
left,  the  spire  of  the  academy  on  the  extreme  right. 

The  following  account  of  the  military  operations  in  this  town  and 
its  vicinity  in  Oct.  1776,  and  the  events  which  followed,  is  from 
Botta's  American  Revolution. 

"  The  English  general  remained  eeveral  days  at  Frogs  Neck,  as  well  to  repair  the  bridges 
which  the  enemy  had  broken,  as  to  wait  fur  n  considerable  reinforcement  which  he  had 
called  from  Slaten  Island.  The  road  from  Frogs  Neck  to  Kingsbridge  is  excessively  rough 
with  continual  masses  of  small  stones,  and  the  Americans  had  also  obstructed  it  in  many 
places.  Washington,  who  hud  assembled  all  his  army  at  Kingsbridge,  sent  forward  his 
light  infantry  to  scour  the  country,  and  to  harass  the  enemy  in  his  march. 

"  Gen.  Howe,  having  received  his  reinforcements,  put  himself  in  motion  with  all  his 
troops ;  he  crossed  Pelham  Manor,  and  went  to  encamp  at  New  Rochelle,  where  he  was 
joined  by  the  second  division  of  Hessians,  and  of  the  troops  of  Waldeck  under  Gen.  Knyp. 
hausen,  and  by  a  regiment  of  'cavolry  lately  arrived  at  New  York  from  Ireland.  As  the 
principal  project  of  the  expedition  was  to  intercept  the  communication  of  Washington  with 
the  eastern  provinces,  and  then,  if  ho  declined  to  venture  an  engagement,  to  shut  him  up 
on  the  island  of  New  York,  consequently  it  was  necessary  to  occupy  the  two  roads  lending 
into  Connecticut ;  the  one  upon  iho  coast  of  the  sound,  and  the  other  more  inland.  The 
first  was  already  in  the  power  of  the  English;  but  in  attempting  to  occupy  the  second,  it 
was  requisite  to  traverse  the  difficult  country  of  which  we  have  already  made  mention,  in 
order  to  secure  the  post  of  the  highlands,  known  by  the  name  of  White  Plains,  upon  the 
rear  of  Kingsbridge. 

"  Gen.  Howe  determined  to  take  this  route ;  he  marched,  however,  slowly  and  with 
extreme  caution,  after  leaving  ut  New  Rochelle  the  German  corps,  lately  arrived,  to  secure 
the  lower  road,  and  the  communication  with  those  places  whence  Btores  and  necessaries 
were  to  arrive. 

"Washington  examined,  with  attention,  the  danger  of  his  position.     He  penetrated  the 

.!__• -i*  .C- __..    .nji  An>.*A#i>iA»t*i»  A^^iAd>A   t/j  £.hs.Rfiort   wtiH  tHs  !n£.in  bocv  Oi  hi* 

army,  the  encampment  of  Kingsbridge.    Extending,  therefore,  his  left  wing,  he  took  post 
with  it  in  the  White  Plains,  while  the  right  occupied  the  heights  of  Valentine's  Hill,  near 


ill 


WESTCHESTER   COUNTV. 


;39 


Kingsbridge ;  the  centre  exactly  filled  the  space  comprehended  between  these  two  points. 
Here  he  intrenched  himself  with  the  greatest  care.  His  army  thus  formed  a  well  secured 
hne,  parallel  to  the  river  Bronx,  which  lay  on  its  front,  and  separated  it  from  the  English, 
who  marched  up  along  the  left  bank  of  this  stream. 

"  Washington  had  behind  him  the  great  river  Hudson,  into  which  the  English  frigates 
had  not  yet  been  able  to  penetrate  so  far  as  to  intercept  the  supplies  of  provisions  which  he 
received  from  the  upper  parts.  With  his  left  wing  he  occupied  the  upper  road  of  Connec. 
ticut,  by  which  he  was  also  abundantly  supplied  with  provisions  and  munitions.  He  had 
left  sufficient  garrisons  at  Kingsbridge,  at  Hariem,  and  in  Fort  Washington ;  in  this  last 
place,  however,  against  his  own  opinion.  Meanwhile,  he  detached  numerous  parties,  over 
the  Bronx,  in  order  to  retard  the  motions  of  the  enemy.  Hence  frequent  skirmishes  ensued, 
and  though  the  royalists  had  generally  the  advantage  in  these  rencounters,  they  still  served 
to  dissipate  the  terror  of  the  Americans,  who  every  day  showed  themselves  more  bold  in 
defying  the  enemy. 

"  Upon  the  approach  of  the  English  to  the  White  Plains,  Washington,  all  at  once,  called 
in  his  detachments,  and  abandoning  the  positions  he  had  occupied  along  the  Bronx,  assem. 
bled  all  his  troops  in  a  strong  camp  upon  the  height.s,  near  these  plains,  in  front  of  the  enemy. 
His  right  flank  was  protected  by  the  Bronx,  which,  by  its  winjings,  also  covered  the  front 
of  the  right  wing.  The  main  body  was  nearly  parallel  to  the  river,  and  the  left  wing  being 
placed  at  a  right  angle  upon  the  ceniro,  and  consequently  parallel  to  the  right,  extended 
towards  the  north  upon  the  hills,  as  nmcli  as  was  necessary  to  guard  the  defiles  leading  to 
the  upper  mountainous  regioni',  into  which  the  nrtny,  if  expedient,  might  retire.  But  the 
right  wing,  being  posted  in  more  level  and  less  difiicult  ground,  found  itself  more  exposed  ; 
wherefore  Gen.  McDougall  was  ordered  to  occupy,  with  a  strong  detachment,  a  mountain 
about  a  mile  distant  from  the  camp ;  he  intrenched  himself  there  as  well  as  the  time  would 
admit  of. 

"  Such  was  the  position  of  the  American  army  when  the  English  arrived  within  7  or  8 
miles  of  White  Plains,  and  prepared  themselves  to  attack  without  loss  of  time.  On  the 
morning  of  the  28th  of  Oct.  they  advanced  in  2  columns,  the  right  commanded  by  Gen. 
Clinton,  and  the  left  by  Gen.  Heister.  At  noon,  all  the  outposts  being  driven  back  by  the 
English  and  Hessian  light  infantry,  !!;■;  British  army  appeared  before  the  American  camp. 
Immediately  there  ensued  a  cannonade,  but  to  very  liitle  effect.  The  English  drew  up  in 
order  of  buttle  ;  their  riglit  occupied  the  road  which  leads  to  Marrineck,  about  a  mile  distant 
from  the  centre  of  the  enemy ;  while  the  left,  equally  distant  from  his  right,  bordered  the 
Bronx.  The  English  general  having  observed  the  importance  of  the  position  taken  by  Gen. 
McDougall,  and  being  persuaded  that  the  right  of  the  enemy,  which  was  his  only  assailable 
point,  could  not  be  forced  so  long  as  it  should  be  protected  by  a  post  of  such  strength,  re. 
solved  to  wrest  it  from  the  Americans.  Ho  ordered  a  Hessian  regiment,  commanded  by 
Col.  Ralle,  to  ford  the  Bronx,  and  by  a  circuituus  movement  to  fall  upon  the  Hank  of  Gen. 
McDougall,  while  Gen.  Leslie  should  attack  him  in  front  with  a  brigade  of  English  and 
Hessians.  Col.  Ralle  having  arrived  at  the  point  indicated,  Leslie,  who  had  also  crossed 
the  Bronx,  furiously  assaulted  the  intrenchments  of  McDougall.  The  militia  soon  fled,  but 
the  regular  troops  made  a  valiant  resistance.  A  regiment  of  Maryland,  conducted  by  Col. 
Smallwood,  and  a  regiment  o(  New  York,  under  Col.  Ratzemar,  ventured  even  to  come 
out  of  the  lines  and  to  charge  the  enemy  at  the  very  foot  of  the  mountain,  but  they  were 
overpowered  by  numbers  and  forced  to  retire.  Then  the  English  and  Hessians  ascended 
the  heighia  with  singular  intrepidity,  and  took  possession  of  them  after  a  vigorous  struggle. 
The  Americana,  however,  continued  for  some  lime  to  fire  from  behind  the  walls  of  enclo. 
Bures,  and  thus  retarded  the  progress  of  the  aasiiilanin.  But  Gen.  Putnam,  who  had  been 
sent  to  their  succor,  could  not  arrive  in  season.  The  loss  of  men  in  this  action  was  great 
on  the  one  part  as  well  as  on  the  other. 

"  Washington,  calmly  expecting  that  the  enemy  would  come  to  attack  him  next,  had 
already  sent  into  his  rear  the  sick  and  the  baggage  ;  but  as  it  grew  towards  the  close  of  day, 
the  English  general  determined  to  defer  the  assault  till  the  next  morning.  He  caused  his 
troops  to  encamp  within  cannon-shot  of  the  American  lines.  Washington  took  advantage 
of  the  night  to  strengthen  them  widi  additional  works,  and  to  occupy  a  stronger  position  in 
the  rear  with  his  left  wing,  which,  by  the  loss  of  the  mountain,  had  become  more  exposrd. 
When  the  light  appeared.  Gen.  Howe  reconnoitred  the  intrenchmenta  of  the  enemy,  and 
found  them  su(li(Mently  formidable  to  determine  him  to  wait  the  arrival  of  some  battalions 
that  had  been  left  at  New  York,  under  the  connnand  of  Lord  Percy,  and  ()f  several  compa- 
nios  from  Marrineck.  These  roinforcenienU  being  received  on  the  evening  of  the  30th,  ho 
appointed  the  following  morning  for  the  assault,  but  the  excessive  rain  which  fell  duriiig  the 
uight  and  also  in  the  morning,  compelled  him  to  defer  it.  The  American  gcnrral,  iu  the 
iiicBii  tmio,  examined  his  poaition  with  his  accustomed  prudence  j  ho  was  decided  not  to 


0  I 


600 


WESTCHESTER   COUNTV. 


risk  a  pitched  battle  without  the  ftrongest  hope  of  success.  He  perceived  that  the  Enghsh 
had  already  erected  4  or  5  batteries,  and  that  by  turning  his  right  flank  they  might  get  pos. 
session  of  the  heights  situated  upon  his  rear.  He  concluded,  therefore,  to  break  up  his 
camp  in  the  night  of  the  1st  of  November.  He  removed  into  a  country  still  more  moun. 
tainous  in  the  vicinity  of  North  Castle;  having  previously  set  fire  to  the  houses  iii  White 
Plains  and  the  neighborhood,  and  to  the  forage  that  was  found  in  the  camp.  He  immedi. 
ately  detached  a  strong  corps  to  occupy  the  bridge  over  the  Croionnver,  which  leads  to  the 
upper  parts  of  the  Hudson.     On  the  following  morning  the  English  took  possession  ot  the 

American  camp.  ,    ,.      i  .       j  .u  .  r        .i 

"  Gen.  Howe,  perceiving  that  his  enemy  declined  an  engagement,  and  that  from  the 
situation  of  the  country,  and  his  knowledge  of  every  advantage6us  position,  it  would  be 
impossible  to  compel  him  to  fight  but  upon  the  most  unequal  and  hazardous  terms,  took  the 
determination  to  discontinue  the  pursuit,  and  to  turn  his  attention  to  the  reduction  of  the 
forts  and  fastnesses  still  occupied  by  the  Americans  m  the  neighborhood  of  New  York. 
His  views  were  particularly  directed  upon  Fort  Washington,  which  was  its  principal  bul- 
wark  But  though  the  ground  where  this  fortress  had  been  erected  was  very  rough  and 
difficult,  its 'fortifications  were  not  sufficiently  strong  to  resist  heavy  artillery.  It  was  inca- 
cable  from  its  little  extent,  of  containing  more  than  a  thousand  defenders ;  the  outworks 
that  surrounded  it,  especially  to  the  south,  towards  New  York,  might  lodge,  it  is  true,  a 

much  stronger  garrison.  „       ,     ,  ^  ,  \    a       ■„      .    n       n 

"The  commander-in-chief,  as  if  he  had  foreseen  the  event,  had  written  to  Gen.  Grc.ne, 
who  commanded  in  this  part,  enioining  him  to  reflect  maturely  upon  his  position,  and  in 
case  he  should  find  that  Fort  Wasliington  was  not  m  a  snuatiou  to  sustain  an  assault,  to 
cause  it  to  be  forthwith  evacuated  ;  and  to  transport  the  garrison  to  the  right  bank  ot  the 
Hudson  But  this  general,  either  believing  tliat  the  strength  ot  the  place  and  the  valor  ot 
the  troops  would  assure  hiin  a  long  defence,  or  from  the  apprehension  that  his  retreat  wuuld 
increase  the  already  too  general  discouragement  of  the  Americans,  took  the  resoliiiion  to 
hold  out  to  the  hist.  He  was  herein  the  more  easily  deierniined,  as  he  believed  that  the 
garrison  would  always  be  able  to  retreat  into  Fort  Lee,  situated  upon  the  other  bank  of  the 
river  But  Washington  judged  less  favorably  of  the  future  ;  he  was  persuaded  that  the 
P^nglish  would  not  remain  satisfied  with  the  reduction  of  the  first  fort ;  but  that  crossing  the 
river  imd  making  themselves  masters  of  the  second,  which  was  not  tenable,  they  would 
spread  themselves  in  the  province  of  New  Jers.-y.  He  left  therefore  Gen.  Lee,  with  t  le 
militia  of  the  eastern  provinces,  upon  the  left  bank  of  the  Hudson,  and  having  secured  the 
strong  positions  towards  the  Groton  river,  and  especially  that  of  Peeks  kill,  near  the  Hud- 
son  itself,  he  crossed  that  river  with  tiie  main  body  of  his  army,  and  went  to  rejoin  (.eii. 
Greene  in  his  camp  under  Fort  Lee.  (icn.  Lee  himself  had  orders  to  come  with  all  .speed 
and  join  him,  in  case  the  enemy,  after  having  taken  the  fort,  should  show  himself  upon  the 
right  bank  of  the  Hudson.  He  afterward  wrote  to  the  governor  of  New  .Jersey,  requesting 
him  to  remove  the  magazines  of  provisions  into  the  most  remote  parts,  nii.i  to  call  out  all 
the  militia.  All  these  dispositions  being  made  to  his  wish,  Washington  watcliod  witli  an 
attentive  eye  the  movements  of  the  enemy.  ,   r         -nt       n     i   ii 

"Meanwhile  Gen.  Howe  had  ordered  (ien.  Knyphauscn  to  march  from  New  Koeliel  e, 
and  to  occupy  Kingsbridge.     This  he  executed  without  obstacles,  the  Ameririms,__wlio 


'e  eye  the  movements  of  the  enemy, 
•anwhile,  Gen.  Howe  had  ordered  Gen.  Kny 
„..„.„  occupy  Kingsbridge.     This  he  executed  v 

guarded  this  position,  having  fallen  back  upon  Fori  Washington.  1  he  corps  of  Gen.  Kuyp- 
hausen  consequently  penetrated  into  the  island  of  New  \  ork,  and  proceeded  to  invest  llie 
fort,  on  the  pait  of  the  north.  .„    ,       ,        ,   ,     „,..     m  •  \a 

"A  short  time  after,  the  English  general  himself  abandoned  the  White  Plains,  ami  dr. 
Bcending  along  the  bt.nks  of  the  Hudson,  conducted  the  rest  of  the  army  to  Kingsbridge. 
He  pitched  his  camp  upon  the  heigliis  of  Fordham,  his  right  wing  being  covered  by  the 
Hudson,  and  his  left  by  the  Bronx.  ...  , 

"  The  royalists  then  prepared  to  attack  Fort  Washington  ;  its  interior  and  appurtenances 
were  defended  bv  full  3,000  iwn,  under  the  command  of  Col.  Magaw,  a  bravo  and  experi. 
rn<:ed  oflieer.  He  wtis  summoned  in  vniii  to  surrender.  The  .''f^'/'S'-^^^"*'';''^^;^';  .J^JJ,'^ 
assault  in  four  divisions,  the  first  from  the  north,  t 
consisting  of  Hessians  and  the  troops  of  Waldeek  ; 
Enclish  light  infantry  and  two  battalions  of  giiardi . 
corps  was  to  attack  the  intrenehmcnts  whieh  exKnded  from  borl  Wa.-ihington  almost  to  the 
East  river;  the  third,  commanded  by  Col.  Sterling,  was  destmcd  to  pass  this  river  lower 
down  than  the  second,  in  ordi^r  to  a.ssuil  the  fort  more  to  the  south ;  tmt  this  was  only  a 
feint  The  fourth,  which  obeyed  the  orders  of  Lord  Percy,  a  very  strong  corps,  was  direct. 
tA  in  nim  it«  ii.«nult  against  the  western  flank  of  the  fortress.  These  diflerent  divisions 
were  provided  with  a  numerous  and  excellent  artillery.  The  Hpssiaiis,  uiiuer  Gt  ii.  Knyp- 
hauscn, were  to  pass  through  a  very  thick  fore«t,  where  Col.  Rawlings  wa*  already  posigd 


coiniimnded  by  (Jen.  knyphaii."en,  and 
the  ge<:ond  from  the  east,  composed  ot 
<-  conducted  bv  (ien.  Matthews.    This 


VVVOMlN't;    CDUNTY. 


601 


with  his  regiment  of  riflemen.  An  exiremely  warm  aflair  was  engaged,  in  which  the 
Germans  sustained  a  severe  loss.  The  Americans,  ambushed  behind  the  trees  and  rocits, 
fired  in  security ;  but  at  last,  the  Hessians  redoubling  tlieir  elTorts,  gained  a  very  steep 
ascent  whence  they  came  down  upon  the  enemy  with  an  irresistible  impetuosity ;  the 
divisions  which  followed  them  were  thus  enabled  to  land  without  molestation.  Col.  Raw. 
lings  retreated  under  ihe  cannon  of  the  fori.  Lord  Percy,  on  his  pari,  had  carried  an 
advanced  work,  which  faciUtated  the  debarkation  of  the  party  under  Gul.  Sterling,  who, 
the  moment  he  had  landed,  forced  his  way  up  a  difFicult  height,  which  was  very  resolutely 
defended ;  he  gained  the  summit,  where  he  took  a  considerable  number  of  prisoners,  noU 
wiihst:inding  their  gallant  resistance.  Col.  Cadwalladcr,  who  was  charged  with  the  defence 
of  this  part,  retired  also  into  the  fort.  .  ^       „       ,  .  ,  ,1, 

"  Col  Ralle   who  led  the  riglit  column  of  Gen.  Knyphausen's  attack,  surmounted  all 
obstacles  with 'admirable  valor,  and  lodged  his  column  within  100  yards  of  the  fort.     Soon 
after  Gen.  Knvphausen  joined  him  with  the  left  column;  havmg  at  length  extricated  hmi- 
self  from  the  dilliculiies  encountered  in  the  forest.     The  garrison  havmg  dms  lost  though 
not  wi'hout  glory,  all  their  advanced  works,  found  themselves  closely  invesied  within  the 
body  of  the  fortress.     The  besiegers  then  summoned  Col.  Magaw  to  surrender.     He  had 
already  consumed  nearlv  all  his  ammunition.     The  very  multitude  of  defenders  pressed  into 
80  narrow  a  space,  was  prejudicial  to  def.Mice,  and  every  thi.ig  demonstrated  that  he  could 
not  sustain  an  assault.     Accordingly  he  decided  to  capituhue.     The  gtirrison,  amounting 
to  2,600  men,  inclusive  of  the  country  militia,  surrendered  prisoners  ot  war.     1  he  Amen- 
cans  had  few  killed  ;  the  royalists  lost  about  bOO,  the  greater  part  Germans.      Tjie  reduc. 
lion  of  Fort  Washington  thus  gave  the  royal  army  entire  possession  of  the  island  ot  JNew 
York." 

YoNKERs  is  centrally  distant  16  miles  N.  of  New  York.  Pop. 
2,968.  Yonkers  village,  formerly  called  Philipsburg,  is  situated  upon 
the  Hudson,  and  contains  2  churches,  a  female  seminary,  and  about 
50  dwellings.  This  place  is  a  favorite  summer  resort  tor  the  citizens 
of  New  York.  Kingsbridge,  13  miles  N.  of  the  city  hall,  New 
York,  is  on  Spuyten  Duyyel  creek,  or  Harlem  river,  and  contains 
about  a  dozen  dwellines.  The  bridge  at  this  place  is  ot  wood,  about 
60  feet  long.  This  neighborhood  was  the  scene  ot  important  military 
operations  during  the  revolution.  ,  „  t^     r  t>    i   i  n 

YoRKTowN  is  45  miles  N.  of  New  York,  and  6  E.  of  Peekskiil. 
Pop.  2,819.  Crompond  is  a  small  village  containing  2  churches  and 
about  a  dozen  dwellings.  The  names  of  the  post-offices  are  York- 
town,  Pine  Bridge,  and  Shrub  Oak.  Through  the  south  part  Hows 
the  Croton  river,  where  is  located  the  great  dam  and  reservoir  lor 
the  Croton  aqueduct.  [See  p.  336.]  This  river  was  named  after  an 
ancient  sachem,  Croton,  who  resided  on  its  banks  at  the  first  settle- 
ment of  the  country. 


f  ii 


VVYOMING  COUNTY. 

Wyoming  county  was  formed  from  the  southern  portion  of  Gen- 
esee county  in  1841  ;  length  E.  and  W.  25,  breadth  N.  and  S.  18 
miles;  centrally  distant  from  New  York  325,  and  from  Albany  264 
miles.  The  surface  of  the  county  is  but  gently  ""d"  '^cf*' ""^  the 
gencriil  character  ot  the  soil  is  a  most  sandy  or  grav.;ll>  i^>^m,  weii 
adapted  to  the  culture  of  grain  and  grass.  The  Genesee  nver  touches 
^  76 


602 


WYOMlN(i    COUNTY. 


the  southeastern  corner  in  the  town  of  Castile.  Allen's  creek,  so 
named  from  the  infamous  Indian  Allen,  who  committed  many  mur- 
ders on  the  frontier  inhabitants  in  this  region,  rises  in  this  county,  and 
flowing  northeasterly  through  a  portion  of  the  county  of  Genesee 
empties  into  the  Genesee  river  in  the  town  of  Wheatland,  Monroe 
county.  The  Holland  Land  Company,  to  whom  this  country  origin- 
ally belonged,  still  own  some  small  tracts.  It  is  divided  into  13 
towns,  and  has  a  population  of  about  30,000. 

Attica,  taken  from  Sheldon  in  1821  ;  centrally  distant  NW.  from 
Warsaw,  the  county  seat,  8  miles.  Pop.  2,709.  Attic,  a  post  village 
in  the  northern  part,  contains  2  churches,  a  printing  office,  several 
mills,  stores,  and  about  125  dwellings.  Attica  Centre  is  a  smaller 
village. 

Bennington,  the  NW.  corner  town,  was  tak-^n  from  Sheldon  in 
1818;  centrally  distant  NW.  from  Warsaw  14  miles.  Pop.  2,367. 
Bennington  and  Cowlesville  are  small  post  villages. 

Castile,  the  SE.  corner  town,  was  taken  from  Perry  in  1821 ; 
centrally  distant  SE.  from  Warsaw  7  miles.  Pop.  2,828.  Castile 
and  St.  Helena  are  small  villages,  the  latter  of  which  is  on  the 
Genesee  river.     Silver  Lake  is  a  post-office  near  the  Silver  Lake. 

"  The  Gardow  Reservation,  which  hes  partly  in  this  town,  was  a  tract  of  10,000  acres, 
which  the  Seneca  Indians  reserved  in  their  sale  to  Robert  Morris  in  1797,  conferring  it 
upon  Mary  Jemison,  the  celebrated  "  White  Woman,"  who  resided  upon  it  until  her 
decease,  at  a  very  advapred  age,  in  Sept.  1833.  Mary  Jemison  was  truly  u  remarkable 
woman.  She  was  of  Irish  parents,  and  was  born  at  sea,  on  their  passage  to  America  in 
1742  or  '43.  Her  parents  settled  on  what  was  at  that  time  the  frontier  of  Pennsylvania. 
She  had  an  uncle  in  the  command  of  Washington,  who  fell  at  Braddock's  defeat.  In  the 
spring  of  1755,  Mary,  her  parents,  two  brothers,  and  several  inmates  of  the  house,  were 
made  prisoners  by  a  party  of  half  a  dozen  Seneca  Indians  and  four  Frenchmen.  They 
were  all  hurried  off"  into  the  woods,  and  the  whole  party  murdered,  Mary  alone  exccpieJ. 
Siie  was  exposed  to  all  tne  hardships  and  privations  of  a  prisoner  until  her  arrival  at  a 
Seneca  town,  where  she  was  adopted  into  im  Indian  family  as  a  daughter,  and  hencefor- 
ward  treated  with  kindness, — leading  a  r  ving  life,  and  for  a  season  inediiaiing  upon  the 
metins  of  escape.  These  being  frustrated,  she  at  length  resigned  herself  entirely  to  the 
Indian  life  and  customs.  At  u  proper  age,  she  was  married  to  a  Delaware  Indian,  whom 
she  loved,  and  by  whom  she  had  one  or  more  children.  She  visited  Fort  Pitt  several  times, 
and  occasionally  resided  among  the  Shawnee  Indians. 

"  Her  husband  died,  and  she  afterward  married  a  Seneca  chief,  living  in  the  Genesee 
valley,  at  about  the  beginning  of  the  revolution.  Her  Seneca  husband  was  a  man  of  blood, 
but  kind  and  affectionate  to  her.  She  retained  her  family  name,  .femison,  and  also  the 
English  language,  which  she  spoke  fluently  until  the  day  of  her  deB'h.  But  although  she 
hud  been  religiously  in.-inicted  by  her  parents,  she  embraced  the  religion  of  the  Indians, 
and  became  thoroughly  Indianized — adopting  and  boconiiiig  enamored  of  all  their  manneis, 
habits,  and  customs,  ilnoughoiit.  Her  life  was  full  of  incident  and  wild  adventure.  The 
Indians  ever  entertained  an  exalted  esteem  for  her,  as  was  evinced  by  the  grant  of  the 
(Jardow  tiact— I'nibracing  a  rich  section,  both  of  intervale  and  upland,  upon  which  she 
resiHed  mitil  within  a  few  years  before  her  death,  which  took  place  at  the  Buffalo  Creek 
Reservation.  [See  Bnffiilo.J  In  obtaining  -.iiis  grant  or  reservation,  moreover,  she  showed 
all  the  cunning  of  her  adopted  people.  Mr.  Thomas  Morris,  who  conducted  the  treaty  for 
his  father,  has  told  me  that  when  a  request  was  made  to  him  for  a  reservation  for  the 
"  White  Woman,"  he  supposed  that  they  meant  only  a  farm  of  some  200  or  300  acres,  but 
that  the  woman  herself  by  artfully  indicating  certain  bounds,  with  which  he  was  not  exactly 
familiar,  actually  overreached  liitn  and  obtained  the  large  tract  already  mentioned  ;  includ- 
ing  the  whole  of  the  Gardow  Flats,  and  tiie  romantic  walls  of  rock  and  hill  witliin  which 
the?  are  sequestered. 

*'  During  the  revolution,  her  house  was  often  the  quarters  of  Brant  and  Col.  .Tohii  Butler, 
when  making  tJiuir  inroads  upon  the  frontier*  of  the  colonies.     She  attended  the  treaty  oJ 


WYOMING    COUNTV. 


603 


:*l 


Genesee  Flat?,  hclJ  by  Gen.  Schuyler  in  1775;  and  her  life,  taken  down  in  writing,  from 
her  own  lips  in  1823,  was  full  of  incident  and  adventure.  She  would  not  throw  off  her 
Indian  costume,  even  after  the  white  population  hud  completely  surrounded  her  residence, 
but  adhered  to  her  Indian  customs  with  the  utmost  tenacity  to  the  last.  She  was  rich,  not 
only  in  lands,  but  in  herds  and  flocks,  and  had  tenants  who  worked  her  lands.  One  of  her 
sons  was  educated  a  physician,  and  obtained  a  surgeon's  commission  in  the  navy — dying  a 
few  years  ago  on  the  Mediterranean  station.  In  many  respects,  Mary  was  a  valuable 
woman — humane  and  benevolent — and  doing  great  good  among  the  petJple  of  her  adop- 
tion." — New  York  Commercial  Advertiser. 

China,  the  SW.  town  of  the  county,  was  taken  from  Sheldon  in 
1818;  from  Warsaw  centrally  distant  SW.  17  miles.  Pop.  1,437. 
Arcade  is  a  small  post  village,  containing  about  60  dwellings.  East 
China  is  a  post-office,  around  which  there  is  a  settlement. 

Covington,  the  NE.  corner  town,  was  taken  from  Le  Roy  and 
Perry  in  1817.  Its  limits  were  reduced  in  1841,  at  the  time  of  the 
division  of  Genesee  county  by  the  erection  of  Pavilion  from  its  north- 
ern portion.  It  is  centrally  distant  from  Warsaw  NE.  10  miles. 
Covington  and  La  Grange  are  small  post  villages. 

Gainesville  was  originally  named  Hebe,  and  taken  from  Warsaw 
in  1814  ;  centrally  distant  G  miles.  Pop.  2,307.  Gainesville  Centre, 
East  Gainesville,  and  Gainesville,  are  small  post  villages. 

Java  was  taken  from  China  in  1832 ;  centrally  distant  SW.  of 
Warsaw  15  miles.  Pop.  2,331.  Java,  Java  Centre,  and  Java  village, 
are  small  post  villages. 

MiDDLEBURY  was  taken  from  Warsaw  in  1812;  centrally  distant 
N.  of  Warsaw  6  miles.  Pop.  2,447.  Wyoming,  post  village,  near 
the  eastern  boundary  on  Allen's  creek,  is  14  miles  SE.  ot  Batavia, 
and  contains  1  Baptist,  1  Presbyterian,  and  1  Methodist  church,  61 
dwellings,  3  mercantile  stores,  and  about  450  inhabitants.  The  Mid- 
dlebury  academy  is  a  flourishing  institution  in  this  place.  Middle- 
burv,  a  post-office,  is  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town. 

Orangeville  was  taken  from  Attica  in  1816;  centrally  distant  W. 
from  Warsaw  G  miles.  Pop.  1,949.  Orangeville,  East  Orangeville, 
and  Johnsonburgh,  are  small  post  villages. 

Perry  was  taken  from  Leicester  in  1814;  centrally  distant  h.  ot 
Warsaw  0  miles.     Pop.  3.087. 

The  following  is  a  view  in  the  central  portion  of  Perry  village,  incor- 
porated in  1830,  and  situated  about  7  miles  E.  of  Warsaw.  It  is  a 
place  of  considerable  mercantile  and  manufacturing  business,  and 
contains  an  academy,  3  churches,  and  about  150  buildings.  It  is 
situated  on  the  outlet  of  Silver  lake,  which  is  a  beautiful  sheet  ot 
water  3  miles  in  length,  and  well  stocked  with  fish.  The  outlet  fur- 
nishes much  hydraulic  power  for  the  mills  and  factories  in  this  /icinity. 
Perry  Centre'  is  much  smaller,  though  incorporated.  It  is  situated 
about  2  miles  to  the  north.  - 

Sheldon  was  taken  from  Batavia  in  1808;  centrally  distant  from 
Warsaw  W.  12  miles.  Pop.  2,366.  Sheldon  Centre  StrykersviHe. 
and  Varysburgh,  are  small  post  villages.  North  Sheldon  is  the  name 
of  a  post-office. 


I?  J 


604 


YATES    COUM'V. 


It 


III    "VI 


"  ijr  ■.  1 1 


South  view  in  Perry  village. 


Warsaw  was  formed  from  Batavia  in  1808  ;  from  Albany  W.  24b 
miles.  Pop.  2,852.  The  village  of  Warsaw  is  situated  22  miles  S. 
iVom  Batavia,  at  the  head  of  "  Allen's  Creek  Valley,"  and  on  Allen's 
creek,  nearly  equidistant  from  Rochester,  Canandaigua,  Buffalo,  and 
Olean.  By  the  act  of  the  commissioners  appointed  by  the  legislature, 
the  courthouse,  clerk's  office,  and  jail  of  Wyoming  county  were  located 
at  this  place,  July  10,  1841.  There  are  here  1  Presbyterian,  1  Bap- 
tist,  1  Methodist,  and  1  Congregational  church,  100  dwellings,  1 
printing  office,  1  tannery,  6  mercantile  stores,  26  mechanical  shops, 
2  iron  foundries,  2  carding  works,  1  woollen  factory,  1  grist-mill,  and 
about  800  inhabitants.  The  town  was  settled  in  1801,  principally  by 
emigrants  from  New  England ;  and  its  present  inhabitants  are  noted  for 
their  morality  and  fondness  for  literature.  The  oldest  church  erect- 
ed in  the  state  west  of  the  Genesee  river,  is  yet  standing  in  the  centre 
of  the  village  of  Warsaw.  South  Warsaw  is  a  small' village  in  the 
south  part  of  the  town. 

Wethersfield  was  taken  from  Orangeville  in  1823;  centrally 
distant  SW.  from  Warsaw  8  miles.  Popl  1,731.  Hermitage,  Weth- 
ersfield, and  Wethersfield  Springs,  are  small  post  villages.  North 
Wethersfield  is  the  name  of  a  post-office. 


YATES  COUNTY. 

Yates  county  was  taken  from  Ontario  in  1823;  centrally  distant 
from  New  York  via  Albany  330,  and  from  Albany  185  miles ;  great- 
est length  E.  and  W.  24,  greatest  breadth  N.  and  S.  20  miles.  The 
surface  of  this  county  is  agreeably  diversified  ;  the  northern  part  is 
gently  undulating,  and  the  southern  hilly.     The  soil  is  in  many  pla- 


YATE3   COUNT V, 


605 


ly  W.  24b 
i  miles  S. 
m  Allen's 
iffalo,  and 
?gislature, 
re  located 
n,  1  Bap- 
'ellings,  1 
cal  shops, 
t-mill,  and 
cipaliy  by 
;  noted  for 
rch  erect- 
the  centre 
ige  in  the 

centrally 
^e,  Weth- 
3.     North 


ly  distant 
IS ;  great- 
les.  The 
rn  part  is 
nany  pla- 


ces connposed  of  a  warm  rich  mould,  yielding  abundant  crops,  though 
as  a  whole  it  is  more  of  a  grazing  than  a  grain  country.  The  cli- 
mate is  temperate,  and  for  the  cultivation  of  fruit  is  not  exceeded  by 
any  portion  of  the  state.  It  lies  wholly  in  the  tract  ceded  to  Massa- 
chusetts, and  in  that  portion  of  it  which  passed  through  Messrs. 
Gorham,  Phelps,  and  Robert  Morris  to  Sir  William  Pulteney.  It  is 
divided  into  eight  towns.     Pop.  20,442. 

Barrington,  taken  from  Wayne  in  1822;  centrally  distant  from 
Penn  Yan  S.  1 1  miles.  Warsaw  is  a  small  post  village.  Barrington 
is  a  post-office.     Pop.  1,809. 

Benton,  taken  from  .Jerusalem  in  1803.  Pop,  3,911.  Dresden, 
on  the  Seneca  Lake,  7  miles  E.  of  Penn  Yan,  Benton.  8  miles  INE., 
and  Benton  Centre,  4  miles  N.,  are  villages  containing  from  40  to  60 
dwellings  each.     Hopcton  is  a  small  settlement  near  Dresden. 

Italy,  taken  from  Naples  of  Ontario  county  in  1815;  from  Penn 
Yan  SW.  15  miles.  Italy  Hill,  and  Italy  Hollow,  are  the  post-offi- 
ces.    Pop.  1,663. 


South  view  of  the  Jemima  Wilkinson  house. 

Jerusalem,  organized  by  general  sessions  o'"  Ontario  county;  area 
since  altered.  Pop.  2,934.  Branchport,  7  miips  SW.  of  Penn  Yan, 
and  Yatesvilie,  partly  in  the  town  of  Potter,  are  small  villages.  Jerusa- 
lem is  a  post-office  centrally  situated.  Blutf  Point  is  a  place  notable 
for  the  singularity  of  its  position,  as  embraced  by  the  arms  of  the 
Crooked  Lake,  for  its  high  and  rolling  surface,  and  for  having  been 
the  residence  and  death-place  of  Jemima  Wilkinson,  selt-styled  the 
•'  Universal  Friend,"  and  founder  of  a  religious  sect. 

The  above  is  a  view  of  the  Jemima  Wilkinson  house,  situated  at 
what  is  generally  called  the  Friends  settlement.  It  is  a  large  and  com- 
modious mansion,  and  is  still  occupied  by  a  few  persons,  the  sole 
remnant  of  her  followers.  The  dwelling  is  occasionally  visited  by 
strangers  ;  though  there  is  not  any  thing  of  interest  excepting  a  por- 
trait of  the  "  Universal  Friend,"  which  is  said  to  be  a  faithful  repre- 
sentation, and  exhibits  a  countenance,  intellectual,  uncommonly  beau- 
tiful, and  apparently  beaming  with  benevolence.    The  followers  of 


I 


606 


YATEd    COUNTy. 


E    ■ 


Jemima  Wilkinson  first  settled  about  the  year  1790  at  Milo,  in  this 
county,  near  the  Seneca  Lake,  and  subsequenuy  removed  to  this 
place.  Their  settlement  at  Milo  was  at  that  time  the  largest  in  the 
whole  Genesee  country,  numbering  about  forty  families.  A  highly 
intelligent  gentleman,  who  visited  them  many  years  since,  in  the  sea- 
son of  their  greatest  prosperity,  describes  them  as  being  distinguished 
for  their  frugality,  honesty,  and  industry,  living  retired  from  the 
world,  and  devoting  much  of  their  time  to  religious  exercises.  The 
"  Universal  Friend"  he  represented  as  having  been  beautiful  and  dig- 
nified in  her  person,  but  illiterate  in  her  conversation,  and  so  ignorant 
of  worldly  concerns  as  scarcely  to  be  enabled  to  understand  a  com- 
mon newspaper.  Her  memory,  however,  was  retentive,  and  her 
knowledge  of  the  Bible  truly  wonderful.  Many  of  the  extravagan- 
ces of  which  she  is  said  to  have  been  guilty,  may  be  attributed  to  the 
hi crh- wrought  enthusiasm  so  often  seen  among  religionists  of  her 
stamp  at  the  present  day. 

"  Jemima  Wilkinson,  or  the  '  Univcrsnl  Friend,'  was  born  in  Cumberland,  Rhode  Island, 
about  the  year  1753.  She  was  educated  among  the  Friends.  Recovering  I'rom  an  apparent 
suspension  of  lite  which  she  experienced  when  about  twenty.three  years  of  age,  during  a 
fit  of  sickness,  she  gave  out  that  she  had  been  raised  from  the  dead,  and  claimed  to  be  in- 
vested  with  divine  attributes  and  authority  to  instruct  mankind  in  religion.  It  is  also  said, 
she  pretended  to  foretell  future  events,  to  discern  the  secrets  of  the  heart,  and  to  have  the 
power  of  healing  diseases ;  and  if  any  person  who  made  application  to  her  was  not  healed, 
she  attributed  it  to  a  want  of  faith.  She  asserted  that  those  who  refused  to  believe  these 
exalted  things  concerning  her,  will  be  in  the  state  of  the  unbelieving  Jews,  who  rejected 
the  counsel  of  God  against  themselves ;  and  she  told  her  hearers  that  that  was  the  eleventh 
hour,  and  the  last  call  of  mercy  that  ever  should  be  granted  to  them  ;  for  she  heard  an  in- 
quiry in  Heaven  saying,  '  Who  will  go  and  preach  to  a  dying  worid  ?'  and  she  said  she  an- 
awered,  '  Here  am  I — send  me  ;'  and  that  she  left  the  realms  of  light  and  glory  and  die 
company  of  the  heavenly  hosts,  who  are  continually  praising  and  worshipping  God,  in  or- 
der  to  descend  upon  earth,  and  pass  through  many  sufferings  and  trials  for  the  happiness 
of  mankind.  She  professed  to  be  able  to  work  miracles,  and  offered  to  demonstrate  it  by 
walking  on  the  water  in  imitation  of  our  Saviour ;  accordingly  a  frame  was  constructed  for 
the  purpose  on  the  banks  of  the  Seneca  Lake,  at  Rapelyea's  ferry,  10  miles  south  of  Drcs- 
den.  At  the  appointed  time,  having  approached  within  a  few  hundred  yards  of  the  lake 
shore,  she  alighted  from  an  elegant  carriage,  and  the  road  being  strewed  by  her  followers 
with  white  handkerchiefs.  She  walked  to  the  platform,  and  having  announced  her  inten- 
tion  of  walking  across  the  lake  on  the  water,  she  stepped  ankle  deep  into  the  clear  element, 
when  suddenly  pausing  she  addressed  the  multitude,  inquiring  whether  or  not  they  had 
Jaith  that  she  could  pass  over,  for  if  otherwise  she  could  not ;  and  on  receiving  an  affirm- 
ative answer  returned  to  her  carriage,  declaring  as  tliey  believed  in  her  power  it  was  un- 
necessary to  display  it.     She  died  in  1819." 

The  following  description  of  Jemima's  personal  appearance  is  from 
the  Freeman's  Journal,  published  at  Philadelphia,  in  1787  : — 

"  There  are  now  in  this  city  a  number  of  the  disciples  of  a  certain  JEMIMA  WILKIN- 
SON, a  native  Rhode  Island,  a  person  who  professes  that  '  she  is  Christ  come  again  in  the 
flesh  a  second  time  without  sin  unto  salvation;*  though  it  should  be  noticed  that  her  follow, 
ers  do  not  admit  she  is  a  woman,  as  a  female  Messiah  appears  an  incongruity,  and  they 
therefore  of  consequence  deny  her  name,  and  appear  to  resent  it  ns  an  affront  when  she 
is  called  Jemima  Wilkinson,  and  declare  in  the  most  solemn  manner  they  know  no  such 
person.  Some  of  the  society  when  asked  to  explain  themselves,  do  it  in  the  following 
manner, '  that  the  names  of  persons  most  properly  belong  to  the  soul ;  but  when  a  person 
dies  and  the  soul  leaves  the  body,  the  body  can  no  more  be  called  by  its  former  name. 
Now  some  years  ago,  there  was  a  person  called  Jemima  Wilkinson,  but  s^he  died  and  her 
soul  went  to  heaven  ;  after  which  the  Divine  Spirit  re-animated  that  same  body,  and  it  arose 
from  the  dead  :  now  thia  Divine  inhabitant  is  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord,  the  friend  of  ail  man- 
kind, and  gives  the  name  to  the  body  to  which  he  is  united,  and  therefore  body  and  spirit 


YATES    COUNTY. 


607 


Rhode  Island, 


conjointly  is  the  Universal  Friend.'      To  coniplrte  the  character  of  so  extraordinary  a  per. 
sonage,  she  has  her  attendants  of  the  extraordinary  kind  also,  and  those  attendants  are 
said  to  be  two  witnesses  which  are  propliesied  by  St.  .Fohn  the  Divine,  in  the  Revelations. 
(See  chap.  xi.  from  the  3d  to  the  13th  verse.)     The  Universal  Friend,  as  she  is  styled,  ap- 
pears  to  be  about  33  years  of  age,  of  the  middle  size  of  women,  not  genteel  in  person,  and 
rather  awkward  in  her  carriage,  her  complexion  good,  her  eyes  black  and  remarkably  bril- 
liant,  her  hair  black,  and  waving  in  beautiful  ringlets  upon  her  neck  and  shoulders,  her  fea- 
tures  regular,  and  her  face  thought  by  many  to  be  perfectly  beautiful.    As  she  is  not  to  be 
supposed  to  be  of  either  sex,  so  this  neutrality  is  manifested  in  her  external  appearance  ; 
she  wears  no  cap,  letting  her  hair  hang  down  as  above  described  upon  her  neck  and  shoul. 
dcrs.     Her  neck'cloih  she  wears  like  a  man,  her  shift  buttons  around  her  neck,  and  her 
shift  sleeves  are  brought  down  to  her  hands,  and  buttoned  as  is  common  with  men.    Her 
outside  garment  is  a  loose  robe  that  resembles  a  morning-gown,  such  as  both  men  and  wo- 
men commonly  wear ;  under  this  it  is  said  her  apparel  is  very  expensive,  and  the  form  of 
them  conveys  the  same  idea  as  her  external  appearance,  of  her  being  neither  man  nor  wo- 
man.    Her  understanding  is  not  deficient,  except  touching  her  religious  fanaticism.    She  is 
very  illiterate  ;  yet  her  memory  is  very  great.   She  is  artful  in  discovering  many  circumstances 
which  fall  out  among  her  disciples,  and  in  making  them  believe  that,  as  she  is  divine,  nothing 
can  be  hid  from  her.     On  all  occasions  she  requires  the  most  extraordinary  attendance  that 
can  be  bestowed  upon  her,  having  little  regard  to  the  convenience  of  families  wherever 
she  happens  to  be  ;  and  one  or  two  disciples  usually  attend  her  and  perform  the  most  menial 
service.     Her  voice  is  masculine,  and  her  i)ronunciation  in  the  usual  dialect  of  the  most 
illiterate  of  the  country  people  of  New  England.     Her  preaching  has  but  very  little  con- 
neciion,  and  is  frequently  very  lengthy,  standing  at  times  for  several  iiours.  Somctiines  cold 
and  languid,  at  others  it  is  said  she  is  lively,  and  discovers  that  kind  of  zeal  and  anmiatioii 
which  "ive  reason  to  suppose  she  may  really  apprehend  herself  to  be  a  person  that  is  di- 
vine.    She  is  commonly  reserved  to  strangers,  and  only  grows  familiar  as  she  discovers  in 
them  a  preat  respect  for  her :  and  as  she  is  very  attentive  to  the  disposition  of  those  abo„. 
her,  she' soon  discovers  such  as  are  alTecced  by  her  peculiar  manner.     Her  first  address  to 
strangers  is  usually  in  a  grum,  masculine,  authoritative  lone  of  voice,  with  expressive  coun- 
tenance  and  piercing  eyes ;  and  these  are  the  effects  of  her  spiritual  pride.    Yet  she  often 
strikes  the  beholder  with  a  profound  awe,  and  the  immoral  are  sometimes  convicted  before 
her  which  she  is  arttul  to  improve,  so  as  to  raise  in  them  a  great  veneration  for  her ;  and 
when  she  discovers  any  one  properly  prepared  in  this  way,  she  usually  puts  some  question 
to  them  relating  to  her  own  imagined  divinity." 

Middlesex  was 
the  name  of  Ai^         ,  r     ■         a- 

miles.     Pop.  1,439.     Middlesex  is  the  name  ol  a  post-oltice. 

Mild  was  taken  from  Benton  in  1818  ;  from  Albany  W.  189  miles. 
Pop.  3,985.  The  thriving  incorporated  village  of  Penn  Yan,  the  county 
seat,  which  is  principally  built  on  astreet  about  a  mile  in  length,^s  situti- 
ted  at  the  northern  termination  of  the  eastern  arm  ot  the  Crooked 
Lake.  It  was  founded  by  Mr.  Abraham  Waggener,  and  derives  its 
name  from  the  circumstance  that  its  early  settlers  were  Pennsylvani- 
ans  and  Yankees,  in  nearly  equal  numbers.  The  annexed  view  was 
taken  from  an  eminence  about  a  third  of  a  mile  east  of  the  village. 
The  first  building  with  a  steeple  on  the  right  is  the  Presbyterian 
churtih,  the  one  next  on  the  left  with  a  cupola,  the  courthouse,  and 
the  third  and  fourth,  the  Baptist  and  Methodist  churches.  Crooked 
or  Keuka  Lake  is  partially  seen  in  the  distance.  The  other  public 
buildincrs  in  the  ^mlage  are  an  Episcopal  church,  an  academy,  a  pris- 
on, a  bank,  and  the  county  clerk's  office.  The  place  is  one  of  much 
business,  and  has  manv  mercantile  stores  and  about  300  dwellings. 
Milo  Centre,  4  miles  SE.  of  Penn  Yan,  and  Milo  6  miles,  are  small 

"^^  pSer  was  taken  from  Middlesex  in   1832.     Pop.  2,245.     Rush- 
vilie  is  a  thriving  village  of  60  or  80  dwellings  m  the  north  portion  ot 


^as  organized  in  1789  as  part  of  Ontario  county,  by 
^urrusta;  from  Penn  Yan  centrally  distant  NW.  12 


i 


1  i 


II 


608 


Y,\TES    COUNTY. 


^f'^.te:-.,;:^^ 


Northeastern  view  of  Penn  Yan. 

the  town,  partly  in  Gorliiim  of  Ontario  county,  and  lies  10  miles  SW. 
of  Canandaigua.  Yatosvillo  is  a  small  village  near  the  southeastern 
corner,  and  partly  in  Jerusalem.  Potter  and  North  Middlesex  are 
names  of  post-oHiccs. 

Starkky,  the  southeastern  corner  town  of  the  county,  was  taken 
from  Reading  of  Steuben  county  in  1824.  Pop.  2A2il  Starkoy, 
including  Eddyville  14  miles  SE.  of  Penn  Yan,  are  settlements  scat- 
tered along  the  road  for  about  two  miles,  and  containing  about  GO  or 
70  dwellings.  Dundee,  late  Ilarpcndings  Corners,  is  a  thriving  vil- 
lage, 14  miles  S.  of  Penn  Yan,  containing  4  churches  and  about 
80  dwellings.  Big  Stream  and  Rock  Stream  are  names  of  post- 
offices  in  the  south  ])ar*,  tlie  Ibrmer  of  wlijch  is  on  Seneca  Lake. 
The  falls  of  the  Big  Stream  in  this  town  are  one  hundred  and  forty 
feet  perpendicular.  This  cataract  is  situated  at  the  foot  of  a  rapid 
half  a  mile  in  length,  whence  the  stream  comes  dashing  over  craggy 
rocks  of  slate,  and  leaps  into  a  basin  eight  or  ten  rods  in  diameter, 
separated  from  the  lake  by  a  channel  some  eighty  rods  in  length. 


THE   ENO. 


miles  SW. 
outheastcrn 
ddlesex  are 

,  wns  taken 
.  Starkey, 
irnents  seat- 
about  60  or 
hriving  vil- 

and  about 
les  of  post- 
iicca  Lake, 
d  and  forty 

of  a  rapid 
»ver  craggy 
n  diameter, 
I  length. 


